Manual pen selection for clearing nozzles without removal from pen carriage
US5614929A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 29, 1994 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 29, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/16532
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A thermal ink jet printhead cartridge priming apparatus that includes a plurality of caps respectively associated with a plurality of printhead nozzle arrays for controllably sealing printhead nozzle arrays pursuant to engagement thereof against the printhead cartridge to surround the nozzle arrays, a plurality of vacuum conveying elements respectively associated with the caps for individually conveying priming vacuum to an associated cap, a manually actuated selector assembly for connecting a selected one of the vacuum conveying elements to a source of priming vacuum, and a source of priming vacuum spaced apart from the manually actuated selection means for selectively engaging the selector assembly for application of vacuum thereto, such that a selected printhead cartridge is primed without removal thereof from the carriage and without use of a motorized vacuum pump. By separating the vacuum source from the selector, positive pressure is not applied to the nozzle arrays when the caps are brought into engagement with the printhead cartridges since venting is provided by the unobstructed vacuum conveying elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.