EP2300236A2

EP2300236A2 - Closure device, print head, printing system, method for closing a print head, and use of the closure device

Info

Publication number: EP2300236A2
Application number: EP09733040A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Werner SCHÄFFER
Original assignee: APS Alternative Printing Services GmbH
Current assignee: APS Alternative Printing Services GmbH
Priority date: 2008-04-18
Filing date: 2009-04-14
Publication date: 2011-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 2029-04-14
Also published as: WO2009127194A3; ATE552115T1; DE102008019715A1; EP2300236B1; WO2009127194A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method, a use, a printing system, a print head, and a closure device (2) for the sealed closing of ink outlet openings (TA) of a ready-to-use print head (1), particularly an ink jet print head provided with ink outlet nozzles, comprising at least one sealing element (9) for sealing at least one ink outlet opening (TA), wherein the closure device (2) has print head fastening means (7) for the stationary fastening of the closure device (2) at an equal distance from the print head (1).

Description

Closure device, printhead, printing device, method for closing a printhead and use of the closure device

description

The invention relates to a closure device for sealingly closing ink outlet openings of a ready-to-use print head according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a print head with ink outlet openings according to the preamble of claim 12. The invention also relates to a printing system for printing on workpieces according to the preamble of the claim 16. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for closing at least one ink outlet opening of a printhead according to the preamble of claim 19. Last but not least, the invention relates to the use of a closure device according to claim 21.

Generally known from the prior art printing units, printheads and closure devices for printheads, in which the closure device is detachably connectable to the print head. To close the printhead, the ready printhead is moved from a print position to a service or rest position. There, the printhead is cleaned and / or rinsed free before further operation.

From EP 0 970 760 A2 a closure device for an ink cartridge is known, wherein the closure device is detachably arranged on the ink cartridge. The closure device in this case closes a refill opening of the ink cartridge.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple closure device in which a simple sealing of the print head for preventing drying of printing ink is realized. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a printhead and a printing machine with a correspondingly simpler Established closure device to create. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of more easily closing a printhead to prevent drying of the printhead or its printing ink.

These objects are based on a closure device according to claim 1, a print head according to claim 12, a printing system according to claim 16, a method according to claim 19 and the use of the closure device according to claim 21. Advantageous developments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

The invention includes the technical teaching that is provided in a closure device for sealingly closing ink outlet openings of an operable printhead, in particular an ink jet printhead provided with ink ejection nozzles, with at least one sealing sealing element for sealing at least one ink outlet opening, that the closure device printhead attachment means for stationary fastening of the closure device, in particular equidistant, to the printhead. The printhead includes ejection elements for ejecting a printing medium, such as printing ink. The printing ink is fed to the print head via a cartridge or cartridge. The cartridge may be integrally formed with the printhead or separately therefrom. For example, the printhead may include the cartridge and a cartridge mount. The printhead may be an integral part of the cartridge, that is, integrally formed with the cartridge, or may be embodied as a separate part connected to the cartridge via respective feeders for transporting print media from the cartridge to the printhead. The cartridge may be releasably connectable to the printhead. To print on a workpiece, the print head must be in a ready-to-use position. That is, the print head is located in close proximity to the workpiece to be printed. The printhead can be movable or fixed. The workpiece can be movably guided past the print head or can be arranged stationarily relative to the print head. The printhead is particularly designed for ink printing, that is, it comprises ink cartridges. Accordingly, the print head has ink outlet openings from which ink can be conveyed out as a print medium on the workpiece to be printed.

The closure device has at least one sealing sealing element for sealing off at least one ink outlet opening. In particular, the sealing element is designed so that all ink outlet openings are sealingly closed. For this purpose, a single sealing element is preferably provided. To seal the operational printhead, which is the printhead in the print position, the shutter has at least one printhead attachment means. The printhead attachment means is designed in particular for the stationary fastening of the closure device to the printhead. In particular, the print head attachment means is designed so that an equidistant attachment of the closure device to the print head can be realized. The sealing of the print head can be done so advantageous in the print position of the print head without this in a different position, for example, a maintenance or rest position, must be moved.

