Inkjet printhead with integrated sealing and wiping function

Abstract

An inkjet printhead with an integrated sealing and wiping function is disclosed. A printhead body is provided with at least one nozzle opening. A shutter member movably engages the printhead, and an actuator moves the shutter member between an open position and a closed position. When in the open position, the shutter member exposes the nozzle opening, allowing the printhead to deposit ink onto a printing medium such as paper. When the printhead is not printing or is in a maintenance mode, the actuator moves the shutter member to the closed position. During the movement, the shutter member performs a wiping function on the nozzle opening. Once the shutter member has been moved to the closed position, it acts to cap, or seal, the nozzle opening from the outside environment.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.