Abstract: An inkjet printhead cleaning station for cleaning a movable inkjet printhead assembly comprises; a housing structure for the cleaning station; a wiper element having a free end portion; a pivotable carriage assembly secured to the wiper element and adapted to rotate the wiper and bend the free end portion of the wiper element; and a hook element positioned on the movable inkjet printhead assembly and adapted to engage the pivotable carriage and thereby rotate and bend the free end position of the wiper against the housing thereby removing ink from the wiper.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer comprises a belt conveying mechanism including two rollers, a conveyor belt stretched between the rollers to convey a paper, and the like. A recessed portion is formed on a surface of the conveyor belt, and a plurality of protrusions serving as an ink holding portion is formed within the recessed portion. Ink is ejected into the recessed portion during a flushing, and the conveyor belt runs with the ink being held between the protrusions within the recessed portion. An ink removing member contacts with the protrusions to absorb and remove the ink held between the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: A head cap is reciprocally movable between a capping position for covering nozzles of a print head and a retracted position separated from the nozzle surface. A pump is connected to the head cap. A pump gear is rotated by a drive source to drive the pump. A cylindrical cam is reciprocally rotatable between a first position and a second position to reciprocally move the head cap. A frictional clutch rotates the cylindrical cam together with the pump gear, but rotates only the pump gear when the cylindrical cam reaches each one of the first position and the second position.

Abstract: An ink ejectability maintenance device maintains an ink ejectability of a recording head which ejects ink droplets to a recording medium. A viper has a first moving path extending in a first direction in which the recording medium is fed, to wipe a nozzle formation face of the recording head. A cap has a second moving path extending in a vertical direction to seal the nozzle formation face. An absorption member is disposed below the first moving path to receive and absorb ink therein. The first moving path is away from the second moving path in connection with a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A first horizontal plane in which the wiper is placed and a second horizontal plane in which the cap is placed are away from each other in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a print head section having a nozzle for discharging ink; a paper feed section for feeding paper in a paper feed direction; a movement section for reciprocally moving the print head along a track formed in a direction perpendicular to the paper feed direction; a maintenance section for performing a maintenance operation on the nozzle; a case for accommodating the above-mentioned sections; a cover attached to the case in an openable and closable manner; a detection section for detecting open and closed states of the cover and outputting detection signals representative of the open and closed states of the cover; and a control section for controlling drive of the movement section and the maintenance section according to the detection signals output by the detection section.

Abstract: An ink jet maintenance station for an ink jet printer with radially arranged printheads around a print drum. The maintenance station is located axially outward of the print drum, and includes a cylinder with caps and wipers at the cylinder periphery. A cam system operates upon rotation of the cylinders to elevate the caps into sealing relationship with the printhead nozzle plates. The nozzle plates are wiped by rotation of the cylinder to sweep the wipers across the nozzle plates. During non-service periods, the maintenance station does not interfere with printer carriage movement.

Abstract: A shutter for a print head of a print cartridge is provided. The shutter includes a cover movably attachable to the print cartridge. The cover is movable between a closed position to cover the print head and an open position to expose the print head. An arm is pivotally attachable to the print cartridge and is movably attached to the cover. A biasing device for biasing the cover in the closed position is attached to the arm and is attachable to the print cartridge.

Abstract: A capping device 19 for a printer movable between an open position, in which the printhead 16 may deposit ink on print media, and a closed position, in which the capping device 19 blocks the printhead 16 from depositing ink on said media, the capping device being operatively connected to at least one media feed roller 18a whereby motion of said feed roller 18a moves the capping device 19 between the open and closed position.

Abstract: A capping mechanism for a print engine includes a capping member mountable in alignment with a printhead of the print engine. The capping member is displaceable into and out of abutment with the printhead for capping and uncapping the printhead respectively. A torsion bar arrangement acts on the capping member for displacing the capping member. A mechanical displaceable element co-operates with the torsion bar arrangement such that, when the element is in a parked position, the element engages the torsion bar arrangement to cause the capping member to be displaced into abutment with the printhead to cap the printhead. When the displaceable element is out of its parked position, the capping member is urged by the torsion bar arrangement out of abutment with the printhead.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide an ink-jet recording apparatus having a stable recovery means capable of absorbing discharged ink by a discharged ink holding means, preventing ink discharge openings from clogging and maintaining eject recovery performance. For that purpose the ink-jet recording apparatus is arranged as follows. A recording means having a plurality of nozzles and nozzle rows for ejecting ink, a reciprocatingly moving carriage on which the recording means is mounted, a recovery means for recovering or maintaining an ink eject status, and a discharged ink holding means for absorbing discharged ink from the recovery means and for keeping discharged ink from flowing out of the apparatus, where pigment ink and dye ink discharge openings are arranged closely so that both discharged inks are mixed so as to dissolve a stuck deposition of the pigment ink or to suppress the stuck deposition.

