Print media cartridge with ink supply manifold

• US 8,789,939 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2011
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: King, Tobin Allen, Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Anh T. N.
• Application Number:
  US13/225,465
• Publication Number:
  US 20110316946A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,059 Days
• Field of Search: 347/2, 347/86, 347/103, 347/104, 347/108, 347/109, 400/680, 400/691, 400/692, 400/693
• US Class Current: 347/104
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/655 by importing photos, e.g. of the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/85 Providing additional services to players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/202 the game platform being a DVD player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/57 details of game services offered to the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/695 Imported photos, e.g. of the player
• 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 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/026 Stackable
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 : 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 1/00127 : Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 : Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 : Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence

Abstract

An ink and print media cartridge for a printer device includes a print media housing assembly configured for insertion and removal to and from the printer device, the print media housing assembly having a top molding coupled to a bottom molding and a print media storage volume defined therebetween; an ink housing assembly attached to an outer surface of the bottom molding, the ink housing assembly defining an ink chamber with the outer surface of the bottom molding; a spring provided between the top molding and the bottom molding, the spring positioned to bear on one side against the top molding and on an opposite side against print media stored in the print media storage region; and a feed mechanism provided within the print media housing, the feed mechanism having a drive gear protruding externally from the print media housing. The drive gear is positioned to engage with a complimentary drive mechanism of the printer device upon insertion of the print media housing into the printer device.

Claims

1. An ink and print media cartridge for a printer device, the ink and print media cartridge comprising:

a print media housing assembly configured for insertion and removal to and from the printer device, the print media housing assembly having a top molding coupled to a bottom molding and a print media storage space defined therebetween;

an ink housing assembly attached to an outer surface of the bottom molding, the ink housing assembly defining an ink chamber with the outer surface of the bottom molding;

a spring provided between the top molding and the bottom molding, the spring positioned to bear on one side against the top molding and on an opposite side against print media stored in the print media storage space; and

a feed mechanism provided within the print media housing, the feed mechanism including a drive gear protruding externally from the print media housing, wherein the drive gear is positioned to engage with a complimentary drive mechanism of the printer device upon insertion of the print media housing into the printer device, wherein a portion of the feed mechanism is rotatably supported by arcuate ribs formed in a channel located beneath an opening in the print media housing assembly for feeding the print media.

2. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the feed mechanism, including a geared roller assembly.

3. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the top and bottom moldings define a slot from which print media stored in the print media storage volume are fed by the geared roller assembly.

4. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the geared roller assembly includes a pick up roller mounted on a drive shaft and positioned to engage print media stored in the print media storage volume, and the top and bottom moldings define a formation in which the drive shaft is rotatably positioned.

5. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the bottom molding extends beyond a peripheral edge of the top molding to define an ink supply connection manifold.

6. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 5, comprising an ink outlet in fluid communication with the ink chamber, wherein the ink outlet is provided on the ink supply connection manifold.

7. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the feed mechanism includes a drive shaft and a roller, wherein the top molding encloses the portion of the drive shaft holding the rollers.

8. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the top molding does not enclose the drive gear.

9. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1, comprising a foil provided adjacent to the opening for feeding the print media.

10. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the foil is configured to extend downwardly across the opening for feeding the print media.

11. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink housing assembly includes an ink storage base molding with ink chambers, and wherein the ink storage base molding is indirectly connected with the outer surface of the bottom molding.

12. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink housing assembly includes a thin walled deformable film and an ink storage base molding with ink chambers, and wherein the ink storage base molding is connected with the outer surface of the bottom molding via the thin walled deformable film.

13. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink housing assembly includes a film and an ink storage base molding with ink chambers, wherein the ink storage base molding is connected with the outer surface of the bottom molding via the film, and wherein the film is contoured to nest within the ink chambers.

14. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the ink storage base molding is sealingly connected with a flange provided around a periphery of the file.

15. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the film is sealingly connected with the outer surface of the bottom molding.

16. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink housing assembly includes an ink storage base molding with ink chambers, and wherein the ink storage base molding extends beyond a peripheral edge of the print media storage space.

17. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 16, wherein a portion of the ink storage base molding that extends beyond the peripheral edge of the print media storage space forms an ink supply connection manifold region.

18. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 17, wherein the ink supply connection manifold region is configured to provide one or more ink nozzles.

19. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 18, wherein the one or more ink nozzles are closed by one or more ink seals.

20. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink housing assembly includes a thin walled deformable film and an ink storage base molding with ink chambers, wherein the ink storage base molding is connected with the outer surface of the bottom molding via the thin walled deformable film, wherein ink is stored above the thin walled deformable film and is in fluid communication with one or more ink nozzles.