Bulldozing cleaner for inkjet electrostatic drop detectors
US6761429B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 4, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/16579
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A bulldozer-type cleaning system is provided for removing ink residue from an electrostatic drop detecting sensor which detects ink droplets contacting the detector. A scraper head scrapes the ink residue from the sensor, and then contacts a flexible, compliant cleaning member, illustrated as a coil spring. The spring is secured at each end and is stretched when pushed by the scraper head. This stretching flexation allows the spring to trap the ink residue between the coils. As the scraper head retracts, the resulting contracting flexation of the spring squeezes the ink residue from between the coils. Any ink residue remaining on the coils dries and then flakes off the coils when the spring is stretched again during the next cleaning stroke of the scraper head. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a cleaning system, and a method of cleaning a sensor are also provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.