The closure device can be attached to a print head. In this case, the closure device is attached to the region of the print head, which faces the workpiece to be printed. Accordingly, the closure device has a low overall height. A part of the closure device, in particular the sealing element, protrudes in the direction of an ink ejection via the print head in the direction of the workpiece to be printed. The protruding part of the shutter device has such a dimension as to fit in the area between the workpiece to be printed and the ink exit port. In particular, the protruding part toward ink ejection has a dimension ranging from> 0 mm and <= 20 mm, preferably> 0 mm and <= 15 mm, more preferably in the range> 0 mm and <= 10 mm and at the most preferably in the range> 0 mm and <= 7 mm, wherein the dimension is preferably <= 6 mm. The print head preferably comprises an ink cartridge detachably arranged in a holder, the ink outlet openings and the ejection elements being formed on the ink cartridge.

In an embodiment according to the invention, it is provided that the print head attachment means are designed for direct attachment to the print head. If the printhead is integrally formed with the cartridge or cartridge, then the closure device can be attached directly to the cartridge via the printhead attachment means. If the cartridge is formed separately from the printhead, the shutter can be attached directly to the printhead or cartridge via the printhead attachment means. The printhead attachment means are adapted to be attached directly, that is without further equipment, to a portion of the printhead, such as the cartridge, the ink discharge elements, the support, and the like.

In an alternative embodiment, it is provided that the print head attachment means are formed for indirect attachment to the print head. Here, the attachment via an aid, for example, an additional holder.

A further embodiment of the closure device according to the invention provides that the closure device has a mechanism for moving the sealing element in order to move the sealing element into an ink outlet opening-closing closed position and an ink outlet opening-releasing opening position. About the closure device, which is fixedly connected to the print head, the sealing element is also connected to the print head. In order to enable a release and closing of the ink outlet openings, the sealing element is designed to be movable relative to the print head and / or at least to the fastening means of the closure device. The mechanism may be the sealing element move in a rotational, translatory or a combination thereof. The mechanism is preferably fixed relative to the printhead, preferably directly on the printhead. Preferably, all parts of the fastening device other than the mechanism and the sealing element are fixed, that is arranged substantially immovable relative to the print head.

In another embodiment, it is provided that the mechanism has a guide, in which the sealing element is movable, in particular displaceable and / or raisable, is arranged. The guide may comprise a groove-like path along which the sealing element is at least partially guided. Alternatively, the guide may be formed as a projection or the like. The guide may be linear, curved and the like. In particular, the guide may comprise several tracks.

A further advantageous embodiment of the closure device according to the invention provides that the sealing element is designed as a movement unit with an elastic sealing part for contacting a region having ink-discharge openings. Trained as a moving unit sealing element is preferably plate-shaped, for example, formed with a rectangular base. In this way, a small-sized construction can be realized. In particular, the sealing element can be so easily positioned between printing workpiece and printhead. The positioning unit is preferably designed as a sliding unit, which can be moved along the track. Alternatively, other designs with rolling elements can be imagined.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, it is contemplated that the mechanism includes an actuator to move the sealing member. The actuator may be, for example, a pneumatically or hydraulically operated actuator. Further, the actuator may be formed as an electric motor or the like. It can also be comprised of a plurality of actuators, wherein the actuators can also be designed differently. In another embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that a controller is provided to control the movement of the sealing member. The controller can control the actuator, which in turn drives the sealing element. The controller may be a timer which, after a certain time interval without printing, closes the printhead. Also, the controller may be an optical controller that detects when a workpiece to be printed can be printed in a local area in which it is printed. The control may also be acoustically, sensory, haptic, manual, or similar or as a combination of the foregoing.

