Patent ID: 6412904
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An apertured nozzle guard for an ink jet printer printhead having an array of nozzles for ejecting colorant onto a substrate to be printed; wherein,the nozzle guard is adapted to be positioned on the printhead such that it extends over the exterior of the nozzles to inhibit damaging contact with the nozzles while permitting colorant ejected from the nozzles to pass through the apertures and onto the substrate to be printed; the nozzle guard including: an exterior surface that, when in use, faces the substrate; the exterior surface being configured for engagement with a wiper blade that periodically sweeps the surface to remove residual matter; wherein, the exterior surface has a recess individually associated with each of the apertures for preventing residual matter carried by the wiper blade from lodging with the aperture.