a trap door spittoon system confines airborne ink aerosol satellites generated while purging an inkjet printhead . this systems prevent stray ink aerosol from clinging to undesired surfaces in an inkjet printing mechanism . the printing mechanism has an inkjet printhead that selectively ejects ink during both printing and when purging the printhead by a process known as &# 34 ; spitting .&# 34 ; this ink ejection generates as a by - product airborne ink aerosol satellites , which float about the mechanism , often landing in undesirable locations . to confine the ink aerosol generated during purging , the printing mechanism has a spittoon with a mouth that is covered by a trap door mechanism immediately following spitting to capture the stray aerosol within the spittoon . various pivoting and sliding door embodiments are shown , along with a method of operating an inkjet printing mechanism to confine the wandering inkjet aerosol .