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Patent 2742314 Summary

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(12) Patent: (11) CA 2742314
(54) English Title: INK MANIFOLD WITH MULTIPLE CONDUIT SHUT OFF VALVE
(54) French Title: COLLECTEUR D'ENCRE A MULTIPLES VANNES D'ARRET DE CONDUIT
Status: Granted
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • B41J 2/175 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • BERRY, NORMAN MICHEAL (Australia)
  • NAKAZAWA, AKIRA (Australia)
  • SILVERBROOK, KIA (Australia)
(73) Owners :
  • MEMJET TECHNOLOGY LIMITED (Ireland)
(71) Applicants :
  • SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD (Australia)
(74) Agent: OYEN WIGGS GREEN & MUTALA LLP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued: 2013-10-22
(86) PCT Filing Date: 2008-12-19
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 2010-06-24
Examination requested: 2011-04-29
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/AU2008/001875
(87) International Publication Number: WO2010/068963
(85) National Entry: 2011-04-29

(30) Application Priority Data: None

Abstracts

English Abstract



An ink manifold defining multiple fluid flow paths has openings arranged for
detachable connection with conduits
in an interface. Shut off valves at each of the openings respectively, are
biased open. An actuator biased to a closed position by a
resilient element, where it holds all the shut off valves closed. The actuator
engages the interface such that moving the interface
into connection with the openings simultaneously moves the actuator to an open
position where the shut off valves are able to
open. The resilient element generates a bias greater than a combined bias
exerted by the shut off valves on the actuator.


French Abstract

Un collecteur d'encre délimitant de multiples voies d'écoulement de fluide comporte des ouvertures conçues en vue d'une liaison détachable à des conduits situés dans une interface. Des vannes d'arrêt disposées respectivement à chacune des ouvertures sont sollicitées en position ouverte. Un actionneur est sollicité dans une position fermée par un organe élastique, dans laquelle il maintient toutes les vannes d'arrêt fermées. L'actionneur met l'interface en prise de sorte que le déplacement de l'interface en liaison avec les ouvertures déplace simultanément l'actionneur dans une position ouverte dans laquelle les vannes d'arrêt peuvent s'ouvrir. L'organe élastique produit une sollicitation supérieure à une sollicitation combinée exercée par les vannes d'arrêt sur l'actionneur.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.




16
CLAIMS

1. An ink manifold defining multiple fluid flow paths, the ink manifold
comprising:
a plurality of openings arranged for detachable connection with conduits in an

interface;
a plurality of shut off valves at each of the openings respectively;
an actuator biased to a closed position by a resilient element, such that the
actuator
holds all the shut off valves closed when in the closed position, the actuator
being configured
for engagement with the interface such that moving the interface into
connection with the
openings simultaneously moves the actuator to an open position where the shut
off valves are
able to open; wherein,
the resilient element generates a bias greater than a combined bias exerted by
the shut
off valves on the actuator, wherein each shut off valve comprises a biasing
member configured
for biasing each shut off valve into an open position.
2. An ink manifold according to claim 1 wherein the fluid flow paths are
partially defined
by a polymer channel molding having an arrangement of channels and a flexible
polymer film
sealed over the channels to seal the fluid flow paths from each other, the
shut off valves being
sealed within the polymer channel molding by the flexible polymer film and the
actuator
configured to act on an external surface of the flexible polymer film at areas
adjacent the shut
off valves.
3. An ink manifold according to claim 2 wherein the flexible sealing film
is
polypropylene film foil.
4. An ink manifold according to claim 1 wherein the shut off valves are
each resilient
caps fitted to the respective peripheries of each of the openings by an
integrally molded
collapsible section such that the resilient cap is spaced from the opening
until pressure from
the actuator collapses the collapsible section and the cap seals against the
opening periphery.
5. An ink manifold according to claim 4 wherein the shut off valves are
formed from a
synthetic rubber.



