Printing cartridge bearing indicia

• US 7,575,313 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2007
• Issued: 08/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd. (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Meier; Stephen D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garcia, Jr.; Rene
• Application Number:
  US11/740,287
• Publication Number:
  US 20070200890A1
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 347/86, 347/19, 347/87, 347/108, 347/101, 347/103
• US Class Current: 347/86
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14 Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/175 Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/041 Electromagnetic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/21 Line printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/38 Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/393 Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2154 the still video camera incorporating a hardcopy reproducing device, e.g. a printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation

Abstract

A printing cartridge includes an elongate core which, in turn, includes a plurality of ink supply containers. Each ink supply container contains a respective type of ink. A roll of print media includes a tubular former in which the core can be received and a length of print media which is wound upon the former. A casing includes a pair of molded covers which can be releasably fastened together to encase the roll of print media. Indicia are borne by the casing and include cartridge information which can be read by an electronic reader.

Claims

1. A printing cartridge comprising:

an elongate core comprising a plurality of ink supply containers, each for containing a respective type of ink;

a roll of print media comprising a tubular former in which the core is received and a length of print media which is wound upon the former;

a casing comprising a pair of molded covers which releasably fasten together to encase the roll of print media; and

one or more indicia borne by the casing and including cartridge information, readable by an optical reader, the information being information relating to the length of print media and the types of ink.

2. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicia include a barcode.

3. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cartridge information includes any one of more of the following group:

a serial number identifying the print media and the ink;

a length of the print media;

a type of the print media;

physical characteristics of the ink including surface tension and viscosity;

optical characteristics of the ink including optical density of red, green and blue components; and

a preferred ink drop volume to suit said print media type.

4. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the molded covers define complementary formations to enable the molded covers to be snap-fitted together.

5. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the molded covers defines an elongate slot through which the print media exits the printing cartridge.

6. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tubular former comprises a pair of molded members defining complementary formations to enable the molded members to be snap-fitted together.

7. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the core comprises a support which supports the ink supply containers, and a cover mounted to the support so as to cover the ink supply containers.

8. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 7, wherein ink supply containers are serially arranged along the support.

9. A printing cartridge as claimed in claim 7, wherein the ink supply containers are bladders in which ink is contained.

10. A camera comprising a printing cartridge as claimed in claim 1, and a printer in fluid communication with the core and configured to print captured images on the print media with ink stored in the core.

11. A camera as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a rotary cutting mechanism for separating a printed image from the remaining print media.