MAINTENANCE APPARATUS FOR VAPORIZING DEVICE

• US 20170320087A1
• Filed: 05/09/2016
• Published: 11/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: NORASAK, Sam, MARRA, III, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,512,921 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/10 Devices using liquid inhalable precursors
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/485 Valves; Apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A24F 40/85 Maintenance, e.g. cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 11/042 electrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0026 Hinged caps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/025 Bubble jet droplet ejection devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/06 Inhaling appliances shaped like cigars, cigarettes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/326 the valve being a gate valve, a sliding valve or a cock
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/143 Wipes
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16505 Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16538 with brushes or wiper blades perpendicular to the nozzle plate
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16547 the wipers and caps or spittoons being on the same movable support
• CPC Class Codes: F22B 1/284 with water in reservoirs

Abstract

An apparatus for a fluidic ejection device and a fluidic ejection device containing the apparatus. The apparatus includes a pivot member having at least a first position and a second position, a shaft attached on a first end thereof to the pivot member and on a second end distal from the first end to a capping structure, wherein pivot of the pivot member pivots the capping structure from a first capped position to a second uncapped position adjacent an ejection head of the fluidic ejection device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a fluidic ejection device comprising a pivot member having at least a first position and a second position, a shaft attached on a first end thereof to the pivot member and on a second end distal from the first end to a capping structure, wherein pivot of the pivot member pivots the capping structure from a first capped position to a second uncapped position adjacent an ejection head of the fluidic ejection device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the capping structure includes a nozzle cap for capping the ejection head when the pivot member is pivoted to the first capped position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the capping structure includes an aperture therein for fluid flow therethrough when the pivot member is pivoted to the second uncapped position.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the capping structure further comprises a wiper blade for cleaning the ejection head when the pivot member is pivoted to the first capped position and to the second uncapped position.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the capping structure is disposed between the ejection head and a vaporizing heater in the fluidic ejection device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pivot member is disposed on a vapor exit conduit of the fluidic ejection device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the pivot member is attached to a first end of a shaft disposed in the vapor exit conduit, wherein a second end of the shaft is attached to the capping structure for movement thereof.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the pivot member is pivoted about the vapor exit conduit from the first position to the second position.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the capping structure is disposed adjacent a vapor exit conduit of the fluidic ejection device.

10. A fluidic ejection device comprising a fluidic ejection head in fluid flow communication with a fluid reservoir, a heater for vaporizing fluid ejected from the fluidic ejection head, an exit conduit in flow communication from the heater, an ejection head capping structure disposed between the heater and the fluidic ejection head, and a selection device connected to the ejection head capping structure for moving the capping structure from a first capped position to a second uncapped position adjacent the fluidic ejection head.

11. The fluidic ejection device of claim 10, wherein the capping structure includes a nozzle cap for capping the ejection head when the capping structure is moved to the first capped position.

12. The fluidic ejection device of claim 10, wherein the capping structure includes an aperture therein for fluid flow therethrough to the vaporizing heater when the selection device is moved to the second uncapped position.

13. The fluidic ejection device of claim 12, wherein the capping structure further comprises a wiper blade for cleaning the ejection head when the selection device is moved from the first capped position and to the second uncapped position.

14. The fluidic ejection device of claim 12, wherein the selection device comprises a pivot member that is disposed on the exit conduit of the fluidic ejection device.

15. The fluidic ejection device of claim 14, wherein the pivot member is attached to a first end of a shaft disposed in the exit conduit, wherein a second end of the shaft is attached to the capping structure for movement thereof.

16. The fluidic ejection device of 14, wherein the pivot member is pivoted about the exit conduit from the first position to the second position.