17

6. An ink manifold according to claim 2 wherein the flexible polymer film
has plastically
deformed areas adjacent each of the shut off valves, the plastically deformed
areas extending
out of the plane of the polymer sealing film and configured to invert to
accommodate
movement of the shut off valves.
7. An ink manifold according to claim 6 wherein the channel molding defines
a plurality
of valve chambers for holding each of the shut off valves respectively, the
valve chambers
each connecting to one of the channels respectively, such that the channel
connects to the
valve chamber at a topmost section when the manifold is in use.
8. An ink manifold according to claim 1 wherein the ink manifold is part of
a printhead
cartridge and the interface is in fluid communication with an ink supply.
9. An ink manifold according to claim 8 wherein the printhead cartridge has
two of the
ink manifolds, one being an inlet manifold and the other being an outlet
manifold, the outlet
being configured for detachable connection to a second interface in fluid
communication with
an ink sump.
10. An ink manifold according to claim 9 wherein the printhead cartridge
has a pagewidth
printhead.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


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1
INK MANIFOLD WITH MULTIPLE CONDUIT SHUT OFF VALVE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fluidic couplings and in particular, ink
couplings
within inkjet printers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The Applicant has developed a wide range of printers that employ pagewidth
printheads instead of traditional scanning printheads. Pagewidth designs
increase print speeds
as the printhead does not traverse back and forth across the page to deposit a
line of an image.
The pagewidth printhead simply deposits the ink on the media as it moves past
at high speeds.
Such printheads have made it possible to perform full colour 1600dpi printing
at speeds in the
vicinity of 60 pages per minute, speeds previously unattainable with
conventional inkjet
printers.
The high print speeds require a large ink supply flow rate. Not only are the
flow rates
higher but distributing the ink along the entire length of a pagewidth
printhead is more
complex than feeding ink to a relatively small reciprocating printhead.
Some of the Applicant's printers provide the printhead as a user removable
cartridge.
This recognizes that individual ink ejection nozzles may fail over time and
eventually there are
enough dead nozzles to cause artifacts in the printed image. Allowing the user
to replace the
printhead maintains the print quality without requiring the entire printer to
be replaced. It also
permits the user to substitute a different printhead for different print jobs.
A draft quality
printhead can be installed for some low resolution documents printed at high
speed, and
subsequently removed and replaced with the original high resolution printhead.
A number of the Applicant's printhead cartridges do not have an inbuilt ink
supply for
the printhead. These printhead cartridges need to be fluidically coupled to
the ink supply upon
installation. The supply flowrate to the pagewidth printhead is too high for
needle valves
because of the narrow internal diameter. This requires the coupling conduits
to be relatively
large and therefore residual ink leaks freely out of the conduits once
decoupled from the

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2
supply. This is typically not an issue for needle valve couplings because the
surface tension at
the open end of a small conduit will usually prevent leakage.
In pagewidth printhead cartridges, the leakage problem is exacerbated by the
length of
the ink flow paths. If the cartridge is held vertically during removal (or
even held with one
end slightly raised), the residual ink in the cartridge generates hydrostatic
pressure at the lower
end. This pressure is a strong driver for leakage and as discussed above, the
large conduits
provide little resistance.
Shut off valves that close upon disengagement of a fluid coupling are known
and used
in many devices. Unfortunately, these are unsuitable for the specific
requirements of a
consumable component such as an ink jet cartridge. Firstly, the ink should not
contact any
metal components. Reaction between the ink and metal can create artifacts in
the print.
Secondly, coupling the cartridge to the printer involves relatively high
tolerances so that
installation is fast and simple. The operation of an ink valve has much
smaller tolerances to
keep ink flow characteristics within specification. Coupling the printer and
the cartridge in a
way that also actuates the valve should not require the coupling tolerance to
be reduced to that
of the valve. Finally, the unit cost of consumables needs to be as low as
possible. This
requires design simplicity and low production costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides an ink manifold defining multiple
fluid
flow paths, the ink manifold comprising:
a plurality of openings arranged for detachable connection with conduits in an

interface;
a plurality of shut off valves at each of the openings respectively, the shut
off valves
being biased open;
an actuator biased to a closed position by a resilient element, such that the
actuator
holds all the shut off valves closed when in the closed position, the actuator
being configured
for engagement with the interface such that moving the interface into
connection with the

