Printer assembly with a capping arrangement
View Patent ↗A printer assembly includes an ink supply mechanism that incorporates a printhead. A platen is operatively connected to the ink supply mechanism. A capping mechanism is mounted on the platen and has an elongate capping arm for moving towards the printhead into a capped position and away from the printhead into an uncapped position. A biasing arrangement biases the capping arm into the uncapped position. A moving arrangement moves the capping arm into the capped position.
1. A printer assembly that comprises
an ink supply mechanism that incorporates a printhead;
a platen operatively connected to the ink supply mechanism;
a capping mechanism mounted on the platen and having an elongate capping arm for moving towards the printhead into a capped position and away from the printhead into an uncapped position and a biasing arrangement for biasing the capping arm into the uncapped position; and
a moving arrangement for moving the capping arm into the capped position.
2. A printer assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the capping arm includes a seal for sealing against a surface of the printhead.
3. A printer assembly as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the seal includes a continuous elastomeric strip.
4. A printer assembly as claimed in claim 1 , in which the capping mechanism includes a fixed component fast with the platen, the moving arrangement including a solenoid actuator defined by the capping arm and the fixed component.
5. A printer assembly as claimed in claim 4 , in which the solenoid actuator includes a number of coils about the fixed component and the capping arm incorporating a material that defines a moving arm of the actuator.
6. A printer assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the biasing arrangement includes a pair of compression springs each located proximate opposite ends of the capping arm.
7. A printer assembly as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the compression springs are fast with the fixed component.