Printhead maintenance station including station backflush
US8540338B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 2011 |
| Grant date | Sep 24, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 19, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/1721
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A maintenance station apparatus for a printhead including a nozzle face with the nozzle face including a nozzle array for jetting a liquid is provided. The maintenance station includes a capping unit including a drain and a waste liquid tank that receives a waste liquid from the capping unit. A valve is in fluid communication with the capping unit through a first fluid passage and in fluid communication with the waste liquid tank through a second fluid passage. The valve includes a first state that permits the waste liquid to flow from the capping unit through the valve to the waste liquid tank and a second state that prevents the waste liquid from flowing from the capping unit through the valve to the waste liquid tank. A cleaning liquid tank is in fluid communication with the valve through a third fluid passage and is configured to provide a cleaning liquid through the valve and into the first fluid passage when the valve is in the second state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.