Print cartridge with printhead IC and multi-functional rotor element
View Patent ↗A print cartridge that has a printhead integrated circuit having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements, a rotor element rotatable between a blot position where the rotor element blots the printhead integrated circuit, a seal position where the rotor element seals the nozzle arrangements, and a platen position in which the rotor element positions a printing medium proximate the printhead integrated circuit, an air distribution channel configured to deliver air along the printhead, communicable with an air supply, a plurality of reservoirs for printing fluids for the printhead integrated circuit and, a refill port arranged in fluid communication with printing fluid conduits each leading to one of the reservoir respectively, the port facilitating refilling of the reservoirs from a refill cartridge.
1. A print cartridge comprising:
a printhead integrated circuit having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements;
a rotor element rotatable between a blot position where the rotor element blots the printhead integrated circuit, a seal position where the rotor element seals the nozzle arrangements, and a platen position in which the rotor element positions a printing medium proximate the printhead integrated circuit;
an air distribution channel configured to deliver air along the printhead, communicable with an air supply;
a plurality of reservoirs for printing fluids for the printhead integrated circuit; and,
a refill port arranged in fluid communication with printing fluid conduits each leading to one of the reservoir respectively, the port facilitating refilling of the reservoirs from a refill cartridge.
2. The print cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a power and data interface for interfacing the printer cartridge with a controller board for controlling operation of the printhead integrated circuit and the rotor element; and,
an authentication device that contains various manufacturer codes readable by the controller board to verify the authenticity of the print cartridge.
3. The print cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a body with a base molding which houses a membrane defining the reservoirs in the form of pockets.
4. The print cartridge of claim 3 , wherein the printhead integrated circuit is attached to a fluid delivery molding in fluid communication with the reservoirs.
5. The print cartridge of claim 4 , wherein the fluid delivery molding has a plurality of elongate conduits disposed along the length thereof and arranged to distribute printing fluids from the reservoirs to the printhead integrated circuit.
6. The print cartridge of claim 4 , having an ink sealing strip positioned between the base molding and the fluid delivery molding.
7. The print cartridge as claimed in claim 1 , which has a filter for filtering air from the air supply.