Abstract: A method of maintaining a printhead and the method having when printing with the printhea, translating a modular sled relative to the printhead so as to align a media platen module supported by the sled with the printhead after printing with the printing, translating the sled relative to the printhead so as to align a wiper module supported by the sled with the printhead and operating a wiper roller of the wiper module so as to wipe a printing face of the printhead; and after the wiping and prior to commencement of printing with the printhead, translating the sled relative to the printhead so as to align a capper module supported by the sled with the printhead so as to cap the printing face of the printhead.

Abstract: A printing assistance apparatus for a media width printhead, the apparatus having: an elongate platen having a surface for supporting media across the media width during printing on the media by fluid ejection nozzles of the printhead; and a wick element positioned within the platen for wicking fluid ejected by the nozzles from the supporting surface, the wick element having an elongate body positioned within the platen and a plurality of pads projecting from the body along the longitudinal length body toward the printhead, the pads being separated by notches.

Abstract: A maintenance apparatus for a media width printhead is provided. The printhead has rows of fluid ejection nozzles extending along the media width for ejecting fluid onto media as the media travels past the printhead along a media travel direction. The apparatus has a seal for sealing against the printhead surface having the nozzle rows and forming a sealed space about the nozzle rows, a wick element positioned within the seal for wicking fluid ejected by the nozzles from the sealed space, and an alignment mechanism for aligning the seal with the printhead so that a portion of an outer surface of the wick element sloped in the media travel direction closest to the printhead is positioned upstream with respect to a centerline along the length the nozzle rows and a portion of the sloped outer surface of the wick element furthest from the printhead is positioned downstream.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a printhead, the method having, when printing with the printhead, translating a modular sled relative to the printhead so as to align a media platen module supported by the sled with the printhead; after printing with the printing, translating the sled relative to the printhead so as to align a wiper module supported by the sled with the printhead and operating a wiper roller of the wiper module so as to wipe a printing face of the printhead; and after the wiping and prior to commencement of printing with the printhead, translating the sled relative to the printhead so as to align a capper module supported by the sled with the printhead so as to cap the printing face of the printhead.

Abstract: A maintenance apparatus for a printhead, the apparatus having: a porous member for rotatably contacting the printhead to absorb particulates from the printhead; and a scraper for contacting the porous member to remove the absorbed particulates from the porous member during the rotation.

Abstract: A printing assistance apparatus for a media width printhead is provided. The printhead has rows of fluid ejection nozzles extending along the media width, The apparatus has an elongate platen having a surface for supporting media across the media width as the media travels past the printhead along a media travel direction, the platen having an elongate slot along the media width, a wick element positioned within the slot for wicking fluid ejected by the nozzles from the supporting surface, and an alignment mechanism for aligning the platen with the printhead so that the opposed longitudinal edges of the slot are respectively positioned upstream and downstream of the media travel direction with respect to a centerline along the length the nozzle rows with the upstream edge being closer to the centerline than the downstream edge such that the wick element has a smaller upstream surface area.

Abstract: A service station for a print system includes a dedicated controller and a network interface configured to couple the service station to a central controller of the print system and to other components of the print system over a network. The dedicated controller is configured to allow the service station to perform a task in response to receiving a command indicative of the task over the network from the central controller of the print system without the central controller knowing the details of the task.

Abstract: A technique for servicing an inkjet printhead on an inkjet printer including a first service module. The technique includes identifying a printhead-related service condition not adequately addressed by servicing the printer with the first service module, providing a second service module different from the first service module and adapted to address the printhead-related service condition. A set of instructions can be provided for using the second service module with the inkjet printer. The technique can further include removing the first service module from the printer, installing the second service module in the printer, and using the set of instructions, conducting a special printer servicing operation. After completion of the special printer servicing operation, the second service module can be removed from the printer, and the first service module reinstalled in the printer in place of the second service module.

Abstract: A fluid-delivery mechanism for a fluid-ejection device includes a fluid-supply station and a bracket that is fluidly and removably connectable between the fluid-supply station and one or more fluid-ejection printheads that are insertable into and controllable by the fluid-ejection device. The bracket supplies fluid from the fluid-supply station to the fluid-ejection printheads.

Abstract: Inkjet printing of barcodes is enhanced by several methods. In a printhead having two staggered columns of nozzles, using only the even (or odd) column enhances resolution of a vertical barcode element. Filling interior portions of the barcode element with the odd (or even) column improves barcode appearance. Barcode swelling, due to ink migration after application, is reduced by use of a depletion matrix to lessen the quantity of ink applied. Application of the depletion matrix to the edges of the barcode elements resists swelling where resolution is most required. Where a printing mask is applied to the edges of the barcode elements, the edges may be printed only by one column of printhead nozzles, or only during one direction of printhead movement, or both. Alternately, removal of one or more pixels along the edge of a barcode element allows each barcode element to swell to the desired size.

Abstract: Embodiments of a cleaner are disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an imaging head mount are disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for lifting an imaging head are disclosed.

Abstract: A method performed by an inkjet printing system is provided. The method comprises detecting an amount of use of a printhead and providing a request to service the printhead to a user in response to detecting the amount of use.

Abstract: Embodiments of a cleaner are disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid-ejection assembly of one embodiment is disclosed comprising first and second arrays of fluid-ejection mechanisms, first and second service stations, and first and second drive mechanisms. The first array ejects fluid onto media; the first service station is to service the first array. The second array ejects fluid onto the media; the second service station is to service the second array. The first drive mechanism moves the first array between a first position to eject fluid onto the media and a second position at the first service station, while the second array ejects fluid onto the media in place of the first array. The second drive mechanism moves the second array between a third position to eject fluid onto the media and a fourth position at the second service station while the first array ejects fluid onto the media in place of the second array.

Abstract: A fluid-delivery mechanism for a fluid-ejection device includes a fluid-supply station and a bracket that is fluidly and removably connectable between the fluid-supply station and one or more fluid-ejection printheads that are insertable into and controllable by the fluid-ejection device. The bracket supplies fluid from the fluid-supply station to the fluid-ejection printheads.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for detecting an ink drop crossing a plane of light.

Abstract: A method of an embodiment of the invention determines whether at least a portion of an image to be formed on a media sheet on a swath-by-swath basis by an image-formation mechanism includes one or more bar codes having a height that is less than a height of a swath of the image-formation mechanism. The mechanism adjusts the swath of the image-formation mechanism so that the bar codes are formed as part of the image on the media sheet within a single swath by the image-formation mechanism.

Abstract: A printing system has an imaging subsystem, an application subsystem, and a decoupler separating the imaging subsystem from the application subsystem. A method of imaging is also provided. In a placing action, an image is placed on a transfer roll in a first environment. In a moving action, the transfer roll is moved to a second environment. In a transferring action, the image is transferred to a media.