Printer cartridge with printing fluid, printhead and blotter
View Patent ↗A printer cartridge that has a body configured for user insertion in and removal from an inkjet printer. The cartridge has at least one printing fluid reservoir and a printhead attached to the body. Also attached is a blotter for absorbing the fluid when the cartridge is inserted into the printer. The cartridge allows simultaneous insertion and replacement of the printhead the printing fluid reservoir and the blotter.
1. A printer cartridge for an inkjet printer, the printer cartridge comprising:
a body configured for end-user insertion in, and removal from, a cradle unit of the inkjet printer;
a printing fluid storage;
a printhead in fluid communication with the printing fluid storage; and
a printing fluid blotter arranged to blot the printhead, wherein,
the printing fluid storage, the printhead and the printing fluid blotter are mounted to the body, such that the body, the printing fluid storage, the printhead and the printing fluid blotter are end-user inserted into the cradle of the printer as a single component, and subsequently end-user removed as single component from the printer, and
the printing fluid blotter is adapted to engage with a drive motor of the cradle for actuation thereby.
2. A printer cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the printing fluid storage and the printhead are fast with the body of the printer cartridge and wherein the printing fluid blotter is coupled to the body.
3. A printer cartridge according to claim 2 , wherein the printing fluid blotter includes an engagement assembly to engage an assembly provided on the cradle for selectively bringing the printing fluid blotter into cooperation with the printhead.
4. A printer cartridge according to claim 3 , wherein the printing fluid blotter includes an absorptive material arranged to absorb printing fluid ejected from the printhead while not printing to a print medium.
5. A printer cartridge according to claim 4 , wherein the printing fluid blotter is rotationally coupled to the body.
6. A printer cartridge according to claim 5 , wherein the printing fluid blotter is also slidingly coupled to the body.
7. A printer cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the printhead comprises a pagewidth printhead and wherein the blotter extends along the pagewidth printhead.