Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080230468 | HIGH FLOWRATE FILTER FOR INKJET PRINTHEAD - A filter for an inkjet printer that has a chamber divided into an upstream section and a downstream section by a filter membrane. An inlet conduit establishes fluid communication between an ink supply and the upstream section. An outlet conduit establishes fluid communication between the downstream section and a printhead. During use at least part of the inlet conduit is elevated relative to the filter membrane. By elevating the inlet conduit relative to the filter membrane, it acts as a bubble trap to retain bubbles that would otherwise obstruct the filter. This allows the filter size to be reduced for a more compact overall design. | 09-25-2008 |
20080230730 | DETACHABLE FLUID COUPLING FOR INKJET PRINTER - A detachable fluid coupling for connecting an inkjet printhead with an ink supply, the detachable coupling having a fixed valve member defining a valve seat, a sealing collar ( | 09-25-2008 |
20080231660 | PRINTHEAD WITH INK CONDUIT WEIR FOR PRIMING CONTROL - A printhead for an inkjet printer, that has a printhead integrated circuit with an array of nozzles for ejecting ink and a support structure for mounting the printhead IC within the printer. The support structure has ink conduits for supplying the array of nozzles with ink. Within the ink conduits is a weir formation to partially obstruct ink flow so that when priming the printhead, the weir formation preferentially primes an upstream section the ink conduit. Using a weir downstream of areas that have a propensity to prime incorrectly can force them to prime more quickly or in preference to downstream sections. As long as the downstream section is one that reliably primes, albeit delayed by the weir, there is no disadvantage to priming the upstream section in preference. | 09-25-2008 |
20080231661 | PRINTHEAD WITH MENISCUS ANCHOR FOR CONTROLLED PRIMING - A printhead for an inkjet printer that has a printhead integrated circuit (IC) with an array of nozzles for ejecting ink, and a support structure for mounting the printhead IC within the printer. The support structure has ink conduits for supplying the array of nozzles with ink, the ink conduits have a meniscus anchor for pinning part of an advancing meniscus of ink to divert the advancing meniscus from a path it would otherwise take. If a printhead consistently fails to prime correctly because a meniscus pins at one or more points, then the advancing meniscus can be directed so that it does not contact these critical points. Deliberately incorporating a discontinuity into an ink conduit immediately upstream of the problem area can temporarily pin to the meniscus and skew it to one side of the conduit and away from the undesirable pinning point. Once flow has been initiated into the side branch or downstream of the undesirable pinning point, it is not necessary for the anchor to hold the ink meniscus any longer and priming can continue. | 09-25-2008 |
20080231662 | PRINTHEAD WITH DRIVE CIRCUITRY COMPONENTS ADJACENT THE PRINTHEAD IC - A printhead for an inkjet printer, that has a printhead IC with an array of nozzles for ejecting ink and a support structure for mounting the printhead IC in the printer adjacent a paper path. The printhead IC is mounted on a face of the support structure that, in use, faces the paper path. A flexible printed circuit board (flex PCB) has drive circuitry for operating the array of nozzles on the printhead IC. The drive circuitry has circuit components connected by traces in the flex PCB, and contacts for receiving print data from the print engine controller. The flex PCB being mounted to the support structure at the contacts onto a face that does not face the paper path such that the flex PCB extends through a bent section between the printhead IC and the contacts. The printhead IC and the circuit components are adjacent each other and separated from the contacts by the bent section of the flex PCB. The bent section reduces the likelihood of trace cracking by holding the flex PCB at a set radius rather than allowing the flex to follow an irregular curve and thereby risking localized points of high stress on the traces. | 09-25-2008 |
20080231670 | INK COUPLING FOR INKJET PRINTER WITH CARTRIDGE - An ink coupling for connecting an inkjet printer and a replaceable cartridge configured to not drip ink upon detachment. The coupling has a cartridge valve on the cartridge side of the coupling and a printer conduit on the printer side of the coupling. The cartridge valve and the printer conduit having complementary formations configured to form a coupling seal when brought into engagement. The cartridge valve is biased closed and configured to open when brought into engagement with the printer conduit. Upon disengagement, the coupling seal breaks after the cartridge valve closes, and an ink meniscus forms and recedes from the complementary formations as they separate, the cartridge valve having external surfaces configured so that the meniscus travels across the external surfaces and only pins itself to the printer conduit surfaces. The invention keeps residual ink off the exterior of the cartridge valve by careful design of the external surfaces with respect to known receding contact angle of the ink meniscus. As the coupling seal breaks and the meniscus forms, the ink properties and hydrophilicity of the respective valve materials will determine where the meniscus stops moving and eventually pins itself. | 09-25-2008 |
