Ink reservoir
The present invention relates to an ink reservoir for being received within the former of a printer roll. The reservoir includes a first portion defining one or more channels for each providing ink to a respective output port. A second portion is also provided which bears one or more ink bladders for each containing a respective type of ink. In use, each ink bladder is in fluid communication with a respective channel.
1. An ink reservoir, the reservoir including:
a first portion defining one or more channels for each providing ink to a respective output port; and
a second portion bearing one or more ink bladders for each containing a respective type of ink, each ink bladder adapted to be in fluid communication with a respective channel, wherein
the ink reservoir is adapted to be received within a former of a printer roll.
2. An ink reservoir as claimed in claim 1 , wherein there are provided three channels and bladders.
3. An ink reservoir as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the bladders respectively contain cyan, magenta and yellow ink.
4. An ink reservoir as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the bladders are each of the same size.
5. An ink reservoir as claimed in claim 1 , further including a cover for covering the ink bladders.
6. An ink reservoir as claimed in claim 5 , further including an end cap for engaging with the first portion and the cover, and for defining each output port.
7. An ink reservoir as claimed in claim 6 , further including an air inlet port for maintaining the pressure of ink within each bladder.
8. An ink reservoir as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions are made from plastic material and are fastened together by heat sealing or ultra violet radiation processes.
9. A printer roll including a separable former for receiving the ink reservoir as claimed in claim 1 .
10. The ink reservoir as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first portion has a semi-cylindrical shape.
11. The ink reservoir as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second portion has a semi-cylindrical shape.
12. The ink reservoir as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first and second portion, when coupled together, form a cylindrical shape adapted to be received within the former of the printer roll.