Patent ID: 7942488

Claim:
A custom color printhead module for use in an inkjet printing device, the custom color printhead module comprising: a first ink dispenser operatively connected to a first ink source that supplies ink having a first color to a first printhead, the first dispenser having a supply valve that is configured to open and close to enable and disable, respectively, a flow of ink having the first color from the first ink source through the first ink dispenser; a second ink dispenser operatively connected to a second ink source that supplies ink having a second color to a second printhead, the second color being different than the first color, the second dispenser having a supply valve that is configured to open and close to enable and disable, respectively, a flow of ink having the second color from the second ink source through the second ink dispenser; a mixing reservoir having a first opening and a second opening, the first opening being configured for removable connection to the supply valve of the first ink dispenser to enable the mixing reservoir to receive the ink having the first color from the first dispenser, the second opening being configured for removable connection to the supply valve of the second ink dispenser to enable the mixing reservoir to receive ink having the second color from the second dispenser; an ink mixer positioned within the mixing reservoir, the ink mixer being configured to mix the ink having the first color and the ink having the second color within the mixing reservoir to form an ink having a third color that is different than the ink having the first color and the ink having the second color; a third dispenser operatively connected to an outlet of the mixing reservoir and a third printhead, the third dispenser having a supply valve configured to open and close to enable and disable, respectively, a flow of the ink having the third color to the third printhead; a housing configured to support the mixing reservoir and the third printhead and enable the first and the second opening of the mixing reservoir to be operatively connected to the supply valve of the first dispenser and the supply valve of the second dispenser, respectively; and a controller operatively connected to the first dispenser, second dispenser, the third dispenser, and the ink mixer, the controller being configured to open and close the supply valve of the first dispenser and the supply valve of the second dispenser to enable ink having the first color and ink having the second color to enter the mixing reservoir through the first and the second openings, respectively, to operate the ink mixer, and to open and close the supply valve of the third dispenser to enable and disable, respectively, a flow of ink having the third color to the third printhead while the first printhead continues to receive ink having the first color from the first ink source and the second printhead continues to receive ink having the second color from the second ink source.