Printer including printhead capping mechanism
First Claim
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1. A printer comprising:
- a circular drive wheel rotated in first and second opposite directions, a printhead, a capping mechanism for preventing evaporation of ink from said printhead, the capping mechanism comprising;
a printhead cap, an actuating structure attached to said cap to selectively move said cap between a printhead engaging position and a disengaged position spaced away from said printhead, said actuating structure including a slip member having a fixed axis about which said actuating structure pivots, said slip member engaging with a surface of said drive wheel and gripping against said surface during at least a part of a revolution of said drive wheel in either of said first and second directions so as to effect pivotal movement of said cap about said axis between said printhead engaging position and said disengaged position, wherein further rotation of said drive wheel results in slipping of said slip member against said surface.
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Abstract
This invention concerns a printhead capping mechanism for preventing evaporation of ink from a printhead when it is not in use. The invention has utility, for instance, in a color printer which uses a drop-on-demand inkjet printhead. The mechanism includes a cap fitted with an elastomeric seal to seal against the face of the printhead, and a sponge to catch drops ejected from the printhead during the nozzle cleaning cycle. The mechanism also includes an actuating structure operable to selectively move the cap between an engaged position to press against the printhead and a disengaged position spaced away from the printhead.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A printer comprising:
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a circular drive wheel rotated in first and second opposite directions, a printhead, a capping mechanism for preventing evaporation of ink from said printhead, the capping mechanism comprising;
a printhead cap, an actuating structure attached to said cap to selectively move said cap between a printhead engaging position and a disengaged position spaced away from said printhead, said actuating structure including a slip member having a fixed axis about which said actuating structure pivots, said slip member engaging with a surface of said drive wheel and gripping against said surface during at least a part of a revolution of said drive wheel in either of said first and second directions so as to effect pivotal movement of said cap about said axis between said printhead engaging position and said disengaged position, wherein further rotation of said drive wheel results in slipping of said slip member against said surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification