Abstract: A recycling ink solvent system cleans an inkjet printhead in an inkjet printing mechanism using a wiper that moves between a wiping position for cleaning ink residue from the printhead, a scraping position for scraping residue from the wiper, and a solvent application position. An ink solvent recycling member has a body and a scraper portion that scrapes ink residue from the wiper and an applicator portion that applies ink solvent to the wiper. The body is constructed of a porous material that is impregnated with the ink solvent, with the pores being selected to move the ink solvent under capillary action from the scraper portion toward the applicator portion, and to filter dissolved ink residue from the ink solvent. A method is also provided to clean an inkjet printhead using such a recycling member, along with an inkjet printing mechanism having such a recycling system.

Abstract: A service station for use in servicing one or more inkjet print cartridges includes a service station sled assembly detachably attached to a service station chassis. The service station according to the invention can be used with either a facsimile machine that uses thermal inkjet printing, or with a thermal inkjet printer. In one embodiment, a mechanism for detaching the sled assembly is easily activated by a lever extending from the service station chassis. The invention enables a user to easily detach the sled assembly from and attach the sled assembly to the remainder of the service station, thereby allowing the user to easily replace the sled assembly without necessity to replace the remainder of the service station.

Abstract: A service station for use in servicing one or more inkjet print cartridges includes a service station sled assembly movably attached to a service station chassis. The sled assembly includes at least one wiper and at least one cap. In one embodiment, the service station includes a cam and cam follower that interact to move the sled assembly. The cam is shaped so that movement of the cam to a first position causes each cap to contact a printhead of a corresponding inkjet print cartridge. Movement of the cam to a second position causes the cap to move away from the printhead and moves the wiper into a wiping position. In another embodiment, a service station according to the invention for use with a facsimile machine including inkjet printing apparatus includes a motor that is positioned so as to minimize the footprint of the service station.

Abstract: A wet-wiping printhead cleaning system wherein a treatment fluid is applied to at least one of the printhead and wiper elements in an inkjet printer, then subsequently the wiper wipingly contacts the printhead and wipes a portion of the printhead orifice plate where the nozzle orifices are located removing dried ink and other accumulated debris, the treatment fluid lubricating the wiper so as to lengthen wiper service life and enhance wiping performance, as well as acting to render such accumulations more removable by wiping, wherein the treatment fluid is stored in a non-flowable state so as to prevent leaking during periods when the printer is not in use, the treatment fluid being changed to a flowable liquid state for wiping.

Abstract: A wet-wiping printhead cleaning system including a source of treatment fluid further including a treatment fluid reservoir and a treatment fluid transfer element adapted to transfer treatment fluid from the reservoir to at least one of the two elements involved in wiping the printhead, the two such elements consisting of the printhead and the wiper, the transfer element thereby acts as an applicator placing treatment fluid onto said at least one element, the source of treatment fluid not contacting said one element directly, and the treatment fluid then is available to assist in cleaning the printhead as it is wiped by the wiper, removing accumulated dried ink solids and other debris, the treatment fluid lubricating the wiper so as to lengthen wiper service life and enhance wiping performance, as well as acting to render such accumulations more removable by wiping.

Abstract: A service station for use in servicing one or more inkjet print cartridges includes a service station sled assembly movably attached to a service station chassis. The service station can be used with either a facsimile machine that uses thermal inkjet printing, or with a thermal inkjet printer. In one embodiment, the service station includes an alignment mechanism for aligning a print carriage with respect to the sled assembly during capping to achieve improved alignment, relative to previous service stations, of a cap with respect to a corresponding print cartridge printhead. In another embodiment, the service station includes a positioning mechanism for positioning the print carriage with respect to the sled assembly during wiping such that, viewed in a direction parallel to the direction of motion of the print carriage, the edge of a wiper distal from a sled base extends beyond the print cartridge printhead by a predetermined amount in order to achieve optimum wiping performance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided to prevent the overflow of waste ink from a primary spittoon used in a service station of a thermal ink-jet device, such as a facsimile machine. An opening is defined in a wall of the primary spittoon such that when the waste ink level within the primary spittoon reaches the opening, the waste ink issues from the opening for collection by a secondary spittoon. A passageway may be employed to route the ink from the opening to the secondary spittoon, with the passageway preferably represented by a rib formed externally on the primary spittoon wall. By employing the method of the present invention, one avoids the potential contamination of the internal workings of the thermal ink-jet device caused by the unchecked overflow of ink from the primary spittoon.

