US Patent 7357476 Capping/purging system for inkjet printhead assembly

A capping/purging mechanism is disclosed for a pagewidth printhead assembly having a pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media which is transported past the printhead. The capping/purging mechanism comprises-i) a capping member having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead, ii) means arranged to move the capping member and/or the printhead to a position at which the capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the printhead, and iii) a purging chamber arranged to receive material that is purged from the printhead. The capping mechanism is also disclosed in relation to a printhead assembly having two pagewidth printheads, and further disclosures are mede in respect of an inkjet printer incorporating the capping mechanism and a method of capping a pagewidth printhead.