In another exemplary embodiment of the closure device according to the invention, it is provided that the print head fastening means have a carrier plate which can be fastened with one of its plate sides indirectly and / or directly equidistantly to the print head. The support plate can thus be arranged in a simple manner on a likewise plate-shaped region of the print head. The carrier plate may have a recess, so that a print head of a cartridge at least partially protrude into the recess or may protrude beyond. In this way, the support plate may be formed as a kind of frame. With such a support plate, a small-sized closure device can be realized.

Yet another embodiment of the present closure device provides that the carrier plate is connected to the guide with another plate side. In this way, the support plate is sandwiched between the guide (and thus the seal member) and the print head. The guide may be at least partially integrated in the carrier plate. Further, the guide may be integrally formed with the guide plate. Alternatively, the guide can also be manufactured as a single part and connected to the guide plate in a subsequent step. The guide can guide the sealing element such that a movement along the plane of the support plate or in another direction can be done to it. Preferably, the Much of the movement in the plane of the support plate to realize a small-sized closure device. However, the guide can provide a guide in several directions, so that the sealing element, for example, liftable from the plane of the support plate, that is at least partially movable in the normal direction of the support plate, and then parallel to the plane of the support plate is movable. In addition to translational movements, the sealing element can also perform guided rotational movements. The rotation of the sealing element is preferably carried out in the plane of the support plate.

Yet another embodiment of the invention provides that the mechanism has latching means to lock the sealing element in the open position and / or the closed position. In order to ensure that the sealing element does not close the ink outlet openings during printing, latching devices can be provided which prevent an inadvertent movement of the sealing element. Likewise, locking elements may be provided which prevent the sealing element from accidentally loosening from a sealing position (closed position) and correspondingly causing unwanted drying of the printing ink.

The invention further includes the technical teaching that is provided in a print head with ink outlet openings that the print head has a closure device according to the invention. The printhead comprises, as stated above, ejection elements for ejecting a printing medium, such as printing ink. The printing ink is fed to the print head via a cartridge or cartridge. The cartridge may be integrally formed with the printhead or separately therefrom. For example, the printhead may include the cartridge and a cartridge mount. The printhead may be an integral part of the cartridge, that is, integrally formed with the cartridge, or may be embodied as a separate part connected to the cartridge via respective feeders for transporting print media from the cartridge to the printhead. The cartridge may be releasably connectable to the printhead. Accordingly, the closure device can be attached directly to the printhead of a cartridge or be attached to a holding a cartridge holder of the print head. The closure device is preferably fixedly attached to the print head and is not intended for frequent release. Accordingly, the closure device can be arranged in a form-fitting, non-positive or cohesive manner on the print head.

In a preferred embodiment of the print head according to the invention it is provided that the print head is at least partially integrated with a printer cartridge. In particular, the ejection elements are formed integrally with the printer cartridge. The print cartridge or cartridge is preferably accommodated in a holder of the print head, so that it is held exchangeable. The closure device can be attached directly to the printer cartridge or to the holder.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that the print head is formed separately from a printer cartridge. Here, the printer cartridge is formed substantially as a pressure medium reservoir, that is, the cartridge has no active ink ejection elements.

Yet another embodiment of the printhead provides that the printhead has control for controlling ink ejection. This control is advantageously coupled to the controller for controlling the movement of the sealing element of the closure device. The two controllers can also be integrally formed as a unit. In this way it is ensured that the ink ejection does not take place when the sealing element is positioned in the closed position. On the other hand, it is ensured that the sealing element is not moved into the closed position when an ink ejection takes place.

