DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SERVICING AN INKJET PRINT HEAD ON A HAND HELD PRINTER

• US 20080211864A1
• Filed: 03/03/2008
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marvell World Trade Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Original Assignee: Marvell International Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Inventors: Simmons, Asher, Mealy, James, Andrews, Jonathan Neal
• Granted Patent: US 7,997,683 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/33
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16505 Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16511 Constructions for cap positioning B41J2/16547 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16538 with brushes or wiper blades perpendicular to the nozzle plate
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence

Abstract

A hand-held printer that includes an inkjet array having a plurality of inkjets is disclosed. The hand-held printer may include an inkjet cap sized to cooperatively engage the inkjet array, wherein the inkjet cap is movable between and open position and a closed position, and a plurality of wipers carried by the inkjet cap, wherein each of the plurality of wipers is configured to engage one of the plurality of inkjets as the inkjet cap moves from the open position to the closed position; and wherein each of the plurality of wipers includes a gasket configured to form a seal adjacent to one of the plurality of inkjets.

Claims

1. A hand-held printer comprising:

an inkjet cap sized to cooperatively engage an inkjet array, wherein the inkjet cap is movable between and open position and a closed position; and

a plurality of wipers carried by the inkjet cap, wherein each of the plurality of wipers is configured to engage one of a plurality of inkjets within the inkjet array as the inkjet cap moves from the open position to the closed position; and

wherein each of the plurality of wipers includes a gasket configured to form a seal adjacent to one of the plurality of inkjets.

2. The hand-held printer of claim 1 further comprising:

a lock mechanism configured to releasably engage the inkjet cap and maintain the inkjet cap in the closed position.

3. The hand-held printer of claim 1 further comprising:

a cam slideably coupled to the inkjet cap, wherein the cam is configured to guide the inkjet cap and the plurality of wipers through a wipe phase and a seal phase as the inkjet cap moves between the open position and the closed position.

4. The hand-held printer of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of wipers includes a leading edge and a trailing edge.

5. The hand-held printer of claim 4, wherein the leading edge defines a curvilinear surface.

6. The hand-held printer of claim 4, wherein the trailing edge defines a sharp edge.

7. A method for servicing an inkjet on a hand-held printer, the method comprising:

transitioning an inkjet cap from an open position to a closed position;

sliding a wiper adjacent to an inkjet, wherein the wiper is carried by the inkjet cap and is configured to engage the inkjet;

sealing a gasket portion of the wiper around the inkjet; and

locking the inkjet cap in the closed position.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein transitioning the inkjet cap further comprises guiding the inkjet cap along a cam, wherein the cam defines a wipe phase and a seal phase as the inkjet cap moves between the open position and the closed position.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein sliding the wiper further comprises sliding a curvilinear leading edge of the wiper adjacent to the inkjet.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the wiper is molded from a deformable material.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

creating a vacuum by the cooperative deformation of the wiper and gasket against the inkjet.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein locking the inkjet cap includes engaging a spring-loaded locking mechanism.

13. A hand-held printer comprising:

means for capping an inkjet array wherein the means for capping is movable between and open position and a closed position;

means for wiping the inkjet array, wherein the means for wiping is carried by the means for capping, and is configured to engage the inkjet array as the means for capping moves from the open position to the closed position;

means for sealing the inkjet array, wherein the means for sealing cooperates with the means for wiping when the means for capping is in the closed position.

14. The hand-held printer of claim 13 further comprising:

means for locking configured to secure the means for capping in the closed position.

15. The hand-held printer of claim 13 further comprising:

means for guiding the means for capping and the means for wiping through a wipe phase and a seal phase as the means for capping moves between the open position and the closed position.

16. The hand-held printer of claim 13, wherein the means for wiping includes a leading edge and a trailing edge.

17. The hand-held printer of claim 16, wherein the leading edge defines a curvilinear surface.

18. The hand-held printer of claim 16, wherein the trailing edge defines a sharp edge.