Patent · US Active

Cleaning method and fluid ejecting apparatus

US8708453B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
1References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 3, 2011
Grant dateApr 29, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 20, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J2/17596
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for cleaning a fluid ejecting apparatus is provided. The fluid ejecting apparatus includes a fluid ejecting head that has a plurality of nozzle openings through which fluid is ejected, a fluid supply passage through which the fluid is supplied toward the fluid ejecting head, an open/close valve that is provided on the fluid supply passage, and a pressure reduction mechanism that generates negative pressure in a space outside the nozzle openings. The cleaning method includes a valve-closing operation of putting the open/close valve into a closed state and a pressure reduction operation of generating negative pressure in the space by using the pressure reduction mechanism after the valve-closing operation to cause the fluid to bulge outward at the nozzle openings.

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