Method and apparatus for cleaning from the outer surface of an endless transport belt the ink, not ejected for printing purposes, of an inkjet printer
US6481046B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 27, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J29/17
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for cleaning from the outer surface of an endless transport belt the ink, not ejected for printing purposes, of an inkjet printer, said method and apparatus serving for completely removing and collecting the ink adhering to the transport belt, while retaining a high transport belt speed. The method is characterized by the application of a converging compressed-air stream onto the outer surface of the ink-wetted transport belt by means of an air conduit, comprising a suction nozzle, of a pressure nozzle, and by extraction of the resulting ink-air mixture by means of the suction nozzle, the two steps being performed simultaneously. The apparatus which is arranged downstream of an inkjet printing device in the transport path of the transport belt is characterized by a pressure nozzle for applying compressed air onto the outer surface of the ink-wetted transport belt, said pressure nozzle being formed by a suction nozzle arranged centrally in the pressure nozzle to extract the ink-air mixture produced by the compressed air.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.