The invention also includes the technical teaching that in a printing system for printing on workpieces, comprising a transport path on which workpieces are transported, and a print head, which at one point along the Transport path is arranged so that relative to the print head transported workpieces are printed, it is provided that the print head is designed as a printhead according to the invention. The printhead, or a printer using the printhead, is constructed along a transport path on which workpieces are passed past the printhead for identification. Workpieces for the purposes of this invention are all products for industrial labeling including food, packaging, tablets, cables, components and components and the like. To identify the workpieces they each receive a print for identifying the respective workpiece and / or for marking with data including production date, batch number, expiration date, general and specific identification information, barcode and the like. For labeling, ink is used as the printing medium. It is important for the printing process that the ink dries quickly on the work piece so that the print does not blur. For this purpose, the use of printing inks having a high alcohol content in the weight percent range of> = 20% to <= 95%, preferably from> = 40% to <= 90%, more preferably from> = 55% to <= 75 % and most preferably from> = 60% to <= 70%, preferably thus for example about 70% shown to be particularly advantageous. But there are also water-based inks usable, that is, inks without alcohol content. In order to prevent these inks from drying during longer printing pauses, the closure device according to the invention is provided. This closes when appropriate pauses the ink outlet openings accordingly tight.

Another embodiment of the printing system provides that the distance between the print head and the workpiece in a range of <= 10 mm, preferably <= 7 mm, more preferably <= 5 mm and most preferably <= 4 mm. For precise printing small distances from the ink outlet opening to the workpiece to be printed are required. According to small construction, the closure device must be formed. In particular, the sealing element must be arranged between the ink outlet opening and the workpiece to be printed. In a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the sealing element is arranged between the workpiece and the print head, wherein the sealing element is actuated such that it closes ink outlet openings of the print head between two workpieces spaced apart from each other in time when a predefinable time has elapsed, preferably a period of time > = 0.1 seconds, more preferably> = 2.5 seconds, even more preferably> = 4.5 seconds, and most preferably> = 6.0 seconds. The shutter speed is in the range of less than one second, preferably in the range of a few tenths of a second or less. Due to the sometimes required fast response times, the print head does not have to be moved to a rest position. In order nevertheless to avoid drying of the printing ink, the closure device is arranged directly on the print head. Since ink is used as the printing medium, it must be effectively protected against drying out during printing breaks. Accordingly, the sealing element is driven such that after certain times this closes the ink outlet opening and moves into the closed position. Upon resumption of pressing, the sealing member moves back to an open position, which allows printing.

Also, the invention includes the technical teaching that in a method of closing at least one ink exit port of a printhead, comprising the steps of stopping ink ejection and closing the ink exit port with a seal member, sealing is performed directly on the printhead in a print position without moving the printhead from the print position to another position. In this way, a reaction time between non-printing and printing can be reduced. The closing takes place by means of a sealing element, so that a sealed closing of ink outlet openings is carried out. The method generally includes all the steps that can be implemented by the above-described devices, devices, means, and the like. In one embodiment of the invention, it is contemplated that the closure is performed between two time spaced ink ejections, with a time interval between two ink ejections> = 10 seconds, preferably> = 25 seconds, more preferably> = 45 seconds, still more> = 60 seconds most preferably> = 75 seconds. The time between two ink ejections may also be in the range of several minutes, several hours and several days and beyond. In this way, it is effectively prevented that ink dries out during printing breaks. In addition, the printhead is protected from damage.

Last but not least, the invention includes the technical teaching that a closure device according to the invention is used in the following applications: a print head, a printing system, a method for printing on workpieces, an ink jet printer for the home and / or office, an inkjet printer for the industrial sector , a pen plotter, an ink cartridge, and the like. The closure device is versatile applicable to all devices which print by means of ink workpieces or the like. Alternatively, the closure device can also be used on other heads with sensitive parts, such as sensors, in particular optical sensors, nozzles and the like.

Further measures improving the invention are specified in the dependent claims or will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, which is shown schematically in the figures. All of the claims, the description or the drawings resulting features and / or advantages, including constructive details, spatial arrangements and method steps may be essential to the invention, both in itself and in a variety of combinations.

The figures show: 1a shows a perspective view of a print head with a closure device, wherein the ink outlet openings are closed,

1b shows a perspective view of a print head with a closure device, wherein the ink outlet openings are not closed (opened),

FIG. 2a is a perspective view of FIG. 1 with parts hidden to more clearly identify other components; FIG.