Abstract: A cleaner or replenishing cartridge and a method of cleaning an inkjet printing mechanism using such a cartridge is disclosed. An inkjet pen within the printing mechanism is replaced by cleaner cartridge which is then positioned over or adjacent to a location of the printing mechanism to be cleaned. Power is applied to the cartridge either by coupling an on-board battery via a signal from the carriage interconnect, or through pulses applied through the interconnect. The cartridge may be fashioned for dispensing a fluid, such as an ink solvent, a lubricant, or a staticide to various printer components. The fluid may also be supplied to replenish a printer reservoir. The cartridge may be used for extracting ink sludge from the printer's ink lines, or for applying a vacuum suction force to draw particles into the cartridge. The cartridge may propel a strip of cleaning media across an area to be cleaned, or refurbish worn printhead wipers.

Abstract: In a method and system for delivering ink within a printer, a reservoir and a portion of a tube are accelerated so as to generate an inertial flow of ink in the tube, where the tube is connected to the reservoir and in fluid communication with an ink supply. A valve is provided between the tube and the reservoir. The valve is closed to retain an amount of the inertial flow of ink in the reservoir when the inertial flow of ink is away from the reservoir. The tube is primed by moving the printer so as to elevate the ink supply relative to the reservoir in the printer. Foam may be provided within the reservoir which restricts the rate of flow by not allowing ink to be conducted from the reservoir when the foam is unsaturated.

Abstract: A service station for use in servicing one or more inkjet print cartridges includes a service station sled assembly detachably attached to a service station chassis. The service station according to the invention can be used with either a facsimile machine that uses thermal inkjet printing, or with a thermal inkjet printer. In one embodiment, a mechanism for detaching the sled assembly is easily activated by a lever extending from the service station chassis. The invention enables a user to easily detach the sled assembly from and attach the sled assembly to the remainder of the service station, thereby allowing the user to easily replace the sled assembly without necessity to replace the remainder of the service station.

Abstract: Humidifying apparatus including a sealable humidity chamber for fluid-containing tubes are described for use, for example, in an ink-jet printer. The ink-delivery tubes are temporarily stored in the chamber when the printhead is not in use. The chamber is humidified preferably by vaporized ink constituents that have similar properties with those of the ink within the tubes. This is accomplished in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention by placing at least the spittoon portion of the printhead's service station also within the chamber, as such provides a ready supply of ink vapor. In a preferred embodiment, four tubes containing four differently colored inks are configured in a spaced, substantially planar array and made compactly to bend in accordion fashion when the printhead is moved to the chamber side of the printer's carriage such that a printhead-mounted lid is pressed into sealing engagement with and closure of the chamber.

Abstract: A cleaner or replenishing cartridge and a method of cleaning an inkjet printing mechanism using such a cartridge is disclosed. An inkjet pen within the printing mechanism is replaced by a cleaner cartridge which is then positioned over or adjacent to a location of the printing mechanism to be cleaned. Power is applied to the cartridge either by coupling an on-board battery via a signal from the carriage interconnect, or through pulses applied through the interconnect. The cartridge may be fashioned for dispensing a fluid, such as an ink solvent, a lubricant, or a staticide to various printer components. The fluid may also be supplied to replenish a printer reservoir. The cartridge may be used for extracting ink sludge from the printer's ink lines, or for applying a vacuum suction force to draw particles into the cartridge. The cartridge may propel a strip of cleaning media across an area to be cleaned, or refurbish worn printhead wipers.

