Methods and apparatus for inkjet print head cleaning
First Claim
1. A method of cleaning an inkjet print head comprising:
- positioning the inkjet print head proximate an inkjet print head cleaning apparatus;
positioning a cleaning medium of the inkjet print head cleaning apparatus proximate the inkjet print head;
contacting the cleaning medium with a pressure roller with a pressure; and
moving the cleaning medium relative to the inkjet print head so as to clean the inkjet print head.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for cleaning a nozzle plate of an inkjet print head are provided. A first method includes positioning a cleaning medium proximate the inkjet print head, determining a pressure for a pressure roller to apply against the cleaning medium, contacting the cleaning medium with the pressure roller with the determined pressure, and moving the cleaning medium relative to the inkjet print head so as to clean the inkjet print head. The method also includes purging ink from the inkjet print head prior to the pressure roller contacting the cleaning medium and pre-jetting ink from the inkjet print head after moving the cleaning medium. Numerous other aspects are provided.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method of cleaning an inkjet print head comprising:
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positioning the inkjet print head proximate an inkjet print head cleaning apparatus;
positioning a cleaning medium of the inkjet print head cleaning apparatus proximate the inkjet print head;
contacting the cleaning medium with a pressure roller with a pressure; and
moving the cleaning medium relative to the inkjet print head so as to clean the inkjet print head. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus comprising:
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a cleaning station adapted to provide a location to support an inkjet print head during cleaning;
a pressure roller adapted to move a cleaning medium proximate to the cleaning station; and
a biasing mechanism coupled to the pressure roller and adapted to move the pressure roller against the cleaning medium during cleaning of the inkjet print head at the cleaning station. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system comprising:
an inkjet head cleaning module having;
a feed roller adapted to supply a cleaning medium;
a take up roller adapted to receive the cleaning medium from the feed roller;
a tension roller adapted to tension the cleaning medium as it is supplied from the feed roller to the take up roller; and
a pressure roller adapted to move the cleaning medium supplied from the feed roller to the take up roller proximate to an inkjet print head so as to clean the inkjet print head. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
Specification