Method and device for cleaning a print head of an ink jet printer

• US 6,382,767 B1
• Filed: 06/28/2000
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag
• Original Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag
• Inventors: Greive, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, HUAN HUU
• Application Number:
  US09/606,034
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 347/30, 347/31, 347/32, 347/33, 347/22, 347/35
• US Class Current: 347/30
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16508 connected with the printer frame
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16538 with brushes or wiper blades perpendicular to the nozzle plate
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16588 Print heads movable towards the cleaning unit

Abstract

A method for cleaning a print head of an ink jet printer by a cleaning tape, which comprises sucking away printing ink from the print head by a suction device, and wiping or doctoring off the print head by the cleaning tape; a device for performing the method; an ink jet printer in combination with the device; and an offset and/or rotary printing machine in combination with the ink jet printer.

Claims

1. A method for cleaning a print head of an ink jet printer with a cleaning tape, which comprises sucking away printing ink from the print head with a suction device, and simultaneously wiping or doctoring off the print head with the cleaning tape.

2. The method according to claim 1, which includes sucking the printing ink by the suction device out of the interior of at least one nozzle formed in the print head.

3. A method for cleaning a print head of an ink jet printer by a cleaning tape, which comprises sucking printing ink from the print head by a suction device onto the cleaning tape.

4. The method according to claim 3, which includes sucking the printing ink by the suction device out of the interior of at least one nozzle formed in the print head.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of sucking the printing ink includes sucking the printing ink through the cleaning tape.

6. A device for cleaning a print head of an ink jet printer, comprising a cleaning tape and a suction device, said cleaning tape being disposed between the print head and said suction device.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said cleaning tape rests both on the print head and on said suction device.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein said cleaning tape is formed of air-permeable material.

9. The device according to claim 6, wherein said cleaning tape is formed of absorbent material.

10. An ink jet printer in combination with the cleaning device according to claim 6.

11. An offset and/or rotary printing machine with the ink jet printer according to claim 10 integrated therein.

12. An offset and/or rotary printing machine coupled, for in-line operation, with the ink jet printer according to claim 10.

13. An ink jet printer, comprising:

a printing module; and

a cleaning module for cleaning said printing module;

said modules being of compatible construction, so that said cleaning module is optionally combinable with said printing module;

said cleaning module including a cleaning tape and a suction device, said cleaning tape being disposed between said printing module and said suction device.