Patent ID: 7097282

Claim:
A printhead assembly which comprises an elongate support structure; and an ink feed member positioned in the support structure, the feed member defining a number of ink channels, the ink channels extending in the direction of the support structure and being in fluid communication with an ink supply, the ink feed member having a plurality of outlet openings from which ink can be fed; at least one printhead module positioned along a length of the ink feed member, the, or each printhead module comprising an ink delivery assembly that is positioned on the ink feed member, the ink delivery assembly defining a mounting formation, a plurality of ink inlets that are in fluid communication with the outlet openings of the ink feed member, a plurality of exit holes and tortuous ink flow paths from each ink inlet to a number of respective exit holes; and an elongate printhead chip that is mounted on the mounting formation, the printhead chip incorporating a plurality of nozzle arrangements that extend along a length of the chip, the printhead chip being positioned so that the ink can be fed from the exit holes to the printhead chip; wherein each ink delivery assembly includes a pair of micro-moldings that are positioned so that a lower micro-molding is interposed between an upper micro-molding and the ink feed member, the lower micro-molding defining a plurality of ink chambers in fluid communication with respective outlet openings of the ink feed member, via the ink inlets, and the upper micro-molding defining the exit holes in fluid communication with the ink chambers.