Printhead assembly with a pressurized air supply for an inkjet printer

Abstract

A printhead assembly for an inkjet printer includes an ink distribution molding having a laminated stack of ink distribution sheets, and a nozzle guard. The assembly also includes at least one printhead integrated circuit arranged in fluid contact with the molding such that a cavity is defined between the integrated circuit and the nozzle guard. The assembly has an air duct having a base defining a series of air passages. An air valve molding is formed as a channel with a series of apertures defined in a base thereof. A spacing of the apertures corresponds to the air passages. The air valve molding is movable longitudinally within the air duct to facilitate alignment of the apertures with the passages to allow pressurized air through the laminated stack to the cavity, or moved out of alignment to close off a supply of pressurized air to the cavity.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.