Apparatus and method for capping one or more printheads in a printing device
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorKit L Harper
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method are disclosed herein for capping one or more printheads in a printing device. Further characteristics and features of the present invention are additionally disclosed herein, as are exemplary alternative embodiments. This abstract is not to be used in the interpretation of any of the claims.
Claims30
An apparatus for use with a printhead, comprising:
- a cap configured to define a first opening and to have a sealing member that abuts the printhead;
- a vent coupled to the first opening;
- and
- a reservoir coupled to the cap via the vent and configured to be isolated from ambient as the sealing member abuts the printhead.
An apparatus for capping a printhead, comprising:
- a diffusion path;
- a first cavity having a first opening coupled to the diffusion path;
- and
- a second cavity having a second opening coupled to the diffusion path and configured to communicate with the first cavity via the diffusion path;
- wherein the diffusion path, first cavity, and second cavity are sealed from ambient during capping of the printhead.
A method for use in a printing device having a printhead, comprising:
- capping the printhead;
- diffusing pressure variations caused by capping into a fixed volume;
- and
- scaling the printhead and fixed volume from ambient during capping.
An apparatus for use in a service station, comprising:
- a plurality of caps each including an opening and each configured to engage a printhead during nonuse;
- and
- a plurality of separate chambers each of which is coupled to a different cap via a different opening, each of which is isolated to receive vapor from a single printhead, and each of which is sealed from ambient during cap and printhead engagement.
An apparatus for use in a printing device having a printhead that includes a plurality of nozzles, comprising:
- means for protecting the printhead during periods of nonuse;
- means for diffusing pressure variations occurring during engagement between the means for protecting and the printhead to help prevent nozzle deprimes;
- and
- means for isolating the printhead from ambient during engagement between the means for protecting and the printhead.
A method for use in a printing device having a printhead that includes a plurality of nozzles, comprising:
- capping the printhead with a cap during periods of nonuse;
- connecting the cap to a fixed volume;
- diffusing between the cap and fixed volume pressure variations that occur during capping of the printhead;
- and
- isolating the printhead, cap, and the fixed volume from ambient during capping of the printhead.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.