A printing unit includes: a unit chassis having a pair of side bars interconnected by a pair of end bars; first and second print modules mounted on the unit chassis, each print module having a respective printhead and an associated print zone; an aerosol extractor providing an airflow through the print zones; and an interstitial bar positioned in a space between the printheads. The interstitial bar is configured to modulate the airflow through the print zones.
A thermal bend actuator includes: a thermoelastic beam for connection to drive circuitry; and a passive beam mechanically cooperating with the thermoelastic beam, such that when a current is passed through the thermoelastic beam, the thermoelastic beam expands relative to the passive beam resulting in bending of the actuator. The thermoelastic beam wherein the thermoelastic beam is comprised of an aluminium alloy. The aluminium alloy comprises a first metal which is aluminium, a second metal, and at least 0.1 at. % of a third metal selected from the group consisting of: copper, scandium, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, titanium, silicon and magnesium.
A print medium having a calibration pattern printed thereon for generating alignment data for a printhead. The calibration pattern contains rows of spaced apart fiducials, each fiducial having a plurality of concentric shapes representing a Barker code.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
B41F 33/00 - Indicating, counting, warning, control or safety devices
B41J 29/393 - Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine
4.
Method of printing using overlapping printhead segments
A method of printing an image using a printing system including at least first and second overlapping printhead segments, the method includes the steps of: feeding media past the printhead segments along a media feed direction; determining an extent of wander of the media in a direction perpendicular to the media feed direction; selecting a stitching method based on the determined extent of wander; and printing the image using the first and second printhead segments. The printing step includes stitching the first and second printhead segments using the selected stitching method.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
B41J 3/54 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed with two or more sets of type or printing elements
A printhead maintenance system includes: an elongate inkjet printhead having a nozzle face containing a plurality of inkjet nozzles; a carriage movable longitudinally along the printhead in a cleaning direction, the carriage including a maintenance member having: a fluid bath having a mouth opposing the nozzle face of the printhead, a primary fluid inlet at an upstream end of the fluid bath relative to the cleaning direction and a fluid outlet at a downstream end of the fluid bath relative to the cleaning direction; and a traversing mechanism for traversing the carriage longitudinally along the printhead in the cleaning direction. The maintenance member does not contact inkjet nozzles of the printhead, and the fluid bath is configured to provide a greater fluid velocity at the downstream end relative to the upstream end.
B41J 2/165 - Prevention of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A printhead maintenance system includes: an inkjet printhead; a carriage movable longitudinally along the printhead in a cleaning direction, the carriage having a maintenance member including: a fluid bath having a mouth opposing the nozzle face of the printhead, a primary fluid inlet at an upstream end of the fluid bath relative to the cleaning direction, a suction nozzle at a downstream end of the fluid bath relative to the cleaning direction and a pair of wipers flanking the fluid bath; and a traversing mechanism for traversing the carriage along the printhead. The maintenance member does not contact inkjet nozzles of the printhead; the wipers each comprise a wiper material for contacting respective parts of the printhead flanking a nozzle face; and the wiper material is air-permeable such that, in use, suction of air through the wiper material into the fluid bath generates a foam in the fluid bath.
B41J 2/165 - Prevention of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A method of wiping an inkjet printhead. The method includes the steps of: lifting a print module carrier relative to a media feed path, the print module carrier having a mounting arm bridging over a wiper carriage parked at one longitudinal end of a printhead carried by the print module carrier; and moving the wiper carriage, from its parked position below the mounting arm, longitudinally along the printhead to wipe a surface of the printhead.
A pagewide printhead for printing redundantly in four colors. First and second rows of printhead chips are mounted on a common ink manifold having four ink supply channels for supplying four colors of ink to the first and second rows of printhead chips. Dedicated ink outlets interconnect one ink supply channel of the ink manifold with a pair of redundant nozzle rows in each printhead chip.
A method of processing a contone image for single-pass printing uses a printing system having first and second aligned printheads supplied with a same ink. The method includes the steps of: providing the contone image at a first resolution in a printing direction; dithering the contone image using a combined dither pattern to provide a full halftone image at the first resolution; dividing the full halftone image into first and second halftone images at a second resolution in the printing direction, the second resolution being less than the first resolution; and sending the first and second halftone images to respective first and second printheads for printing. The combined dither pattern is a combination of a first dither pattern for the first printhead and a second dither pattern for the second printhead, the first dither pattern being different than the second dither pattern.
