Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6517185
-
Patent Number
6,517,185
-
Date Filed
Friday, March 9, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, February 11, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 347 29
- 347 22
- 347 30
- 347 32
- 347 33
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A printhead capping system for capping a printhead includes a printhead cap having a plurality of adjoining walls. The plurality of adjoining walls has a proximal end and a distal end. The plurality of adjoining walls defines an interior region. A lip portion is provided having a perimetrical sealing surface. The lip portion extends from the distal end of the plurality of adjoining walls in a cantilever manner in, a direction non-orthogonal to an extent of the plurality of adjoining walls. In cross-section the lip portion tapers in a direction from the distal end toward the perimetrical sealing surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ink jet printer, and, more particularly, to a low force ink jet printhead capping system for an ink jet printer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ink jet printers form an image on a print medium by selectively ejecting ink from one or more of a plurality of ink jet nozzles formed in a nozzle plate of an ink jet printhead. In order to maintain the printhead at an acceptable level of performance, ink jet printers typically include a maintenance station for performing scheduled maintenance operations and for providing a sealed environment for the printhead nozzle plate during periods of non-use.
One example of a maintenance station includes a movable maintenance sled including a printhead wiper and a printhead cap. The printhead wiper includes a blade edge for engaging the printhead nozzle plate to remove waste ink and contaminants that have accumulated on the printhead nozzle plate during printing. The cap may used to provide a sealed environment around the ink jet nozzles.
The cap is typically formed as a generally rectangular structure defined by four adjoining walls that extend vertically upwardly from a base, and is made from an elastomer. Commonly, the elastomer cap is placed over the nozzle plate of the printhead to ensure a sufficiently humid environment to avoid undesirable dried ink formation that may plug ink jet nozzles. Such a cap forms a leak-free seal between the printhead nozzles and the ambient environment. Conventionally, this has been done in one of two ways: by forcing the elastomer cap into the printhead with enough force to deform the cap around its sealing lip, or by providing a spring-loaded gimbaling mechanism behind the cap to allow the lip of the cap to “float” with the printhead. The former typically requires large forces to produce sufficient deformation to ensure a reliable seal, due to manufacturing tolerances. The latter typically requires less force, but adds a significant number of parts, thus increasing the cost and complexity of the cap mechanism.
As ink jet printing technology has evolved, the size of the ink jet printheads has been decreasing, while the size of the nozzle plate and the number of ink jet nozzles in the nozzle plate has increased. As a result, the surface area on the printhead available for establishing an effective seal with the cap has diminished. Also, with the larger-sized nozzle plates and the advent of non-planar printhead topography in the regions surrounding the nozzle plate, the amount of capping force exerted by the maintenance sled has had to increase to effect the same degree of sealing.
What is needed in the art is a printhead capping system that can reduce the amount of capping force required to establish and maintain an effective seal around the printhead nozzle plate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a printhead capping system that can reduce the amount of capping force required to establish and maintain an effective seal around the printhead nozzle plate.
The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a printhead capping system including a printhead cap having a plurality of adjoining walls. The plurality of adjoining walls has a proximal end and a distal end. The plurality of adjoining walls defines an interior region. A lip portion is provided having a perimetrical sealing surface. The lip portion extends from the distal end of the plurality of adjoining walls in a cantilever manner in a direction non-orthogonal to an extent of the plurality of adjoining walls. In cross-section the lip portion tapers in a direction from the distal end toward the perimetrical sealing surface.
One advantage of the capping system of the present invention is that the printhead cap includes a high compliance sealing lip, which thereby lowers the capping force required to obtain an adequate seal between the printhead and the printhead cap.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1
is a partial perspective view of an ink jet printer embodying the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a bottom plan view of ink jet printhead cartridges used with the ink jet printer of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3A
is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a printhead capping system of the present invention.
FIG. 3B
is a top plan view of a printhead cap of FIG.
3
A.
FIG. 4A
is a sectional view of an assembled printhead capping system of
FIG. 3A
taken along line
4
A—
4
A.
FIG. 4B
is an enlargement of a portion of the sectional view of
FIG. 4A
depicting a cross-section of a tapered linear portion of the printhead cap.
FIG. 4C
is a sectional view of a corner portion of the assembled printhead capping system of
FIG. 3A
taken along line
4
C—
4
C depicting a cross-section of a rounded tapered portion of the printhead cap.
