Patent · US Expired

Cleaning apparatus and method of assembly therefor for cleaning an inkjet print head

US6692100B2 · kind B2 · utility

31Cited by
25References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 5, 2002
Grant dateFeb 17, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 5, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J2002/1655
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Cleaning apparatus and method of assembly therefor for cleaning an inkjet print head. The cleaning apparatus comprises a web supply for supplying a cleaning web therefrom and a web receiver for receiving the web. A web drive drives the web from the web supply to the web receiver. The web drive pulls the web from the web supply with a first tension force and also pulls the web onto the web receiver with a second tension force greater than the first tension force, so that the web is wrinkle-free while the web slidably engages an exterior surface of the print head to clean the print head. The web remains wrinkle-free to ensure that the surface of the web will contact the surface of the print head without gaps in contact coverage. This enhances cleaning effectiveness compared to a cleaning web having wrinkles.

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