Printers and duplexers for printers

Printers and duplexers are described herein. An example duplexer for a printer includes a waste ink roller movable between a concealed region and a receiving region.

BACKGROUND

Some printers are only capable of simplex i.e., one-sided) printing on a print substrate. On the other hand, some printers are capable of duplex (i.e., two-sided) printing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Duplexers may be placed into and removed from printers. For example, duplexers may be periodically removed from the printer to access and clear a paper jam in a print substrate path, provide service to the duplexer, and the like. The duplexer may include a waste ink roller to receive waste ink thereon. That is, a printer may include a print head to periodically spit waste ink therefrom to refresh nozzles thereof. At times, during removal of the duplexer from the printer, a user may unintentionally contact the waste ink, for example, from the duplexer such as on the waste ink roller. Such unintentional contact may result in an undesirable transfer of waste ink from the waste ink roller to the user.

In examples, a duplexer may include a cover, a housing, and a waste ink roller. The housing may be coupled to the cover. The housing may include a chamber disposed therein having a concealed region and a receiving region. The receiving region may be adjacent to the concealed region such that the concealed region may be disposed below and adjacent to the cover. The waste ink roller may be movable between the concealed region and the receiving region. The waste ink roller may selectively receive the waste ink from a print head of the printer. Accordingly, the waste ink roller may be placed in a receiving region to receive waste ink in the installed position and in a concealed region to shield a user from waste ink on the waste ink roller in the uninstalled position. Thus, an amount of waste ink transferred from the waste ink roller to the user may be reduced.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of an example duplexer100for a printer. The example duplexer100includes a chamber102and defines a print substrate path104. The illustrated print substrate path104includes a duplex path106and an output path108. The example duplexer100may guide a print substrate along the substrate path104to the duplex path106and/or to the output path108. Alternatively, in some examples, a portion of the duplex path106may include an output path. The chamber102functions as a spittoon to collect and/or store fluids within the duplexer100. Example fluids that may be collected in the chamber102include shipping fluids, waste ink from print cleaning processes, and/or other fluids associated with printers. As used herein, a shipping fluid refers to any fluid used to maintain a printer component in operable condition while printer component moves through shipping or transit channels. For example, print heads (e.g., print bar heads, scanning inkjet heads) may be filled with a shipping fluid to prevent the print heads and/or nozzles from drying and/or clogging.

The duplexer100of the illustrated example may be installed and/or removed from a printer to, for example, facilitate the clearing of paper jams that may occur during printing. In some examples, a user of the printer may easily remove the duplexer100to obtain access to a blocked substrate path. Because the chamber102is internal to the duplexer100, there is no need to remove a separate spittoon to address such paper jams.

FIG. 2is a block diagram of an example image forming apparatus200(e.g., a printer) including the duplexer100with the integrated chamber or spittoon102. The example printer200ofFIG. 2receives a print substrate206from a print substrate supply208and generates an image on one or both sides of the print substrate206using a print bar210. To generate the image(s) on the print substrate206, the print bar210ejects ink onto a side of the print substrate206facing the print bar210according to a print pattern as the print substrate206travels along a substrate path212. A printed image, as used herein, refers to any graphic(s), alphanumeric character(s), glyph(s), and/or any other pattern(s) or mark(s) that may be formed by applying ink to a substrate.

In simplex or one-sided printing, the print substrate206exits the printer200via an output substrate path214after the print bar210generates the image on the first side of the print substrate206. The second side of the substrate206is not printed in this process. On the other hand, in duplex or two-sided printing, the duplexer100causes the print substrate206to follow a duplex substrate path106. In particular, after a first pass along the substrate path212and print bar210, the duplexer100diverts the print substrate206from the substrate path212as in simplex printing. However, at a location216along the substrate path212, the duplexer100reverses the direction of the print substrate206to direct the print substrate206to the duplex substrate path106instead of the output substrate path214. Alternatively, in some examples, a portion of the duplexer substrate path106may include an output path. The example duplexer100illustrated inFIG. 2uses a passive diverter. However, an active diverter may be used to direct the print substrate206to the duplex substrate path106and/or to the output substrate path214.

