Patent ID: 9566798
Date: 2017-02-14
CPC Classifications: B41J

Claim:
1. An inkjet printhead assembly including a repositionable shutter, comprising: an array of nozzles extending in a cross-track direction for printing on a print medium traveling along a media path from upstream to downstream; a slot through which drops of ink ejected from the array of nozzles pass before they impinge on the print medium, wherein the slot has first and second side walls; an ink catcher positioned on one side of the slot for catching non-printing drops of ink ejected from the array of nozzles, the ink catcher including an ink channel for drawing ink away from the slot; a shutter mechanism including: an actuator configured to apply a force to the lever arm, thereby pivoting the repositionable shutter about the pivot axis between a first pivot position and a second pivot position; wherein when the repositionable shutter is pivoted into the first pivot position the shutter blade blocks drops of ink from passing through the slot and diverts the ink into the ink catcher, and when the repositionable shutter is pivoted into the second pivot position the shutter blade is moved away from the slot so that drops of ink can pass through the slot.