Abstract: A printing device, in particular a franking machine, has a print head that can be moved along a first direction into a first longitudinal position, and a station that cooperates with the print head in the first longitudinal position. The print head is cleaned and/or maintained and/or retained and preserved at the station. The print head is designed and/or arranged to move toward the station in a second direction that extends transversely with respect to the first direction in order to cooperate with the station.

Abstract: An ink supply assembly for supplying ink to an elongate printhead includes an ink reservoir that defines a number of channels, each channel being configured to contain an ink of a particular color and has a number of sets of filling formations and ink supply devices. Each device includes a molding of a settable material, the molding being a two-shot molding having a first part of a first material and a second part of a second material. The first part includes a plurality of collars of a hydrophobic, elastomeric compound which are configured to be sealingly and releasably engageable with respective ink filling formations of each set of the filling formations. The second part defines a number of ink chambers, each ink chamber being configured to contain ink of a particular color and being in fluid communication with a respective ink channel of one ink reservoir via one collar.

Abstract: A method of improving a sealing between a purge mechanism and a printhead includes the steps of providing a purge cap with a perimetrical sealing lip; and exercising the perimetrical sealing lip of the purge cap against the sealing surface of the printhead. The exercising is effected by generating a repetitive relative movement between the sealing surface of the printhead and the perimetrical sealing lip of the purge cap.

Abstract: The liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid jet head including a nozzle opening through which a liquid drop is ejected by changing pressure of a liquid in a pressure chamber interconnecting to the nozzle opening; a scanning mechanism including a carriage on which the liquid jet head is loaded, the scanning mechanism moves the liquid jet head in a head scanning direction together with the carriage; a case configured to contain the liquid jet head and the scanning mechanism; and a leading unit for leading a liquid drop, which is ejected from the liquid jet head and not applied to an article to be processed, in a given direction using an air stream generated in the case due to moving of the carriage.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a cap capable of moving in approaching and receding directions against a discharge port surface of a recording unit for covering the discharge port surface, a wiper sliding while contacting with the discharge port surface to wipe the discharge port surface to clean it, a wiper driving gear for transferring drive to the wiper, a cam and gear member equipped with a cam portion for controlling the movement of the cap and a gear portion for transferring drive to the wiper driving gear, in which the cam and gear member is configured so that the gear portion engages with the wiper driving gear after the cap has moved to a position where the cap does not interfere with the wiper. By such a configuration, both of capping operation and wiping operation can be controlled with the single cam and gear member, which makes it possible to miniaturize a recovery mechanism portion for keeping and recovering the ink discharging performance of the recording unit.

Abstract: A method for reducing a servicing noise is provided. In a measuring action, a servicing position is measured using a full pushing force of an actuator applied to a service station. In a disengaging action, the actuator is disengaged from the service station. In a reducing action, the pushing force is reduced to a minimum value. In an engaging action, the service station is engaged with the actuator. In a monitoring action, a position of the actuator is monitored during the engagement. In a comparing action, the actuator position is compared to the stored servicing position. In an increasing action, the pushing force is increased for future engagements if the servicing position has not been reached. A printing mechanism configured to employ such a method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for reducing a servicing noise is provided. In a measuring action, a servicing position is measured using a full pushing force of an actuator applied to a service station. In a disengaging action, the actuator is disengaged from the service station. In a reducing action, the pushing force is reduced to a minimum value. In an engaging action, the service station is engaged with the actuator. In a monitoring action, a position of the actuator is monitored during the engagement. In a comparing action, the actuator position is compared to the stored servicing position. In an increasing action, the pushing force is increased for future engagements if the servicing position has not been reached. A printing mechanism configured to employ such a method is also provided.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus comprises an ink jet recording head with a plurality of recording elements for generating energy for discharging ink, a plurality of ink flow paths, a plurality of ink discharge ports for discharging ink, and a plurality of recording element substrates, and a cap member for capping the discharge ports. The plurality of recording element substrates, the thickness of one being different from that of the others, are arranged adjacent to each other on a substantially even flat plane, and the cap member is made capable of capping the discharge ports of the plurality of recording element bases plates altogether on the substantially even flat plane.