By diverting the print substrate206to the duplex substrate path106, the duplexer100flips the print substrate206to cause the second side of the print substrate206to face the print bar210during a second pass along the substrate path212. After flipping, the duplexer100directs the flipped print substrate206along the duplex substrate path106(e.g., around the duplexer100) and back onto the substrate path212for the print bar210to generate an image on the second side of the print substrate206. After performing duplex printing, the duplexer202then permits the print substrate206to exit the print stage the output substrate path214.

As in other image forming apparatus, the example printer200ofFIG. 2periodically or aperiodically performs one or more cleaning operations on the print bar210to maintain subjective print quality and/or increase the useful life of the print bar210. One such cleaning operation is spitting, in which the print bar ejects excess ink to reapply moisture to ink nozzles and prevent and/or clear clogged nozzles. This waste ink is collected into the chamber102.

FIG. 3is a schematic diagram of an example duplexer300having an integrated waste substance chamber302. The example duplexer300may be used to implement the duplexer100ofFIGS. 1 and 2. The example duplexer300ofFIG. 3includes a housing304defining a duplex printing path306. A print substrate (e.g., the print substrate206ofFIG. 2) travels along the duplex printing path306to enable printing on a second side of the print substrate as explained above in connection withFIG. 2. A platen308guides the print substrate adjacent the print bar210.

The waste substance chamber302is integrated within and defined by the housing304and/or one or more walls or partitions internal to the housing304. The example waste substance chamber302ofFIG. 3includes an absorber310to absorb shipping fluid and/or waste ink. The absorber310may be constructed using absorbent foam or any other desired absorbent material. While the absorber310illustrated inFIGS. 3-5is constructed using a rectangular foam pad, the absorber310may be any other shape and/or size. In the illustrated example, the absorber310may be removed from the waste substance chamber302. Removing the absorber310facilitates refreshing the duplexer300by enabling replacement of the absorber310and, thus, a re-use of the duplexer300.

The example duplexer300ofFIG. 3further includes a waste ink roller312to collect waste ink ejected from the print bar210. The waste ink roller312of the illustrated example is provided with a scraper314to remove ink from the waste ink roller312by scraping the waste ink roller312as it rotates (e.g., clockwise in the view ofFIG. 3). By scraping the waste ink roller312, the scraper314reduces and/or prevents substantial build-up of waste ink on the roller312. In the absence of such scraping, waste build up can potentially interfere with print quality. The example waste ink roller312may be rotated by, for example, an actuator such as a motor. The scraper314causes the waste ink to drop from the waste ink roller312into the waste substance chamber302and/or onto the absorber310.

During cleaning operations, the example print bar210of the illustrated example generates ink aerosol in addition to waste ink droplets. Ink aerosol may be undesirable, as it can interfere with the operation of the print bar210and/or contaminate other areas of a printer. To reduce an amount of ink aerosol escaping to other areas of the printer, the duplexer300of the illustrated example further includes an aerosol collection chamber316. In some examples, the aerosol collection chamber316may be an aerosol passageway for air and aerosol to travel, for example, towards an aerosol filter. In the illustrated example, a permeable wall318defines the example waste substance chamber302and separates the waste substance chamber302from the aerosol collection chamber316. In some examples, the wall318has holes to permit gas (e.g., aerosol) flow between the waste substance chamber302and the aerosol collection chamber316. As illustrated inFIG. 4below, the aerosol collection chamber316of the illustrated example includes an output port to be coupled to an aerosol filter. In some examples, the aerosol filter includes a vacuum to pull air and aerosol particles suspended in the air from the waste substance chamber302to the aerosol filter through the permeable wall318and the aerosol collection chamber316.

