Inkjet printer with a media tray for sheets of print media and an ink cartridge

• US 7,258,435 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2004
• Issued: 08/21/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd. (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Do; An H.
• Application Number:
  US11/012,347
• Publication Number:
  US 20050093945A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 347/100, 347 85- 87, 347/104, 347/109
• US Class Current: 347/104
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/103 for the sheet feeding section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/106 for the sheet output section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17523 Ink connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17556 Means for regulating the pressure in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17563 Ink filters
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/2114 Ejecting specialized liquids, e.g. transparent or processing liquids B41J2/211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/17516 comprising a collapsible ink holder, e.g. a flexible bag
• CPC Class Codes: B42C 19/02 starting with single sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B42C 9/0006 by applying adhesive to a stack of sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B42C 9/0081 applying adhesive to individual sheets for binding them together by fusing, welding B42C9/0093
• CPC Class Codes: B42P 2261/04 Producing books by printing sheets in following order, e.g. for ordering via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 29/34 from supports slid from under the articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 37/04 for securing together articles or webs, e.g. by adhesive, stitching or stapling adhering replacement to expiring web during change of web roll B65H19/18
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1423 the instrument generating sequences of position coordinates corresponding to handwriting preprocessing or recognising digital ink G06V30/32

Abstract

An inkjet printer includes a chassis. A pagewidth printhead assembly is mounted on the chassis and defines a pagewidth printing zone through which sheets of print media are fed. A media tray is mounted on the chassis, upstream of the printhead assembly. The media tray includes a guide arrangement in which sheets of print media can be retained. An ink connector arrangement is positioned on the media tray to permit an ink cartridge to be engaged with the printer adjacent the guide arrangement. A feed means is mounted on the chassis, interposed between the media tray and the printhead assembly and configured to feed sheets of print media through the printing zone.

Claims

1. An inkjet printer that comprises

a chassis;

a pagewidth printhead assembly that is mounted on the chassis and defines a pagewidth printing zone through which sheets of print media are fed;

a media tray mounted on the chassis, upstream of the printhead assembly, the media tray including a guide arrangement in which sheets of print media can be retained;

an ink connector arrangement positioned on the media tray to permit an ink cartridge to be engaged with the printer adjacent the guide arrangement; and

a feed means mounted on the chassis, interposed between the media tray and the printhead assembly and configured to feed sheets of print media through the printing zone;

wherein the media tray is pivotally mounted on the chassis between a closed, operative position and an open inoperative position to facilitate replacement of the ink cartridge and the sheets of print media.

2. An inkjet printer as claimed in claim 1, in which the pagewidth printhead assembly includes a pair of opposed print engines, one on either side of the printing zone so that a printing operation can be carried out on both sides of the sheets of print media.

3. An inkjet printer as claimed in claim 1, in which the media tray, the printhead assembly and the binding assembly are relatively positioned to define a substantially straight print media feed path when the media tray is in the operative position.

4. An inkjet printer as claimed in claim 1, in which the ink connector arrangement includes a series of ink connectors that are mounted on the media tray to engage complementary ink connectors of the ink cartridge and a series of hoses connected between respective ink connectors and the printhead assembly for feeding inks to the printhead assembly.

5. An inkjet printer as claimed in claim 1, in which an air conduit is arranged on the media tray to be in fluid communication with an air pump in the ink cartridge and connected to the printhead assembly to feed air to the printhead assembly.

6. An inkjet printer as claimed in claim 1, in which fixative and adhesive connectors are arranged on the media tray to engage complementary fixative and adhesive connectors of the ink cartridge, fixative and adhesive hoses being connected between the connectors and the printhead assembly.