Abstract: A system for servicing a non-scanning printhead includes a servicing plate, a servicing component mounted on the servicing plate and adapted to service the non-scanning printhead, and a drive system adapted to move the servicing plate between a storage position and a service position such that the servicing component is spaced from the non-scanning printhead when the servicing plate is in the storage position and the servicing component is adapted to service the non-scanning printhead when the servicing plate is in the service position.

Abstract: A curved wiper blade system is provided for an inkjet printing mechanism to remove ink residue from an inkjet printhead installed in the printing mechanism, here, illustrated as an inkjet printer. A pair of wiper blades each curve inwardly toward each other, and maintain this curvature during bi-directional wiping strokes. This configuration allows one wiper blade to receive an ink solvent from an applicator and apply the solvent to the ink-ejecting nozzles of the printhead when moving in one wiping direction. When wiping in the opposite direction, one wiper blade also removes ink residue from an interconnect portion of the printhead, as well as from the ink-ejecting orifice plate portion of the printhead.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a carriage moving between a liquid ejecting area and a non-liquid ejecting area in a first direction, a liquid ejecting head, having a nozzle formation face from which a liquid droplet is ejected, the liquid ejecting head mounted on the carriage, a slider moving between a non-capping position and a capping position relative to the nozzle formation face in accordance with the movement of the carriage, a capping member provided on the slider, the capping member sealing the nozzle formation face when the slider is positioned on the capping position, a first spring urging the slider, and a guide member provided on the slider, and pushing against a side face of the liquid ejecting head.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and a printing control method are disclosed, which can ensure a sufficient acceleration area for stable movement of a carriage and realize the downsizing. According to the printing apparatus, an inkjet printhead is used, on which a plurality of nozzle arrays each having a plurality of nozzles for discharging ink are arranged in a direction different from the array direction of the nozzles. The apparatus performs printing operation on a printing medium by discharging ink while reciprocally moving the carriage, on which the above inkjet printhead is mounted, in a direction in which the plurality of nozzle arrays are arranged. When preliminary discharge is performed from the inkjet printhead to an ink receptor arranged on at least one end of a reciprocal movement area of the inkjet printhead, the carriage is stopped.

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.

Abstract: A maintenance unit for use in an ink jet printer having a printer frame and a waste ink accumulation region includes a maintenance frame coupled to the printer frame. A maintenance sled is moveably coupled to the maintenance frame. A spreader mechanism is slidably coupled to the maintenance frame, and is driveably coupled to the maintenance sled. The spreader mechanism contacts waste ink to distribute the waste ink over the waste ink accumulation region as the maintenance sled moves relative to the maintenance frame.

Abstract: A maintenance unit for use in an ink jet printer having a printer frame and a waste ink accumulation region includes a maintenance frame coupled to the printer frame. A maintenance sled is moveably coupled to the maintenance frame. A spreader mechanism is slidably coupled to the maintenance frame, and is driveably coupled to the maintenance sled. The spreader mechanism contacts waste ink to distribute the waste ink over the waste ink accumulation region as the maintenance sled moves relative to the maintenance frame.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements are provided to service multiple staggered printheads in a color inkjet-imaging device. Multiple cleaning units are attached to a service station. Each cleaning unit includes multiple components to service a particular one printhead. Each cleaning unit is offset from an adjacent cleaning unit to form a staggered configuration to service the staggered printheads. The staggered printheads are moved from/to the service station to/from a print zone. The staggered cleaning unit configuration in combination with component positioning provides substantially unhindered access to move the staggered printheads into and out of the service station. Responsive to moving the staggered printheads into the service station, the cleaning units service the staggered printheads.

Abstract: A wiping member for wiping the nozzle forming surface of a recording head is mounted on a holding member and is constituted to be moved in a vertical direction. On the other hand, a capping device is provided with a wiper cleaner for abutting on the side wall of the wiping member. By the wiping operation of the recording head, a waste ink sticking to the wiping member is wiped away by the wiper cleaner with the fall of the wiping member and is removed from the wiping member.

Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a printhead of an inkjet printer includes a cleaning blade, a cleaning blade reciprocating system, a cap member, a cap member moving system, and a first driving force supplying system. The cleaning blade reciprocating system reciprocates the cleaning blade near the printhead so that the cleaning blade wipes an ink ejecting surface of the printhead. The cap member is formed to cover at least a part of the ink ejecting surface and receive waste ink discharged from the printhead. The cap member is moved by the cap member moving system toward and away from the printhead. The cap member comes into close contact with the ink ejecting surface when moved toward to the printhead. The first driving force supplying system is selectively connected to one of the cleaning blade reciprocating system and the cap member moving system to supply driving force thereto.

Abstract: A controller for controlling printing on both surfaces of a sheet of print media includes a first print controller for controlling printing by a page width printhead of a first print engine and a second print controller for controlling printing by a page with printhead of a second print engine substantially simultaneously with the printing by the printhead of the first print engine. A first communications link interconnects the first print controller and the second print controller for synchronizing the print controllers. An second communications link is connected to at least one of the print controllers for interfacing with a host system for receipt from the host system of descriptions of pages to be printed on said surfaces of the sheet of print media by the print engines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a capping mechanism for protecting a recording head for effecting recording by discharging ink toward a recording medium, comprising a cap movable in directions along which the cap can be contacted with and separated from a discharge port face of the recording head, a cam mechanism for controlling a position of the cap, a shifting mechanism for shifting the cap in said directions, and a biasing mechanism for biasing the cap to be separated from the discharge port face, and wherein the cam mechanism includes first and second cams and the shifting mechanism includes first and second engagement portions so that the first cam is normally engaged with the first engagement portion, and, when the first cam is disengaged from the first engagement portion, the second cam is engaged with the second engagement portion.

Abstract: A capping mechanism for a print engine includes a capping member mountable in alignment with a printhead of the print engine. The capping member is displaceable into and out of abutment with the printhead for capping and uncapping the printhead respectively. A torsion bar arrangement acts on the capping member for displacing the capping member. A mechanical displaceable element co-operates with the torsion bar arrangement such that, when the element is in a parked position, the element engages the torsion bar arrangement to cause the capping member to be displaced into abutment with the printhead to cap the printhead. When the displaceable element is out of its parked position, the capping member is urged by the torsion bar arrangement out of abutment with the printhead.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a less costly print head maintenance mechanism featuring a compact, simple construction and negating the need for a widthwise increase of space for permitting vertical movement of the print head maintenance mechanism. The mechanism is designed to utilize the rotation of first cams and second cams for switching cap holders and wiper holders to a printing mode position for permitting a normal printing operation, a capping mode position for sealing a nozzle surface at a print head with the cap, and a wiping mode position for cleaning by wiping the nozzle surface with the wiper.

Abstract: A pagewidth inkjet printer includes a printhead 11 with a plurality of print nozzles 30 for ejecting ink drops towards a print medium. A space is defined between the nozzles and a nozzle guard 43 with a series of apertures 44 aligned with the nozzles. During a printing operation, positive air pressure is supplied to this space, the air exiting the space through the apertures, preventing blockage by paper dust. When not printing, the air supply is closed off by air valve member 66 and a capping member 80 on a rotary platen 14 contacts the printhead to maintain a closed atmosphere at the surface of the nozzles, reducing drying of ink on the nozzles.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus utilizing a capping element having a sealing element or gasket which is pushed against the orifice plate of an acoustic ink printhead when capping and filling. This traps a small volume of air around an array of orifices in the orifice plate which prevents ink from exiting the orifices while the printhead is being filled with ink.

