Mobile device with printer

• US 8,313,189 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2009
• Issued: 11/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Lapstun, Paul, Silverbrook, Kia, King, Tobin Allen, Tow, Gregory Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Meier, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): AL HASHIMI, SARAH
• Application Number:
  US12/493,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20090256869A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,241 Days
• Field of Search: 347/104, 347/101, 347/108
• US Class Current: 347/104
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16508 connected with the printer frame

Abstract

A mobile device having printhead for printing onto a media substrate, a media feed path along which the media substrate is fed past the printhead, and a capper assembly. The capper assembly is movable between a capped position covering the array of nozzles and an uncapped position spaced from the array of nozzles. The capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate such that the capper assembly moves to the capped position upon disengagement with the media substrate.

Claims

1. A mobile device comprising:

a printhead having an array of nozzles for printing onto a media substrate;

a media feed path along which the media substrate is fed past the printhead;

a capper assembly movable between a capped position covering the array of nozzles and an uncapped position spaced from the array of nozzles, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate such that the capper assembly moves to the capped position upon disengagement with the media substrate; and

a drive mechanism for feeding the media substrate in the media feed path, wherein the drive mechanism, and any other drive mechanisms for feeding the media substrate in the media feed path, disengage the media substrate before a trailing edge of the media substrate is printed upon, allowing the trailing edge to move past the printhead through momentum.

2. A mobile device according to claim 1 wherein the capper assembly moves out of the capped position and toward the uncapped position upon engagement with the leading edge of the sheet.

3. A mobile device according to claim 1 further comprising a media cartridge for storing a quantity of the media substrate.

4. A mobile device according to claim 3 further comprising:

an input interface for user control of the device; and

a battery for powering the device, the battery being positioned between the media cartridge and the input interface.

5. A mobile device according to claim 1 further comprising first and second body sections movable relative to each other into an operative configuration and an inoperative configuration, the first body section being slidably connected to the second body section and the media feed path extends from the first body section into the second body section when in the operative configuration.

6. A mobile device according to claim 5 wherein the second body section has a collection facility for holding the media substrate after printing.

7. A mobile device according to claim 1 further comprising an optical sensor for sensing coded data on the media substrate.

8. A mobile device according to claim 7 wherein sensing of the coded data is used for determining the position of the media substrate relative to the printhead.