In addition to the aerosol collection chamber316, the example duplexer300ofFIG. 3includes bulb seals320and322. The bulb seals320and322of the illustrated example deform to seal between the platen308and a spit roller sled324to reduce or prevent the ink aerosol from escaping and contaminating other portions of a printer200. The spit roller sled324of the illustrated example supports the roller312, the scraper314, and the bulb seals320and322. The spit roller sled324ofFIG. 3is movable relative to the housing304. Specifically, when the duplexer300is correctly installed in the printer200, the spit roller sled324moves upward along a track325in the housing304to engage the platen308. When the duplexer300is removed from the printer200, the spit roller sled324retracts along the track325into the waste substance chamber302as illustrated inFIG. 4and described in more detail below. In some examples, the track325may include one of a variety of paths to move the split roller sled324between its respective intended locations.

During cleaning operations, the print bar210ejects waste ink onto the waste ink roller312. The waste ink roller312rotates to release the waste ink into the waste substance chamber302. The scraper314scrapes waste ink from the waste ink roller312as the waste ink roller rotates.

The example duplexer300ofFIG. 3is installed in the printer200in such a position as to define a duplex printing path306(e.g., the duplex printing path106ofFIG. 2) in combination with several print substrate rollers326a,326b,326c,326d,326e. In general, the print substrate rollers326a-326eare constructed with relatively high-friction surfaces which, when brought into contact with a print substrate, generate sufficient translational force to advance the print substrate along a desired path. The print substrate path212ofFIG. 2is defined by the platen308.

As the print substrate is directed along the print substrate path212, the print bar210forms an image by applying ink to a first side of the print substrate. The print substrate travels further along the platen308to a guide ramp328which, in combination with a diverter329of the duplexer300, directs the print substrate upward toward the print substrate roller326a. The print substrate roller326ais a bi-directional roller and may turn in either direction. In the view ofFIG. 3, the print substrate roller326aturns clockwise (as illustrated inFIG. 3) to advance the print substrate toward an output path214. If the print substrate is to have an image printed on the second side, the print substrate roller326areverses its direction of rotation to counter-clockwise such that after the print substrate passes the diverter329, the print substrate is directed through the duplex path306adjacent a rear side of the diverter329. The rollers326b-326dcontact the print substrate and advance the print substrate along the duplex path306. The rollers are assisted in guiding the substrate adjacent the duplexer300by a substrate guide332in the example ofFIG. 3. The example substrate guide332may be attached to the duplexer300or may be a separate structure in the printer. The example duplexer300ofFIG. 3also includes several star wheels334to guide the print substrate while reducing physical contact with the printed image.

As the print substrate traverses the duplex path306, the print substrate roller326eand/or another print substrate guide attached to the printer (not shown) directs the print substrate onto the platen308(e.g., back onto the substrate path212) with the second side facing the print bar210. Thus, the print bar210may form an image on the second side of the print substrate. After the print bar forms the image, the guide ramp328of the platen308again directs the print substrate toward the roller326a. Since, in this example, both sides of the print substrate have been printed, the roller326arotates clockwise to direct the print substrate toward the output print substrate path214. The print substrate continues along the output path214to an output tray and/or to further printing processes.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the example housing304may include a removable cover336to facilitate removal of the spit roller sled324and/or access to the waste substance chamber302and/or the absorber310. In some other examples, however, the cover336is not removable and is instead a part of the housing304. The cover336contains ink aerosol in combination with the bulb seals320and322to reduce and/or prevent contamination of other portions of the printer200.

FIG. 4is another schematic diagram of the example duplexer300ofFIG. 3but showing the duplexer300when uninstalled from a printer. As illustrated inFIG. 4, when the duplexer300is uninstalled, the spit roller sled324is retracted into the waste substance chamber302to protect the waste ink roller312from damage. The duplexer300may be removed to, for example, facilitate the removal of a paper jam from the printer and/or to refresh the duplexer300as explained below. Because the waste substance chamber302is located within the duplexer300, the waste substance chamber302is removed with the duplexer300and does not require separate action to remove the waste substance chamber320to access the paper path. As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, a thumb hole502may be provided in the duplexer300to facilitate removal of the duplexer300.