20080273071 | FLUIDIC ARRANGEMENT WITH A SUMP FOR A PRINTER - The invention relates to a fluidic arrangement for a printer. The arrangement includes an ink tank for storing ink, and an ink distribution assembly in fluid communication with the ink tank for supplying printhead integrated circuits (ICs) positioned thereon with ink from the ink tank. The arrangement also includes a valve arranged in an ink line between the ink distribution assembly and the ink tank, said valve configured to isolate ink in the ink tank from the printhead ICs whenever the printer is powered down. Further included is a pump located downstream from the ink distribution assembly, and a sump arranged in fluid communication with the pump for receiving excess ink from the ink distribution assembly. | 11-06-2008 |
20090002423 | METHOD OF MODULATING PEAK POWER REQUIREMENT OF MODULAR PRINTHEAD - A method of modulating a peak power requirement of a modular printhead is provided. Each module of the printhead has respective segments of each of a plurality of rows of inkjet nozzles so that each nozzle row is comprised in a respective color channel. In the method each of the modules fires a respective segment within a predetermined segment-time such that at least one of the fired segments is contained in a different color channel from at least one of the other fired segments. | 01-01-2009 |
20090009550 | PRINTER CONTROLLER FOR PRINTHEAD PEAK WITH REDUNDANT INKJET NOZZLES - A printer controller is provided which is configured to supply dot data to an inkjet printhead so that each inkjet nozzle of at least one pair of inkjet nozzles of the printhead which are configurable to print a dot of the same colored ink onto a substantially same position on a print medium are controlled to print dots to a same specific line of printing on the print medium associated with said at least one pair of nozzles. | 01-08-2009 |
20090021547 | INKJET PRINTHEAD WITH A PRINTER CONTROLLER FOR CONTROLLING NOZZLE FIRING SEQUENCE - An inkjet printhead includes a number of printhead modules arranged end-to-end to span a width of a page, the printhead modules defining color channels also to span the width of the page. A plurality of inkjet nozzles is arranged on the modules such that rows of the nozzles span the width of the page, with at least one row of nozzles in fluid communication with respective channels, the nozzles capable of being fired to eject ink from their associated channels, the nozzles of each row on an associated module defining a segment of nozzles. A printer controller controls a firing sequence of the nozzles and is configured so that nozzles from segments associated with different color channels are fired sequentially during a predetermined time allocated for firing a line of nozzles. | 01-22-2009 |
20090040276 | PRINTHEAD WITH HEATERS OFFSET FROM NOZZLES - A thermal inkjet printhead of the roof shooter type that slightly offsets the nozzle aperture centroid from the heater element centroid to correct drop trajectory misdirection caused by vapor bubble asymmetries. | 02-12-2009 |
20090085978 | CRADLE UNIT HAVING PIVOTED CONNECTIONS FOR PRINTHEAD CARTRIDGE - A cradle unit is provided for a printhead cartridge. The cradle unit has a first printed circuit having print control circuitry of the cradle unit, and a second printed circuit board having connections for connecting the printhead cartridge with a power supply which is remote from the second printhead circuit board and the print control circuitry of the first printed circuit board. The first and second printed circuit boards have complementary connectors which cooperate to provide the connection of the printhead cartridge to the print control circuitry. The complementary connectors being arranged so that the first printed circuit board is able to pivot with respect to the second printed circuit board. | 04-02-2009 |
20090085995 | Inkjet Printer With Elongate Array Of Nozzles And Distributed Pulse Dampers - An inkjet printer that has an elongate array of nozzles for ejecting ink and ink conduits for supplying the array of nozzles with ink. The ink conduits are aligned with the longitudinal extent of the elongate array and have a plurality of pulse dampers individually in fluid communication with the ink conduits. Each pulse damper contains a volume of gas for compression by pressure pulses in the ink conduits, distributed along the length of the elongate array. A pressure pulse moving through an elongate printheads, such as a pagewidth printhead, can be damped at any point in the ink flow line. However, the pulse will cause nozzle flooding as it passes the nozzles in the printhead integrated circuit, regardless of whether it is subsequently dissipated at the damper. By incorporating a number of pulse dampers into the ink supply conduits immediately next to the nozzle array, any pressure spikes are damped at the site where they would otherwise cause detrimental flooding. | 04-02-2009 |
20090102888 | PRINTING SYSTEM WITH POWER REGULATION - A printing system comprising: a printhead cartridge comprising a printhead; a cradle unit for supporting the printhead cartridge; and an interface at which the cradle unit is removably engageable with the printhead cartridge, the interface comprising connections for connecting the printhead cartridge with a power supply which is remote from the interface and a power regulation circuit for regulating supply of power from the power supply to the printhead cartridge. | 04-23-2009 |