FIG. 5
is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a printhead capping system of the present invention.
FIG. 6
is a sectional view of the printhead capping system of
FIG. 5
taken along line
6
—
6
of FIG.
5
.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to
FIG. 1
, there is shown a portion of an exemplary imaging apparatus in the form of an ink jet printer
10
that embodies the present invention. Ink jet printer
10
includes a frame
11
and a pair of removable ink printhead cartridges
12
and
14
supported by a printhead carrier
16
. While two printhead cartridges are shown, it should be understood that the present invention may be adapted to accommodate any number of cartridges. For example, in an ink jet printer commonly referred to as a “head swapper,” only one printhead cartridge is accommodated by the printer at a time, wherein a color cartridge and a black cartridge are interchanged during CMYK printing.
FIG. 2
shows a bottom view of each of printhead cartridges
12
and
14
. Printhead cartridge
12
includes a printhead
18
mounting an ink jet nozzle plate
20
having a plurality of ink jet nozzles
22
, shown as two columns of dots. Printhead cartridge
14
includes a printhead
24
mounting an ink jet nozzle plate
26
having a plurality of ink jet nozzles
28
, shown as two columns of dots. Each nozzle plate
20
,
26
includes a heater chip (not shown) having a plurality of jetting actuators positioned to form a one-for-one correspondence with the plurality of ink jet nozzles
22
,
28
. The jetting actuators are selectively energized to expel ink from corresponding ones of ink jet nozzles
22
,
28
to form an image on a media sheet
30
(see
FIG. 1
) in manner well known in the art. Sheet
30
may be, for example, paper, cloth or a plastic.
Carrier
16
is driven longitudinally in opposite directions, as indicated by double-headed arrow
31
, in a reciprocating fashion along a guide rod
32
. Guide rod
32
is supported at its opposing ends by frame
11
. Carrier
16
may be driven from any suitable power source (not shown) such as, for example, a motor and gear train, or pulley and belt drive mechanism, that is coupled with carrier
16
to cause carrier
16
to slide along guide rod
32
in a reciprocating manner in response to a rotation direction of the motor, as is well known in the art.
A maintenance station
34
is provided for performing printhead maintenance operations on the ink jet nozzles
22
,
28
of the printheads
18
,
24
, respectively. Such operations include, for example, a printhead spit maintenance operation, a printhead wiping operation and a printhead capping operation. Other services, such as for example, printhead priming and suction, may also be performed if desired, by the inclusion of a vacuum device (not shown) of the type well known in the art.
Maintenance station
34
includes a fixed support housing
36
, which is attached to frame
11
. A movable sled
38
is removably supported within a rectangular-shaped cavity
40
in support housing
36
and is adapted for both longitudinal and vertical movement therein. Mounted to sled
38
is a first printhead wiper
42
, a second printhead wiper
44
, a first printhead capping system
46
and a second printhead capping system
48
.
Support housing
36
includes a first housing wall
50
and a second housing wall
52
. First housing wall
50
has a pair of cam slots
54
and
56
formed therein at opposite ends thereof, and a second housing wall
52
has a cam slot
58
and an open cam surface
60
formed therein at opposite ends thereof
Movable sled
38
includes a carrier engagement member
62
, a first pair of pins
64
positioned symmetrically on opposite sides of sled
38
and extending therefrom, and a second pair of pins
66
positioned symmetrically on opposite sides of sled
38
and extending therefrom. Pins
64
are disposed in cam slots
54
,
58
, respectively, and pins
66
are disposed in cam slot
58
and on open cam surface
60
, respectively. Accordingly, each of pins
64
and
66
functions as a cam follower. Cam slot
54
, cam slot
56
, cam slot
58
and open cam surface
60
(collectively referred to as cams
54
,
56
,
58
,
60
) control vertical motion of the movable sled
38
during the longitudinal movement of sled
38
, based on the cam profile of cams
54
,
56
,
58
,
60
.
