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 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 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: Wetting an absorber material in the bottom of a spittoon in a service station employed in a thermal ink-jet device, such as a facsimile machine, prevents formation of stalagmites of ink and ensures trouble-free operation of the service station. The absorber, which comprises a material having a high capacity for absorbing the liquid ink, is wetted with a sufficient quantity of a liquid having both a low vapor pressure and capable of wetting the absorber material. Such a liquid comprises a hydrocarbon material, such as a paraffin oil.

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: 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: Wetting an absorber material in the bottom of a spittoon in a service station employed in a thermal ink-jet device, such as a facsimile machine, prevents formation of stalagmites of ink and ensures trouble-free operation of the service station. The absorber, which comprises a material having a high capacity for absorbing the liquid ink, is wetted with a sufficient quantity of a liquid having both a low vapor pressure and capable of wetting the absorber material. Such a liquid comprises a hydrocarbon material, such as a paraffin oil.