H04N 1/52 - Circuits or arrangements for halftone screening
B41M 5/50 - Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
An ink tank for an ink delivery system includes: a housing having an ink inlet port and an ink outlet port; an air vent communicating with a headspace of the ink tank; a filter positioned in the housing for filtering ink supplied from the ink tank via the ink outlet port; and a baffle plate positioned in the housing between the ink inlet port and the filter. The baffle plate is configured for directing air bubbles entering the ink tank via the ink inlet port towards the headspace of the ink tank. A baffle opening is positioned towards a base of the ink tank, thereby allowing ink to flow from the ink inlet port towards the ink outlet port via the baffle opening.
A method of single-pass printing uses a printing system having first and second aligned printheads supplied with a same ink. The method includes the steps of: receiving first and second halftone images at the first and second printheads, respectively; printing the first halftone image from the first printhead; and printing the second halftone image from the second printhead. The first halftone image is based on a first dither pattern and the second halftone image is based on a second dither pattern, the first dither pattern being different than the second dither pattern.
H04N 1/52 - Circuits or arrangements for halftone screening
B41M 5/50 - Recording sheets characterised by the coating used to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity, e.g. for ink-jet or thermal dye transfer recording
12.
Printing system with inkjet modules seated on media feed chassis
A printing system includes: a media feed chassis including a plurality of fixed roller shafts, each roller shaft having a rotatable roller for guiding print media through a media feed path; and inkjet modules mounted on the media feed chassis for printing on the print media. Each inkjet module includes: a support chassis seated on the media feed chassis; a maintenance chassis mounted on the support chassis; and a print bar chassis mounted on the maintenance chassis, the print bar chassis having inkjet printheads mounted thereon.
An ink delivery system for delivering ink to an inkjet printhead. The system includes a first ink tank, a second ink tank, a main air line having an air inlet and an air outlet; a first air line interconnecting the first ink tank and the main air line; a second air line interconnecting the second ink tank and the main air line; an air pump positioned in the main air line; first and second airflow restrictor positioned in the main air line; an ink circulation line interconnecting the first and second ink tanks; and an ink pump positioned in the ink circulation line for pumping ink from the first ink tank to the second ink tank.
A system for priming a dry inkjet printhead. The system includes: the inkjet printhead having an inlet port connected to an upstream ink line and an outlet port connected to a downstream ink line; a pump operably connected to the downstream ink line; a capper engaged with printhead; a vacuum source for applying suction to a capping chamber of the capper; and a control system for coordinating actuation of the pump and the vacuum source. In use, the pump is actuated simultaneously with the vacuum source, thereby drawing ink through the printhead from the inlet port to the outlet port and priming the printhead.
A method of coating threads using a printhead having rows of nozzles extending along a length of the printhead. The method includes the steps of: feeding the thread along a length of the printhead; and ejecting ink from the rows of nozzles towards the thread. Thread-coating modules and thread-coating systems make use of the method described.
B05C 5/02 - Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is projected, poured or allowed to flow on to the surface of the work from an outlet device in contact, or almost in contact, with the work
B05C 11/02 - Apparatus for spreading or distributing liquids or other fluent materials already applied to a surface; Control of the thickness of a coating
B05C 11/08 - Spreading liquid or other fluent material by manipulating the work, e.g. tilting
B05C 11/10 - Storage, supply or control of liquid or other fluent material; Recovery of excess liquid or other fluent material
B05C 13/02 - Means for manipulating or holding work, e.g. for separate articles for particular articles
A method of installing a printhead in a print module includes the steps of: positioning the printhead in a nest of the print module; moving first and second ink couplings towards the nest and into engagement with complementary first and second ink ports positioned at opposite ends of the printhead; and moving a depressor towards the nest and into urging engagement with a portion of the printhead positioned between the first and second ink ports. The first ink coupling, the second ink coupling and the depressor are moved simultaneously, linearly and parallel to each other, thereby to datum the printhead against the nest.
