IP Library Granted Patent US 8,789,939
Granted Patent B2
US 8,789,939 · App. 13/225,465 · Granted Jul 29, 2014

Print media cartridge with ink supply manifold

Inventors: Tobin Allen King (Balmain, AU); Kia Silverbrook (Balmain, AU)
Assignee: Google Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,789,939
App. No.
13/225,465
Granted
Jul 29, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

An ink and print media cartridge for a printer device includes a print media housing assembly configured for insertion and removal to and from the printer device, the print media housing assembly having a top molding coupled to a bottom molding and a print media storage volume defined therebetween; an ink housing assembly attached to an outer surface of the bottom molding, the ink housing assembly defining an ink chamber with the outer surface of the bottom molding; a spring provided between the top molding and the bottom molding, the spring positioned to bear on one side against the top molding and on an opposite side against print media stored in the print media storage region; and a feed mechanism provided within the print media housing, the feed mechanism having a drive gear protruding externally from the print media housing. The drive gear is positioned to engage with a complimentary drive mechanism of the printer device upon insertion of the print media housing into the printer device.

Claims (24)

1. An ink and print media cartridge for a printer device, the ink and print media cartridge comprising:

a print media housing assembly configured for insertion and removal to and from the printer device, the print media housing assembly having a top molding coupled to a bottom molding and a print media storage space defined therebetween;

an ink housing assembly attached to an outer surface of the bottom molding, the ink housing assembly defining an ink chamber with the outer surface of the bottom molding;

a spring provided between the top molding and the bottom molding, the spring positioned to bear on one side against the top molding and on an opposite side against print media stored in the print media storage space; and

a feed mechanism provided within the print media housing, the feed mechanism including a drive gear protruding externally from the print media housing, wherein the drive gear is positioned to engage with a complimentary drive mechanism of the printer device upon insertion of the print media housing into the printer device, wherein a portion of the feed mechanism is rotatably supported by arcuate ribs formed in a channel located beneath an opening in the print media housing assembly for feeding the print media.

2. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the feed mechanism, including a geared roller assembly.

3. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 2 , wherein the top and bottom moldings define a slot from which print media stored in the print media storage volume are fed by the geared roller assembly.

4. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 2 , wherein the geared roller assembly includes a pick up roller mounted on a drive shaft and positioned to engage print media stored in the print media storage volume, and the top and bottom moldings define a formation in which the drive shaft is rotatably positioned.

5. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the bottom molding extends beyond a peripheral edge of the top molding to define an ink supply connection manifold.

6. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 5 , comprising an ink outlet in fluid communication with the ink chamber, wherein the ink outlet is provided on the ink supply connection manifold.

7. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the feed mechanism includes a drive shaft and a roller, wherein the top molding encloses the portion of the drive shaft holding the rollers.

8. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 7 , wherein the top molding does not enclose the drive gear.

9. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1 , comprising a foil provided adjacent to the opening for feeding the print media.

10. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 9 , wherein the foil is configured to extend downwardly across the opening for feeding the print media.

11. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the ink housing assembly includes an ink storage base molding with ink chambers, and wherein the ink storage base molding is indirectly connected with the outer surface of the bottom molding.

12. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the ink housing assembly includes a thin walled deformable film and an ink storage base molding with ink chambers, and wherein the ink storage base molding is connected with the outer surface of the bottom molding via the thin walled deformable film.

13. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the ink housing assembly includes a film and an ink storage base molding with ink chambers, wherein the ink storage base molding is connected with the outer surface of the bottom molding via the film, and wherein the film is contoured to nest within the ink chambers.

14. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 13 , wherein the ink storage base molding is sealingly connected with a flange provided around a periphery of the file.

15. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 14 , wherein the film is sealingly connected with the outer surface of the bottom molding.

16. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the ink housing assembly includes an ink storage base molding with ink chambers, and wherein the ink storage base molding extends beyond a peripheral edge of the print media storage space.

17. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 16 , wherein a portion of the ink storage base molding that extends beyond the peripheral edge of the print media storage space forms an ink supply connection manifold region.

18. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 17 , wherein the ink supply connection manifold region is configured to provide one or more ink nozzles.

19. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 18 , wherein the one or more ink nozzles are closed by one or more ink seals.

20. The ink and print media cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the ink housing assembly includes a thin walled deformable film and an ink storage base molding with ink chambers, wherein the ink storage base molding is connected with the outer surface of the bottom molding via the thin walled deformable film, wherein ink is stored above the thin walled deformable film and is in fluid communication with one or more ink nozzles.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 2, 2017
From: GOOGLE INC.
To: GOOGLE LLC
Reel/Frame 044277/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2013
From: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD
To: GOOGLE INC.
Reel/Frame 030598/0232 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 4, 2011
From: KING, TOBIN ALLEN; SILVERBROOK, KIA
To: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD
Reel/Frame 026855/0446 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 12541121 · Aug 13, 2009
Continuation 11203188 · Aug 15, 2005
Continuation 10659016 · Sep 11, 2003
Continuation 09436508 · Nov 9, 1999
Related Publication 20110316946A1 · Dec 29, 2011