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openings simultaneously moves the actuator to an open position where the shut
off valves are
able to open; wherein,
the resilient element generates a bias greater than a combined bias exerted by
the shut
off valves on the actuator.
Normally, shut off valves are biased closed such that they only open by
engagement
with a connecting conduit. In the present invention, the individual shut off
valves are biased
open and only close when subjected to the dominant bias of the common
actuator. This allows
the common actuator to 'absorb' the large tolerances associated with
connecting the cartridge
into the printer, while the individual shut off valves can operate at much
smaller tolerances
using their own biasing means.
Preferably, the fluid flow paths are partially defined by a polymer channel
molding
having an arrangement of channels and a flexible polymer film sealed over the
channels to
seal the fluid flow paths from each other, the shut off valves being sealed
within the polymer
channel molding by the flexible polymer film and the actuator configured to
act on an external
surface of the flexible polymer film at areas adjacent the shut off valves.
Heat sealing a
polymer film to a plastic molding is an exceptionally cheap and effective
means of providing
the sealed flow paths within a fluid manifold. The flexible film allows the
actuator to push on
the individual shut off valves while remaining sealed from the ink.
Accordingly, the actuator
can be metal for strength, without the potential problems associated with
direct ink contact
discussed above. Preferably, the flexible sealing film is polypropylene film
foil.
Preferably, the shut off valves are each resilient caps fitted to the
respective peripheries
of each of the openings by an integrally molded collapsible section such that
the resilient cap
is spaced from the opening until pressure from the actuator collapses the
collapsible section
and the cap seals against the opening periphery. Preferably, the shut off
valves are formed
from FKM synthetic rubber.
Preferably, the flexible polymer film has plastically deformed areas adjacent
each of
the shut off valves, the plastically deformed areas extending out of the plane
of the polymer
sealing film and configured to invert to accommodate movement of the shut off
valves.

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Forming deformations in the film lets the shut off valves fully open without
being restrained
by the tension in the film.
Preferably, the channel molding defines a plurality of valve chambers for
holding each
of the shut off valves respectively, the valve chambers each connecting to one
of the channels
respectively, such that the channel connects to the valve chamber at a topmost
section when
the manifold is in use. By designing the channels to connect to their valve
chambers at their
most elevated points, air bubbles are not trapped in the valve chambers as the
manifold primes
with ink.
Preferably, the manifold is part of a printhead cartridge and the interface is
in fluid
communication with an ink supply. In a further preferred form, the printhead
cartridge has
two of the ink manifolds, one being an inlet manifold and the other being an
outlet manifold,
the outlet being configured for detachable connection to a second interface in
fluid
communication with an ink sump. Preferably, the printhead cartridge has a
pagewidth
printhead.
According to another aspect, the present invention provides a fluid coupling
comprising:
a first conduit;
a second conduit having a seal seat and a compression member, the compression
member being movable relative to the seal seat;
an annular seal positioned in the seal seat; and,
an engagement mechanism for moving the second conduit from a disengaged
position
where there is no sealed fluid connection between the first and second
conduits, and an
engaged position where the compression member moves toward the seal seat to
compress the
annular seal to form a sealed fluid connection.
The invention uses an engagement mechanism to deform the annular seal instead
of the
force of one conduit being pushed into the other. The exertion needed to
establish the sealed
fluid coupling can be reduced or removed by incorporating mechanical advantage
or power

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assistance into the engagement mechanism. Also there is no force acting on the
first conduit
so it is not subjected to structural stresses.
Preferably, the engagement mechanism moves the second conduit such that it
telescopically engages the first conduit and the second conduit prior to
compressing the
annular seal. Preferably, the engagement mechanism is manually actuated and
compresses the
seal with the assistance of a lever system. Preferably, the first conduit is
part of a cartridge
and the second conduit is part of a device that uses the cartridge during
operation, the lever
system latches to the cartridge when it has moved the second conduit to the
engaged position.
Optionally, the first conduit slides within the second conduit during
telescopic engagement.
Preferably, the annular seal is a ring of resilient material. In a
particularly preferred form, the
ring of resilient material has a radial cross sectional shape with at least
one straight side when
uncompressed, and said at least one straight side bulging to a curved shape
when compressed.
In some embodiments, the lever system completely disengages the second conduit

from the first conduit when it moves the second conduit to the disengaged
position.
Preferably, the cartridge has a plurality of first conduits and the device has
a corresponding
plurality of second conduits, and the lever system actuates to simultaneously
engage and
disengage the plurality of first and second conduits. In a further preferred
form, the coupling
has a corresponding plurality of the annular seals for each of the second
conduits respectively,
wherein the compression member is arranged to compress all the annular seals
respectively,
the second conduits formed in an arrangement with a geometric centroid at
which the lever
system connects to the compression member. In a particularly preferred form,
the second
conduits are arranged in a circle and the lever system connects to the centre
of the circle.
In some embodiments, the device is a print engine for an inkjet printer and
the
cartridge has an inkjet printhead. In these embodiments, it is preferable if
the inkjet printhead
is a pagewidth inkjet printhead such that the cartridge has an elongate
configuration and the
lever system has a hingedly mounted latch for releasably engaging the
cartridge to secure it in
the print engine when in the engaged position and allow the cartridge to be
lifted from the
print engine when in the disengaged position. Preferably, half of the
plurality of first conduits

