Print engine with chassis ink channels between printhead and cartridge

• US 7,572,004 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2008
• Issued: 08/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Huffman; Julian D
• Application Number:
  US12/017,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20080117274A1
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 347/108, 347/109, 347/86, 347/1
• US Class Current: 347/109
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/706 using a cutting tool mounted on a reciprocating carrier
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 15/044 Cassettes or cartridges containing continuous copy material, tape, for setting into printing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16 Production of nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16552 using cleaning fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/023 with reduced dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/13 Cases or covers
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/38 Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/44 Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/46 Printing mechanisms combined with apparatus providing a visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1696 the I/O peripheral being a printing or scanning device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/202 Air convective hinge
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printersprinting or plotting combined with another operation, e.g. with conveying, G06K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0082 : Architecture adapted for a particular function

Abstract

A print engine includes a printhead assembly. The printhead assembly includes an ink ejection printhead. A chassis assembly includes a molding defining ink supply channels for supplying respective inks to the printhead. A print roll cartridge includes a core defining internal ink reservoirs and print media wound upon the core. The cartridge is configured to be releasably mounted to the chassis so that ink from the reservoirs is supplied to respective ink supply channels before being printed upon the print media.

Claims

1. A print engine comprising:

a printhead assembly comprising an ink ejection printhead;

a chassis assembly comprising a molding defining ink supply channels for supplying respective inks to the printhead; and

a print roll cartridge comprising a core defining internal ink reservoirs and print media wound upon the core, the cartridge being configured to be releasably mounted to the chassis so that ink from the reservoirs is supplied to respective ink supply channels before being printed upon the print media.

2. A print engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the molding defines ink supply pins in fluid communication with said ink supply channels and configured to draw ink from respective ink reservoirs.

3. A print engine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the print roll cartridge includes an elastomeric collar assembly for receiving the pins.

4. A print engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the print roll cartridge includes a roller assembly, the roller assembly including a triplet of rollers arranged to form two pairs through which the print media is fed to the printhead assembly for printing.

5. A print engine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printhead assembly includes a cutter assembly configured to separate a printed portion of the print media from the remaining print media wound upon the core.

6. A print engine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cutter assembly includes:

a cutter wheel which is supported on a resiliently flexible arm on a mounting block; and

a worm gear passing through the mounting block so that, when the worm gear is rotated, the mounting block and the cutter wheel traverse the print media.

7. A print engine as claimed in claim 5, wherein the printhead assembly includes a capping mechanism having an elongate rib arranged on a carrier, the carrier being supported by a displacement mechanism which can displace the rib into abutment with the printhead when the printhead is inoperative.