Abstract: A capping mechanism is disclosed for a pagewidth printhead having a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead and arranged to deliver ink onto print media which, in use, is transported past the printhead. The capping mechanism incorporates a capping member which has a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead and which is configured to contact the printhead in nozzle capping engagement, and a pivotal carrier supporting the capping member. An actuating mechanism is provided and arranged to effect pivotal movement of the carrier back and forth between a first position at which the capping member is located remotely with respect to the printhead and a second position at which the capping member is located in contact with the printhead.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed which has: (a) a pagewidth printhead assembly having a pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printhead, and (b) a capping/purging mechanism associated with the printhead.

Abstract: An inkjet printer is provided having a printhead with an array of nozzles, a maintenance assembly for moving between a capped position where the assembly covers the array of nozzles, and an uncapped position spaced from the array of nozzles and a motorized drive for moving the maintenance assembly between the capped position and the uncapped position. The maintenance assembly has a capper for covering the array and a cleaner for wiping the array, such that the motorized drive uses a cam shaft arrangement for moving the cleaner relative to the capper.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed which has— (a) a pagewidth printhead assembly having a pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printhead, and (b) a capping mechanism associated with the printhead. The capping mechanism comprises— i) a capping member formed from a flexible sheet-like material which has a width corresponding substantially to the length of the printhead, and ii) an actuating mechanism arranged to position the capping member in nozzle capping engagement with the printhead. Also disclosed is a printer having a printhead assembly that incorporates two pagewidth printheads between which the capping member is in use located.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed which comprises: (a) a pagewidth printhead assembly having two offset pagewidth printheads and a plurality of nozzles located along each of the printheads for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printheads, and (b) a capping mechanism having (i) a capping member associated with each of the printheads, the capping members having lengths corresponding substantially to those of the printheads and each said capping member being moveable between a non-capping first position and a second position at which the capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the associated printhead, and (ii) an actuating mechanism associated with each of the capping members and arranged to effect transitioning of each of the capping members from its first position to its second position.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed which has (a) a pagewidth printhead assembly having a pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printhead, and (b) a capping mechanism associated with the printhead. The capping mechanism comprises a capping member formed from a flexible sheet-like material having a width corresponding substantially to the length of the printhead. The flexible sheet-like material is provided as a replaceable roll from which a portion of the material is in use drawn to form the capping member. Also disclosed is a printer in which, as an optional aspect, a platen is positioned adjacent the printhead and arranged to engage with and position the capping member in nozzle capping engagement with the printhead.

Abstract: An inkjet printer that has a printhead IC with and array of ink ejection nozzles, an ink manifold for distributing ink to the printhead IC, the ink manifold having an ink inlet and an ink outlet, an upstream pump in fluid communication with the ink inlet, and a downstream pump in fluid communication with the ink outlet. The upstream pump and the downstream pump are independently operable. This allows the printhead to be primed or deprimed for storage and transport and it allows the printhead IC to be cleaned by a foam formed by air forced through the ink election nozzles.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed which comprises: (a) a pagewidth printhead assembly having two opposed pagewidth printheads and a plurality of nozzles located along each of the printheads for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printheads, and (b) a capping mechanism having (i) a capping member located adjacent the printheads and having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printheads, (ii) a first actuating mechanism arranged to effect relative movement of the printheads from a printing first position to a spaced-apart second position and (iii) a second actuating mechanism arranged to interpose the capping member between the printheads to effect nozzle capping engagement of the two printheads when the printheads are in the second position.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed that has: (a) a pagewidth printhead assembly having a pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printhead, and (b) a capping mechanism associated with the printhead. The capping mechanism comprises (i) a carrier positioned adjacent the printhead and having a longitudinal length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead, (ii) a longitudinally extending capping member pivotally mounted to the carrier and having a longitudinal length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead, and (iii) an actuating mechanism arranged to effect pivoting of the capping member from a non-capping first position to a second position at which the capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the printhead. Also disclosed is a printer in which the carrier of the capping mechanism incorporates a purging chamber into which material may be purged from the printhead nozzles.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed which comprises: (a) a pagewidth printhead assembly having a pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printhead, and (b) a capping/purging mechanism having (i) a capping/purging member having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead, (ii) a first actuating mechanism arranged to move the printhead in a arcuate first direction from a first position to a second position and a third position, and (iii) a second actuating mechanism arranged to move the capping/purging member in an arcuate second direction opposite to that of the first direction to effect nozzle capping engagement of the printhead when it is in the second position and to permit purging of the nozzles when the printhead is in the third position. The capping/purging mechanism is also disclosed in relation to a printer having a printhead assembly with two pagewidth printheads.

