Patent ID: 6652078
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A printhead assembly having a plurality of printhead chips for printing on a print medium as the print medium moves in a feed direction, the printhead assembly comprisingan ink distribution molding that defines a number of ink ducts that each correspond with an ink of a particular color and a number of sets of transitional ducts, each set of transitional ducts being in fluid communication with a respective ink duct; a micro-molded ink distribution structure that is mounted on the ink distribution molding, the ink distribution structure defining a plurality of sets of inlet openings, each set of inlet openings corresponding to an ink of a particular color and being in fluid communication with a transitional duct, the ink distribution structure further defining a plurality of converging ink pathways in fluid communication with respective openings, and a plurality of slots extending towards the printhead chips, each slot being in fluid communication with a respective ink pathway; an array of the printhead chips, the printhead chips each having a plurality of ink passages in fluid communication with, and interposed between respective slots and respective nozzles of the printhead chips, the printhead chips being positioned on the structure to span the print medium so that both the ink distribution molding and the ink distribution structure span the print medium; and an inlet conduit for each color ink to be printed by the array, the inlet conduits being in fluid communication with respective ink ducts and oriented on a line that is parallel to said feed direction.