Patent ID: 7014307

Claim:
A printing unit arranged to cooperate with an image record apparatus so as to form an apparatus for recording and generating images, the printing unit comprising: a carrier dimensioned to approximate a PCMCIA memory card, a media supply being receivable in the carrier; a page width print head assembly that is mounted in the carrier to print images on media, the page width print head assembly including at least one print head chip and a suitable printing microprocessor that is configured to control operation of the print head chip; a media feed mechanism positioned in the carrier to feed media to and from the print head chip; and an ink distribution arrangement including an ink storage and feed structure that is in fluid communication with a channeling structure, the ink storage and feed structure including at least one outer ink reservoir and a plurality of ink storage channels, the channeling structure including a plurality of feed channels, each feed channel being in fluid communication with a storage channel and at least one nozzle of the printhead chip so that ink can be fed from an outer ink reservoir to a nozzle arrangement of the print head chip, wherein at least some of the storage channels and the feed channels have progressively decreasing cross-section towards the printhead chip.