Sled
38
is spring biased in a direction toward carrier
16
. As can be seen in
FIG. 1
with reference to
FIG. 2
, a rightward movement of carrier
16
causes carrier
16
to engage carrier engagement member
62
, thereby causing movable sled
38
to move to the right, and pins
64
,
66
ride up the cam surface profile defined by cams
54
,
56
,
58
,
60
. When sled
38
reaches a first plateau defined by cams
54
,
56
,
58
,
60
, printhead wipers
42
,
44
are positioned at a height to perform wiping maintenance on respective ones of printhead nozzle plates
20
,
26
. When sled
38
is moved a second plateau defined by cams
54
,
56
,
58
,
60
, printhead capping systems
46
and
48
have fully engaged the printheads
18
,
24
of the ink cartridges
12
and
14
, respectively, thereby providing a seal around the areas containing nozzle plates
20
,
26
and the associated ink jet nozzles
22
,
28
, respectively. As printhead capping systems
46
,
48
initially come into contact with printheads
18
,
24
, a capping force (Fc) is required to continue to move printhead capping systems
46
and
48
upwardly into a sealing relationship with the printheads
18
,
24
of the printhead cartridges
12
,
14
. However, each of the printhead capping systems
46
and
48
is designed to reduce the capping force over that required to seal a printhead using a typical prior art rectangular elastomer printhead cap.
In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1
, each of printhead capping systems
46
and
48
are virtually identical. Accordingly, for the sake of brevity, the following detailed discussion is directed to the structure of printhead capping system
46
. However, it is to be understood that any discussion that follows relating to the structure of printhead capping system
46
would also apply to the structure of printhead capping system
48
.
FIG. 3A
is an exploded view of printhead capping system
46
including a cap holder
68
and low force elastomer printhead cap
70
, shown in relation to printhead
18
of printhead cartridge
12
. A sealing surface
72
(also shown in
FIG. 4A
) on printhead
18
surrounding nozzle plate
20
is shown in FIG.
2
.
FIG. 3B
is a top plan view of printhead cap
70
.
Printhead cap
70
is a unitary cup-like structure made of an elastomer material. Printhead cap
70
includes a floor portion
74
, a plurality of adjoining walls
76
,
78
,
80
and
82
, a plurality of mounting tabs referred to collectively as tabs
84
, and a lip portion
86
. The plurality of adjoining walls
76
,
78
,
80
,
82
have a proximal end
88
and a distal end
90
. Proximal end
88
is coupled to a perimeter
92
of floor portion
74
and distal end
90
is spaced from floor portion
74
. Walls
76
,
78
,
80
,
82
define an interior region
94
.
Lip portion
86
is coupled to distal end
90
of the plurality of adjoining walls
76
,
78
,
80
,
82
. Lip portion
86
extends from the plurality of adjoining walls
76
,
78
,
80
,
82
at a perimeter
96
in a cantilever manner in a direction, depicted by arrow
98
, at an angle
100
that is non-orthogonal to a direction of an extent of the plurality of adjoining walls
76
,
78
,
80
,
82
, as depicted by arrow
102
. Lip portion
86
has a perimetrical sealing surface
104
.
FIG. 4A
shows a cross-section of printhead cap
70
taken along a line
4
A—
4
A of FIG.
3
A.
FIG. 4B
is an enlargement of a portion of the cross-section of FIG.
4
A.
FIG. 4C
is an enlargement of a rounded corner cross-section taken along line
4
C—
4
C of FIG.
3
A.
As shown in FIGS.
3
A and
4
A—
4
C, cantilevered lip portion
86
tapers at a shallow angle in a direction from distal end
90
of walls
76
,
78
,
80
,
82
toward perimetrical sealing surface
104
. As can be best seen in relation to
FIG. 3B
, lip portion
86
includes a first linear tapered portion
106
, a second linear tapered portion
108
, a third linear tapered portion
110
and a fourth linear tapered portion
112
arranged in a substantially rectangular configuration. A first rounded tapered portion
114
is positioned between the first and second linear tapered portions
106
,
108
. A second rounded tapered portion
116
is positioned between the second and third linear tapered portions
108
,
110
. A third rounded tapered portion
118
is positioned between the third and fourth linear tapered portions
110
,
112
. A fourth rounded tapered portion
120
is positioned between the first and fourth linear tapered portions
106
,
112
. This tapered cantilevered design advantageously gives lip portion
86
a high compliance characteristic, thereby reducing the required capping force.
Preferably, each of the first, second, third and fourth linear tapered portions
106
,
108
,
110
,
112
has a first cross-sectional area and each of the first, second, third and fourth rounded tapered portions
114
,
116
,
118
,
120
has a second cross-sectional area, wherein the second cross-sectional area of the rounded tapered portions
114
,
116
,
118
,
120
is less than the first cross-sectional area of the first, second, third and fourth linear tapered portions
106
,
108
,
110
,
112
, as shown by comparison of
FIG. 4B
with FIG.