An integrated inkjet module includes: a support chassis configured for fixedly mounting over a media feed path; a maintenance chassis mounted on the support chassis; a print bar chassis mounted on the maintenance chassis, the print bar chassis having printheads mounted thereon; and a lift mechanism operably interconnecting the print bar chassis and the maintenance chassis. The print bar chassis and the maintenance chassis are together slidably movable relative to the support chassis to a position offset from the media feed path.
A method of removing a printhead cartridge from a print module includes the steps of: rotating a first wing lever to effect linear sliding movement of a first ink coupling of the print module away from the printhead cartridge; rotating a second wing lever to effect linear sliding movement of a second ink coupling of the print module away from the printhead cartridge; and removing the printhead cartridge from the print module. The first and second wing levers each has an axis of rotation perpendicular to a direction of linear sliding movement of the first and second ink couplings.
A printer includes: a platen having an ink-collection slot extending across its width; a wick bar received in the ink-collection slot, wherein an upstream gap and a downstream gap are defined at either side of the wick bar relative to a media feed direction; a printhead positioned over the wick bar; and a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the ink-collection slot. The wick bar is mounted on a rotatable shaft and the vacuum chamber comprises a scraper positioned for scraping the wick bar as it rotates past the scraper.
A method of engaging a supply module with a printhead includes the steps of: moving an actuator handle in a first motion along a first axis, thereby linearly sliding the supply module along the first axis towards the printhead and engaging ink couplings of the supply module with complementary ink ports of the printhead; and moving the actuator handle in a separate second motion along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, thereby moving a PCB of the supply module towards the printhead and engaging PCB contacts with complementary printhead contacts.
A printer includes: a printhead and a platen positioned below the printhead for supporting print media conveyed along a media feed direction through a print zone. The platen has a particle-collection slot upstream of the print zone relative to the media feed direction and a dam wall at a downstream side of the particle-collection slot. The particle-collection slot and the dam wall extend transversely relative to the media feed direction.
A method of securing a printhead assembly in a printing position relative to a media feed path. The method includes the steps of: lowering the printhead assembly towards datum surfaces, each datum surface having a fixed position relative to the media feed path; and magnetically attracting portions of the printhead assembly towards the datum surfaces so as to secure the printhead assembly in the printing position.
A method of capping printheads positioned along a curved media path having an apex. The method includes the steps of: providing a first printhead upstream of the apex and a corresponding first capper downstream of the first printhead; providing a second printhead downstream of the apex and a corresponding second capper upstream of the second printhead; moving the first capper towards the first printhead and capping the first printhead; and moving the second capper towards the second printhead and capping the second printhead. The first and second cappers are moved in opposite directions away from the apex for capping the first and second printheads.
A printhead module includes a monolithic substrate having a plurality of rows of print chips mounted thereon. Each row of print chips receives power and data through a respective longitudinal slot defined through a thickness of the substrate, each longitudinal slot extending parallel with and offset from the rows of print chips.
A modular inkjet printhead includes a plurality of printhead modules arranged end on end in a row. Each printhead module includes: a substrate having a plurality of longitudinal ink supply channels; a plurality of print chips mounted on a first face of the substrate, each print chip receiving ink from a respective ink supply channel; and a plurality of fingers extending longitudinally from opposite ends of each printhead module, each finger having an ink port extending away from a second face of the substrate opposite the first face, each ink port being in fluid communication with a respective ink supply channel Each ink supply channel is connected to a respective pair of ink ports at opposite ends of each printhead module and the fingers of neighboring printhead modules are interdigitated such that the ink ports of neighboring printhead modules overlap.
A printhead module includes: an ink manifold defining a plurality of ink supply channels, the ink manifold having first and second opposite faces; a plurality of print chips mounted on the first face, each print chip receiving ink from a respective ink supply channel via a set of ink outlets defined in the first face; first PCBs mounted on the first face of the ink manifold, each print chip being electrically connected to a respective first PCB; and second PCBs mounted on the second face of the ink manifold. The first and second PCBs are connected via electrical connectors extending through longitudinal slots defined in the substrate.