Abstract: A protector is provided for a capping facility for a printhead. The protector comprises a covering member which is arranged to engage with the capping facility during intervals when the capping facility is not engaged with the printhead, whereby the capping facility is protected against loss of moisture and/or ingress of contaminating material. In one of its possible forms, the protector is provided for a capping facility in the form of a capping mechanism for a printhead having a plurality of ink-delivery nozzles.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed which has: (a) a pagewidth printhead assembly having a pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printhead, and (b) a capping mechanism associated with the printhead. The capping mechanism comprises (i) a rotatable turret having a longitudinal length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead, (ii) a longitudinally extending capping member carried by the turret and (iii) an actuating mechanism arranged to effect rotation of the turret to move the capping member from a non-capping first position to a second position at which the capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the printhead.

Abstract: A printhead module for a printhead assembly is provided comprising at least one printhead integrated circuit having nozzles formed therein for delivering printing fluid onto the surface of print media, a support member supporting and carrying printing fluid for the at least one printhead integrated circuit, and at least one fluid distribution member mounting the at least one printhead integrated circuit to the support member and distributing the printing fluid from the support member to the printhead integrated circuit. A lower surface of the at least one fluid distribution member being fixedly attached to an upper surface of the support member by an adhesive material.

Abstract: A printhead module for a printhead assembly is provided as a unitary arrangement of a support member, at least two printhead integrated circuits, each of which has nozzles formed therein for delivering printing fluid onto the surface of print media, at least one fluid distribution member mounting the at least two printhead integrated circuits to the support member, and an electrical connector for connecting electrical signals to the at least two printhead integrated circuits. The support member has at least one longitudinally extending channel for carrying the printing fluid for the printhead integrated circuits, with a plurality of apertures extending through a wall thereof arranged so as to direct the printing fluid from the at least one channel to associated nozzles in the printhead integrated circuits.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes an elongate casing that defines a longitudinally extending mounting formation. A series of printhead modules are positioned in the mounting formation. Each printhead module includes a support member that defines a plurality of longitudinally extending conduits for conveying respective inks. A series of ink distribution arrangements is positioned on the support member. The support member defines a series of sets of apertures. The apertures of each set are in fluid communication with respective conduits and the ink distribution arrangements are in fluid communication with respective sets. A printhead integrated circuit is mounted on each ink distribution arrangement to receive ink from the support member via the associated ink distribution arrangement.

Abstract: A printhead assembly is provided comprising at least one printhead module comprising at least two printhead integrated circuits, a support member for supporting and carrying the printing fluid for the at least two printhead integrated circuits, and an electrical connector for connecting electrical signals to the at least two printhead integrated circuits, drive electronics incorporating at least one controller which is connected to at least one of the at least two printhead integrated circuits via the electrical connector for controlling the printing operation of at least one of the at least two printhead integrated circuits, and a casing in which the at least one printhead module and the drive electronics are removably mounted. The drive electronics is provided on a printed circuit board which is supported by a support frame of the casing via at least one mounting element.

Abstract: A water skimmer vessel has two hulls (12, 14) between which a debris collection net or basket-like catcher (22) is arranged. Hinged flaps (68) are provided at each end of the catcher and operate to allow inflow but block outflow of debris from the catcher. Each hull of the vessel is equiped with amoter covered by a guard (28). The vessel may move in either direction and is equipped with sensors (30) on each hulll for effecting the turning and reversing of the vessel upon contact with pool skimmer box inlet (206) and the vessel can be controlled to enter the dock and permit the contents of the catcher to be discharged into the current of pool water flowing into the skimmer box.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed which has— (a) a pagewidth printhead assembly having a pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printhead, and (b) a capping mechanism associated with the printhead. The capping mechanism comprises— (i) a capping member formed from a flexible sheet-like material having a width corresponding substantially to the length of the printhead and being provided as a replaceable roll from which a portion of the material is in use drawn to locate in nozzle capping engagement with the printhead, and (ii) a take-up reel arranged to take-up spent capping material following a capping operation. Also disclosed is a printer in which, as an optional aspect, a platen is positioned adjacent the printhead and arranged to engage with and position the capping member in nozzle capping engagement with the printhead.