Air supply arrangement for a printer
AssigneeSilverbrook Research Pty Ltd
InventorKia Silverbrook
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pagewidth inkjet printer which includes printhead with a plurality of print nozzles for ejecting ink drops towards a print medium. A space is defined between the nozzles and a nozzle guard with a series of apertures aligned with the nozzles. During printing operation, positive air pressure is supplied to this space, the air exiting the space through the apertures, preventing blockage by paper dust. When not printing, the air supply is closed off by air valve member and a capping member on a rotary platen contacts the printhead to maintain a closed atmosphere at the surface of the nozzles, reducing drying of ink on the nozzles.
Claims15
A printhead for an inkjet printer, including a plurality of print nozzles for selectively ejecting drops of ink towards a print medium passing said nozzles, an enclosed space situated between said nozzles and said print medium so that ink drops ejected from the nozzles pass through said enclosed space en route to the print medium, further including air supply means supplying positive air pressure to said enclosed space.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.