A modular inkjet printhead includes a plurality of printhead modules arranged end on end in a row. Each printhead module includes: a substrate having a plurality of parallel ink supply channels extending longitudinally along a length thereof and a plurality of parallel printhead segments. Each printhead segment extends longitudinally along a length of the substrate and has a plurality of print chips arranged end on end in a row. A plurality of fingers extend longitudinally from opposite ends of each printhead module, each finger including a portion of a respective one of the printhead segments. The fingers of neighboring printhead modules are interdigitated such that printhead segments of neighboring printhead modules overlap.
A modular inkjet printhead includes a plurality of printhead modules arranged end on end in a row, each printhead module having at least four rows of print chips configured for printing at least four different inks, each print chip having multiple nozzle rows for redundant printing of a respective ink. A print zone of the printhead has a width of less than 100 mm in a media direction.
A modular inkjet printhead includes a plurality of printhead modules arranged end on end in a row. Each printhead module includes: a substrate having a plurality of ink supply channels; a plurality of print chips mounted on the substrate, each print chip receiving ink from a respective ink supply channel; and a plurality of fingers extending longitudinally from opposite ends of each printhead module, each finger comprising at least a portion of a respective print chip. The fingers of neighboring printhead modules are interdigitated such that print chips of neighboring printhead modules overlap and the portion of the print chip contained in a respective finger is positioned towards one lateral edge of the finger.
A modular inkjet printhead includes: a plurality of printhead modules arranged end on end in a row; an elongate support structure extending a length of the printhead for holding the printhead modules; and an ink carrier extending alongside the support structure and laterally spaced from the printhead modules, the ink carrier being fluidically connected to each of the printhead modules via a plurality of ink connectors extending laterally therefrom; and a pair of elongate busbars extending longitudinally along a roof of the ink carrier, each busbar being electrically connected to each of the printhead modules via a pair of respective connector straps extending transversely therefrom, the busbars supplying power to each of the printhead modules.
An inkjet printhead includes: a fluid manifold having a base defining a plurality of fluid outlets and printhead chips attached to the base. Each printhead chip receives printing fluid from a set of the fluid outlets. All fluid outlets are flared with a respect to a width dimension of the printhead chips for facilitating removal of air bubbles.
B41J 2/515 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by the process of building-up characters applicable to two or more kinds of printing or marking processes from an assembly of identical printing elements line printer type
B41J 2/155 - Arrangement thereof for line printing
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
32.
Method of inkjet printing using digital control of jet flow in vicinity of droplets
A method of inkjet printing includes the steps of: feeding print media past a printhead; printing onto the print media via a stream of inkjet droplets ejected from the printhead; and generating a jet flow in the vicinity of the stream of inkjet droplets, wherein the jet flow is digitally controlled.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
A printing unit includes: a sleeve and a print module received in the sleeve, the print module being slidably removable, in a first direction, from the sleeve. The print module includes a supply module and a replaceable printhead. The printhead is slidably removable, in a second direction, from the supply module, the first and second directions being non-parallel.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
B41J 25/34 - Bodily-changeable print heads or carriages
B41J 2/155 - Arrangement thereof for line printing
B41J 25/00 - Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for
A process for handling MEMS wafers includes the steps of: (i) attaching a first carrier substrate to a first side of a MEMS wafer, the first carrier substrate being attached via a first wafer bonding tape and a silicone-free peel tape, the peel tape contacting the first side of the MEMS wafer; (ii) performing wafer processing steps on an opposite second side of the MEMS wafer; (iii) releasing the first carrier substrate from the first side of the MEMS wafer via exposure to an energy source, the energy source selectively releasing the wafer bonding tape from the first side of the MEMS wafer; and (iv) peeling the peel tape away from the first side of the MEMS wafer.
H01L 21/30 - Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups
H01L 21/46 - Treatment of semiconductor bodies using processes or apparatus not provided for in groups
H01L 21/78 - Manufacture or treatment of devices consisting of a plurality of solid state components or integrated circuits formed in, or on, a common substrate with subsequent division of the substrate into plural individual devices
B32B 7/12 - Interconnection of layers using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
H01L 21/683 - Apparatus specially adapted for handling semiconductor or electric solid state devices during manufacture or treatment thereof; Apparatus specially adapted for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor or electric solid state devices or components for supporting or gripping
35.
Print module having wing levers for moving ink couplings
A print module comprising a printhead cartridge releasably engaged with a supply module, wherein the supply module comprises one or more wing levers for slidably raising and lowering a respective ink coupling of the supply module relative to the printhead cartridge.
