Method for servicing an inkjet printhead
US6557971B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 22, 2000 |
| Grant date | May 6, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 5, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/16502
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for servicing an inkjet printhead effects recovery against a particular printhead failure mode via implementation of a printhead servicing routine including, but not limited to, a bubble recovery routine, a contaminant purging routine, and/or a (standard) printhead servicing routine. In a preferred embodiment, the method for servicing an inkjet printhead takes into consideration nozzle health data, diagnostics, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, a bitmap or mask is employed to control firing of the nozzles during the servicing of the printhead. In a preferred embodiment, the servicing method includes the step of: firing the printing nozzles in a manner tending to force contaminants at the printing nozzles toward one end of the printhead. In another preferred embodiment, the servicing method includes the steps of: providing an inkjet printhead with larger-sized sewage nozzles at its edges; firing the printhead nozzles in a manner which forces contaminants to the edges; and firing the sewage nozzles to expel the contaminants.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.