Print head maintenance system for an ink-jet printer using phase-change ink printing on a continuous web
US8366237B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 24, 2009 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 26, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/17593
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A maintenance assembly for cleaning a plurality of printheads in a printing machine comprises two or more cleaning members, each of the cleaning members sized and positioned to clean at least one but less than all of the plurality of printheads when in a cleaning position. A drive mechanism associated with each of the two or more cleaning members is configured to selectively move an associated cleaning member to and from the cleaning position and a retracted position. The cleaning members are supported on a frame with a mechanism provided for translating the frame into position juxtaposed with the plurality of printheads and a further mechanism to swipe the cleaning members across the printheads. The maintenance assembly is operable to clean only selected printheads in a single operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.