Print media roll and ink supply cartridge
View Patent ↗A print media and ink supply cartridge includes an outer housing in which there is located a roll of print media located about a cylindrical former. The former includes a number of internal longitudinal ink storage volumes that are filled with hydrophobic sponges. One end of the former has winding airways formed into it that communicate with the internal ink storage volumes. An opposing end of the former includes a number of ink outlet ports that communicate with corresponding outlets in the housing. The cartridge includes a pair of print media transport rollers arranged to be driven by a power source external to the cartridge.
1. A print media and ink supply cartridge including;
an outer housing;
a former for a roll of print media containing one or more ink storage volumes;
a first end of the former having one or more ink ports in communication with a corresponding one or more of the ink storage volumes;
a second end of the former including one or more airways in communication with a corresponding one or more of the ink storage volumes;
a roll of print media located within the housing and about the former.
2. A print media and ink supply cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the former is cylindrical and the ink storage volumes are longitudinally disposed within.
3. A print media and ink supply cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the outer housing includes one or more print media transport rollers.
4. A print media and ink supply cartridge according to claim 3 , wherein the one or more print media transport rollers comprise a pair of rollers arranged to be driven by a power source external to said cartridge.
5. A print media and ink supply cartridge according to claim 2 , wherein the one or more ink storage volumes each contain a sponge.
6. A print media and ink supply cartridge according to claim 5 , wherein the sponge is hydrophobic.
7. A print media and ink supply cartridge according to claim 1 , including an elastomeric seal located to communicate between the ink ports and ink connection ports formed in a part of the housing.
8. A print media and ink supply cartridge according to claim 1 , including ribs mounted on the outside of the former to reduce friction between the former and the roll of print media.
9. A print media and ink supply cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the airways include a number of corners.
10. A print media and ink supply cartridge according to claim 9 , wherein air within the airways is exposed to a hydrophobic medium.
11. A print media and ink supply cartridge according to claim 10 , wherein the hydrophobic medium comprises a sealing tape.