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6
extend from an inlet manifold at one end of the elongate cartridge, and half
of the plurality of
first conduits extend from an outlet manifold at the other end of the elongate
cartridge.
In particular embodiments, the first conduits extend transversely to the
longitudinal
extent of the elongate cartridge such that the plurality of second conduits
move transverse to
the longitudinal extent of the elongate cartridge when moving between the
engaged and
disengaged positions.
Preferably, the second conduit has a shut off valve that opens when the first
and second
conduits are in the engaged position and closes when they are in the
disengaged position.
In some preferred embodiments, the lever system has an input arm hinged to the

compression member, the input arm having a compression lever fixed at an angle
to the
longitudinal extent of the input arm, the input arm arranged to push against
the compression
member as it rotates about the hinge connection to the compression member, the
compression
member in turn pushes against the second conduit to move it relative to the
first conduit, until
the input arm reaches a predetermined angle about the hinge where the
compression lever
engages the second conduit such that further rotation of the input arm moves
the compression
member relative to the second conduit to compress the annular seal.
In further preferred forms, the device has a chassis and the lever system
latches the
cartridge with a latch arm hinged to the chassis, the latch arm being fixed
for rotation with an
actuation arm hinged to the input arm, such that user actuation of the latch
arm advances and
retracts the second conduit and the compression member. Conveniently, the
latch arm
provides the longest lever arm of the lever system and so requires the least
force to rotate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example

only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic section view of a fluid coupling with the first and
second
conduits disengaged;

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7
Figure 2 is a schematic section view of a fluid coupling with the first and
second
conduits engaged;
Figures 3 and 4 are diagrammatic sketches of the fluid coupling being used to
connect
a printhead cartridge and an inkjet printer;
Figure 5 is a section view of the fluid coupling being used to connect a
printhead
cartridge and a print engine;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the print engine with the printhead
cartridge;
Figure 7 is a perspective of the printhead cartridge;
Figure 8 shows the printhead cartridge of Fig. 7 with the protective cover
removed;
Figure 10 is a section view of the print engine and printhead cartridge
through the fluid
coupling;
Figure 11 is an elevation of another embodiment of the ink manifold for the
printhead
cartridge with the shut off valve actuator removed for clarity;
Figure 12 is Section 12-12 shown in Figure 11;
Figure 13 is a rear elevation of the ink manifold shown in Figure 11;
Figure 14 is a cross section of one of the shut off valves used in the ink
manifold of
Figure 11;
Figure 15 is a perspective of the ink manifold of Figure 13;
Figure 16 is an exploded perspective of the ink manifold of Figure 13;
Figure 17 is an elevation of the ink manifold with the shut off valve
actuator;
Figure 18 is Section 18-18 shown in Figure 17; and,
Figure 19 is an exploded perspective of the ink manifold together with shut
off valve
actuator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The invention will be described with specific reference to a fluid coupling
between an
inkjet print engine and its corresponding printhead cartridge. However, the
ordinary worker
will appreciate that the invention is equally applicable to other arrangements
requiring a
detachable fluid connection.
In Figure 1, the fluid coupling 10 is shown with the first conduit 12
disengaged from
the second conduit 14. The first conduit 12 leads to the pagewidth printhead
of the removable

