Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Ejector mechanism
Patent
1992-09-21
1996-10-08
Fuller, Benjamin R.
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Ink jet
Ejector mechanism
347 33, B41J 2165
Patent
active
055636381
ABSTRACT:
Wiping and capping method and apparatus for use with an ink-jet printer are described. Preferably the apparatus includes a sled that is gimbal-mounted, and preferably spring-mounted, to a printer's chassis, the sled mounting plural pairs of caps and wipers for each of the printer's movable carriage-mounted printheads. The sled and the chassis are cam-coupled for controlled, relative movement therebetween. The sled and the carriage are also cam-coupled for controlled, relative movement therebetween. Movement of the carriage produces slight vertical and lateral movement of the sled out of its nominal position to place it in three primary positions relative to the carriage: an elevated position for capping the printheads, an intermediate position for wiping the printheads and a lowered position for free reciprocal movement of the carriage without interference between the printheads and either the caps or the wipers. Preferably, the gimbal mounting of the sled takes the form of plural spring elements, which ensure constant capping force between the caps and their corresponding printheads. The preferred invented method involves uncapping the printheads, wiping the printheads uni-directionally, lowering the sled to its free position beneath the printheads, optionally re-wiping the printheads repeatedly, and returning the printheads to their capped position. The method and apparatus are compatible with automatic failure recovery techniques to unclog printheads, including spitting and priming.
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EP-A-0 398 347 (Canon K. K.); Column 11, Line 17-Column 15, Line 53; Column 19, Line 35-Column 20, Line 16; Column 24, Line 57-Column 25, Line 21; Figs, 8A, 10, 14.
EP-A-0 410 691 (Seiko Instruments Inc.) Column 2, Line 32-Column 4, Line 38; Figs. 1-3.
Fuller Benjamin R.
Hewlett--Packard Company
Yockey David
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