Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Fluid or fluid source handling means
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-10
2001-04-17
Le, N. (Department: 2861)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Ink jet
Fluid or fluid source handling means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217165
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the supply of consumable media to a portable printhead device such as that suitable for location within a camera system. In particular, the present invention discloses “a printroll having internal print media and ink consumables”.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recently, a portable camera system having full colour print on demand capability has been proposed by the present applicants. The camera system proposed includes an imaging system for imaging a scene in addition to a photowidth inkjet printhead for the printing of the imaged scene on output print media. The print media and ink supply has been proposed to be stored within a detachable print roll having the print media and ink supply stored internally. The print roll as further been designed to be utilised in a disposable manner within the camera system such that fresh additional print rolls are provided for insertion into the camera system and are generally “consumed” by the camera system.
With increased popularity of utilisation of such a system, it is likely that a substantial number of print rolls would be utilised. It is therefore desirable to provide for a inexpensive form of construction of a print roll. Further, as the print media (film or paper) supplied within the disposable print roll may be stored in a curled form for a substantial period of time, the print media is likely to be subject to an undesirable inherent curl whilst stored.
Further, in any print roll system, it will be desirable to maximise the ink capacity of the disposable print roll and to maximize the control over the ink flow to the print head.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide for an improved form of print roll suitable for utilisation in a print on demand printing system.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detachable print media and ink supply unit for interconnection to a print head unit for the printing out of images by the print head unit, the supply unit including a print roll of print media onto which the print head prints images; and an ink supply unit located internally of the print roll and containing a plurality of ink supply reservoirs along an internal axis of the print roll, each of the reservoirs including an air hole at one end and a pierceable seal at a second end for the insertion of an ink channel element for fluid communication of the reservoir with the print head unit.
Preferably, the ink supply reservoirs are each of a columnar form extending substantially the length of the print roll. Further, the air hole can be interconnected to a hydrophobic channel which is in turn interconnected to a corresponding reservoir, the hydrophobic channel having a winding channel path so as to minimize the possibilities of ink flow through the channel.
The unit can further include a series of decurling rollers which pinch the print media and bend the print media in an opposite direction to the direction of bend of the print media on the print roll. The rollers can be snap fitted to the unit.
Preferably, the ink supply unit can be constructed from injection moulded plastic portions and can include a cover portion having a slot defined therein for the passage of the print media and the surface surrounding the slot can include a raised portion for engaging a corresponding portion of the print head unit for the accurate alignment of the supply unit relative to the print head unit.
The reservoirs can be substantially filled with an internal sponge portion which can be hydrophobically treated.
Preferably, the exterior surface of the ink supply unit which engages the surface of the print roll is covered with a series of protrusion so as to minimize frictional contact between the surfaces and the print roll can be wrapped around a print roll former.
The unit can further include an end plug portion having a series of holes and wherein the seal is sandwiched between the ink supply unit and the end plug portion, the end plug portion being adapted to receive an interconnection unit having piercing members to be inserted through the series of holes so as to pierce the seal. The unit can further include an authentication circuit mounted in the end plug portion, the circuit including a communication means adapted to interconnect with the interconnection unit.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4463359 (1984-07-01), Ayata et al.
patent: 5119115 (1992-06-01), Buat et al.
patent: 5557310 (1996-09-01), Kurata et al.
patent: 5566906 (1996-10-01), Kamada et al.
Le N.
Nguyen Judy
Silverbrook Research Pty. Ltd.
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