Fig. 2b shows the perspective view of Figure 1, with parts hidden to more clearly recognize other components, wherein the ink outlet openings are not closed (opened).

3 shows the perspective view according to FIG. 2, with further parts being hidden in order to clearly recognize other components,

4 shows in perspective the carrier plate,

Fig. 5 shows in perspective the carriage.

Fig. 6 shows the view of Fig. Ib, with parts hidden to more clearly recognize other components.

Figures Ia and Ib show a perspective view of a print head 1 with a closure device 2. Figure Ia shows the closure device in the closed state, Figure Ib shows the closure device in the open state. The printhead 1 comprises a printer cartridge or printer cartridge 3, which in the present case is designed as an inkjet printer cartridge. On the print cartridge 3 are not shown here Ink ejection elements and corresponding ink outlet openings TA arranged or formed integrally formed.

The printhead 1 comprises a housing 5 which is closed by a cover 4. The housing accommodates the electronics for controlling the print cartridge 3. The side panels of the housing hold the printer cartridge 3 and the locking lever 6 supports the insertion of the printer cartridge 3. It holds the printer cartridge 3 in the inserted, ready-to-use position and releases it as desired accordingly.

The closure device 2 according to the invention is attached to the print head 1. The shutter 2 includes printhead attachment means 7, a seal member 9, and a moving mechanism for moving the seal member 9.

The printhead attachment means 7 serve to attach the closure device 2 to the printhead 1. In the present case, the printhead attachment means 7 comprise screwing means, of which only screwing openings 7a are shown. About the screw the closure device 2 can be screwed to the print head 1. Other printhead mounting means 7, in particular non-positive, positive and / or cohesive are also used. Also, the print head mounting means 7 comprises a support plate 8 in which the screw holes 7a are formed. The carrier plate 8 is designed to abut the printhead 1 and will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4.

The mechanism for moving the sealing element 9 comprises at least one actuator 13, which can transmit a force to the sealing element 9 via coupling members 14 in order to move it. In order to realize a defined movement of the sealing element 9, the mechanism further comprises at least one guide, along which the sealing element 9 can be guided. In the present case, a plurality of guides are formed, wherein one of the guides integrated in the support plate 8 is formed and according to more detailed in Referring to Fig. 4 will be described. Another guide is designed as Dichtungselementaufhahme 12. In the present case, this sealing element receptacle 12 is designed as a frame attached to the carrier plate 8, which limits the sealing element 9 laterally, both in a direction of travel of the sealing element 9 and in a plane transverse thereto. In addition, the sealing element 9 is bounded by the carrier plate 8 in a direction pointing at least partially in the normal direction. The coupling means 14, which in the present case are designed as two laterally spaced sliding levers, are coupled at one of their end regions to the actuator 13 and at the other end region to the sealing element 9. The coupling to the actuator 13 takes place via a shaft 15, on which a Equalizing piece 16 is attached, which in turn is coupled to the actuator 13. The coupling with the sealing element 9 via a plug connection, wherein the end portions of the coupling means 14 are inserted into correspondingly corresponding openings 17 of the sealing element 9. By an appropriate Kraftbzw. Motion transmission of the actuator 13, which is presently designed as a lifting / pulling magnet, but which may also consist of several actuators, for example a separate lifting magnet and a separate pull magnet, the sealing element 9 is correspondingly movable.

In the present case, the sealing element 9 is embodied as a multipart positioning unit and in the present case comprises a carriage 11 in which a sheet 10, preferably a stainless steel sheet, is received, preferably stationarily accommodated, in a correspondingly shaped receptacle, and an elastomer arranged on the sheet 10 (which is not visible here) is). The elastomer is used for damage-free, elastic pressing against the ink outlet openings (not shown here) of the print head 1, so that the ink outlet openings are sealingly closed.

