Patent ID: 6174046
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: B41J,H05K

Abstract:
A print cartridge comprising:a print cartridge body having a first side; anda flexible circuit secured on at least said first side of said print cartridge body, said flexible circuit comprising:an insulating flexible tape having a length and a width;a first set of contact pads formed on said flexible tape for contacting corresponding electrodes in an ink printer, said first set of contact pads being arranged in rows and columns along a first edge portion of said flexible tape and having a first width;a second set of contact pads formed on said flexible tape for contacting corresponding electrodes in an ink printer, said second set of contact pads being arranged in rows and columns along a second edge portion of said flexible tape and having a second width;conductive traces formed on said flexible tape, said traces running between a printhead electrode contact area and said contact pads, said traces running in a lengthwise direction from said printhead electrode contact area along a middle portion of said flexible tape such that there are no traces running between columns of said first set of contact pads and between columns of said second set of contact pads; anda region on said flexible tape between said first set of contact pads and said second set of contact pads that does not contain any contact pads, said region having a width at least as wide as said first width and at least as wide as said second width, and a length at least as long as said columns in said first and second sets of contact pads.