An ink delivery system for an inkjet printer includes: (a) an ink delivery module for supplying and receiving ink in a circulating fluidic loop having positive and negative pressure ink lines; (b) print modules interconnected between the positive pressure ink line and the negative pressure ink line. The ink delivery module has regulator pumps for gross control of ink pressure in the print modules; and each print module has a respective pressure control system for dynamic fine control of ink pressure in each individual print module.
A printing system includes: an ink supply; a feed line coupled to the ink supply; a return line coupled to the ink supply; and a plurality of printhead modules each having an inlet port fluidically coupled to the feed line and an outlet port fluidically coupled to the return line; and bypass lines fluidically coupling the feed line to the return line. A bypass line is open for both priming and printing operations.
B41J 3/54 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed with two or more sets of type or printing elements
B41J 2/165 - Prevention of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
A method of printing redundantly in four colors using a pagewide printhead having first and second rows of printhead chips mounted on a common ink manifold and receiving four colors of ink. The method includes the steps of: supplying first and second ink colors from the manifold to the first row of printhead chips; supplying third and fourth ink colors from the manifold to the second row of printhead chips; and printing the inks redundantly from the printhead chips.
A print engine includes: a media support chassis having a plurality of guide rollers mounted between opposite sidewalls thereof, the plurality of guide rollers defining a curved media feed path; a plurality of spittoons, each spittoon being positioned between a neighboring pair of guide rollers and each spittoon having an upper guide portion; and a plurality of printheads, each printhead opposing a respective spittoon. The upper guide portion of each spittoon has an upstream leading edge sloped towards the media feed path and a downstream trailing edge sloped away from the media feed path.
A printer includes: an inkjet printhead having first and second rows of printhead chips; a platen having first and second spittoon slots corresponding to the first and second rows of printhead chips, each spittoon slot having a length corresponding to a length of the printhead and a width extending between a respective upstream sidewall and a respective downstream sidewall of the platen; first and second rollers positioned in the respective first and second spittoon slots for receiving ink spitted from the first and second rows of printhead chips; a rotation mechanism for rotating the first and second rollers; and first and second scrapers engaged with respective first and second rollers. A diameter of each roller is less than the width of its respective spittoon slot.
An ink tank for an ink delivery system in a printer includes: a lower portion having an ink inlet port and an ink outlet port; and an upper portion having a roof defining a tortuous vent pathway open to atmosphere via a gas port. The lower portion has a smaller volume than the upper portion.
An integrated inkjet module includes: a print module positioned between end brackets, the print module having an elongate printhead; a wiper carriage configured for longitudinally wiping the printhead; and a print module carrier supporting the print module. The print module carrier is slidably mounted between the end brackets for lifting relative to a media feed path. The wiper carriage, in a parked position, is positioned between one end of the print module and an end bracket, and the print module carrier includes a mounting arm bridging over the wiper carriage in the parked position.
A method of generating alignment data for a printhead. The method includes the steps of: printing a calibration pattern using the printhead, the calibration pattern including rows of spaced apart fiducials, each fiducial having a plurality of concentric shapes representing a code sequence; imaging the fiducials at a first resolution to generate imaged fiducials; cross-correlating a template fiducial with the imaged fiducials at a plurality of different displacement s relative to each imaged fiducial, the template fiducial having a configuration matching the imaged fiducials; determining a two-dimensional set of cross-correlation values for each imaged fiducial, each set of cross-correlation values indicating a center of a respective fiducial; and generating alignment data for the printhead using the sets of cross-correlation values.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
B41F 33/00 - Indicating, counting, warning, control or safety devices
B41J 29/393 - Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine
44.
Method of inkjet printing with air-dampening of ink pressure fluctuations
A method of inkjet printing includes the steps of: (i) delivering ink to a printhead manifold having a longitudinal ink channel, one or printhead chips mounted to a floor of the printhead manifold and in fluid communication with the longitudinal ink channel, and a plurality of sealed air cavities positioned over the longitudinal ink channel for dampening pressure fluctuations in the ink; (ii) printing from the printhead chips; and (iii) replenishing the air cavities with air.