4
C. Also, by comparison of
FIG. 4B
to
FIG. 4C
, dimension D
1
of
FIG. 4C
is less than dimension D
2
of
FIG. 4B
, i.e., first, second, third and fourth rounded tapered portions
114
,
116
,
118
,
120
are thinner than first, second, third and fourth linear tapered portions
106
,
108
,
110
,
112
.
As can be best seen in
FIG. 3B
, each rounded tapered corner portion
114
,
116
,
118
,
120
is defined by a first curve delimiter
122
, a second curve delimiter
124
and a middle curve portion
126
located between first curve delimiter
122
and second curve delimiter
124
. The second cross-sectional area of each rounded tapered corner portion
114
,
116
,
118
,
120
thins from each of the first and second curve delimiters
122
,
124
(where the first cross-sectional area ends) toward a middle curve portion, depicted by a line
126
, where the cross-sectional area is the thinnest and has the smallest cross-sectional area. The purpose of making the cantilevered lip portion
86
thinner at the corners is to even the pressure exerted by the contact of perimetrical sealing surface
104
with sealing surface
72
of printhead
18
.
Referring to
FIGS. 3A and 4A
, cap holder
68
is made of a rigid material, such as plastic, and defines a rigid structure having a base
128
, a wall section
130
and a cantilever portion
132
. A plurality of mounting members
134
extend away from base
128
, and are used to connect cap holder
68
to sled
38
. When printhead cap
70
is seated in cap holder
68
, cantilever portion
132
of cap holder
68
surrounds and is spaced away from lip portion
86
of printhead cap
70
. Thus, with reference to
FIGS. 4A
,
4
B and
4
C, when printhead cap
70
is not in contact with printhead
18
, an outer surface
136
of lip portion
86
does not contact the rigid cantilever portion
132
. However, when printhead cap
70
is in a state of compression by virtue of contact of perimetrical sealing surface
104
of printhead cap
70
with sealing surface
72
of printhead
18
, outer surface
136
of lip portion
86
contacts rigid cantilever portion
132
, such that cantilever portion
132
limits the amount of deflection of lip portion
86
.
Referring to
FIGS. 3A and 4A
, base
128
of cap holder
68
defines a vent path
138
formed as a serpentine groove therein. Also, a plurality of mounting slots
140
are provided in wall section
130
near base
128
. When printhead cap
70
is received into cap holder
68
, tabs
84
of printhead cap
70
are received into mounting slots
140
to hold printhead cap
70
in proper relationship to cap holder
68
. In addition, a vent hole
142
(see
FIG. 3B
) formed in printhead cap
70
is located to be in fluid communication with vent path
138
in cap holder
68
. Thus, vent path
138
and vent hole
142
facilitate fluid communication of interior region
94
with the atmosphere when printhead cap
70
and printhead
18
are in sealing engagement.
While the embodiment described herein uses a tab/slot arrangement for mounting printhead cap
70
to cap holder
68
, those skilled in the art will recognize that other attachment methods, such as using fasteners or adhesives, may be used to effect the attachment.
Thus, the capping system of the present invention provides a printhead cap
70
having a high compliance sealing lip portion
86
, which thereby lowers the capping force (Fc) required to obtain an adequate seal between printhead
18
and printhead cap
70
. Traditional cap systems typically need 150 grams to 300 grams of capping force to obtain adequate compliance and sealing of a printhead. In contrast, the capping system of the present invention permits effective sealing with about 100 grams or less of capping force. By using a thin cantilever section for sealing lip portion
86
, printhead cap
70
is kept to a minimum size and does not extend outside the area of sealing surface
72
of printhead
18
. This space economy allows for multiple printheads to be spaced close to one another.
FIGS. 5 and 6
are directed to a second embodiment of the present invention in which a capping system
146
is shown that is suitable for use in applying suction to a printhead
150
via a vacuum system (not shown) of ink jet printer
10
.
As can be best seen in
FIG. 6
, a printhead
150
includes a nozzle plate
152
, a plurality of standoff members
154
and a sealing region
156
that surrounds nozzle plate
152
. Referring again to
FIG. 5
, printhead
150
includes a plurality of guide channels
158
and
160
located at an outer wall
162
of printhead
150
. Guide channels
158
,
160
are positioned precisely with respect to nozzle plate
152
and the allotted sealing region
156
.
