Abstract: An apparatus for printing an image is provided. The apparatus includes an ink droplet forming mechanism operable to selectively create a stream of ink droplets having a plurality of volumes traveling along a first path. A droplet deflector is positioned at an angle with respect to the stream of ink droplets. The droplet deflector includes a gas flow operable to interact with the stream of ink droplets such that ink droplets having one of the plurality of volumes begin traveling along a second path and ink droplets having another of the plurality of volumes begin traveling along a third path. At least a portion of a catcher including a porous material is at least partially positioned in one of the first, second, and third paths.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a continuous inkjet printer comprises a cleaning chamber positioned substantially parallel to an ink supply chamber and nozzle plate, and a gas supply, such as air or nitrogen. The cleaning chamber is formed by a cover and the nozzle plate, wherein the gas is routed between the cover and the nozzle plate so as to remove debris and excess ink from the inkjet nozzles and surrounding area. A fluid may also be applied in addition to the gas, and a deflector may be positioned on the cover to increase the angle of incidence of air and fluid as it contacts the inkjet nozzles and surrounding area.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a source of ink and a printhead. The printhead includes an end nozzle and a second nozzle adjacent to the end nozzle. A portion of the printhead is shaped to balance forces acting on the ink ejected from the end nozzle.

Abstract: An ink jet printer with wiper blade cleaning mechanism, and method of cleaning. A print head surface includes a plurality of ink ejection orifices. A solvent delivering wiper has a first passageway therethrough alignable with the surface. The first passageway delivers a liquid solvent to the surface to flush contaminant from the surface. The wiper also includes a plurality of wicking channels alignable with the surface and a second passageway in communication with the wicking channels. A vacuum pump is in communication with the second passageway for vacuuming the solvent and entrained contaminant from the surface, along the wicking channels and through the second passageway.

Abstract: An ink jet printer with cleaning mechanism, and method of assembling same. The printer comprises a print head having a surface thereon surrounding a plurality of ink ejection orifices. The orifices are in communication with respective ones of a plurality of ink channels formed in the print head. A vacuum hood capable of sealingly surrounding at least one of the orifices has having a first passageway therethrough capable of being disposed in communication with the orifice for vacuuming contaminant from the ink channel by way of the orifice. A solvent delivering wiper is connected to the hood and has a second passageway therethrough alignable with the surface. The second passageway delivers a liquid solvent to the surface to flush contaminant from the surface. Contaminant residing on the surface is entrained in the solvent while the wiper flushes contaminant from the surface. A vacuum canopy is connected to the wiper and has a third passageway therethrough alignable with the surface.

Abstract: An ink jet printer with cleaning mechanism, and method of assembling same. The printer comprises a print head having a surface thereon surrounding a plurality of ink ejection orifices. The orifices are in communication with respective ones of a plurality of ink channels formed in the print head. A vacuum hood capable of sealingly surrounding at least one of the orifices has having a first passageway therethrough capable of being disposed in communication with the orifice for vacuuming contaminant from the ink channel by way of the orifice. A solvent delivering wiper is connected to the hood and has a second passageway therethrough alignable with the surface. The second passageway delivers a liquid solvent to the surface to flush contaminant from the surface. Contaminant residing on the surface is entrained in the solvent while the wiper flushes contaminant from the surface. A vacuum canopy is connected to the wiper and has a third passageway therethrough alignable with the surface.

Abstract: An ink jet printer with wiper blade cleaning mechanism, and method of assembling the printer. The printer comprises a print head having a surface thereon surrounding a plurality of ink ejection orifices. The orifices are in communication with respective ones of a plurality of ink channels formed in the print head. A solvent delivering wiper has a first passageway therethrough alignable with the surface. The first passageway delivers a liquid solvent to the surface to flush contaminant from the surface. Contaminant residing on the surface is entrained in the solvent while the wiper flushes contaminant from the surface. The wiper also includes a plurality of wicking channels alignable with the surface and a second passageway in communication with the wicking channels. A vacuum pump is in communication with the second passageway for vacuuming the solvent and entrained contaminant from the surface, along the wicking channels and through the second passageway.

Abstract: A self-cleaning printer system (400) with a cleaning liquid supply and a wiper blade assembly (32) includes a print head (16) defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection nozzle (25). The print head (16) also has a surface (15) thereon surrounding all the nozzles (25). The wiper blade assembly (32) is disposed relative to the surface (15) and/or nozzles (25) for directing a flow of cleaning liquid along the surface (15) and/or across the nozzles (25) and to direct sliding contact of a wiper blade (195) to clean a contaminant from the surface (15) and/or nozzles (15). The wiper blade assembly (32) is configured to introduce the cleaning liquid to the print head surface (15) to facilitate and augment cleaning by the wiper blade (190). In addition, the wiper blade (190) is combined with channels for delivery of the cleaning liquid and vacuum suction to remove cleaning liquid (250 and 260, respectively).

Abstract: An ink jet printer with cleaning mechanism having a wiper blade and transducer, and method of assembling same. The printer comprises a print head having a surface thereon surrounding a plurality of ink ejection orifices. The orifices are in communication with respective ones of a plurality of ink channels formed in the print head. A cleaning liquid delivering wiper is provided as a means to a clean print head. Further, sonic or ultrasonic transducer is provided to energize the wiper and the cleaning liquid flowing through solvent delivering channels in wiper. Contaminant residing on the surface is entrained in the cleaning liquid while the wiper flushes contaminant from the surface. Cleaning liquid and contaminant is transported away through a number of devices; return passageways internal to the wiper in combination with wicking channels, return passageways provided in a canopy, and return passageways provided in a trailing hood.

Abstract: A catcher assembly, which is adapted to catch non-print droplets while not catching print droplets, includes a section defining an ink collection chamber and an impact surface positioned to intercept non-print droplets and to direct the intercepted non-print droplets to the ink collection chamber. The section further defines at least one other surface that is subject to undesirable ink build up. An ink flow path extends from the other surface to the ink collection chamber, whereby ink that has undesirably built up on the other surface will tend to flow to the ink collection chamber. The ink flow path may be a hole through the section. The hole extends from the other surface to the ink collection chamber. The ink flow path may further include a slot in the section extending between the hole and the other surface to provide a path for ink to flow from the other surface to the hole and then through the hole to the ink collection chamber.

Abstract: An ink jet printer with wiper blade and vacuum canopy cleaning mechanism, and method of assembling the printer. The printer comprises a print head having a surface thereon surrounding a plurality of ink ejection orifices. The orifices are in communication with respective ones of a plurality of ink channels formed in the print head. A vacuum hood capable of sealingly surrounding at least one of the orifices has a passageway therethrough capable of being disposed in communication with the orifice for vacuuming contaminant from the ink channel by way of the orifice. A solvent delivering wiper is connected to the hood and has an areaway therethrough alignable with the surface. The areaway delivers a liquid solvent to the surface to flush contaminant from the surface. Contaminant residing on the surface is entrained in the solvent while the wiper flushes contaminant from the surface. Wicking channels disposed on the bevel edge of the wiper aid in the removal of cleaning liquid and contaminant.