(19)
(11) EP 1 234 679 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
27.11.2002 Bulletin 2002/48

(43) Date of publication A2:
28.08.2002 Bulletin 2002/35

(21) Application number: 02077163.0

(22) Date of filing: 01.11.1995
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7B41J 25/34
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE GB IT

(30) Priority: 02.03.1995 US 399244

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
00201349.8 / 1018436
95307796.3 / 0729844

(71) Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Company
Palo Alto, CA 94304 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Christianson, John A.
    St. Helena , CA 94574 (US)
  • Kelley, Richard Alan
    Vancouver, WA 98686 (US)
  • Harmon, John Paul
    Albany, OR 97321 (US)

(74) Representative: Jackson, Richard Eric et al
Carpmaels & Ransford, 43 Bloomsbury Square
London WC1A 2RA
London WC1A 2RA (GB)

   


(54) Dual inkjet pen carriage system


(57) A dual pen carriage system (50) supports a pair of inkjet pens (60, 62) in an inkjet printing mechanism (20). A carriage body (75) defines a pair of pen chambers (80, 82), separated by a main alignment wall (76), for receiving the pens (60, 62). The main wall (76) defines at least one first direction alignment datum (180, 180', 182, 184; 180', 184, 186, 188) in each chamber (80, 82). A reference rod (190) extends through both chambers (80, 82) to define pen alignment datums in two orthogonal directions, which are orthogonal to the first direction. The body (75) supports an adjustment member (215) that selectively engages a rotational registration member (214) along the main wall (76) to simultaneously adjust the angular alignment of each pen chamber (80, 82). A latch mechanism (70, 72) coupled to the carriage body (75) applies, upon closing, a controlled force to a latching land (115, 155) on each pen (60, 62) to push the pens into contact with the datums (180, 180', 182, 184, 190, 196; 180', 184, 186, 188, 190, 198). A method is also provided for aligning a pair of inkjet pens (60, 62) in an inkjet printing mechanism (20).







Search report