Printhead capping system
146
includes a cap holder
164
and a low force elastomer printhead cap
166
.
Referring to
FIGS. 5 and 6
, cap holder
164
includes a base
168
, a pair of cap mounting walls
170
,
172
, a pair of alignment arms
174
,
176
and a pair of stop posts
178
,
180
. Referring to
FIG. 6
, cap mounting walls
170
,
172
extend upwardly from a central portion
182
of base
168
. As shown in
FIG. 5
, alignment arms
174
,
176
are positioned in a spaced apart relationship and extend upwardly from a first end
184
of base
168
. Alignment arm
174
includes angled surfaces
174
a
and
174
b
, and alignment arm
176
includes angled surfaces
176
a
and
176
b
. A spring
188
is provided to apply a biasing spring force midway between alignment arms
174
and
176
. Stop posts
178
,
180
are positioned in a spaced apart relationship and extend upwardly from a second end
186
of base
168
.
Printhead cap
166
is a unitary cup-like structure made of an elastomer material. Printhead cap
166
includes a plurality of adjoining walls
192
and a lip portion
194
. The plurality of adjoining walls
192
is arranged as a substantially rectangular structure. The plurality of adjoining walls
192
defines a ledge
196
adjacent an interior region
198
, and a pair of mounting slots
200
,
202
. The plurality of adjoining walls
192
has a proximal end
204
and a distal end
206
.
Referring to
FIG. 6
, lip portion
194
is coupled to distal end
206
of adjoining walls
192
. Lip portion
194
extends from the adjoining walls
192
at a perimeter
208
in a cantilever manner in a direction depicted by arrow
210
, and at an angle
212
that is non-orthogonal to a direction of an extent, depicted by arrow
214
, of the plurality of adjacent walls
192
. Lip portion
194
has a perimetrical sealing surface
216
. Lip portion
194
has a substantially triangular cross-section that tapers at a shallow angle in a direction from distal end
206
of walls
192
toward perimetrical sealing surface
216
of lip portion
194
.
Ledge
196
has an extent in the direction indicated by
214
that is less than an extent of lip portion
194
in direction
214
, and a trough
218
is formed between ledge
196
and lip portion
194
.
Printhead cap
166
is installed on cap holder
164
by sliding printhead cap
166
over mounting walls
170
,
172
of cap holder
164
, such that mounting walls
170
,
172
are received in mounting slots
200
,
202
, respective, to form a compression fit. Alternatively, fasteners or adhesive could be used to hold printhead cap
166
to cap holder
164
.
During operation, cap holder
164
is lifted by sled
38
toward engagement with printhead
150
, and alignment arms
174
,
176
engage guide channels
158
,
160
, respectively, of printhead
150
. Alignment arm
174
, including angled surfaces
174
a
and
174
b
, and alignment arm
176
, including angled surfaces
176
a
and
176
b
, combine to provide for left to right and front to rear alignment of printhead cap
166
with printhead
150
, thereby restricting at least three degrees of freedom of movement of cap holder
164
with respect to printhead
150
. The terms left, right, front and rear are used in conjunction with the orientation of printhead capping system
146
and printhead
150
as shown in FIG.
5
. Spring
188
is provided to aid in establishing rotational and front to rear alignment of printhead cap
166
with printhead
150
. The bias spring force is applied midway between the alignment arms
174
,
176
. The action of this spring force keeps alignment arms
174
,
176
biased against guide channels
158
,
160
, respectively, of printhead
150
. As printhead cap
166
continues to rise, perimetrical sealing surface
216
of lip portion
194
of printhead cap
166
makes contact with sealing region
156
on printhead
150
. Thereafter, lip portion
194
deflects with the application of the capping force (Fc) applied by sled
38
. To prevent over-compression of printhead cap
166
, stop posts
178
,
180
contact the face
190
of printhead
150
. Stop posts
178
,
180
also prevent printhead cap
166
from cocking or tilting left to right.
The cross-sectional geometry of lip portion
194
provides for high compliance and a low capping force for a given displacement of lip portion
194
. With this geometry, sealing between printhead
150
and printhead cap
166
can be achieved with the application of a capping force (Fc) of 100 grams or less. This is a significant reduction over the capping force of 150 grams to 300 grams required for capping in the prior art to accomplish a seal on an equivalent capping area.
