Cradle unit having a cover assembly with ink refill port

1. A cradle unit for an inkjet printer comprising:

a body complementary to a removable inkjet cartridge of a type having a pagewidth printhead and a refillable ink supply; and

a controller for controlling the operation of the printhead to facilitate printing;

wherein, said body includes a cover assembly for enclosing the removable inkjet cartridge within the body, said cover assembly having at least one port formed therein through which a refill unit is received for refilling the ink supply of the cartridge,

wherein the port includes a receiver unit arranged therein for engaging with an integrated circuit on the refill unit when the refill unit is received by said port.

2. A cradle unit according to claim 1 , wherein the body defines a recess to receive the removable inkjet cartridge and said cover assembly secures the removable inkjet cartridge within said recess.

3. A cradle unit according to claim 2 , wherein the port is shaped to receive at least a portion of the refill unit.

4. A cradle unit according to claim 3 , wherein the port includes a retaining means for engaging with the refill unit to secure the refill unit in position for refilling the ink supply of the cartridge.

5. A cradle unit according to claim 4 , wherein the retaining means includes a clip member which engages with a recess provided in the refill unit to secure the refill unit in position.

6. A cradle unit according to claim 1 , wherein the integrated circuit is a quality assurance chip which stores information relating to the type and/or amount of printing fluid contained in said refill unit, the receiver unit transmitting said information to the controller to control the refilling process.

7. A cradle unit according to claim 6 , wherein the cover assembly includes an actuator member arranged therein which operates said refill unit to facilitate refilling of the ink supply of the cartridge.

8. A cradle unit according to claim 7 , wherein the actuator member is a push rod which extends into said port to engage with the refill unit to release ink from the refill unit into said ink supply of the cartridge.

9. A cradle unit according to claim 8 , wherein said push rod is activated by a solenoid actuator which is mounted to the body.

10. A cradle unit according to claim 7 , wherein the actuator member is a gear mechanism which meshes with a corresponding gear mechanism provided on the refill unit to facilitate release of ink from the refill unit into said ink supply of the cartridge.

11. A cradle unit according to claim 10 , wherein the gear mechanism is activated by a motor which is mounted to the body.