B41J 2/515 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by the process of building-up characters applicable to two or more kinds of printing or marking processes from an assembly of identical printing elements line printer type
B41J 2/155 - Arrangement thereof for line printing
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
45.
Print module with tongue engagement of printhead carrier for fluidic disconnection
A print module including: a cradle having a longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead assembly positioned in the longitudinal cavity; and a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead assembly, the supply assembly having one or more ink couplings for fluidic connection to a printhead of the printhead assembly. The cradle includes a fixed limiter configured for abutment with a reaction plate of the printhead assembly so as to limit movement of the printhead assembly during movement of the supply assembly away from the printhead assembly.
A print module includes: a cradle defining a longitudinal cavity and an access opening at a first end of the longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead carrier positioned in the longitudinal cavity, the printhead carrier being pivotable about a pivot axis at a second end of the cradle opposite the first end; and an elongate printhead longitudinally slidably engaged with the printhead carrier. The printhead is removable from the cradle via pivoting of the printhead carrier and longitudinally sliding the printhead relative to the printhead carrier through the access opening.
A print module includes: a cradle having a longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead assembly positioned in the longitudinal cavity; a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead assembly, the supply assembly including a PCB fastened to a PCB mounting plate having a resilient flange configured for clamping engagement with a portion of the PCB containing PCB contacts; and a slide plate slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the printhead assembly. The slide plate is configured for camming engagement with the resilient flange and sliding movement of the slide plate urges the resilient flange into clamping engagement with the portion of the PCB containing PCB contacts, thereby electrically connecting the PCB contacts with the printhead.
A print module including: a cradle having a longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead assembly positioned in the longitudinal cavity; a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead assembly, the supply assembly being configured for supply of ink and/or electrical signals to a printhead of the printhead assembly; and a locking mechanism having a slide plate slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the printhead assembly. The slide plate has one or more keepers and each keeper is engageable with a locking pin projecting from the supply assembly.
A print module includes: a cradle having a nest for receiving a printhead; an elongate printhead received in the nest; a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead; and a lift mechanism for reciprocally lowering and raising the supply assembly towards and away from the printhead, the lift mechanism having a single actuator handle positioned at the first end of the cradle. Movement of the actuator handle causes engagement or disengagement between the printhead and the supply assembly via sliding movement of the supply module relative to the cradle.
A print module includes: a cradle defining a longitudinal cavity and an access opening at a first end of the longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead positioned in the longitudinal cavity; and a guide positioned at the access opening, the guide having an upper surface configured for guiding the printhead into the longitudinal cavity without contacting an ink ejection face of the printhead. The printhead is removable from the cradle via longitudinal sliding movement of the printhead through the access opening.
A print engine includes: a chassis; a cradle attached to the chassis, the cradle defining a longitudinal cavity having an access opening at a first end thereof; an elongate printhead received in the longitudinal cavity via the access opening; and a wiper carriage configured for longitudinally wiping the printhead. The wiper carriage is parked at a second end of the cradle opposite the first end.
A print module includes: a cradle having a nest for receiving a printhead; an elongate printhead assembly received in the nest, the printhead assembly including a printhead having first and second ink ports at opposite longitudinal ends thereof; and a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the nest along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead. The supply assembly includes first and second ink couplings fast with the supply assembly and connected to respective first and second ink ports. The print module is configured such that movement of the supply assembly disconnects the second ink coupling prior to disconnection of the first ink coupling.
A print module includes: a printhead having ink ports and a row of printhead contacts; and a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead. The supply assembly includes: ink couplings positioned for fluidic connection to the ink ports; and a PCB having a row of PCB contacts for electrical connection to the printhead contacts. A single actuator handle is configured for sequentially actuating electrical connection or disconnection in a first motion and actuating fluidic connection or disconnection in a second motion.
A print module includes: a cradle having a nest for receiving a printhead; an elongate printhead received in the nest, the printhead having first and second ink ports at opposite longitudinal ends thereof; and a supply assembly slidably movable relative to the cradle along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead. The supply assembly includes first and second ink couplings positioned for complementary engagement with the first and second ink ports of the printhead and a depressor positioned between the first and second ink couplings. The printhead has a portion configured for complementary engagement with the depressor, such that lowering of the supply assembly urges the printhead towards the nest via engagement of the depressor with the printhead.
