Ink supply assembly for an inkjet printhead arrangement
View Patent ↗Provided is an ink supply assembly for an inkjet printhead arrangement. The assembly includes an elongate extrusion defining a number of distribution channels for distributing ink to a printhead via an end cap operatively fitted to the extrusion. The end cap includes an upper plate and a lower plate hingedly linked by means of a spine. The end cap also includes a plurality of plugs defined on the spine to plug said distribution channels when the cap is fitted to the extrusion. The printhead assembly includes ink reservoirs and an air pump linked to the channels via delivery hoses and apertures defined in the upper plate.
1. An ink supply assembly for an inkjet printhead arrangement, the assembly comprising
an elongate extrusion defining a number of distribution channels for distributing ink to a printhead of the arrangement; and
an end cap operatively fitted to said extrusion such that the ink is supplied to the extrusion via the end cap, the end cap having an upper plate and a lower plate hingedly linked by means of a spine and a plurality of plugs defined on the spine to plug said distribution channels when the cap is fitted to the extrusion, apertures being defined in the upper plate so that ink reservoirs and an air pump can be linked to the channels via delivery hoses in fluid communication with the apertures.
2. The ink supply assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper plate defines annular ribs about said apertures to facilitate fluid flow into the channels.
3. The ink supply assembly of claim 1 , wherein the end cap includes snap engagement tabs for clamping onto the extrusion.
4. The ink supply assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ink supply assembly includes filtration means configured to filter air from the air pump before said air enters the channels.
5. The ink supply assembly of claim 1 , wherein the end cap includes connectors for receiving the ink delivery hoses.
6. The ink supply assembly of claim 5 , wherein the cap includes a sealing pin arrangement having perforated, hollow metal pins with an elastomeric collar fitted to the connectors.