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8
printhead cartridge (described below). The second conduit 14 is connected to
the ink supply
(not shown) and sized such that it can telescopically engage the first conduit
12 with a sliding
fit. The ink is retained by the shut off valve 30 biased against valve seat 34
by the resilient
struts 32. The second conduit 14 defines a seal seat 35 for the annular seal
16. The annular
seal 16 is retained in the seal seat 35 by the compression member 18. In the
disengaged
position shown in Figure 1, the annular seal 16 is not compressed by the
compression member
18 such that the inner surface 36 of the seal remains flat. When flat, the
inner surface 36 does
not to interfere with the sliding fit between the first and second conduits
(12 and 14).
An input arm 20 is hinged to compression member 18. A compression lever 22 is
fixed at an angle to the input arm 20. The input arm 20 and the compression
lever 22 are part
of a lever system described in greater detail below with reference to Figures
3 and 4. The
lever system is an engagement mechanism that the user actuates to advance the
second conduit
14 and compression member 18 onto the first conduit 12. As the input arm 20
rotates, it
pushes on the hinge 24 which in turn moves the compression member 18 together
with the
second conduit 14.
As best shown in Figure 2, the compression member 18 and the second conduit 14

advances until the input arm 20 is parallel to the direction of travel.
Continued rotation of the
input arm 20 brings the compression lever 22 into contact with the rear 26 of
the second
conduit 14. The compression lever 22 is carefully dimensioned to keep the
second conduit 14
stationary relative to the first conduit 12 as the input arm 20 retracts the
compression member
18 by pulling on the hinge 24. The compression member 18 compresses the
annular seal 16 to
force the flat inner surface 36 to bulge and form a fluid tight seal against
the outside of the
first conduit 12.
Figure 2 also shows the first conduit 12 engaging the shut off valve 30 to
open fluid
communication between the ifflc supply and the printhead. The resilient struts
32 buckle with
little resistance upon engagement with the end of the first conduit 12.
Apertures 28 allow ink
to flow around the valve member 30 and into the first conduit 12.

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When the fluid coupling disengages, the input arm 20 is rotated in the
opposite
direction to simultaneously decompress the annular seal 16 and retract the
second conduit 14
from the first conduit 12. This coupling is configured establish a sealed
fluid connection with
the first conduit subjected to little or no insertion force. In light of this
the structure that the
supports the first conduit is not overly flexed or bowed. This protects any
components that are
not robust enough to withstand structural deformation.
In Figures 3 and 4, the fluid coupling 10 is used to provide a detachable
connection
between the cartridge 38 and the printer 42. Referring to Figure 3, the
cartridge 38 is seated in
the printer 42 such that the first conduits 12 face the compression member 18
(which covers
the second conduits). The latch 40 is lifted to allow the cartridge to be
installed. An actuator
arm 56 is fixed relative to the latch 40 and rotates therewith about the hinge
50. The distal end
of the actuator arm 56 is hinged to the input arm 20. When the latch is raised
for cartridge
installation or removal, the input arm 20 is likewise raised, which retracts
the compression
member 18 away from the first conduit 12. With the input arm in the raised and
retracted
position, the compression lever 22 is disengaged from the back of the second
conduit (see 14
and 26 of Fig 2). As discussed above, the annular seal is not compressed in
the disengaged
position so as not to interfere with the sliding fit with the first conduit.
Referring to Figure 4, the fluid coupling 10 is engaged by simply lowering the
latch 40
onto the cartridge 38 until the complementary snap-lock formations 46 and 48
engage.
Actuator arm 56 rotates the input arm 20 and advances the compression member
18 towards
the first conduit 12. The first conduit 12 telescopically engages the second
conduit with a
loose sliding fit until the actuator arm 56 and the input arm 20 are parallel
to the direction of
travel. When the second conduit is at its maximum engagement with the first
conduit, the shut
off valve is opened and the cartridge 38 is in fluid communication with ink
tank 44 via the
flexible tubing 52.
When the compression member is at its point of maximum travel towards the
cartridge,
the compression lever 22 engages the second conduit (not shown). The
compression lever 22
is dimensioned to hold the second conduit stationary relative to the first
conduit as the input

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PCT/AU2008/001875
arm 20 continues to rotate and draw the compression member 18 back to compress
the seal
and establish the fluid seal (see Fig. 2).
Figure 5 shows a printhead cartridge 38 installed in a print engine 3. The
print engine
3 is the mechanical heart of a printer which can have many different external
casing shapes,
ink tank locations and capacities, as well as different media feed and
collection trays. The
printhead cartridge 38 is inserted and removed by the user lifting and
lowering the latch 40.
The print engine 3 forms an electrical connection with contacts on the
printhead cartridge 38
and fluid couplings 10 are formed at the inlet and outlet manifolds, 148 and
150 respectively.
Figure 6 shows the print engine 3 with the printhead cartridge removed to
reveal the
apertures 120 in each of the compression members 18. Each aperture 120
receives one of the
spouts 12 on the inlet and outlet manifolds (see Fig. 9). The spouts
correspond to the first
conduits 12 of the schematic representations of Figures 1-4. As discussed
above, the ink
tanks, media feed and collection trays have an arbitrary position and
configuration depending
on the design of the printer's outer casing.
Figure 7 is a perspective of the complete printhead cartridge 38. The
printhead
cartridge 38 has a top molding 144 and a removable protective cover 142. The
top molding
144 has a central web for structural stifthess and to provide grip textured
surfaces 158 for
manipulating the cartridge during insertion and removal. The base portion of
the protective
cover 142 protects the printhead ICs (not shown) and line of contacts (not
shown) prior to
installation in the printer. Caps 156 are integrally formed with the base
portion to cover the
inlet and outlet spouts (see 12 of Fig. 9).
Figure 8 shows the cartridge 38 with its protective cover 142 removed to
expose the
printhead ICs (see Fig. 10) on the bottom surface and the line of contacts 133
on the side
surface. The protective cover is discarded to the recycling waste or fitted to
the printhead
cartridge being replaced to contain leakage from residual ink. Figure 9 is a
partially exploded
perspective of the cartridge 38 without the protective cover. The top cover
144 has been
removed reveal the inlet manifold 148 and the outlet manifold 150. The inlet
and outlet
shrouds 146 and 147 have been removed to expose the five inlet and outlet
spouts 12. The

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11
inlet and outlet manifolds 148 and 150 feed ink to their respective connectors
60 which lead to
the molded liquid crystal polymer (LCP) channels 4 that supply the printhead
ICs 31 (see Fig.
10). A detailed description of the fluid flows through the cartridge 38, and
the printhead
assembly within it, is provided by US Patent No. 8210664.
Figure 10 is a section view through a fluid coupling 10 of the print engine 3
with the
cartridge 38 installed. The components corresponding to the elements of the
schematic
representations of Figures 1-4 have been identified using the same reference
numerals. For
context, the paper path 5 is shown extending through the print engine 3 and
past the printhead
ICs 31.
The coupling is shown forming a sealed fluid connection between one of the
spouts 12
and the one of the second conduits 14. It will be appreciated that the
coupling at the inlet and
outlet manifolds are identical with the exception that the ink flows from the
second conduit 14
to the spout 12 at the inlet manifold and in the opposing direction at the
outlet manifold. For
the purposes of this description, the coupling will be described at the inlet
manifold.
Accordingly, flexible tubing 52 feeds ink from an ink tank (not shown) to the
second conduit
14. The shut off valve 30 in the second conduit 14 is being held open by the
end of the spout
12. The ink flows into the spout 12 and down to the LCP channel molding 4
where it is
distributed to the printhead ICs 31.
The coupling 10 is actuated by the actuator arm 56 hinged to the print engine
chassis
42 at shaft 50. As discussed above the latch 40 (not shown in Fig. 10) also
extends from the
shaft 50 for fixed rotation with the actuator arm 56. The actuator arm 56
rotates the input arm
20 to push the compression member 18, and in turn the second conduit 14 into
telescopic
engagement with the spout 12. Upon further rotation, the compression lever 22
engages the
rear 26 of the second conduit 14. The input arm 20 draws back on the hinge
connection 24
which in turn pulls on the central rod 58 extending to the middle of the
compression member
18. The resilient seal 16 is compressed and bulges to form a fluid tight seal
against the outer
surface of the spout 12. It will be appreciated that the compression member 18
compresses all
the annular seals 16 for each of the input spouts 12 simultaneously. Using a
central rod 58