Fig. Ib shows in perspective the print head 1 according to Figure Ia, wherein the ink outlet openings TA is opened. In the illustrated position of the closure device, the sealing element 9 is arranged in a position in which a passage of the sealing member 9 is arranged corresponding to the printer cartridge head. The sealing element 9 is in a lowered position, so that the printer cartridge head projects slightly beyond the metal sheet 10. Workpieces can be printed in this position.

Figures 2a and 2b show the perspective view with the print head 1 of Figure 1, with parts hidden to more clearly recognize other components. Hidden are the printer cartridge 3, the housing 5 with cover 4 and the locking lever 6, so that only the closure device 2 is shown without printhead 1. For like parts, like reference numerals are used in the figures. A detailed description of already described parts is omitted. The movement mechanism with two coupling means 14 can be clearly seen on the basis of FIGS. 2a and 2b. The coupling means 14 are connected to the print head via a hinge, wherein corresponding spacers 18 (only one of which is shown) are provided on the hinge between the housing 5 and the cover 4 and coupling means 14.

Figure 2a shows the closure device 2 in the closed state, Figure 2b shows the closure device 2 in the open state, wherein a hole 21a can be seen where the ink outlet openings TA of the printer cartridge 3 protrudes. The printer cartridge 3 with the ink outlet opening TA is not shown in this figure for clarity.

FIG. 3 shows the perspective view according to FIG. 2, with further parts being hidden in order to more clearly recognize other components. The further hidden parts are the sealing element 9, that is to say the sheet 10, the carriage 11 and the elastomer. By hiding these parts, a further guidance of the movement mechanism for the carriage 11 can be seen. The guides are presently formed as elevations 19, which lower from a raised state in a flush with the support plate 8 state. This will be in a process the carriage 11 at the same time causes a raising or lowering along a plane of the support plate 8, so that the sealing member 9 can be lowered onto the ink outlet openings TA and lifted accordingly. In addition, this ensures that the sealing element 10 is lowered in the "open" position and requires no space between the printer cartridge 3 and the product to be printed, as a result of which the print head 1 can be placed very close to the product to be printed.

The support plate 8 also has slots 20 through which the coupling means 14 project, so that the coupling means 14 are also guided along these slots 20.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the support plate 8. The support plate 8 has as a base 8a on a plate on which a peripheral frame 8b is formed, so that a recessed lying arranged interior is formed. The main body 8a has two slots 20 and three further through holes 21 and two lowered through holes 22, which act as screw holes 7a on. The central through hole 21 has a contour that is formed for a corresponding head of a printer cartridge 3, so that the printer cartridge head can protrude through the through hole 21. Further, the main body 8a in the present case has four elevations 19, which are formed flush from a surface of the main body 8a in the direction of travel of the sealing element 9 to a projection 19 or a projection. As a result, the sealing element 9 is lifted onto the ink outlet opening TA of the printer cartridge 3.

Fig. 5 shows in perspective the carriage 11. Fig. 5a shows here the carriage 11 alone without plate 10 and elastomer EM. Fig. 5b shows the carriage 11 with the elastomer EM. The elastomer EM is attached to the carriage 11 with the sheet 10. This is shown in Fig. 5c.

Fig. 6 shows the view of Fig. Ib, with parts hidden to more clearly recognize other components. Hidden are all parts of the printhead 1 except the Printer cartridge 3. Clearly here are the aligned positions of the print cartridge 3 and the seal member 9 can be seen. Preferably, the printer cartridge 3 is set in a state where the seal member 9 is disposed in the printing position as shown. In a closed position, the sealing element 9 passes over the elevations 19, so that the sealing element 9 is lifted and is moved over the printer cartridge head. By the elastomer EM, not shown here, which is located in an arranged next to the passage area of the sheet 10, a seal of the ink outlet openings TA is effected. Advantageously, the elastomer can be slightly wedge-shaped to realize a more suitable contact pressure for closing the ink outlet openings.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 printhead

