Ink Jet Print Head and Cap

摘要

A cap 13, 15, for the print face 9 of a drop-on-demand ink jet printer moves between a closed position, in which it covers the print nozzles on the print face 9, and an open position in which the print nozzles are uncovered, without requiring movement of the print face 9. In the open position, the cap is recessed relative to the front surface 21 of the printhead. For at least part of the movement of the cap, it is further forward than the print face 9, so that it does not slide across and damage the print nozzles. The drop-on-demand ink jet printer may be used to print onto objects 3 conveyed past it, for example on a packing line. The cap 13, 15, does not obstruct the path of the objects 3 even if they pass very close (e.g. 0.5 mm) to the print face 9 because its uncapped position is further back than the front surface 21 of the printhead.

主权项

1. An ink jet printer, or a print head for an ink jet printer, the printer or print head either comprising a plurality of print nozzles at a predetermined position on a print face or comprising a mount for holding a removable unit that comprises a plurality of print nozzles at a predetermined position on a print face, the printer or print head further comprising a capping member movable along a predetermined path between a closed position and an open position, the predetermined path comprising rotation of the capping member about an axis transverse to the plane of the print face,
the capping member in the open position being further back, with respect to the direction of ink ejection from the nozzles, than the position of the print face, the capping member in the closed position pressing resiliently against the print face and sealing around the nozzles without touching them, the predetermined path including a portion that is further forward, with respect to the direction of ink ejection from the nozzles, than both the open position and the closed position whereby the capping member is movable across the nozzles without making sliding contact with the nozzles.