Inkjet printer with arcuately moveable duplex printhead assembly and capping system
View Patent ↗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 one printhead, and (b) a capping mechanism having—(i) a capping 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 to a second position and (iii) a second actuating mechanism arranged to move the capping member in an arcuate second direction opposite to that of the first direction to effect nozzle capping engagement of the at least one printhead when the printhead is in the second position. The capping mechanism is also disclosed in relation to a printer having a printhead assembly with two pagewidth printheads.
1. A printer comprising:
(a) a pagewidth printhead assembly having—
(i) two opposed pagewidth printheads and
(ii) a plurality of nozzles located along each of the printheads and arranged in use to deliver ink onto print media as it is transported past the printheads, and
(b) a capping mechanism having—
(i) two capping members located adjacent respective ones of the printheads and having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printheads,
(ii) first actuating mechanisms arranged to move the respective printheads in an arcuate first direction from a first to a second position and
(iii) second actuating mechanisms arranged to move the capping members in an arcuate second direction opposite to that of the first direction to effect nozzle capping engagement of the respective printheads when the respective printheads are in the second position.
2. The printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the capping members is formed effectively as a one-piece member.
3. The printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the capping members comprises conjoined capping member portions having an aggregate length corresponding substantially to that of the respective printheads.
4. The printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the capping members comprises a body portion formed from a rigid material and a capping portion having a) an integrally formed elastomeric material lip portion and b) a cavity surrounded by the lip portion, and wherein the lip portion is peripherally configured to surround the nozzles collectively.
5. The printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printheads are disposed in confronting relationship when in the first position.
6. A printer according to claim 1 , wherein:
each capping member is located in a non-capping first position adjacent the associated printhead;
the capping mechanism frirther has purging means associated with the capping members and arranged to receive material that is purged from the nozzle environment of the associated printhead; and
the second actuating mechanism is arranged to effect transitioning of the capping members from the non-capping first position to a second position at which each capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the associated printhead.
7. A printer according to claim 1 , wherein each capping member comprises:
a) a lip portion that is formed integrally with a body portion; and
b) a cavity surrounded by the lip portion, the lip portion being peripherally configured to surround the nozzles on the associated printhead, and the body portion having a length corresponding substantially to that of the associated printhead.