Patent ID: 7847972

Claim:
A paper transport mechanism for a pagewidth printer, said mechanism comprising: an electric motor; a sheet feed roller, a paper drive roller and pinch wheels operatively actuated by the motor to feed paper through a media path defined through the printer; an ink cartridge with integral printhead arranged in the media path; and a capping mechanism configured to cap the printhead, wherein the motor is configured to drive the paper drive roller and the pinch wheels at a start and an end of the media path when running in an operatively forward direction, and to drive the sheet feed roller when running in an operatively reversed direction, such that the sheet feed roller engages a topmost sheet from a sheet feeder of the printer and transports said sheet to the paper drive roller, wherein the capping mechanism includes a pivoting capping molding with an elastomeric seal and sponge configured so that when the printhead is not in use, the capping molding is held by a spring against a face of the printhead with the elastomeric seal conforming to the face to create an airtight seal around the printhead.