During an ink jet nozzle priming or suctioning operation, vacuum is applied to interior region
198
of printhead cap
166
. A normal high compliance cap would collapse with application of vacuum. To solve this problem, standoff members
154
of printhead
150
are provided to contact ledge
196
of printhead cap
166
with the application of vacuum to interior region
198
of printhead cap
166
. This prevents the collapse of lip portion
194
and/or the interior of printhead cap
166
with the application of vacuum.
While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A printhead capping system for capping a printhead, comprising:a cap holder; and a printhead cap being mounted by said cap holder, said printhead cap including: a plurality of adjoining walls having a proximal end and a distal end, said plurality of adjoining walls defining an interior region; and a lip portion having a perimetrical sealing surface, said lip portion extending from said distal end of said plurality of adjoining walls in a cantilever manner in a direction non-orthogonal to an extent of said plurality of adjoining walls, wherein in cross-section said lip portion tapers in a direction from said distal end toward said perimetrical sealing surface.
- 2. The printhead capping system of claim 1, wherein said lip portion has a first linear tapered portion and a first rounded tapered portion, said first linear tapered portion having a first cross-sectional area and said first rounded tapered portion having a second cross-sectional area, and wherein said second cross-sectional area is at least one of less than said first cross-sectional area and thinner than said first cross-sectional area.
- 3. The printhead capping system of claim 1, wherein said lip portion comprises a plurality of linear tapered portions and a plurality of rounded tapered corner portions that together define a generally polygonal shape for said perimetrical sealing surface, and wherein at least one of said plurality of linear tapered portions has a first cross-sectional area and at least one of said plurality of rounded tapered corner portions has a second cross-sectional area, and wherein said second cross-sectional area is less than said first cross-sectional area.
- 4. The printhead capping system of claim 3, wherein each rounded tapered corner portion is defined by a first curve delimiter, a second curve delimiter and a middle curve portion located between said first curve delimiter and said second curve delimiter, said second cross-sectional area of each rounded tapered corner portion thinning from each of said first curve delimiter and said second curve delimiter toward said middle curve portion.
- 5. The printhead capping system of claim 1, wherein said lip portion includes:a first linear tapered portion, a second linear tapered portion, a third linear tapered portion and a fourth linear tapered portion arranged in a substantially rectangular configuration; and a first rounded tapered portion positioned between the first and second linear tapered portions, a second rounded tapered portion positioned between the second and third linear tapered portions, a third rounded tapered portion positioned between the third and fourth linear tapered portions and a fourth rounded tapered portion positioned between the first and fourth linear tapered portions, wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth linear tapered portions has a first cross-sectional area and at least one of the first, second, third and fourth rounded tapered portions has a second cross-sectional area, and wherein said second cross-sectional area is thinner than said first cross-sectional area.
- 6. The printhead capping system of claim 5, wherein each of said first, second, third and fourth linear tapered portions has said first cross-sectional area and each of said first, second, third and fourth rounded tapered portions has said second cross-sectional area, and wherein said second cross-sectional area is less than said first cross-sectional area.
- 7. The printhead capping system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of adjoining walls define a ledge adjacent said interior region, said ledge having an extent in a first direction which is less than an extent of said lip portion in said first direction, and wherein a trough is formed between said ledge and said lip portion.
- 8. The printhead capping system of claim 7, wherein said printhead has a plurality of standoff members extending from said printhead toward said printhead cap, wherein said standoff members contact said ledge to prevent a collapse of said printhead cap.
- 9. The printhead capping system of claim 1, wherein said cap holder includes a vent path formed therein, and wherein said printhead cap includes a floor portion coupled to said proximal end of said plurality of adjoining walls, said floor portion having an opening formed therein that is positioned to be in fluid communication with said vent path.
- 10. The printhead capping system of claim 1, wherein said cap holder defines a rigid cantilevered structure positioned around of said printhead cap for limiting an amount of deflection of said lip portion when said perimetrical sealing surface contacts said printhead.
- 11. The printhead capping system of claim 1, wherein said cap holder is formed from a rigid material, said cap holder defining a rigid cantilevered structure positioned around of said printhead cap, wherein when said printhead cap is not in contact with said printhead, an outer surface of said lip portion does not contact said rigid cantilever structure, and when said printhead cap is in a state of compression by virtue of contact with said printhead, said outer surface of said lip portion contacts said rigid cantilever structure to limit an amount of deflection of said lip portion.
