Cleaning orifices in ink jet printing apparatus
First Claim
1. An ink jet printer having a printhead defining a plurality of orifices for ejecting ink droplets, said printer comprising:
- a source of cleaning fluid;
a cleaning member having a surface partially dipped in the cleaning fluid;
a first drive mechanism to move the cleaning member surface creating a flow of cleaning fluid on the surface; and
a second drive mechanism to advance the printhead and the cleaning member surface into a proximate and separate relation wherein at least one of the orifices of the printhead enter flow of cleaning fluid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ink jet printer having an ink jet head and defining a structure having a device including a structure defining a plurality of orifices for ejecting ink droplets includes defining an ink cleaning cavity spaced from the printing position for receiving cleaning fluid; a roller disposed in the cleaning cavity and partially submerged in the cleaning fluid and spaced from the structure is rotated so that the fluid coats the roller and is carried by surface tension around the roller; and the structure is brought into proximity with the cleaning roller so that the orifices are cleaned by the cleaning fluid carried on the roller and delivered through the cleaning cavity to the structure.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An ink jet printer having a printhead defining a plurality of orifices for ejecting ink droplets, said printer comprising:
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a source of cleaning fluid;
a cleaning member having a surface partially dipped in the cleaning fluid;
a first drive mechanism to move the cleaning member surface creating a flow of cleaning fluid on the surface; and
a second drive mechanism to advance the printhead and the cleaning member surface into a proximate and separate relation wherein at least one of the orifices of the printhead enter flow of cleaning fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An inkjet printer having a printhead and including a structure defining a plurality of ink drop ejection orifices, comprising:
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a liquid collection vessel adapted to contain a cleaning fluid;
a roller partially submerged in the cleaning fluid;
a first motor fixed to and rotating the roller to create a flow of cleaning fluid about the roller; and
a second motor to variably position the roller and the printhead between two separated positions, a distal position and a proximate position wherein at least one orifice of the printhead enters into the flow of cleaning fluid. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An inkjet printer having an printhead defining a plurality of orifices for ejecting ink droplets, comprising:
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a) means defining an ink cleaning cavity spaced from the printing position for receiving cleaning fluid;
b) a surface disposed in the cleaning cavity and partially submerged in the cleaning fluid and spaced from the printhead;
c) means for moving the surface to draw a flow of cleaning fluid across the moving surface; and
d) means for bringing the printhead orifices into a proximate and separate relation to the moving surface so that the orifices are injected into the flow of cleaning fluid and are cleaned by the cleaning fluid. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. An ink jet printer having a print head defining a plurality of orifices for ejecting ink droplets, said printer comprising:
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a supply of cleaning fluid;
a cleaning surface in partial contact with the supply of cleaning fluid;
a first drive mechanism to rotate the cleaning surface so that the rotation of the cleaning surface impels cleaning fluid from the supply to form a flow of cleaning fluid about the cleaning surface;
a second motor to variably position the cleaning surface and the print head between two separated positions, a distal position and a proximate position wherein at least one orifice of the print head enters into the flow of cleaning fluid. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification