Memjet Technology Limited

Peter Crichton

Norman Micheal Berry

Julie Catherine Hogan

Ronan Palliser

Zhenya Yourlo

Mohammadreza Behi

Edmund James Grohn

David Oliver Burke

Mark Profaca

Jason Mark Thelander

Rommel Balala

Dan Baterna

Robert John Brice

Julie Hogan

A printing unit includes: a unit chassis and a pair of opposed inkjet modules mounted in tandem on the unit chassis in forward and reverse orientations, each inkjet module having one respective printhead and at least one of: a capper and a wiper. Each printhead includes first and second rows of print chips mounted on a unitary surface of a respective ink manifold, the first and second rows of print chips having a plurality of print chips butted end-on-end along a length of the printhead. The printheads are wholly aligned with respect to a media feed direction for printing in four ink colors from the pair of printheads.

Printing unit with tandem inkjet modules

An inkjet print module includes: a printhead having first and second rows of print chips, the printhead having 180 degree rotational symmetry about a print axis parallel to a direction of droplet ejection; a fixed printhead keying feature which is rotationally asymmetric about the print axis notwithstanding the rotational symmetry of the printhead; a cradle for removably receiving the printhead, the cradle having a key assembly for complementary engagement with the fixed printhead keying feature. The key assembly is selectively configurable in either one of first and second cradle configurations so as to receive the printhead either in a first printhead orientation or a second printhead orientation, the second printhead orientation being rotated 180 degrees about the print axis relative to the first printhead orientation.

Selectively configurable print module

A method of configuring an orientation-agnostic inkjet print module for use in either one of first or second module orientations relative to a media path, the second module orientation being rotated 180 degrees relative to the first module orientation. The method includes the steps of: configuring a key assembly to correspond with either one of the first or second module orientations, the key assembly determining a printhead orientation of a respective printhead relative to the inkjet print module; and configuring a switch to correspond with either one of the first or second module orientations, the switch being operably connected to controller circuitry distributing data signals to the printhead via first and second data paths. The switch inverts distribution of the data signals between the first and second data paths.

Method of configuring orientation-agnostic print module

An inkjet print module includes: a printhead having first and second rows of print chips, the printhead having 180 degree rotational symmetry about a print axis parallel to a direction of droplet ejection; a cradle for removably receiving the printhead; and control circuitry for distributing data signals to the printhead via first and second data paths of the inkjet print module. The cradle is configurable for receiving the printhead in first and second printhead orientations relative to the print module, the second printhead orientation being rotated 180 degrees about the print axis relative to the first printhead orientation. The control circuitry is configurable to invert distribution of the data signals between the first and second data paths.

Orientation-agnostic print module and multiple print module array

A pressure regulating valve for an inkjet printhead. The valve includes: a fluid flow path defined between a valve inlet and a valve outlet; an orifice positioned in the flow path; a movable valve member configured for regulating a fluid flow rate through the orifice; a regulator chamber having the valve outlet and including a diaphragm operatively connected to the valve member, such that movement of the diaphragm moves the valve member relative to the orifice; and a biasing mechanism for resiliently biasing the diaphragm away from the orifice. An outer surface of the valve member is non-linearly flared away from the diaphragm.

Pressure-regulating valve with non-linear flow regulator

A printing device includes: an inkjet printhead; a lift mechanism for raising and lowering the printhead through a lift path; and a pivotally movable spit flap positioned in the lift path. The spit flap is configured to swing away from the lift path when the printhead contacts the spit flap during lowering of the printhead.

Spit flap for inkjet printhead

An ink delivery system for supplying ink to an inkjet printhead at a predetermined backpressure. The ink delivery system includes: a pressure regulating valve connected to a printhead inlet port; an ink tank connected to a valve inlet of the pressure regulating valve; and a pump connected to a printhead outlet port. The backpressure of ink supplied to the printhead is controlled by: a height hof ink in the ink tank relative to a valve orifice, a height hof the valve orifice relative to the printhead, a position of a valve member relative to the orifice and a pump speed of the pump.

Ink delivery system with gravity, valve and pump control of backpressure

A pressure regulating valve for an inkjet printhead. The valve includes: a valve inlet connect to a valve outlet; via a flow path; a first orifice positioned in the flow path having a sealable first seat; a movable first valve member configured for sealing engagement with the first seat; a second orifice positioned in the flow path; a movable second valve member configured for regulating a fluid flow rate through the second orifice; a regulator chamber having the valve outlet and comprising a diaphragm operatively connected to the second valve member, such that movement of the diaphragm moves the second valve member relative to the second orifice; and a biasing mechanism for resiliently biasing the diaphragm away from the second orifice.

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North Ryde, Australia

Peter Crichton