Abstract: A custom profiled flexible conduit system conveys a fluid therethrough between two locations, which may be moving relative to one another. The conduit profile includes a wall with a nonuniform thickness selected to control a diffusion rate of the fluid when conveyed through, or when standing within the conduit. The conduit profile defines a main chamber and optional auxiliary chambers. During a collapse of the conduit, caused by a kink for instance, restricted fluid flow may be sustained through a constricted passageway formed in the main chamber, through the auxiliary chambers, or both. The profile may include a protuberance into the main chamber to maintain flow during collapse. The profile may also be customized to minimize the bend radius before collapse of the conduit, and to promote bending in a particular direction. A method is also provided of conveying fluid between two locations.

Abstract: Structure according to the invention simultaneously controls operation of a sled assembly for servicing of an inkjet print cartridge and a mechanism for controlling advancement of a print medium into a printing path. The structure according to the invention can be used with either a facsimile machine that uses thermal inkjet printing, or with a thermal inkjet printer. In one embodiment, the structure includes a sled assembly which further includes at least one wiper and at least one cap, a paper pick pressure plate, and a mechanism for simultaneously controlling movement of the sled assembly and the pressure plate. The paper pick pressure plate is controlled to selectively contact a paper pick roller such that the print medium is advanced through the printing path when the pressure plate contacts the pick roller and the print medium is not advanced through the printing path when the pressure plate does not contact the pick roller.

Abstract: A system is herein disclosed for use in the delivery of fluid from a reservoir to a relatively reciprocating fluid discharge mechanism via an arrangement of coiled tubes which may be expanded or retracted with reciprocation of the discharge mechanism. The system is preferably arranged with a series of concentrically coiled tubes, each tube carrying a different fluid to the discharge mechanism. Adjacent coils are wrapped in opposing rotational directions so as to create a web-like matrix which supports the coils in their extended form.

Abstract: Methogology and apparatus are described which employ an improved modular service station design wherein a printhead-servicing sled is selectively vertically driven to effect execution of servicing tasks. In keeping with its desired modularity, the sled is made readily removable using an improved clamp and sled arrangement. The sled is driven by a unique drive system such drive system being capable of effectively selectively stalling or locking instrumentality such as the sled in various positions defined along its path of vertical movement. To save time and space, both the printhead and the servicing mechanism such as the wipers and the caps are moved so as to place them in proper relative positions for execution of a task.

Abstract: A method for correcting the skew between the leading edge of a sheet of paper and the nip of a roller assembly in a printing mechanism includes the steps of advancing a sheet of paper into the nip and slightly therebeyond. The rollers are then rotated in reverse, causing the paper to retract from the roller assembly, with the angle and weight of the paper maintaining the leading edge within the nip. As the rollers continue to rotate backwards, the paper jiggles or dances allowing the leading edge to settle parallel with the nip under its own weight. The paper is then readvanced through the roller assembly with its leading edge parallel to the nip. A mechanism applies a drag force to the paper when the paper is being retracted from the roller assembly to keep the leading edge of the paper in the nip.

Abstract: A synchronized wiper and pen motion solution for ink-jet printers is described. The invented method and apparatus synchronize the motion of the pen and wiper throughout the wipe stroke, and provide for controlled, simultaneous movement therebetween that avoids pole vaulting, excess interference and ink flicking. Such is accomplished by moving the carriage to a defined position shy of a wiping position above the service station including a sled mounting the wiper; raising the sled to produce a proper interference fit between the wiper and the pen while simultaneously moving the carriage at low speed; continuing the wipe stroke by high-speed carriage movement with the sled stationary; and, at the end of the stroke, lowering the sled to clear the wiper from contact with the pen before reversing carriage motion. The solution lends itself to single- or plural-pen ink-jet printers.

Abstract: A rotatable pick engager for use with a printer for precisely timing the engagement of a paper stack with a pick roller during the picking of a sheet from the stack, greatly reducing top of sheet variability, skewing and multiple picks.