An integrated inkjet module includes: a support chassis configured for fixedly mounting on a media feed chassis; a maintenance chassis mounted on the support chassis; and a print bar chassis liftably mounted on the maintenance chassis, the print bar chassis having one or more printheads mounted thereon. The print bar chassis includes datum pins maximally spaced apart at each corner thereof, with each datum pin engaging with a complementary datum surface of the support chassis to control a separation between the printheads and a media feed path during printing.
A print module includes: a cradle defining a longitudinal cavity and an access opening at a first end of the longitudinal cavity; a printhead carrier positioned in the longitudinal cavity, the printhead carrier comprising a longitudinal rail; and an elongate printhead having a longitudinal overhead hanger for complementary longitudinal sliding engagement with the rail. The printhead is removable from the cradle via longitudinal sliding movement of the printhead relative to the printhead carrier through the access opening.
A print module includes: a cradle defining a longitudinal cavity; an elongate printhead received in the longitudinal cavity, the printhead having a row of printhead contacts; a PCB slidably movable relative to the cradle along a first axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the printhead; and an actuator handle. The actuator handle is configured for reciprocally lowering and raising the PCB and urging the PCB contacts into engagement with the printhead contacts, thereby forming electrical connections between the PCB and the printhead. The PCB electrical contacts are urged along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and the longitudinal axis of the printhead.
An integrated inkjet module includes: a support chassis configured for fixedly mounting on a media feed chassis; a maintenance chassis slidably mounted on the support chassis; and a print bar chassis liftably mounted on the maintenance chassis, the print bar chassis having one or more inkjet printheads mounted thereon.
A printing system includes: a media feed chassis including a plurality of fixed roller shafts, each roller shaft having a rotatable roller for guiding print media through a media feed path; and one or more inkjet modules mounted on the media feed chassis for printing on the print media. Each inkjet module has a support chassis seated on a set of roller shafts, and the support chassis includes a base having a set of notches defined therein, the roller shafts being received within the notches.
An integrated inkjet module includes: a print bar chassis including: an elongate frame mounting one or more printheads, the elongate frame having first and second pairs of opposed legs extending downwardly from respective first and second ends thereof, each leg having a set of roller bearings configured for bearing against a respective guide rail of the inkjet module; a support chassis configured for fixedly mounting on a media feed chassis; and a lift mechanism for lifting the print bar chassis relative to the support chassis.
An inkjet printing assembly includes: a support chassis having a plurality of datum surfaces; a print bar chassis liftably mounted on the support chassis, the print bar chassis having one or more printheads mounted thereon and a plurality of datum pins for engagement with the datum surfaces; a lift mechanism for moving the print bar chassis between a lowered position in which the datum pins are engaged with the datum surfaces and a raised position in which the datums pins are spaced apart from the datum surfaces; and one or more magnets for urging the print bar chassis towards the support chassis.
A printer includes: a platen having an ink-collection slot extending across its width; a wick bar received in the ink-collection slot, wherein an upstream gap and a downstream gap are defined at either side of the wick bar relative to a media feed direction; a printhead positioned over the wick bar; and a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the ink-collection slot. The wick bar is absent from a mid-portion of the platen and the mid-portion of the platen is aligned, in the media feed direction, with an upstream media picker.
An inkjet printhead includes: a rigid elongate manifold having at least one ink supply channel and a lower surface with a longitudinal ink cavity defined therein, the longitudinal ink cavity having a roof and sidewalls extending between the roof and the lower surface; a metal film sealingly attached to the lower surface so as to bridge across the longitudinal ink cavity, the film having a plurality of film apertures for receiving ink from the longitudinal ink cavity; and a plurality of printhead chips attached to the film, each printhead chip receiving ink from the longitudinal ink cavity via the film apertures. A plurality of through-holes are defined in the manifold to provide fluid communication between the ink supply channel and the longitudinal ink cavity. The through-holes extend perpendicular to the ink supply channel and the longitudinal ink cavity.
An aqueous-based inkjet ink for a thermal inkjet printhead includes: a pigment; 2 to 90 ppm ammonium ions; and an ink vehicle. The ink has a pH in the range of 8 to 9.5 and exhibits improved lifetime in thermal inkjet printheads with minimal loss of print quality.
