Abstract: A ferro-fluidic inkjet printhead sealing and spitting system is provided for maintaining inkjet printhead health, prior to and after installation in an inkjet printing mechanism. As a ferro-fluidic capping system for sealing printhead nozzles which eject ink having either polar properties or non-polar properties, the system includes a support structure engageable with the printhead, and a magnetic element supported by the support structure. A ferro-fluidic fluid overlays the magnetic element to seal against the printhead nozzles when the support structure is engaged with the printhead. The ferro-fluidic fluid has polar properties when the ink has non polar properties, and non-polar properties when the ink has polar properties. The ferro-fluidic fluid may be used to receive ink spit from the printhead, or when used with an adhesive tape, to protect an inkjet cartridge during shipping. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a ferro-fluidic system, along with associated methods are also provided.

Abstract: A liquid capping system for sealing the ink-ejecting nozzles of an inkjet printhead during periods of printing inactivity uses a vicious, inkjet ink compatible, sealing liquid that is applied to the printhead surface to seal the nozzles and prevent the ink in the printhead from drying. An inkjet printing mechanism houses the printhead and has a service station that stores the sealing liquid. To selectively apply the sealing liquid to the printhead, the service station has an applicator mechanism including a dispenser member and a sealing wiper that transfers the sealing liquid from the dispenser member to the printhead. The sealing wiper may also clean the printhead face or be dedicated to only sealing the printhead. A method is provided for sealing an inkjet printhead using a liquid capping system, including the step of spitting the printhead to clear the sealing liquid from the nozzles before returning to printing.

Abstract: A ferro-fluidic inkjet printhead sealing and spitting system is provided for maintaining inkjet printhead health, prior to and after installation in an inkjet printing mechanism. As a ferro-fluidic capping system for sealing printhead nozzles which eject ink having either polar properties or non-polar properties, the system includes a support structure engageable with the printhead, and a magnetic element supported by the support structure. A ferro-fluidic fluid overlays the magnetic element to seal against the printhead nozzles when the support structure is engaged with the printhead. The ferro-fluidic fluid has polar properties when the ink has non polar properties, and non-polar properties when the ink has polar properties. The ferro-fluidic fluid may be used to receive ink spit from the printhead, or when used with an adhesive tape, to protect an inkjet cartridge during shipping. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a ferro-fluidic system, along with associated methods are also provided.

Abstract: A ferro-fluidic inkjet printhead sealing and spitting system is provided for maintaining inkjet printhead health, prior to and after installation in an inkjet printing mechanism. As a ferro-fluidic capping system for sealing printhead nozzles which eject ink having either polar properties or non-polar properties, the system includes a support structure engageable with the printhead, and a magnetic element supported by the support structure. A ferro-fluidic fluid overlays the magnetic element to seal against the printhead nozzles when the support structure is engaged with the printhead. The ferro-fluidic fluid has polar properties when the ink has non polar properties, and non-polar properties when the ink has polar properties. The ferro-fluidic fluid may be used to receive ink spit from the printhead, or when used with an adhesive tape, to protect an inkjet cartridge during shipping. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a ferro-fluidic system, along with associated methods are also provided.

Abstract: Document characteristics such as print media and selectable print quality variations are used to determine printhead servicing, e.g., service spitting of ink-jet nozzles. If the next sweep contains the next color in the pen or printhead set, and the next sweep would be greater than the number of sweeps since the last firing of that color ink—whether on page or at the service station—and the last sweep did not fire droplets of the color, a decap service spit and nozzle firing tracking reset is triggered. All service calls spit fire all nozzles, so all timer values are reset whenever at a service spit. Reaching or exceeding a fail-safe limit similarly triggers a decap service spit or other known manner service station operations.

Abstract: A rotary capping system services inkjet printheads in an inkjet printing mechanism. A rotary service station has a tumbler with a dual pivoting link that supports a cap platform. The cap platform is gimbal mounted to the link and spring-biased away from the tumbler. The platform has an extending arm that contacts the printhead carriage to align the cap and printhead. When the printhead is positioned for capping, rotation of the tumbler around an axis parallel to the printhead scanning direction brings the platform arm into contact with the carriage. Continued rotation of the tumbler pivots the link and the platform to sweep the cap through a non-linear, generally arcuate path into a capping position at the printhead. The illustrated cap has a multi-ridge lip for sealing over surface irregularities on the printhead nozzle face. A method of sealing inkjet printhead nozzles is also provided.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead servicing station for an inkjet printing mechanism includes a translational pallet that carries servicing appliances, like wipers, caps and flaps. A service station frame defines a guide track that supports the pallet for translational movement in a plane substantially parallel with a printhead plane and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the scanning axis of the printhead when transported by a carriage. The frame has adjacent pallet and carriage alignment datums. The pallet has a carriage lock that secures the carriage with or without the inkjet printhead installed therein. The pallet has a rack gear that is driven with a spindle pinion gear. The service station frame has a base and a bonnet cover that define the guide track, with the pallet being sandwiched therebetween. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a service station, and a method of assembling a service station are also provided.