- 12. The printhead capping system of claim 11, wherein said cap holder includes a vent path formed therein, and wherein said printhead cap includes an opening positioned to be in fluid communication with said vent path.
- 13. The printhead capping system of claim 1, wherein said cap holder includes a plurality of alignment arms for engaging a corresponding plurality of guide channels formed in said printhead for aligning said printhead cap with said printhead.
- 14. The printhead capping system of claim 13, wherein said plurality of alignment arms restricts at least three degrees of freedom of movement of said cap holder with respect to said printhead.
- 15. The printhead capping system of claim 13, wherein said cap holder includes a plurality of stop posts for engaging a face of said printhead to prevent over compression of said lip portion.
- 16. A printhead cap for capping a printhead, comprising:a plurality of adjoining walls having a proximal end and a distal end, said plurality of adjoining walls defining an interior region; and a lip portion having a perimetrical sealing surface, said lip portion extending from said distal end of said plurality of adjoining walls in a cantilever manner in a direction non-orthogonal to an extent of said plurality of adjoining walls, wherein in cross-section said lip portion tapers in a direction from said distal end toward said perimetrical sealing surface.
- 17. The printhead cap of claim 16, wherein said lip portion has a first linear tapered portion and a first rounded tapered portion, said first linear tapered portion having a first cross-sectional area and said first rounded tapered portion having a second cross-sectional area, and wherein said second cross-sectional area is at least one of less than said first cross-sectional area and thinner than said first cross-sectional area.
- 18. The printhead cap of claim 16, wherein said lip portion comprises a plurality of linear tapered portions and a plurality of rounded tapered corner portions that together define a generally polygonal shape for said perimetrical sealing surface, and wherein at least one of said plurality of linear tapered portions has a first cross-sectional area and at least one of said plurality of rounded tapered corner portions has a second cross-sectional area, and wherein said second cross-sectional area is less than said first cross-sectional area.
- 19. The printhead cap of claim 18, wherein each rounded tapered corner portion is defined by a first curve delimiter, a second curve delimiter and a middle curve portion located between said first curve delimiter and said second curve delimiter, said second cross-sectional area of each rounded tapered corner portion thinning from each of said first curve delimiter and said second curve delimiter toward said middle curve portion.
- 20. The printhead cap of claim 16, wherein said lip portion includes:a first linear tapered portion, a second linear tapered portion, a third linear tapered portion and a fourth linear tapered portion arranged in a substantially rectangular configuration; and a first rounded tapered portion positioned between the first and second linear tapered portions, a second rounded tapered portion positioned between the second and third linear tapered portions, a third rounded tapered portion positioned between the third and fourth linear tapered portions and a fourth rounded tapered portion positioned between the first and fourth linear tapered portions, wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth linear tapered portions has a first cross-sectional area and at least one of the first, second, third and fourth rounded tapered portions has a second cross-sectional area, and wherein said second cross-sectional area is thinner than said first cross-sectional area.
- 21. The printhead cap of claim 20, wherein each of said first, second, third and fourth linear tapered portions has said first cross-sectional area and each of said first, second, third and fourth rounded tapered portions has said second cross-sectional area, and wherein said second cross-sectional area is less than said first cross-sectional area.
- 22. The printhead cap of claim 16, wherein said plurality of adjoining walls define a ledge adjacent said interior region, said ledge having an extent in a first direction which is less than an extent of said lip portion in said first direction, and wherein a trough is formed between said ledge and said lip portion.
- 23. The printhead cap of claim 22, wherein said printhead has a plurality of standoff members extending from said printhead toward said printhead cap, wherein upon application of a vacuum to said interior region said standoff members contact said ledge to prevent a collapse of said printhead cap.
- 24. The printhead cap of claim 16, wherein said printhead cap includes a floor portion coupled to said proximal end of said plurality of adjoining walls, said floor portion having a vent opening formed therein.
- 25. An imaging apparatus, comprising:a frame; a printhead coupled to said frame for reciprocating movement in relation to said frame; and a printhead capping system coupled to said frame for capping said printhead, said printhead capping system having a cap holder and a printhead cap being mounted by said cap holder, said printhead cap including: a plurality of adjoining walls having a proximal end and a distal end, said plurality of adjoining walls defining an interior region; and a lip portion having a perimetrical sealing surface, said lip portion extending from said distal end of said plurality of adjoining walls in a cantilever manner in a direction non-orthogonal to an extent of said plurality of adjoining walls, wherein in cross-section said lip portion tapers in a direction from said distal end toward said perimetrical sealing surface.
