Inkjet print head recapping mechanism

Details Inkjet print head recapping mechanism Inkjet print head recapping mechanism

1998-07-10

2001-08-07

Le, N. (Department: 2861)

Incremental printing of symbolic information

Ink jet

Ejector mechanism

C347S042000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06270182

ABSTRACT:

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the provision of a printhead re-capping mechanism for re-capping an inkjet printhead when the printhead is not is use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recently, a handheld portable camera system has been proposed which incorporates a “pagewidth” photo wide inkjet printhead for the printing of images on demand.
With any such system, it is highly likely that the camera will be left for extended periods of time in an unused state. Given the camera system is proposed to have a pagewidth inkjet printhead, there is the substantial problem that, should the printhead be left unattended for a substantial period of time, the ink will generally dry out. It would therefore be desirable if a printhead capping mechanism was provided for the capping of the printhead when not in use.
Further, as it is proposed utilising such a re-capping mechanism in a disposable handheld camera system, it will be desirable to provide for an extremely inexpensive form of re-capping mechanism that can be utilised in an inexpensive form of disposable camera.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide for an inexpensive form of printhead re-capping mechanism to be utilised in a handheld disposable camera system or the like.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print head recapping mechanism for recapping a pagewidth ink jetting print head structure, comprising a first stationary ferrous arm; a solenoid coil wrapped around a portion of the ferrous arm; a second moveable arm located substantially adjacent the first arm and biased towards the printhead structure; a series of membranes attached to the second moveable arm the membranes sealing the print head structure when in a rest position; the solenoid being activated to cause the moveable arm to move away from the surface of the print head structure sufficient to allow a “paper or film” to be inserted between the membranes and the print head structure for the printing of ink thereon.
Preferably, the membranes are resiliently collapsible against the surface of the print head structure. The membranes can comprise two mutually opposed elastomer strips running substantially the length of the ink jetting portions of the print head structure so as to surround the ink jetting portions.
The solenoid can include an elongated winding of a current carrying wire which is wrapped around a protruding portion of the first arm, the elongation being substantially the length of the print head structure. Further, the second movable arm is biased against the surface of the print head structure. The solenoid can be activated to move the second arm closely adjacent the first arm with a first level of current and the solenoid is retained whilst printing closely adjacent the first arm with a second substantially lower level of current. The present invention has particular application in a hand held camera device.


REFERENCES:
patent: 6019466 (2000-02-01), Hermanson
patent: 02188259 (1990-07-01), None

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