Fluid purge apparatus and method for ink jet printer pen
US5900890A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 25, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 4, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 25, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/16523
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A service apparatus for servicing an ink jet pen having a housing defining an ink reservoir and including a print head connected to the housing in communication with the reservoir. The apparatus includes an elongated probe having first and second passages, a fluid supply conduit in communication with the first passage, a drain conduit in communication with the second passage, a fluid receptacle separate from the probe, and a vacuum source in communication with the receptacle. The apparatus may be operated by connecting a pen to the fluid conduit to provide fluid communication between the conduit and the reservoir, draining ink from the reservoir through the fluid conduit, generating a flow of rinse fluid into the reservoir, draining the rinse fluid from the reservoir; and expelling ink through the print head.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.