Modular printhead with ink chamber and reservoir molding assemblies

1. A modular printhead that comprises

a chassis including a module engagement plate integrally formed therewith via hinged arms;

a plurality of printhead modules mounted on the chassis, each module being a sealed unit with a number of independent ink chambers for feeding inkjet nozzles in a printhead integrated circuit;

a reservoir molding into which the each printhead module is plugged;

a self sealing elastomeric strip interposed between the reservoir molding and the printhead modules, the printhead modules being supplied from the reservoir molding through the elastomeric strip; and

an input lever fulcrumed against the chassis to act on the module engagement plate via the hinged arms, wherein

the input lever is configured such that movement of the input lever is reduced by the hinged arms, whereby a reduced extent of movement of the engagement plate is realized, and

the printhead modules are configured such that when mounted on the chassis the printhead integrated circuits substantially exactly abut one another to minimize gaps or overlap in the printing produced.

2. A modular printhead as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each printhead module includes the printhead integrated circuit bonded to a tape automated bond (TAB) film.

3. A modular printhead as claimed in claim 2 , wherein a micro molding is provided to accommodate and support the TAB film, the micro molding being adapted to mate with a cover molding.

4. A modular printhead as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the input lever and the hinged arms are configured so that resultant movement in the engagement plate is substantially linear and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the chassis.