20090122120 | CRADLE UNIT FOR A PRINTER ASSEMBLY - A cradle unit for a printer assembly includes a body having a printhead cartridge support bay for receiving a printhead cartridge that incorporates a printhead, an ink supply for the printhead and a capper for capping the printhead when not in use. A levered frame is positioned within the body and is movable between an open position for allowing access to the printhead cartridge support bay and a closed position to close the printhead support bay. A support frame is positioned within the body. A capper drive mechanism is mounted on the support frame to actuate the capper of the printhead cartridge. A media transport mechanism is mounted on the support frame to feed print media through the body operatively with respect to the printhead. | 05-14-2009 |
20090153608 | PRINTER CONTROLLER FOR MODULATING PRINTHEAD PEAK POWER REQUIREMENT USING OUT-OF-PHASE FIRING - A printer controller for supplying dot data to an inkjet printhead is provided. The printhead comprises a plurality of transversely aligned color channels. Each color channel comprises at least one nozzle row extending longitudinally along the printhead with each nozzle in a color channel ejecting the same colored ink. The printhead is comprised of a plurality of printhead modules with each printhead module comprising a respective segment of each nozzle row. The printer controller is programmed to supply dot data such that each of the printhead modules fires a respective segment within a predetermined segment-time, wherein at least one of the fired segments is contained in a different color channel from at least one other of the fired segments. | 06-18-2009 |
20100103234 | PULSE DAMPED INK SUPPLY ARCHITECTURE - An inkjet printer includes a printhead integrated circuit (IC) with an array of nozzles for ejecting ink on to print media; an ink supply reservoir for storing ink, the ink supply reservoir having rigid walls and an air inlet for supplying air into the ink supply reservoir; an ink supply line defining a flow path from the ink supply reservoir to the printhead IC; and a pulse damper positioned along the flow path, the pulse damper for decreasing an amplitude of pressure pulses in the ink. The pulse damper is a compliant section of the ink supply line adapted to elastically flex. | 04-29-2010 |
20100110141 | Inkjet Printhead With Matched Number Of Color Channels And Printhead Modules - An inkjet printhead having a plurality of color channels extending longitudinally along a length of the printhead. Each color channel comprises at least one row of nozzles and each nozzle in a same color channel ejects the same colored ink. The printhead has a plurality of printhead modules and the number of color channels is equal to the number of printhead modules. | 05-06-2010 |
20100118087 | Printhead With Flex PCB Bent Between Contacts And Printhead IC - A printhead is provided for an inkjet printer that has a print engine controller for receiving print data and sending it to the printhead. The printhead has a printhead IC for ejecting ink and a support structure for mounting the printhead IC in the printer adjacent a paper path. The printhead IC is mounted on a face of the support structure that, in use, faces the paper path. A flexible printed circuit board (flex PCB) that has contacts for receiving print data mounted to the support structure on a face that does not face the paper path. The bent section reduces the likelihood of trace cracking by holding the flex PCB at a set radius rather than allowing the flex to follow an irregular curve and thereby risking localized points of high stress on the traces. | 05-13-2010 |
20100149294 | INKJET PRINTER WITH ELONGATE NOZZLE ARRAY SUPPLIED THROUGH PULSE DAMPED CONDUITS - An inkjet printer that has an elongate array of nozzles for ejecting ink, a plurality of ejection actuators, each configured to eject ink through one of the nozzles respectively, a plurality of ink conduits aligned with a longitudinal extent of the elongate array of nozzles, the ink conduits extending adjacent the elongate array for supplying the array of nozzles with ink and, a plurality of pulse dampers positioned along each of the ink conduits, each pulse damper being individually in fluid communication with one of the ink conduits and each containing a volume of gas for compression by pressure pulses in the ink conduits. A pressure pulse moving through an elongate printheads, such as a pagewidth printhead, can be damped at any point in the ink flow line. However, the pulse will cause nozzle flooding as it passes the nozzles in the printhead integrated circuit, regardless of whether it is subsequently dissipated at the damper. By incorporating a number of pulse dampers into the ink supply conduits immediately next to the nozzle array, any pressure spikes are damped at the site where they would otherwise cause detrimental flooding. | 06-17-2010 |
20100188446 | INKJET PRINTER EMPLOYING DISPOSABLE SHEET FOR PRINTHEAD MAINTENANCE - An inkjet printer comprises a printhead having an ink ejection face and an ink supply system including a face flooding system. A sheet feed arrangement feeds a disposable sheet past the printhead and through a maintenance zone spaced apart from the face, and a print media feed arrangement feeds print media past the printhead and through a print zone. The maintenance zone is nearer the face than the print zone, and no part of the disposable sheet makes contact with the printhead. | 07-29-2010 |
