Dual wiper scrapers for incompatible inkjet ink wipers
US6520621B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 27, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 27, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/16541
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A replaceable inkjet printhead cleaner service station system has separate replaceable cleaning units for maintaining each printhead in an inkjet printing mechanism. Each cleaning unit has a printhead wiper, a printhead snout wiper, a capping system, a spittoon, and an ink solvent application system. A set of non-replaceable wiper scrapers are supported by the service station frame. When printing with interchangeable printheads that dispense mutually incompatible inks the cleaning units are exchanged when installing a printhead with an ink which is incompatible with the ink dispensed by a previous printhead to avoid cross-contamination if the inks at the wipers and caps. To prevent cross-contamination at the permanent scrapers, the scraper for each pen is divided into two separate regions each dedicated to cleaning only one wiper associated with one type of ink. A method is provided for cleaning an inkjet printhead, along with a printing mechanism employing such a system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.