Card processing system with drop-on-demand print head automated maintenance routines

US11072169B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Entrust Corporation · US

Inventors

• Kevin Layne Bontrager · Everett, US
• Daniel Sarkinen · Shakopee, US
• Cory Wooldridge · Shakopee, US
• Jon Wawra · Shakopee, US
• Brendan Hinnenkamp · Shakopee, US
• Andrew-An Truong Luu · Shakopee, US
• Brian O'Dell · Shakopee, US
• Kyle Johnson · Rome, US
• Randy Jordan · Shakopee, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 10, 2019
• Grant date: Jul 27, 2021
• Expiry date: May 10, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B41J2002/16573
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Maintenance routines that can be used to maintain the operability of one or more DOD print heads in a card processing system. The maintenance routines can include, but are not limited to: a cover routine where a cover or cap is selectively and automatically located over the print head(s) to protect the print head(s); a shake pulse routine that energizes the nozzles of the print head(s) without causing an ejection of ink; a spit routine where the nozzles of the print head(s) are energized to eject one or more drops of ink; and a purge routine where the nozzles are not electrically energized but the pressure holding the ink in the nozzles of the print head(s) is reversed to push ink out of the nozzles.