The example spit roller sled324, which supports the waste ink roller312, the scraper314, and the bulb seals320and322, is coupled to the housing304in the track325. The track325is oriented at an angle to translate horizontal movement (in the views ofFIGS. 3 and 4) of the spit roller sled324into elevation of the sled324. Thus, when the duplexer300is installed into the printer in a lateral installation direction402, the spit roller sled324may contact a structure (e.g., a cover stop) on the printer that forces the spit roller sled324along the track325to the installed position illustrated inFIG. 3. Conversely, when the duplexer300is uninstalled from the printer, the spit roller sled324is allowed to travel along the track325to the uninstalled position illustrated inFIG. 4. To move the spit roller sled324to the retracted position ofFIG. 4, the duplexer300may be provided with springs to urge the sled324to the retracted position.

While the example duplexer300ofFIGS. 3 and 4includes a retractable spit roller sled324, the spit roller sled324may be stationary and/or may retract, rotate, lift, etc., in another direction and/or via another mechanism. The example retractable spit roller sled324ofFIGS. 3 and 4is to advantageously protect the waste ink roller312from damage when the duplexer300is uninstalled and facilitate installation and removal of the duplexer300to/from the printer. The illustrated spit roller sled324also provides access to the waste substance chamber302, including the absorber310, by retracting in a direction such that the absorber310is exposed and may be grasped for removal from the chamber302. Alternatively, the absorber310may be replaced when a newly installed duplexer having a new absorber is provided.

In some examples, the spit roller sled324may be removed from the duplexer300to access the chamber302and/or the absorber310. For example, when the duplexer300is in an uninstalled position (as illustrated inFIG. 4), one end of the sled324may be lifted through the illustrated opening404in the housing304. When the end of the spit roller sled324is removed, the remainder of the spit roller sled324may be lifted from the housing304via the opening404because the sled324ofFIGS. 3-6is not attached to (e.g., may be separated from) the track325. For example, the removable cover336may be removed to allow the spit roller sled324to be removed from the chamber302. After removing the spit roller sled324, the absorber310may be removed from the chamber302via the opening404in the housing304. In some examples, the spit roller sled324may retract such that the absorber310may be accessed and removed via the opening404without removing the spit roller sled324. Additionally or alternatively, the removable cover336may be removed from the housing304to enlarge the opening404through which the spit roller sled324may be removed.

FIG. 5is a perspective view of the example duplexer300ofFIG. 3. The duplexer300is shown in an installed position inFIG. 5. In particular, the waste substance chamber302, the housing304, the absorber310, the waste ink roller312, the aerosol collection chamber316, the wall318, the bulb seals320and322, the spit roller sled324, the diverter329, and the substrate guide332are illustrated in more detail inFIG. 5.

An example thumb hole502is shown inFIG. 5. The thumb hole502may be used by a user of the printer to grip the duplexer300for installation and/or removal of the duplexer300into and/or from the printer. The example print substrate roller326bis not illustrated inFIG. 5. However, a roller support504to support the print substrate roller326bis shown inFIG. 5. The example duplexer300includes another roller support that is not illustrated inFIG. 5to avoid obscuring other parts of the duplexer300.

As shown inFIG. 5, the example waste substance roller312includes an outer shell and several spokes connecting the shell to the axis. The roller312as illustrated inFIG. 5has the advantage of being relatively lightweight and low-cost while being resistant to deformation. However, any other structural implementation may be used for the waste substance roller312.

