Device for servicing an inkjet print head on a hand held printer

• US 8,376,510 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2012
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marvell Asia Pte Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Original Assignee: Marvell International Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Inventors: Mealy, James, Andrews, Jonathan Neal, Simmons, Asher
• Primary Examiner(s): LEPISTO, RYAN A
• Application Number:
  US13/566,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20120299995A1
• Time in Patent Office: 200 Days
• Field of Search: 347/29, 347/32, 347/33
• 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 printing device comprising:

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

a plurality of wipers carried by the cap;

a plurality of gaskets carried by the cap, at least a first gasket of the plurality of gaskets abutting at least a first wiper of the plurality of wipers;

wherein each wiper of the plurality of wipers is configured to engage the printing element as the cap moves from the open position to the closed position; and

wherein each gasket of the plurality of gaskets is configured to form a seal adjacent to the printing element.

2. The printing device of claim 1, further comprising:

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

3. The printing device of claim 2, wherein the lock mechanism is spring-loaded.

4. The printing device of claim 1, wherein at least the first gasket of the plurality of gaskets and at least the first wiper of the plurality of wipers are a unitary part.

5. The printing device of claim 1, wherein the printing element comprises an inkjet.

6. The printing device of claim 1, wherein each wiper of the plurality of wipers is configured to remove printing substance accumulated near the printing element.

7. The printing device of claim 1, wherein each wiper of the plurality of wipers includes a leading edge and a trailing edge.

8. The printing device of claim 7, wherein the leading edge defines a curvilinear surface, and the trailing edge defines a sharp edge.

9. The printing device of claim 1 further comprising:

a cam slideably coupled to the cap, wherein the cam is configured to guide the 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.

10. The printing device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wipers and the plurality of gaskets are molded from a deformable material.

11. A printing device comprising:

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

a plurality of wipers carried by the cap, wherein at least a first wiper of the plurality of wipers is configured to engage the printing element as the cap moves from the open position to the closed position; and

a plurality of gaskets carried by the cap, at least a first gasket of the plurality of gaskets abutting the first wiper of the plurality of wipers, wherein each gasket of the plurality of gaskets is configured to form a seal adjacent to the printing element;

wherein the printing device is configured to;

transition the cap from the open position to the closed position;

slide at least the first wiper adjacent to the printing element;

seal at least the first gasket around the printing element; and

create a vacuum by the cooperative deformation of the wiper and gasket against the printing element.

12. The printing device of claim 11, wherein the printing device is further configured to:

disengage the wiper from the printing element; and

disengage the gasket from the printing element.

13. The printing device of claim 12, wherein the printing device is further configured to:

transition the cap from the closed position to the open position; and

slide at least the first wiper adjacent to the printing element as the cap moves from the closed position to the open position.

14. The printing device of claim 11 further comprising:

a cam slideably coupled to the cap, wherein the cam is configured to guide the cap and at least the first wiper through a wipe phase and a seal phase as the inkjet cap moves between the open position and the closed position.

15. The printing device of claim 11 further comprising:

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

16. A printing device comprising:

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

a plurality of wipers carried by the cap, wherein at least a first wiper of the plurality of wipers is configured to engage the printing element as the cap moves from the open position to the closed position; and

a plurality of gaskets carried by the cap, at least a first gasket of the plurality of gaskets abutting the first wiper of the plurality of wipers, wherein each gasket of the plurality of gaskets is configured to form a seal adjacent to the printing element;

wherein the printing device is configured to;

transition the cap from the open position to the closed position;

slide at least the first wiper adjacent to the printing element;

seal at least the first gasket around the printing element;

create a vacuum by the cooperative deformation of the wiper and gasket against the printing element;

disengage at least the first wiper from the printing element;

disengage at least the first gasket from the printing element;

transition the cap from the closed position to the open position; and

slide at least the first wiper adjacent to the printing element as the cap moves from the closed position to the open position.

17. The printing device of claim 16, wherein at least the first wiper is further configured to remove printing substance accumulated near the printing element as the cap moves from the closed position to the open position.

18. The printing device of claim 16, wherein the printing device is configured to create a vacuum by compressing at least the first wiper and at least the first gasket against the printing element;

and decreasing the compression of at least the first wiper and at least the first gasket against the printing element.

19. The printing device of claim 16 further comprising:

a cam slideably coupled to the cap, wherein the cam is configured to guide the cap and at least the first wiper through a wipe phase and a seal phase as the inkjet cap moves between the open position and the closed position.

20. The printing device of claim 16 further comprising:

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