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: Electrical operation signals such are transferred between a printer carriage interconnect circuit and a printhead interconnect circuit through conductive pads, some of which are elongated sufficiently to provide multiple conductive contact points. Positioning the elongated pads at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of an interconnect flex circuit results in a compact flex circuit having voltage, ground and control signal pads.

Abstract: A replaceable inkjet printhead cleaner service station system has separate replaceable cleaning units for maintaining each printhead in an inkjet printing mechanism. Each cleaning unit has a printhead wiper, a printhead snout wiper, a capping system, a spittoon, and an ink solvent application system. A set of non-replaceable wiper scrapers are supported by the service station frame. When printing with interchangeable printheads that dispense mutually incompatible inks the cleaning units are exchanged when installing a printhead with an ink which is incompatible with the ink dispensed by a previous printhead to avoid cross-contamination if the inks at the wipers and caps. To prevent cross-contamination at the permanent scrapers, the scraper for each pen is divided into two separate regions each dedicated to cleaning only one wiper associated with one type of ink. A method is provided for cleaning an inkjet printhead, along with a printing mechanism employing such a system.

Abstract: A datum arrangement on the replaceable semi-permanent compact print cartridge includes three x-datums, one y-datum and two z-datums to assure proper seating of the print cartridge in the carriage as well as proper electric and fluidic interconnections.

Abstract: A replaceable inkjet printhead cleaner service station system has separate replaceable cleaning units for each printhead in an inkjet printing mechanism, which has a pallet that moves the cleaning units translationally to service the printheads. Each cleaning unit has a printhead wiper, a printhead snout wiper, a capping system, a spittoon, and optionally, an ink solvent application system. The snout wiper cleans ink residue from a non-ink-ejecting snout portion of an inkjet printhead cartridge installed in the printing mechanism. The snout wiper has a base which moves between a rest position and a wiping position. A wiper is supported by the base to wipe ink residue from the non-ink-ejecting snout portion of the cartridge through motion of the cartridge while the base remains stationary at the wiping position. A method is provided for cleaning an inkjet printhead, along with an inkjet printing mechanism employing such a snout wiping system.

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 replaceable inkjet printhead cleaner service station system has separate replaceable cleaning units for each printhead in an inkjet printing mechanism, which has a pallet that moves the cleaning units translationally to service the printheads. Each cleaning unit has a printhead wiper, a printhead snout wiper, a capping system, a spittoon, and optionally, an ink solvent application system. A service station pallet moves a replaceable base between rest and sealing positions, with the base defining a cam surface. A sled has a cam follower that rides along the cam surface, with the sled supporting a cap lip. An activation wall extends from the sled to engage the printhead and move the sled along the cam surface to the sealing position through linear motion of the pallet while the printhead remains stationary. A method is provided for sealing an inkjet printhead, along with a printing mechanism employing such a capping system.

Abstract: A unitary latching device moves between an open position allowing individual inkjet print cartridges to be installed or replaced and a closed position securely positioning a plurality of print cartridges in a carriage during printing, replenishing and servicing modes.

Abstract: An inkjet print cartridge is provided in a printer for removable installation in a carriage which typically holds a plurality of print cartridges of different color printing liquids. In order to minimize overall size of the printer and its carriage, a handle is pivotally mounted on a crown of the print cartridge to move from a down recessed position during normal printing and servicing operations to an upraised position for gripping while removing the printhead from a carriage chute. The handle forms a loop to facilitate gripping with the fingers and thumb, and in its preferred form is bendable in order to provide flexible yielding upon application of undesirable lateral or torsional forces during a removal procedure.

Abstract: A datum arrangement on the replaceable semi-permanent compact print cartridge includes three x-datums, one y-datum and two z-datums to assure proper seating of the print cartridge in the carriage as well as proper electric and fluidic interconnections.

Abstract: An inkjet print cartridge is provided for removable installation in a carriage which typically holds a plurality of print cartridges of different color printing liquids. In order to minimize overall size of the printer and its carriage, a handle is pivotally mounted on a crown of the print cartridge to move from a down recessed position during normal printing and servicing operations to an upraised position for gripping while removing the printhead from a carriage chute. The handle forms a loop to facilitate gripping with the fingers and thumb, and in its preferred form is bendable in order to provide flexible yielding upon application of undesirable lateral or torsional forces during a removal procedure.

Abstract: An inkjet print cartridge having minimized size dimensions and capable of removable installation in a carriage. In a preferred printer environment a plurality of such print cartridges are mounted in a carriage, with each print cartridge holding a different type/color of liquid to be applied to a media material. Liquid replenishment is provided through a liquid interconnect and control signals are provided through an electric interconnect, which are respectively positioned in spaced apart locations on opposite sides of the print cartridge.

Abstract: A replaceable inkjet printhead cleaner service station system has separate replaceable cleaning units for each printhead in an inkjet printing mechanism, which has a pallet that moves the cleaning units translationally to service the printheads. Each cleaning unit has a printhead wiper, a printhead snout wiper, a capping system, a spittoon, and an ink solvent application system, all supported by a base. The snout wiper cleans ink residue from a non-ink-ejecting snout portion of an inkjet printhead cartridge installed in the printing mechanism. The snout wiper is supported by the base for movement between a rest position and a wiping position to wipe ink residue from the cartridge snout portion through motion of the cartridge while the base remains stationary at the wiping position. A method is provided for cleaning an inkjet printhead, along with an inkjet printing mechanism employing such a snout wiping system.

Abstract: A replaceable inkjet printhead cleaner service station system has separate replaceable cleaning units for each printhead in an inkjet printing mechanism, which has a pallet that moves the cleaning units translationally to service the printheads. Each cleaning unit has a printhead wiper, a printhead snout wiper, a capping system, a spittoon, and optionally, an ink solvent application system. A service station pallet moves a replaceable base between rest and sealing positions, with the base defining a cam surface. A sled has a cam follower that rides along the cam surface, with the sled supporting a cap lip. An activation wall extends from the sled to engage the printhead and move the sled along the cam surface to the sealing position through linear motion of the pallet while the printhead remains stationary. A method is provided for sealing an inkjet printhead, along with a printing mechanism employing such a capping system.

Abstract: An ink jet carriage assembly for an off-axis ink delivery ink jet printer including a movable print carriage; a plurality of ink jet printhead cartridges removably supported by the movable print carriage having cartridge septums for accepting respective ink delivery needles; a humidor structure located adjacent the cartridge septums for collecting ink from ink delivery needles when air is purged from ink delivery tubes connected to the ink delivery needles, and for containing or enclosing the ink delivery needles to prevent ink evaporation from the ink delivery tubes. A dummy cartridge collects ink from an ink delivery connector when air is purged from an ink delivery tube connected to the ink delivery connector.

Abstract: A method for ink jet printing that includes the steps of determining an amount and direction of rotational misalignment of a left nozzle column and a right nozzle column of an ink jet printhead relative to a media advance axis; selecting one of the left nozzle column and the right nozzle column as a first to print nozzle column; determining a media advance correction to compensate the rotational misalignment; printing dots on a print media with the first to print nozzle column in a first carriage scan; moving the print media by the media advance correction; and printing dots on the print media with the other of the left nozzle column and the second nozzle column.