FIG. 6is another perspective view of the example duplexer300ofFIG. 3. The example duplexer300is illustrated in an installed position inFIG. 6. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the example duplexer300includes an aerosol filter port602. The aerosol filter port602may be coupled to an aerosol filter and a vacuum source, which draws air including waste ink aerosol from the waste substance chamber302via the permeable wall318and the aerosol collection chamber316.

FIG. 7is a flowchart illustrating an example method700to refresh a duplexer. While an example method700of refreshing a duplexer is illustrated inFIG. 7, one or more of the blocks illustrated inFIG. 7may be added, combined, divided, re-arranged, omitted, eliminated and/or implemented in any other way. The example method700may be performed on a duplexer including a chamber (e.g., any of the duplexers ofFIG. 1-6) by, for example, a manufacturer, a refurbisher, a repairer, a user and/or any other person or entity (any of which may be referred to as a “refresher”) to extend the operating life of the duplexer.

The example method700begins when the refresher receives a duplexer (e.g., the duplexer300ofFIG. 3) containing a waste substance (block702). An example refresher may be a refurbisher who receives spent duplexers, removes waste from the same, and resells the refurbished duplexers. Thus, receiving the duplexer300may include, for example, receiving the duplexer300from a remote location and/or removing the duplexer300from a printer. The waste substance, such as waste ink, shipping fluid, and/or other waste substances generated by a printer, may be contained in the example waste substance chamber302and/or in the absorber310ofFIG. 3. The refresher removes the absorber310and/or the waste ink roller312from the duplexer300(block704). In some examples, the waste ink roller312and/or the removable cover336are removed to enable access to the absorber310. In some other examples, however, the waste ink roller312, the spit roller sled324, and/or the removable cover336permit sufficient access (e.g., by retracting as shown inFIG. 4) to the absorber310and the waste substance chamber302to permit access to the absorber310when the duplexer300is uninstalled from the printer.

The refresher may also remove loose (e.g., unabsorbed) waste substances from the waste substance chamber302(block706). For example, any waste ink or other substances not stored in the absorber310may be poured, wiped, and/or otherwise removed from the waste substance chamber302. The refresher may then remove dried waste ink from the waste substance chamber302and/or the aerosol collection chamber316(block708).

The refresher then replaces the absorber310and/or the waste ink roller312, and/or may insert a new absorber310and/or a new waste ink roller312(block710). For example, the refresher may insert a new absorber and/or partially or completely empty the absorber310and the waste ink roller312of waste substances and replace the emptied absorber310in the chamber302. If the refresher did not remove the waste ink roller312(e.g., when performing block704), the refresher does not replace or insert a new waste ink roller312. The removable cover336may also be replaced (e.g., if the cover336was removed to access the absorber310and/or the chamber302). The refresher then prepares the duplexer300for sale, for return to a customer, and/or for reinstallation in a printer (block712). In some examples, the refresher may reinstall the duplexer300in a printer. In some other examples, the refresher may package a duplexer300for shipment and/or sale to a user of the printer to install the refreshed duplexer300in a printer. The example method700may then end or return to block702to refresh another duplexer.

FIG. 8is a block diagram of an example duplexer in accordance with the teachings herein. The duplexer800may be usable with a printer. Referring toFIG. 8, in some examples, the duplexer800may include a cover836, a housing804, and a waste ink roller812as previously discussed. The housing804may be coupled to the cover836. The housing804may include a chamber802disposed therein having a concealed region802aand a receiving region802b. The receiving region802bmay be adjacent to the concealed region802asuch that the concealed region802amay be disposed below and adjacent to the cover836. The waste ink roller812may be movable between the concealed region802aand the receiving region802b. The waste ink roller may812selectively receive the waste ink from a print head of the printer.

