Printing unit incorporating integrated data connector, media supply cartridge and print head assembly

• US 8,282,207 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2010
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Anh T. N.
• Application Number:
  US12/783,517
• Publication Number:
  US 20100225724A1
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• Field of Search: 347/1, 347/2, 347/20, 347/43, 347/104, 347/108, 347/109
• US Class Current: 347/108
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/00 Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/103 for the sheet feeding section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/023 with reduced dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/13 Cases or covers
• 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: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/407 for marking on special material
• 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: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/257 Picture signal generators using flying-spot scanners H04N5/253 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 358/906 : Hand-held camera with recorder in a single unit

Abstract

A printing unit includes a support structure having a body portion with a tray positioned at one end of the body portion and a power and data connector positioned at an opposite end of the body portion; a media supply cartridge located between the connector and the tray, the media supply cartridge storing a stack of print media; a feed arrangement including a primary feed roller on an in-feed side of the tray for feeding a sheet of print media from the stack of print media towards the tray, and a secondary feed roller on an out-feed side of the tray for feeding the sheet of print media out of the tray; and a print head assembly mounted on the tray, the print head assembly for printing on the sheet of print media fed by the feed arrangement.

Claims

1. A printing unit comprising:

a support structure having a body portion with a tray positioned at one end of the body portion and a power and data connector positioned at an opposite end of the body portion;

a media supply cartridge located between the connector and the tray, the media supply cartridge storing a stack of print media;

a feed arrangement including a primary feed roller on an in-feed side of the tray for feeding a sheet of print media from the stack of print media towards the tray, and a secondary feed roller on an out-feed side of the tray for feeding the sheet of print media out of the tray; and

a print head assembly mounted on the tray, the print head assembly for printing on the sheet of print media fed by the feed arrangement.

2. A printing unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a backing plate against which the stack is positioned, the backing plate defining a pair of urging members for compressing the stack.

3. A printing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the print head assembly has a print head positioned to span a printing region, the print head having at least one print head integrated circuit.

4. A printing unit as claimed in claim 3, wherein the print head has an ink distribution arrangement mounted thereon, the ink distribution arrangement having an ink storage and a feed structure in fluid communication with a channeling structure, the channeling structure being in fluid communication with the print head integrated circuit so that ink can be fed to nozzle arrangements of the print head integrated circuit.

5. A printing unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ink storage and the feed structure includes a pair of outer ink reservoirs and a pair of rows of ink storage channels positioned between the outer ink reservoirs.

6. A printing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power and data connector is a PCMCIA-type connector and the printing unit is of a similar size to a PCMCIA memory card.

7. A printing unit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a protective cover member mounted over the printhead assembly.