20100188460 | NON-CONTACT METHOD OF REMOVING FLOODED INK FROM PRINTHEAD FACE - A method of removing flooded ink from an ink ejection face of a printhead. The method comprises moving a surface past said face and transferring the flooded ink onto the moving surface, wherein no part of the surface contacts the face. | 07-29-2010 |
20100220151 | CRADLE UNIT FOR PRINTHEAD CARTRIDGE HAVING MOVABLE CONNECTORS - A cradle unit for a printhead cartridge is provided having a support bay for removably receiving the printhead cartridge, and an interface mounted on a slanted face within the support bay, the interface comprising connections which are movably tilted on said slanted face so as to be exposed within the support bay for connection with connections of the printhead cartridge when received in the support bay. The connections of the interface connect the printhead cartridge with a power supply which is remote from the interface. | 09-02-2010 |
20100221671 | PRINTHEAD INTEGRATED CIRCUIT ATTACHMENT FILM - A method of fabricating a film used in attaching a printhead integrated circuit to an ink supply manifold is disclosed. An adhesive polymeric film having a protective liner is provided. Photoresist is then deposited onto the protective liner, and the photoresist is photopatterned. Ink supply holes are etched through the adhesive polymeric film and the protective liner, with the photoresist acting as a mask for the etching. Finally, the protective liner including the photoresist is removed from the adhesive polymeric film after the etching step is complete. | 09-02-2010 |
20100277559 | PRINTER WITH HIGH FLOWRATE INK FILTER - An inkjet printer that has a filter with a chamber divided into an upstream section and a downstream section by a filter membrane. An inlet conduit establishes fluid communication between an ink supply and the upstream section. An outlet conduit establishes fluid communication between the downstream section and a printhead. During use at least part of the inlet conduit is elevated relative to the filter membrane. By elevating the inlet conduit relative to the filter membrane, it acts as a bubble trap to retain bubbles that would otherwise obstruct the filter. This allows the filter size to be reduced for a more compact overall design. | 11-04-2010 |
20100302314 | INKJET NOZZLE ASSEMBLY HAVING SUSPENDED BEAM HEATER ELEMENT OFFSET FROM NOZZLE APERTURE - An inkjet nozzle assembly includes a nozzle chamber having a planar roof spaced apart from a floor. A heater element is suspended in the nozzle chamber and is configured as a planar beam extending longitudinally and parallel with a plane of the roof. A nozzle aperture defined in the roof has a centroid offset from a longitudinal centroid of the planar beam. | 12-02-2010 |
20110025787 | PRINTHEAD SUPPORT STRUCTURE WITH CAVITIES FOR PULSE DAMPING - A printhead for an inkjet printer is disclosed. The printhead has one or more a printhead integrated circuits (ICs) with an array of nozzles for ejecting ink. A support structure of the printhead supports the printhead ICs. The support structure has ink conduits for supplying the array of nozzles with ink. Each ink conduit includes cavities distributed along a roof of the ink conduit. An opening to each respective cavity has an upstream edge and a downstream edge. The upstream edge contacts the ink before the downstream edge during initial priming of the ink conduits from an ink supply. The upstream edge has a transition face between the ink conduit and the cavity interior. The transition face is configured to inhibit ink from filling the cavity by capillary action during initial priming of the ink conduit. This causes gas to be trapped within the cavity. The gas acts to compress pressure pulses in the ink. | 02-03-2011 |
20110227977 | METHOD OF MODULATING PEAK POWER FLUCTUATIONS IN MULTI-COLORED PRINTHEAD HAVING RESPECTIVE POWER SUPPLY - A method of printing from a single multi-colored pagewidth inkjet printhead powered by a respective power supply. The printhead has transversely aligned color channels with first nozzles contained in a first color channel and second nozzles contained in a second channel supplied with a same colored ink as the first color channel. The first and second nozzles are configured in sets, such that each nozzle in a set is configurable to print a dot of ink onto a same position on a print medium. The method includes the steps of: (i) providing power sequentially to each nozzle row of the printhead from the power supply; and (ii) printing a line of dots across the print medium such some of the first nozzles and some of the second nozzles each contribute dots to the line. | 09-22-2011 |
20110310186 | PRINTHEAD SUPPORT STRUCTURE WITH CAVITIES FOR PULSE DAMPING - A structure for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The printhead structure has an elongate support structure for supporting a printhead integrated circuit, and ink conduits formed in the elongate support structure for supplying ink to an array of nozzles of the printhead integrated circuit. Each ink conduit includes cavities distributed along a roof of the ink conduit. An opening to each cavity has an upstream edge and a downstream edge. The upstream edge contacts the ink before the downstream edge during initial priming of the ink conduits from an ink supply. The upstream edge has a transition face between the ink conduit and the cavity interior, the transition face being configured to inhibit ink from filling the cavity by capillary action during initial priming of the ink conduit. This causes gas to be trapped within the cavity. The gas acts to compress pressure pulses in the ink. | 12-22-2011 |