Abstract: A print unit, such as an inkjet printing mechanism, includes a printbar assembly that has print modules with one or more printheads that collectively span a print region corresponding to a width of a print media and deposit an imaging medium, such as ink, onto the print media. Wiper assemblies move from a print position to a service position in the print region to service the one or more printheads of the print modules. A wiper assembly has one or more wipers that correspond to the one or more printheads, such that when the wiper assembly and the print module are positioned in the service position, the wipers clean the printheads. The wiper assembly also has one or more printhead caps that cover the one or more printheads on the print modules.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead servicing station for an inkjet printing mechanism includes a translational pallet that carries servicing appliances, like wipers, caps and flaps. A service station frame defines a guide track that supports the pallet for translational movement in a plane substantially parallel with a printhead plane and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the scanning axis of the printhead when transported by a carriage. The frame has adjacent pallet and carriage alignment datums. The pallet has a carriage lock that secures the carriage with or without the inkjet printhead installed therein. The pallet has a rack gear that is driven with a spindle pinion gear. The service station frame has a base and a bonnet cover that define the guide track, with the pallet being sandwiched therebetween. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a service station, and a method of assembling a service station are also provided.

Abstract: A printing mechanism includes a print module having a printhead, and includes a wiper assembly having a wiper to clean the printhead of ink residue when the wiper and the printhead are in contact and move relative to each other in a first direction. The wiper and the printhead also move relative to each other in a second direction to release a contact tension between the wiper and the printhead. The first direction and the second direction define an arc path that the wiper and/or printhead moves along to controllably release the wiper contact tension to prevent ink residue on the wiper from being deposited in a location that will impair or degrade a desired print quality.

Abstract: An angular wiping system is provided for removing ink residue from an inkjet printhead installed in an inkjet printing mechanism. By canting a wiper blade in opposite directions as the blade moves through a bi-directional wiping stroke, a nozzle portion of the ink-ejecting orifice plate is wiped on both passes of the blade. A pair of non-ink-ejecting side cheeks of the orifice plate laying on opposite sides of the nozzle portion are each wiped once during the bi-directional wiping stroke, with one cheek being wiped while the blade travels in a first direction, and the other cheek being wiped when the blade travels in a direction opposite to the first direction. An inkjet printing mechanism having the angular wiping system and method of wiping using this system are also provided.

Abstract: A cap member (10) which is brought into contact with a nozzle forming surface of a recording head (15) to seal up the nozzle forming surface, and a wiping member (11) which may be brought into sliding contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head (15) are disposed on a cap holder (31). With progress of a cleaning operation in which ink is placed under a negative pressure, and sucked and discharged from the recording head, a cap retaining member (50) is moved upward and placed to a set state, whereby blocking the slanting and downward movement of the cap member (10). Then, the wiping member (11) located on the cap holder (31) slides on the nozzle forming surface to wipe the nozzle forming surface. To a flushing operation, the cap retaining member (50) is moved downward and placed to a reset state. In this state, the wiping member (11) does not slide on the nozzle forming surface.

Abstract: A printer is provided which includes a printer head disposed above a transportation belt, a paper attraction apparatus, and an ink discharge surface recovery apparatus. In order to conduct recovery treatment of an ink discharge surface, the transportation belt is retractable and the recovery apparatus is inserted into the gap formed between the printer head and transportation belt in a direction perpendicular to a paper transportation. In the inserted state, ink is discharged from the ink discharge surface toward a cap of the recovery apparatus, the clogged state of the nozzle is eliminated, and recovery treatment is completed. The recovery apparatus is thereafter retracted to the side of transportation belt. With this structure, the recovery treatment of the ink discharge surface can be easily conducted, an increase in the printer size is avoided, and adjustment, maintenance, and control can be easily conducted.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus which discharges ink from an discharge port provided in the discharge port surface of recording device comprises a cap closely contacting said discharge port and covering said discharge port, sucking mechanism for sucking ink from the discharge port through the cap closely contacted the discharge port, gap forming mechanism for partially generating a gap between the cap and the discharge port surface, a communication valve for communicating the inside of the cap with atmosphere.

Abstract: A head cap is reciprocally movable between a capping position for covering nozzles of a print head and a retracted position separated from the nozzle surface. A pump is connected to the head cap. A pump gear is rotated by a drive source to drive the pump. A cylindrical cam is reciprocally rotatable between a first position and a second position to reciprocally move the head cap. A frictional clutch rotates the cylindrical cam together with the pump gear, but rotates only the pump gear when the cylindrical cam reaches each one of the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A print head maintenance device is used in a printing device. The print head maintenance device cleans a print head of the printing device. The print head is movable on a horizontal track of the printing device. The print head has at least one linearly arranged nozzle array. When the print head moves across the maintenance device, the print head will connect with the maintenance device through the connecting device, making the connecting device capable of moving along the first track to slide the ink brush along the second track so as to clean remaining ink from the nozzle array of the print head.

