# US 10,870,126 B2 · Printing apparatus and corresponding method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,870,126 B2 - Document ID: US10870126B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/908,627 - Filed: 2018-02-28 - Published: 2018-08-30 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2017-02-28 - Assignees: Jet-Set S.R.L. - Applicants: Jet-Set S.R.L. - Inventors: Sergio Ferrari - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870126B2 ## CPC - B05C 11/00: Component parts, details or accessories not specifically provided for in groups B05C1/00 - B05C9/00 (means for manipulating or holding work B05C13/00; enclosures for apparatus, booths B05C15/00; spray booths B05B16/00) - B05C 5/0208: {for applying liquid or other fluent material to separate articles (B05C5/0204 takes precedence)} - B05C 13/00: Means for manipulating or holding work, e.g. for separate articles {(B05C1/0821 takes precedence)} - B05D 1/26: performed by applying the liquid or other fluent material from an outlet device in contact with, or almost in contact with, the surface - B41J 2/16508: {connected with the printer frame} - B41J 2/16511: {Constructions for cap positioning (B41J2/16547 takes precedence)} - B41J 2/16585: {for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads} - B41J 25/304: Bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface - B05C: APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (spraying apparatus, atomising apparatus, nozzles B05B; plant for applying liquids or other fluent materials to objects by electrostatic spraying B05B5/08) - B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02) - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract A printing apparatus includes a support plane to support at least a print support; at least two printing groups aligned along a longitudinal axis, and each provided with at least a printing head; a support structure provided to support said printing groups above said support plane, at least a moving device to move said printing groups towards/away with respect to said support plane, at least two containment devices each associated with respective positioning means, and configured to collect printing liquid form said printing heads. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A printing apparatus comprising: a support plane to support at least a print support; at least two printing groups aligned along a longitudinal axis, and each provided with at least a printing head; a support structure provided to support said printing groups above said support plane, at least a moving device to move said printing groups towards/away with respect to said support plane, at least two containment devices each associated with respective positioning means, wherein said positioning means are configured to selectively move, independently with respect to each other and in a parallel direction with respect to said longitudinal axis, the respective containment device at least in a first operative position in which said containment device is positioned under said at least a printing head of one of said printing groups, and in a second inactive position in which said containment device is in a position not interfering with movement of said printing group towards or away with respect to said support plane wherein said containment devices are disposed on parallel and distanced lying planes and, in the second inactive position, said containment devices are superimposed to each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The printing apparatus as in claim 1, wherein in their second inactive position said containment devices are placed in an intermediate position between two adjacent printing groups. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The printing apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said positioning means are configured to bring said containment devices from the first active position, to the second inactive position, or vice versa, moving them along said longitudinal axis and according to opposite movement directions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The printing apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said positioning means are configured to move the respective containment device from said first active position to said second inactive position by moving said containment device only in a parallel direction with respect to said longitudinal axis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The printing apparatus as in claim 1, wherein between said two printing groups there is provided a parking area, aligned to said longitudinal axis, and wherein at least one of said containment devices is parked, at least in said second inactive position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The printing apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said containment device comprises a plurality of trays placed, at least in their first operative position, adjacent to each other, and configured to collect the printing liquid of their respective printing group. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The printing apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said trays of each containment device are positioned on two parallel lying planes, and, at least in said inactive position, are superimposed to each other. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The printing apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each containment device is supported by at least a support element to which positioning means are connected, and to said support element sliding guides are associated, configured to move said containment devices (21) from their first operative position to a third position external to said support structure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The printing apparatus as in claim 1, wherein at least one among said containment devices and said printing heads is provided with seals.