US Patent 7258417 Inkjet printer with interposing printhead capping mechanism

A printer is disclosed which comprises:(a) a pagewidth printhead assembly having two opposed pagewidth printheads and a plurality of nozzles located along each of the printheads for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printheads, and(b) a capping mechanism having(i) a capping member located adjacent the printheads and having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printheads,(ii) a first actuating mechanism arranged to effect relative movement of the printheads from a printing first position to a spaced-apart second position and(iii) a second actuating mechanism arranged to interpose the capping member between the printheads to effect nozzle capping engagement of the two printheads when the printheads are in the second position.