Printhead cartridge priming protocol

US7857438B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd · AU

Inventors

• Geoffrey Philip Dyer · Sydney, AU
• Attila Bertok · Sydney, AU
• Paul Ian Mackey · Sydney, AU
• Norman Micheal Berry · Sydney, AU
• Kia Silverbrook · Sydney, AU

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 16, 2008
• Grant date: Dec 28, 2010
• Expiry date: Jun 28, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B41J29/02
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of priming a printhead cartridge upon installation in a printer, the printhead cartridge having a printhead with a nozzle face defining an array of nozzles for ejecting ink on to a media substrate fed past the printhead in a media feed direction, by providing a printer with at least three ink tanks for storing the inks of different color, the printer also having a cradle for supporting the printhead cartridge adjacent a media feed path, a fluid interface in fluid communication with the ink tanks, and a latch for securing the printhead cartridge in the cradle, the latch being movable between an open position where access to the cradle is unobstructed, and a closed position where access to the cradle is obstructed, placing the printhead cartridge in the cradle while the latch is in the open position, the printhead cartridge having a fluid coupling positioned to align with the fluid interface when placed in the cradle, moving the latch to the closed position to secure the printhead cartridge in cradle, providing a mechanical linkage between the latch and the fluid interface such that the fluid interface sealingly engages the fluid coupling upon moving the latch to the closed …