FIGS. 9A and 9Bare cross-sectional views of the example duplexer ofFIG. 8in accordance with the teachings herein and shown in an uninstalled position and an installed position, respectively.FIGS. 10A and 10Bare perspective views of the example duplexer ofFIG. 8in accordance with the teachings herein and shown in an uninstalled position and an installed position, respectively. For sake of illustration of the duplexer900, a printer is not illustrated inFIG. 10B. Referring toFIGS. 9A-10B, in some examples, the duplexer900may include the housing804, the cover836, and the waste ink roller812as previously discussed, for example, with respect to the duplexer800ofFIG. 8. The housing804may include an upper portion804a, a lower portion804c, an intermediate portion804b, and a chamber802. The intermediate portion804bmay be disposed between the upper portion804aand the lower portion804c.

The chamber802may include a concealed region802a, a receiving region802b, and an aerosol collection chamber916. The receiving region802bmay be adjacent to the concealed region802asuch that the concealed region802amay be disposed below and adjacent to the cover836. The aerosol collection chamber916may be disposed adjacent to the receiving region802b. That is, a permeable wall918may be disposed between the aerosol collection chamber916and the receiving region802bto allow gas flow including aerosol to pass from the receiving region802bto the aerosol collection chamber916. In some examples, the aerosol collection chamber916may include an output port1012to be coupled to an aerosol filter including a vacuum to pull air and aerosol particles suspended in the air from the chamber802to the aerosol filter through the permeable wall918and the aerosol collection chamber916. For example, the aerosol collection chamber916may be an aerosol passageway for air and aerosol to pass there through.

Referring toFIGS. 9A-10B, in some examples, the cover836may include a first end coupled936ato the housing804and a second end936b. In some examples, the cover836may be removable from the housing804to provide access to the chamber802. Alternatively, in some examples, the cover836may not be removable and be a part of the housing804. The waste ink roller812may selectively receive the waste ink from a print head910of the printer. The waste ink roller812may be movable between the concealed region802aand the receiving region.802bFor example, the waste ink roller812may move to the concealed region802asuch that a portion of the waste ink roller812is disposed therein in response to placement of the duplexer900in an uninstalled position with respect to the printer (FIGS. 9A and 10A). Additionally, the waste ink roller812may move to the receiving region802bto receive the waste ink from the print head910such that a portion of the waste ink roller812is disposed therein in response to placement of the duplexer900in an installed position with respect to the printer (FIGS. 9B and 10B).

Referring toFIGS. 9A-10B, in some examples, the duplexer900may also include a sled824, a spring930, tracks1002, a scraper914, an opening924, an absorber910, and a print substrate path904. The sled824may be coupled to the waste ink roller812. The sled824may move the waste ink roller812between the concealed region802aand the receiving region802b. For example, the sled824may be coupled to one end of a spring930and include a stopper portion924a. Another end of the spring930may be coupled to the housing804to move the waste ink roller812coupled to the sled824to the concealed region802asuch that a portion of the waste ink roller812is disposed therein in response to placement of the duplexer800in an uninstalled position with respect to the printer as illustrated inFIG. 9A. For example, a user may pull the duplexer900in a lateral uninstallation direction933to remove it from the printer. In some examples, the sled824may move the waste ink roller812to the concealed region802asuch that at least fifty percent of an exterior surface area of the waste ink roller812is disposed therein. The tracks1002(FIG. 10A), for example, may be disposed on the housing804and receive each end of the waste ink roller812to guide it when moved between the receiving region802band the concealed region802a.

Additionally, as illustrated inFIG. 9B, the stopper portion924aof the sled824may contact a stop surface908aof the printer such as a portion of the platen908to move the waste ink roller812to the receiving region802bto receive the waste ink from the print head910such that a portion of the waste ink roller812is disposed therein in response to placement of the duplexer800in an installed position with respect to the printer. That is, in the installed position, the engagement between the stopper portion924aand the stop surface908alimits the spring930from moving the waste ink roller812coupled to the sled824to the concealed region802a. For example, a user may push the duplexer800in a lateral installation direction932to install it in the printer.

