The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 26, 1992
Filed:
Sep. 23, 1991
Zhao-Zhi Yu, Webster, NY (US);
Xerox Corporation, Stamford, CT (US);
Abstract
A device to cap a thermal ink jet printhead, without the need of moving the printhead or the paper transport is described. The capping device has a resilient gasket which contains magnetic material and is attached to the printhead by a relatively thin flexible boot or sleeve. A steel bar is disposed in sliding contact beneath a paper transport belt. The belt is adjacently spaced parallel to the printhead. The paper transport belt is flat and smooth and has a hole-free surface. During operation of the printer, an electromagnet disposed on the printhead is energized and attracts the magnetic gasket, resulting in the attraction of the gasket above the printhead nozzles to enable printing. When the printhead is not in operation, the electromagnet is de-energized, allowing the steel bar to attract the magnetic gasket and seal the gasket to the belt, capping the printhead. The capping device eliminates the need for movement of the printhead or moving the paper transport. Also, the capping device provides capping protection in case of a power failure.