- 26. The imaging apparatus of claim 25, wherein said lip portion has a first linear tapered portion and a first rounded tapered portion, said first linear tapered portion having a first cross-sectional area and said first rounded tapered portion having a second cross-sectional area, and wherein said second cross-sectional area is at least one of less than said first cross-sectional area and thinner than said first cross-sectional area.
- 27. The imaging apparatus of claim 25, wherein said lip portion comprises a plurality of linear tapered portions and a plurality of rounded tapered corner portions that together define a generally polygonal shape for said perimetrical sealing surface, and wherein at least one of said plurality of linear tapered portions has a first cross-sectional area and at least one of said plurality of rounded tapered corner portions has a second cross-sectional area, and wherein said second cross-sectional area is less than said first cross-sectional area.
- 28. The imaging apparatus of claim 27, wherein each rounded tapered corner portion is defined by a first curve delimiter, a second curve delimiter and a middle curve portion located between said first curve delimiter and said second curve delimiter, said second cross-sectional area of each rounded tapered corner portion thinning from each of said first curve delimiter and said second curve delimiter toward said middle curve portion.
- 29. The imaging apparatus of claim 25, wherein said lip portion includes:a first linear tapered portion, a second linear tapered portion, a third linear tapered portion and a fourth linear tapered portion arranged in a substantially rectangular configuration; and a first rounded tapered portion positioned between the first and second linear tapered portions, a second rounded tapered portion positioned between the second and third linear tapered portions, a third rounded tapered portion positioned between the third and fourth linear tapered portions and a fourth rounded tapered portion positioned between the first and fourth linear tapered portions, wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth linear tapered portions has a first cross-sectional area and at least one of the first, second, third and fourth rounded tapered portions has a second cross-sectional area, and wherein said second cross-sectional area is thinner than said first cross-sectional area.
- 30. The imaging apparatus of claim 29, wherein each of said first, second, third and fourth linear tapered portions has said first cross-sectional area and each of said first, second, third and fourth rounded tapered portions has said second cross-sectional area, and wherein said second cross-sectional area is less than said first cross-sectional area.
- 31. The imaging apparatus of claim of claim 25, wherein said plurality of adjoining walls define a ledge adjacent said interior region, said ledge having an extent in a first direction which is less than an extent of said lip portion in said first direction, and wherein a trough is formed between said ledge and said lip portion.
- 32. The imaging apparatus of claim 31, wherein said printhead has a plurality of standoff members extending from said printhead toward said printhead cap, wherein upon application of a vacuum to said interior region said standoff members contact said ledge to prevent a collapse of said printhead cap.
- 33. The imaging apparatus of claim 25, wherein said cap holder includes a vent path formed therein, and wherein said printhead cap includes a floor portion coupled to said proximal end of said plurality of adjoining walls, said floor portion having an opening formed therein that is positioned to be in fluid communication with said vent path.
- 34. The imaging apparatus of claim 25, wherein said cap holder defines a rigid cantilevered structure positioned around of said printhead cap for limiting an amount of deflection of said lip portion when said perimetrical sealing surface contacts said printhead.
- 35. The imaging apparatus of claim 25, wherein said cap holder is formed from a rigid material, said cap holder defining a rigid cantilevered structure positioned around of said printhead cap, wherein when said printhead cap is not in contact with said printhead, an outer surface of said lip portion does not contact said rigid cantilever structure, and when said printhead cap is in a state of compression by virtue of contact with said printhead, said outer surface of said lip portion contacts said rigid cantilever structure to limit an amount of deflection of said lip portion.
- 36. The imaging apparatus of claim 35, wherein said cap holder includes a vent path formed therein, and wherein said printhead cap includes an opening positioned to be in fluid communication with said vent path.
- 37. The imaging apparatus of claim 25, wherein said cap holder includes a plurality of alignment arms for engaging a corresponding plurality of guide channels formed in said printhead for aligning said printhead cap with said printhead.
- 38. The imaging apparatus of claim 37, wherein said plurality of alignment arms restricts at least three degrees of freedom of movement of said cap holder with respect to said printhead.
- 39. The imaging apparatus of claim 37, wherein said cap holder includes a plurality of stop posts for engaging a face of said printhead to prevent over compression of said lip portion.
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