Ink jet printer with cleaning mechanism and method of assembling same
US6347858B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 18, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 19, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/16585
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ink jet printer with cleaning mechanism, and method of assembling same. The printer comprises a print head having a surface thereon surrounding a plurality of ink ejection orifices. The orifices are in communication with respective ones of a plurality of ink channels formed in the print head. A vacuum hood capable of sealingly surrounding at least one of the orifices has having a first passageway therethrough capable of being disposed in communication with the orifice for vacuuming contaminant from the ink channel by way of the orifice. A solvent delivering wiper is connected to the hood and has a second passageway therethrough alignable with the surface. The second passageway delivers a liquid solvent to the surface to flush contaminant from the surface. Contaminant residing on the surface is entrained in the solvent while the wiper flushes contaminant from the surface. A vacuum canopy is connected to the wiper and has a third passageway therethrough alignable with the surface. The canopy vacuums the solvent and entrained contaminant from the surface. Moreover, a piping circuit is associated with the print head for filtering the particulate matter from the solvent and for recir…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.