Patent ID: 6969148

Claim:
A method for replacing a first printhead operably secured to a carriage of an inkjet printer with a second printhead, the inkjet printer having an on-axis ink reservoir pivotally secured to the cartridge defining a secured position of the ink reservoir with respect to the ink reservoir mounting-portion and defining an engaged position in which the ink reservoir is in fluid communication with the printhead, said method including the steps of: locating the carriage containing the first printhead; pivoting the ink reservoir out of its engaged position such that the first printhead is exposed and easily accessible in the carriage while maintaining said ink reservoir in said secured position, and thereby automatically disconnecting the fluid communication between the ink reservoir and the first printhead and providing access to said first printhead withou removing said ink reservoir from said secured position; removing the first printhead from the cartridge while maintaining the ink reservoir in said secured position; installing the second printhead in the carriage such that the second printhead is operably secured to the carriage while maintaining the ink reservoir in said secured position; and, returning the ink reservoir to its engaged position thereby automatically placing the ink reservoir and second printhead in fluid communication with each other without removing said ink reservoir from said carriage.