Abstract: A maintenance apparatus of an inkjet printer includes a housing, a capping member disposed in the housing and having two caps closing up surfaces of ink injection nozzles of two printing heads, respectively, a wiping member disposed in the housing and having a wiper wiping the surfaces of the ink injection nozzles, a transmission disposed on the housing reducing a rotation force from a driving source, a capping member mover changing the rotation force of the transmission into a vertical force to move the capping member in a capping position in a capping operation, and a wiping member mover changing the rotation force of the transmission into a horizontal force to move the wiping member in a wiping position in a wiping operation, wherein the wiping operation of the wiping member and the capping operation of the capping member, or an capping-release operation of the capping member and the wiping operation of the wiping member are successively performed in response to the rotation force of the transmission.

Abstract: A thermal inkjet printer with firing nozzles perpendicular to the carriage motion has two motors: paper and carriage. These motors, alone or in concert, provide the power to the service station. The service station has separate wiping and pen cleaning functions. The wipers need to move across the pens in a direction that is perpendicular the carriage direction. Through the use of gears, the wipers can be made to clean the pens at the same time that the paper is being advanced and using the same motor source. For capping, the caps are moved into place as the pens come to rest. The motion of the pens themselves could easily push a lever that pushes the caps into place.

Abstract: A print unit, such as an inkjet printing mechanism, includes a printbar assembly that has print modules with one or more printheads that collectively span a print region corresponding to a width of a print media and deposit an imaging medium, such as ink, onto the print media. Wiper assemblies move from a print position to a service position in the print region to service the one or more printheads of the print modules. A wiper assembly has one or more wipers that correspond to the one or more printheads, such that when the wiper assembly and the print module are positioned in the service position, the wipers clean the printheads. The wiper assembly also has one or more printhead caps that cover the one or more printheads on the print modules.

Abstract: A print unit, such as an inkjet printing mechanism, includes a printbar assembly that has print modules and integrated servicing assemblies to service printheads on the print modules. The one or more printheads of the print modules collectively span a width of a print media and deposit an imaging medium, such as ink, onto the print media. The integrated servicing assemblies move from a retracted position within the printbar assembly to a service position to clean and/or cap the one or more printheads of the print modules. A servicing assembly has one or more wipers that correspond to the one or more printheads, such that when the servicing assembly and the print module are positioned in the service position, the wipers clean the printheads. The servicing assembly also has one or more printhead caps that cover the one or more printheads on the print modules.

Abstract: A positive stop capping system is provided for sealing an inkjet printhead in an inkjet printing mechanism during periods of printing inactivity. A positive stop or brace is provided in a cavity defined under a cap cover skin, with the skin also forming a sealing lip which surrounds ink-ejecting nozzles of the printhead when sealed. The flexible skin supporting the lip deflects into the cavity toward the brace when the cap is moved into a sealing position, in some cases contacting the brace, and in other cases, compressing the brace. An inkjet printing mechanism having the positive stop capping system and method of capping using this system are also provided.

Abstract: A capping mechanism for a print engine includes a capping member mountable in alignment with a printhead of the print engine. The capping member is displaceable into and out of abutment with the printhead for capping and uncapping the printhead respectively. A torsion bar arrangement acts on the capping member for displacing the capping member. A mechanical displaceable element co-operates with the torsion bar arrangement such that, when the element is in a parked position, the element engages the torsion bar arrangement to cause the capping member to be displaced into abutment with the printhead to cap the printhead. When the displaceable element is out of its parked position, the capping member is urged by the torsion bar arrangement out of abutment with the printhead.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead with an integrated sealing and wiping function is disclosed. A printhead body is provided with at least one nozzle opening. A shutter member movably engages the printhead, and an actuator moves the shutter member between an open position and a closed position. When in the open position, the shutter member exposes the nozzle opening, allowing the printhead to deposit ink onto a printing medium such as paper. When the printhead is not printing or is in a maintenance mode, the actuator moves the shutter member to the closed position. During the movement, the shutter member performs a wiping function on the nozzle opening. Once the shutter member has been moved to the closed position, it acts to cap, or seal, the nozzle opening from the outside environment.