Abstract: A liquid capping system for sealing the ink-ejecting nozzles of an inkjet printhead during periods of printing inactivity uses a vicious, inkjet ink compatible, sealing liquid that is applied to the printhead surface to seal the nozzles and prevent the ink in the printhead from drying. An inkjet printing mechanism houses the printhead and has a service station that stores the sealing liquid. To selectively apply the sealing liquid to the printhead, the service station has an applicator mechanism including a dispenser member and a sealing wiper that transfers the sealing liquid from the dispenser member to the printhead. The sealing wiper may also clean the printhead face or be dedicated to only sealing the printhead. A method is provided for sealing an inkjet printhead using a liquid capping system, including the step of spitting the printhead to clear the sealing liquid from the nozzles before returning to printing.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead service station for an inkjet printing mechanism includes a platform that is translationally moveable perpendicular to a scanning axis along which a carriage transports the printhead. The sliding pallet carries servicing appliances, like wipers and caps for servicing the printhead orifice plates, as well as flaps for cleaning cheek regions of the printhead adjacent the orifice plate. The pallet may be moved to expose a spittoon formed thereunder for spitting ink from the printhead. An upper bonnet portion of the service station frame has a scraper bar for removing ink residue from the wipers and flaps. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a service station, and a method of servicing an inkjet printhead are also provided.

Abstract: A vertical axis service station adjustment device or tool for adjusting a position of an inkjet printhead service station with respect to a plane defined by a chassis of an inkjet printing device that includes at least one inkjet printhead is disclosed. An embodiment of the adjustment device includes a base, a pair of ramps, and an adjustment mechanism. The base is slideably mounted on the chassis so as to be capable of translation along the plane defined by the chassis. The ramps are coupled to the base and each define an angled track that supports the service station and with respect to which a member of the service station rides during translation of the base. The adjustment mechanism is coupled to the base and is actuable to translate the base along the plane, thereby moving the angled track of each ramp with respect to the member of the service station on that track, which results in movement of the service station in a direction that is at an angle to the plane defined by the chassis.

Abstract: A trap door spittoon system confines airborne ink aerosol satellites generated while purging an inkjet printhead. This systems prevent stray ink aerosol from clinging to undesired surfaces in an inkjet printing mechanism. The printing mechanism has an inkjet printhead that selectively ejects ink during both printing and when purging the printhead by a process known as "spitting." This ink ejection generates as a by-product airborne ink aerosol satellites, which float about the mechanism, often landing in undesirable locations. To confine the ink aerosol generated during purging, the printing mechanism has a spittoon with a mouth that is covered by a trap door mechanism immediately following spitting to capture the stray aerosol within the spittoon. Various pivoting and sliding door embodiments are shown, along with a method of operating an inkjet printing mechanism to confine the wandering inkjet aerosol.

Abstract: A rotary priming service station system is provided for priming inkjet printheads in an inkjet printing mechanism. A platform pivoted to a rotatable tumbler supports a plunger-actuated rolling diaphragm cap. A trigger mechanism is pivoted to the sled to actuate the cap plunger, which pulls down on the cap to draw a negative priming pressure on the nozzles when the cap is sealed against the printhead. A retractable stand-off finger project through the sled to separate the diaphragm cap from the printhead until the cap begin to draw the negative priming pressure. Through tumbler rotation and printhead motion, the trigger mechanism is cocked and activated. The platform supports a wiper that performs a fast post-prime wipe of the printhead. The tumbler rotates the cap and wiper against a blotting mechanism to blot away any primed ink residue. A method is also provided for priming inkjet printheads in an inkjet printing mechanism.

Abstract: A rotary capping system services inkjet printheads in an inkjet printing mechanism. A rotary service station has a tumbler with a dual pivoting link that supports a cap platform. The cap platform is gimbal mounted to the link and spring-biased away from the tumbler. The platform has an extending arm that contacts the printhead carriage to align the cap and printhead. When the printhead is positioned for capping, rotation of the tumbler around an axis parallel to the printhead scanning direction brings the platform arm into contact with the carriage. Continued rotation of the tumbler pivots the link and the platform to sweep the cap through a non-linear, generally arcuate path into a capping position at the printhead. The illustrated cap has a multi-ridge lip for sealing over surface irregularities on the printhead nozzle face. A method of sealing inkier printhead nozzles is also provided.

Abstract: As apparatus for producing items in selected configurations and a system and method for controlling the same. The apparatus includes a laser printer and folding sealing apparatus controlled by a data processor. The folder sealer apparatus combines sheets printed by the laser printer with pre-printed sheets and envelope forms, which also may be printed by the laser printer. The apparatus folds the sheets as necessary and folds and seals the envelope form about the folded sheets to produce a mail piece. A user inputs a configuration for the mail piece which is translated by the data processor and transmitted to the controller of the folder sealer apparatus. The controller controls the laser printer and the folder sealer to produce the mail piece in the defined configuration. Concurrently the data processor transmits text from an output file to the laser printer for printing on printed sheets and envelope forms. The data processor also controls the laser printer to print an address for the mail piece.

Abstract: The improved tape advancing system includes a conveyor having a moving surface, a motor having an output shaft, means coupled to said motor for driving said moving surface. A frame is locate opposite said moving surface and includes a plurality of wheel assemblies rotatively supported by said frame for assuring positive communication between the tape shaft carrying a first and second wheel fixably mounted to respective ends of the shaft and are spaced apart, a distance such that said wheels will contact an edge portion of the tape which has not been printed upon by an associated postage meter.

Abstract: Cleaning and priming of ink-ejecting nozzles is achieved by engaging the nozzles with an elastomeric suction cup as the printhead moves to the beginning or ending of a print line. The suction cup contains an inner cup of foam which wipes off any residual ink droplets. The cup assembly is connected to a vacuum pump for drawing ink out of the nozzles. The assembly is mounted on a four-bar linkage which, as it rotates, lifts the cup assembly to engage the nozzles in the printhead.