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attached to the middle of the compression member 18 ensures that the
compressive force on
each annular seal is uniform. Furthermore, as the latch 40 is the longest
lever of the lever
system, the force that the user needs to apply is conveniently weak.
When the printhead cartridge 38 is to be replaced, the latch (not shown) is
lifted off the
cartridge to automatically rotate the actuator arm 56 upwards, thereby lifting
and retracting the
input arm 20. The annular seal 16 is released when the compression lever 22
swings out of
engagement with the surface 26. The second conduits and the corresponding
spouts 12 now
have a loose sliding fit and slide easily away from each other. With the
compression member
18 and the spouts 12 completely disengaged, the user simply lifts the
cartridge 38 out of the
print engine 3.
INK MANIFOLDS WITH SHUT OFF VALVES
Figures 11 to 19 show another embodiment of the ink manifolds 148 and 150 on
the
printhead cartridge. As discussed above, the inlet and outlet manifolds are
mirror images of
each other and so only the inlet manifold 148 be described. However, the
description is
equally applicable to the outlet manifold 150 with the exception that the ink
flow direction is
opposite and the outlet manifold 150 couples to the sump instead of the ink
supply.
As discussed in the Background of the Invention, the internal diameter of the
spouts 12
is relatively wide (approximately 2mm) to provide the flow rate necessary for
the high ink
consumption of a pagewidth printhead. However, this causes high levels of ink
leakage when
the printhead cartridge is removed from the printer, particularly when one end
is raised and
hydrostatic pressure drives the ink flow from the lower end. To avoid this,
the ink manifold
shown in Figure 11 to 19 has shut off valves for each of the spouts 12.
Referring to Figures 11 and 12, the spouts 12 extend from the front of the
polymer
channel molding 152. The spouts 12 and the connectors 60 are positioned in the
same
locations as the inlet and outlet manifolds 148 and 150 described in the
previous embodiment.
However, the spouts 12 each lead to an opening 162 and a shut off valve 160.
The shut off
valve 160 is a dish-shaped rubber molding best shown in the partial enlarged
section view of
Figure 14. A central sealing cap 164 is shaped to seal the periphery of the
opening 162. An

CA 02742314 2011-04-29
WO 2010/068963 PCT/AU2008/001875
13
integrally molded collapsible section 166 mounts to the channel molding 152
and supports the
sealing cap 164 over the opening 162. The shut off valve is an FKM synthetic
rubber molding
with a set of compression characteristics that ensure it will consistently
return to its original
shape after compression.
In Figure 12, the shut off valve is shown in its uncompressed state whereby
the sealing
cap is spaced from the opening 162 and the valve is open. Hence the shut off
valve 160 is
biased to the open position. Figure 14 shows the shut off valve 160 in its
compressed state.
The valve actuator that applies the compressive force to the shut off valve
160 has been
omitted in the interests of clarity. Pressure from the actuator on the sealing
cap 164 elastically
deforms the thin collapsible section 166 that forms an annular skirt around
the cap. The
sealing cap 164 form a fluid seal at the opening 162 to close the valve. The
sealing cap 164 is
held in the closed position by the actuator, against the bias of collapsible
section 166.
The rear of the channel molding 152 is sealed by a polypropylene film foil
168. This is
a highly cost effective and simple method of providing a reliable fluid seal
around the
channels 176 and the valve chambers 178 formed by the channel molding 152. To
accommodate the movement of the shut off valves 160, dome-shaped plastic
deformations 172
are pressed into the sealing film 168. The deformations 172 extend inwardly,
out of the plane
of the sealing film 168 when the actuator 190 (see Figure 17) is compressing
the shut off
valves 160. When the actuator 190 releases the shut off valves 160, the
deformations 172 can
invert outwardly such that the sealing film 168 does not impede the opening of
the valve.
Furthermore, the plastic deformations 172 ensure that the actuator or the shut
off valves do not
create excessive tension in the film 168 that can compromise the fluid seal.
Figure 16 is an exploded view of the perspective shown in Figure 15. With the
sealing
film 168 and the shut off valves 160 removed, the features of the valve
chambers 178. The
openings 162 extend into the chambers 178 for contact with the sealing cap
164. The sealing
cap 164 and the collapsible section 166 are held in position by a series of
ribs 180. The ribs
180 also create gaps between the shut off valve 160 and the side walls of the
chamber 178 to
provide a flow path for the ink.

