Printer having flexible sheet-like capper
View Patent ↗A printer is provided which has at least one pagewidth printhead arranged to print on print media transported therepast and a capping member of a flexible sheet-like material arranged to move between a spaced apart position relative to the printhead during printing and a capping position in which the material caps the printhead.
1. A printer comprising:
at least one pagewidth printhead arranged to print on print media transported therepast; and
a capping member of a flexible sheet-like material arranged to move between a spaced apart position relative to the printhead during printing and a capping position in which the material caps the printhead.
2. A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sheet-like material comprises a single layer.
3. A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sheet-like material is a multi-layered.
4. A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sheet-like material is compressible.
5. A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sheet-like material has hydrophobic properties.
6. A printer as claimed in claim 5 wherein the sheet-like material is a closed cell thermoplastics material.
7. A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sheet-like material has hydrophilic properties.
8. A printer as claimed in claim 7 wherein the sheet-like material is an open cell silicone material.
9. A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flexible sheet-like material is arranged as a replaceable roll from which a portion of the material is, in use, drawn to be located for capping engagement with the printhead.
10. A printer as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a cutter mechanism for selectively cutting the portion of the material from the replaceable roll.
11. A printer as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a platen positioned adjacent the printhead and arranged to engage with and position the capping member in the capping position.
12. A printer as claimed in claim 11 further comprising an actuating mechanism for moving the platen to thereby move the capping member into the capping position.
13. A printer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the capping mechanism further has a take-up reel arranged to take-up spent material following a capping operation.