2 closure device

3 printer cartridge

4 lids

5 housing

6 locking lever

7 (printhead) fastener

7a screw opening

8 support plate

9 sealing element

10 sheet metal

11 sleds

12 sealing element receptacle

13 actuator

14 coupling links

15 wave

16 compensation piece

17 opening

18 spacer

19 survey

20 slot

21 passage opening

21a hole

22 through hole

TA ink outlet opening

EM elastomer

Claims

claims

1. A closure device (2) for sealingly sealing ink outlet openings (TA) of an operable printhead (1), in particular an ink jet printhead provided with ink ejection nozzles, with at least one sealing sealing element (9) for sealing at least one ink outlet opening (TA), characterized in that the closure device (2) has printhead attachment means (7) for fixedly fixing the closure device (2) equidistant from the printhead (1).

2. Closure device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the print head fastening means (7) are designed for direct attachment to the print head (1).

3. Closure device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the print head attachment means (7) for indirect attachment to the print head (1) are formed.

4. Closure device (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the closure device (2) has a mechanism for moving the sealing element (9) to the sealing element (9) in an ink outlet opening (TA) closing closing position and to move an ink exit opening (TA) releasing opening position.

5. Closure device (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the mechanism comprises a guide, in which the sealing element (9) is arranged displaceably and / or liftable.

6. Closure device (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sealing element (9) is designed as a movement unit with an elastic sealing part for contacting an ink outlet openings (TA) having area.

7. Closure device (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the mechanism comprises an actuator (13) to move the sealing element (9).

8. Closure device (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a controller is provided to control the movement of the sealing element (9).

9. Closure device (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the print head fastening means (7) have a carrier plate (8) which is indirectly and / or directly equidistant with one of its plate sides to the print head (1). is fastened.

10. Closure device (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the carrier plate (8) is connected to another plate side with the guide.

11. Closure device (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the mechanism has latching means to lock the sealing element (9) in the open position and / or the closed position.

12. printhead (1) with Tintenaustrittsöffhungen (TA), characterized in that the print head (1) has a closure device (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 11.

13. Printhead (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the print head (1) is at least partially integrated with a printer cartridge (3).

14. Printhead (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the print head (1) is formed separately from a printer cartridge (3).

A printhead (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 13 to 14, characterized in that the printhead (1) has a control for controlling an ink ejection associated with the control for controlling the movement of the sealing member (9) of the shutter device (2). is coupled.

16. A printing system for printing on workpieces, comprising a transport path, on which workpieces are transported, and a print head (1), which is arranged at a position along the transport path, so that relative to the print head (1) transported workpieces can be printed, characterized in that the print head (1) is designed according to one of the preceding claims 13 to 16.

17. A printing installation according to claim 16, characterized in that the distance between the print head (1) and the workpiece in a range of <= 10 mm, preferably <= 7 mm, more preferably <= 5 mm and most preferably <= 4 mm is located.

18. A printing system according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the sealing element (9) between the workpiece and the printhead (1) is arranged, wherein the sealing element (9) is driven such that it between two temporally spaced from each passing by moving ink outlet openings (TA ) of the printhead (1) closes when a predeterminable period of time has elapsed, preferably a period of time> = 0.1 seconds, more preferably> = 2.5 seconds, even more preferably> = 4.5 seconds, and most preferably> = 6 , 0 seconds.

19. A method for closing at least one ink outlet opening (TA) of a print head (1), comprising the steps of

Stopping an ink ejection and

Closing the ink outlet opening (TA) with a sealing element (9), characterized in that the closure is performed directly on the printhead (1) in a printing position, without the printhead (1) must be moved from the printing position to another position.

A method according to claim 19, characterized in that the sealing is performed between two temporally spaced ink ejections, with a time interval between two ink ejections> = O ₁ I seconds, preferably> = 2.5 seconds, more preferably> = 4.5 seconds , even further> = 6.0 seconds, most preferably> = 7.5 seconds.

Use of a shutter device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 in: a print head (1), a printing line, a method of printing on workpieces, an ink jet printer for home and / or office use, an ink jet printer for industrial use , a pen plotter, an ink cartridge (3) and the like.