CA 02742314 2011-04-29
WO 2010/068963 PCT/AU2008/001875
14
Each of the valve chambers 178 feeds one of the channels 176 respectively. The

channels 176 lead to the connector 60 which in turn feeds the LCP channels 4
(see Figure 10).
The channel 176 connects to the corresponding valve chamber 178 at its most
elevated point.
This avoids the top of the chamber becoming a bubble trap as the manifold
primes with ink.
Figure 17, 18 and 19 illustrate the structure and function of the valve
actuator 190. A
polymer flange body 174 extends through a central aperture 170 in the channel
molding 152
and the sealing film 168. An abutment face 188 extends proud of the front face
of the channel
molding 152. Flange 182 sits on the exterior of the sealing film 186 on the
rear face of the
channel molding 152. A metal plate 196 reinforces the back of the flange 182.
The sealing
film 168 is protected from any sharp burrs on the plate 196 by the flange 182.
A metal spring cage 186 fits over the abutment face 188 and seats against the
front face
of the channel molding 152. The metal spring cage 186 has a pair of arms 194
that extend
through the central aperture 170, the holes 192 in the flange 182 and the
metal plate 196. The
arms 194 hook over one end of a steel compression spring 184. The other end of
the spring
184 sits on the plate 196. The spring is held in compression such that plate
196 and the flange
12 press all the shut off valves 160 to the closed position. It will be
appreciated that the
compressive force of the spring 184 needs to exceed the bias of the shut off
valves 160.
As discussed above, the compression members are the interface between the
printer
and the printhead cartridge. Referring back to Figures 3 and 4, the
compression member 18
advances onto the spouts 12 to form a connection with the second conduits 14
and the ink
supply. As the compression member 18 advances towards the ink manifold 148, it
pushes on
the abutment surface 188 to further compress the spring 184 and draw the
flange 182 away
from the shut off valves 160. The tolerances for the engagement of the
compression member
18 and the ink manifold 148 are much higher than the tolerances on the
operation of the shut
off valves 160. However, the flange 182 completely disengages from the shut
off valve 160 so
any variation in the travel of the compression member 18 is isolated from the
shut off valves
160. Shut off valves are normally biased closed to provide a fluid seal as
soon as the fluid
coupling is disconnected. However, the ink manifold according to this
invention achieves the

CA 02742314 2012-11-22
=
same shut off action with valves that are biased open such that they can
operate independent
5 of the closing actuator.

Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date 2013-10-22
(86) PCT Filing Date 2008-12-19
(87) PCT Publication Date 2010-06-24
(85) National Entry 2011-04-29
Examination Requested 2011-04-29
(45) Issued 2013-10-22

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Maintenance Fee

Last Payment of $473.65 was received on 2023-12-15


 Upcoming maintenance fee amounts

Description Date Amount
Next Payment if standard fee 2024-12-19 $624.00
Next Payment if small entity fee 2024-12-19 $253.00

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Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Request for Examination $800.00 2011-04-29
Application Fee $400.00 2011-04-29
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2010-12-20 $100.00 2011-04-29
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2011-12-19 $100.00 2011-04-29
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2011-05-12
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 2012-12-19 $100.00 2012-12-03
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2013-07-26
Final Fee $300.00 2013-08-07
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 5 2013-12-19 $200.00 2013-12-02
Registration of a document - section 124 $100.00 2014-10-16
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 6 2014-12-19 $200.00 2014-12-15
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 7 2015-12-21 $200.00 2015-12-14
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 8 2016-12-19 $200.00 2016-12-13
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 9 2017-12-19 $200.00 2017-12-18
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 10 2018-12-19 $250.00 2018-12-17
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 11 2019-12-19 $250.00 2019-12-13
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 12 2020-12-21 $250.00 2020-12-11
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 13 2021-12-20 $255.00 2021-12-10
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 14 2022-12-19 $254.49 2022-12-09
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 15 2023-12-19 $473.65 2023-12-15
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
MEMJET TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Past Owners on Record
SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD
ZAMTEC LIMITED
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Abstract 2011-04-29 1 69
Claims 2011-04-29 2 69
Drawings 2011-04-29 15 683
Description 2011-04-29 15 725
Representative Drawing 2011-04-29 1 25
Cover Page 2011-07-06 1 55
Description 2012-11-22 15 716
Claims 2012-11-22 2 71
Representative Drawing 2013-09-24 1 24
Cover Page 2013-09-24 2 58
PCT 2011-04-29 6 223
Assignment 2011-04-29 3 118
Assignment 2011-05-12 2 69
Prosecution-Amendment 2012-07-05 3 106
Prosecution-Amendment 2012-11-22 7 216
Assignment 2013-07-26 20 894
Correspondence 2013-08-07 1 60
Assignment 2014-11-14 4 112
Assignment 2014-10-16 6 376