Patent · US Expired

Process and device for cleaning the nozzles of inkjet printers, and print head and printer incorporating such a device

US6550889B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by
3References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 24, 2001
Grant dateApr 22, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 24, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J2/185
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Process and device for cleaning the nozzles of ink jet printers, and the print head incorporating such a device.A fixed cleaning jet (22) is installed on the print head, downstream of the ink nozzle to be cleaned (18) and offset to one side of it. When the ink jet stops, a given volume of solvent is sprayed by this cleaning jet, which hits the nozzle (18) at an angle. In this way the front face of the droplet generator is cleaned and scoured, and the ink residues are ejected towards the opposite side of the housing (36). Dry compressed air is then blown through the cleaning jet towards the ink nozzle (18) to dry the front of the nozzle and the ink residues deposited on the side of the housing (36).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.