3-8 alkyl ether; a first surfactant of formula (I); and a second surfactant different than the first surfactant, the first surfactant being present in a greater amount than the second surfactant.
A printer includes: a printhead; a platen positioned below the printhead for supporting print media conveyed along a media feed direction through a print zone, the platen defining at least one particle-collection slot upstream of the print zone relative to the media feed direction and an ink-collection slot positioned in the print zone downstream of the particle-collection slot. A dam wall is positioned between the particle-collection slot and the ink-collection slot, with the dam wall extending transversely relative to the media feed direction.
A method of maintaining an elongate inkjet printhead includes the steps of: positioning a suction nozzle opposite inkjet nozzles of the printhead; positioning a wiper offset from the inkjet nozzles; and moving the suction nozzle and the wiper together along a length of the printhead. The wiper contacts only a non-printing part of the printhead while the suction nozzle is spaced apart from the inkjet nozzles of printhead.
A print assembly includes: a printhead having a plurality of inkjet nozzle devices; and an array of synthetic jet devices configured to provide a jet flow in a vicinity of ink droplets ejected by the inkjet nozzles.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
69.
Inkjet printhead with encapsulant-retaining features
A MEMS chip assembly including: a support structure having a chip mounting surface; a MEMS chip mounted on the chip mounting surface, each MEMS chip having an active surface including one or more MEMS devices and a plurality of bond pads disposed alongside a connection edge of the MEMS chip; electrical connectors connected to the bond pads; and an encapsulant material covering the electrical connectors. The MEMS chip has encapsulant-retaining trenches defined in the active surface extending alongside the connection edge, each encapsulant-retaining trench being disposed between the bond pads and the MEMS devices.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
An inkjet printhead includes: an elongate support having a printhead mounting surface; a plurality of butting printhead chips mounted on the printhead mounting surface, each printhead chip having an ink ejection surface including one or more nozzle rows; and a grout material disposed between butting edges of each butting pair of printhead chips. Each printhead chip has a grouting trench defined in the ink ejection surface, the grouting trench extending alongside at least one butting edge and the grouting trench being disposed between an endmost nozzle of each nozzle row and the butting edge.
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
An inkjet printhead includes: a support structure having a plurality of printhead chips mounted thereto; and a shield plate bonded to the support structure, the shield plate having a slot aligned with the printhead chips, the slot having a perimeter edge. A sealant is disposed on all exposed portions of the support structure adjacent the perimeter edge of each slot.
An inkjet printhead includes: a manifold having a plurality of ink outlets defined in a manifold surface; a shim adhesively bonded to the manifold surface, the shim having apertures aligned with the ink outlets; at least one row of printhead chips adhesively bonded to the shim. The shim and the manifold are each comprised of an Invar metal alloy.
A method of minimizing condensation on a lower surface of an inkjet printhead. The inkjet printhead has a plurality of printhead chips mounted on a manifold and a shield plate defining the lower surface. The method includes the steps of: disposing a heating layer between the manifold and the shield plate; heating the heating layer; and printing using the printhead chips, wherein heating of the heating layer minimizes condensation on the lower surface.
A printer includes: a convexly curved media path for feeding print media along a media feed direction, the curved media path having an apex, a first section upstream of the apex and a second section downstream of the apex; a plurality of printheads radially arranged around the curved media path, the plurality of printheads including a first printhead positioned for printing onto the first section and a second printhead positioned for printing onto the second section; a plurality of cappers for capping the plurality of printheads, each capper being positioned at one longitudinal side of a respective printhead and each capper being laterally moveable between capped and uncapped positions; and a lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the printheads. A first capper is positioned downstream of the first printhead and a second capper is positioned upstream of the second printhead in respective uncapped positions.
A printing assembly includes: a print chassis having a fixed sleeve and a print module slidably and releasably mounted in a respective sleeve. The print module has a supply module and replaceable printhead cartridge, the printhead cartridge being slidably and releasably mounted to the supply module. The printhead cartridge is removable from the print module only when the print module is released from the fixed sleeve.
B41J 25/304 - Bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface
B41J 2/045 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
B41J 2/165 - Prevention of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
B41J 2/155 - Arrangement thereof for line printing
patents