Referring toFIGS. 9A and 9B, the scraper914may include a first end914acoupled to the sled824and a second end914bin contact with the waste ink roller812. The scraper914may remove the waste ink from the waste ink roller812. The opening924may be disposed between the second end936bof the cover836and the housing804. The opening924may be disposed substantially parallel to a lower portion804cof the housing804. In some examples, at least a portion of the waste ink roller812extends above the opening924in the receiving region802bto receive the waste ink from the print head910. The absorber910may be located in the chamber802and store at least one of the waste ink and a storage fluid. In some examples, the print substrate path904may guide a print substrate as previously discussed with respect toFIGS. 1-7. For example, the print substrate may be guided for simplex printing and duplex printing.

FIG. 11is a block diagram of an example printer in accordance with the teachings herein. Referring toFIG. 11, in some examples, a printer1100may include a frame950, a platen908, a print head910, and a duplexer900. In some examples, the duplexer900may include the housing804, the cover836, the waste ink roller812, and the sled824as previously described with respect to the duplexer800and900ofFIGS. 8-10B. The platen908may receive a print substrate. The print head910may form an image on a print substrate disposed on the platen908and eject waste ink. In some examples, the print head910may include a print bar, and the like. The duplexer800may be placed in an installed position and uninstalled position with respect to the frame950. The duplexer800may include a cover836, a housing804, a waste ink roller812, and a sled824as previously discussed with respect toFIGS. 8-10B.

Referring toFIG. 11, in some examples, the housing804may be coupled to the cover836. The housing804may include a chamber802disposed therein having a concealed region802aand a receiving region802badjacent to the concealed region802asuch that the concealed region802ais disposed below and adjacent to the cover836. The waste ink roller812may selectively receive the waste ink from the print head910. The sled824may be coupled to the waste ink roller812to move the waste ink roller812between the concealed region802aand the receiving region802b. The sled824may be movable with respect to the housing804. For example, the sled824may move the waste ink roller812to the concealed region802asuch that a portion of the waste ink roller812is disposed therein in response to placement of the duplexer900in the uninstalled position. Additionally, the sled824may move the waste ink roller812to the receiving region802bsuch that a portion of the waste ink roller812is disposed therein in response to placement of the duplexer900in the installed position.

FIG. 12is a flowchart illustrating an example method of uninstalling a duplexer from a printer in accordance with the teachings herein. In block S1210, a housing including a chamber having a concealed region and a receiving region adjacent to the concealed region of the duplexer is removed from the printer by a user to place the duplexer in an uninstalled position with respect to the printer. In block S1212, a waste ink roller is automatically moved from the receiving region to the concealed region disposed below and adjacent to a cover coupled to the housing in response to the removing of the housing from the printer. For example, the waste ink roller may be automatically moved to the concealed region such that at least a portion of the waste ink roller is disposed therein. Additionally, a sled coupled to the waste ink roller may move to move the waste ink roller to the concealed region such that at least fifty percent of an exterior surface area of the waste ink roller is disposed therein. In block S1214, the user is shielded from contacting the waste ink roller during the removing of the housing from the printer. In some examples, the user may be shielded when at least fifty percent of an exterior surface area of the waste ink roller is disposed in the concealed region.

It is to be understood that the flowcharts ofFIGS. 7 and 12illustrate architecture, functionality, and/or operation of examples of the present disclosure. If embodied in software, each block may represent a module, segment, or portion of code that includes one or more executable instructions to implement the specified logical function(s). If embodied in hardware, each block may represent a circuit or a number of interconnected circuits to implement the specified logical function(s). Although the flowcharts ofFIGS. 7 and 12illustrate a specific order of execution, the order of execution may differ from that which is depicted. For example, the order of execution of two or more blocks may be rearranged relative to the order illustrated. Also, two or more blocks illustrated in succession inFIGS. 7 and 12may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence. All such variations are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Although certain methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. To the contrary, the scope of coverage includes all methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture falling within the scope of the appended claims.