Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Fluid or fluid source handling means
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-10
2001-09-25
Le, N. (Department: 2861)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Ink jet
Fluid or fluid source handling means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293658
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present relates substantially to the concept of a disposable camera having instant printing capabilities and in particular, discloses A Printhead Ink Supply System.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recently, the concept of a “single use” disposable camera has become an increasingly popular consumer item. Disposable camera systems presently on the market normally includes an internal film roll and a simplified gearing mechanism for traversing the film roll across an imaging system including a shutter and lensing system. The user, after utilising a single film roll returns the camera system to a film development center for processing. The film roll is taken out of the camera system and processed and the prints returned to the user. The camera system is then able to be re-manufactured through the insertion of a new film roll into the camera system, the replacement of any worn or wearable parts and the re-packaging of the camera system in accordance with requirements. In this way, the concept of a single use “disposable” camera is provided to the consumer.
Recently, a camera system has been proposed by the present applicant which provides for a handheld camera device having an internal print head, image sensor and processing means such that images sensed by the image sensing means, are processed by the processing means and adapted to be instantly printed out by the printing means on demand. The proposed camera system further discloses a system of internal “print rolls” carrying print media such as film on to which images are to be printed in addition to ink to supply to the printing means for the printing process. The print roll is further disclosed to be detachable and replaceable within the camera system.
Unfortunately, such a system is likely to only be constructed at a substantial cost and it would be desirable to provide for a more inexpensive form of instant camera system which maintains a substantial number of the quality aspects of the aforementioned arrangement.
In particular, in any “disposable camera” it would be desirable to provide for a simple and rapid form of replenishment of the consumable portions in any disposable camera so that the disposable camera can be readily and rapidly serviced by replenishment and returned to the market place.
It would be further desirable to provide, in such a camera system, an ink supply unit for the storage of inks to be utilized in the printing out of images.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide for an efficient and effective ink cartridge for the storage of inks used in printing out images.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printhead ink supply unit for supplying a pagewidth printhead for the ejection of ink by the printhead having a first surface having a plurality of holes for the supply of ink to a series of ejection nozzles, the printhead supply unit comprising a plurality of long columnar chambers for storing an ink supply, one for each output color, the chambers running substantially the length of the printhead adjacent the first surface thereof; and a series of tapered separators separating the chambers from one another, the tapered separators being tapered into an end strip running along the first surface along substantially the length of the printhead.
The unit can further include a series of regularly spaced structural support members for supporting the tapered separators in a predetermined relationship to one another. The tapered separators can be formed in a single ejection molded unit with a wall of the unit abutting the printhead. The tapered separators taper to substantially abut a slot in the wall of the unit, the slot being adapted for the insertion of the printhead. The unit can be constructed from two plastic injection molded portions welded together.
The long columnar chambers can be filled with a sponge like material to aid usage. Preferably, the printhead outputs at least three separate colors for the provision of full color output images.
The unit can include a series of air channels for communication of each of the chambers with an external ambient atmosphere, the air channels having an erratic wandering path from an end communicating with the chamber to an end communicating with the ambient atmosphere. The channel also preferably contains hydrophobic surfaces to prevent ink flow therein. The channel can be manufactured in the form of a channel having an exposed surface which is subsequently sealed by means of an adhesive surface being attached to the unit.
Each chamber can further include an aperture defined in a wall therein for the insertion of a refill needle for refilling the chamber with ink.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printhead ink supply unit wherein one portion of the unit includes a series of air channels defined therein for communication of each of the chambers with an external ambient atmosphere, the air channels having an erratic wandering path from an end communicating with the chamber to an end connecting the ambient atmosphere.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4771295 (1988-09-01), Baker et al.
patent: 5790158 (1998-08-01), Shinada et al.
patent: 5808631 (1998-09-01), Silverbrook
Le N.
Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
Vo Anh T. N.
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