Abstract: A cleaning system for a fluid ejector arrangement employing a single roller for handling different fluids that should not be mixed. The single roller is divided into portions assigned to respective fluids. In embodiments, the single roller is used to clean a plurality of ejectors, in which case each section of the roller handles one ejector. In other embodiments, the single roller is used to clean a single ejector that ejects to a plurality of fluids, in which case each section of the roller handles one fluid. Still other embodiments can employ a plurality of ejectors and a plurality of fluids ejected from one or more of the ejectors, wherein each section of the roller is assigned to a particular fluid, whether the fluid be ejected from the same ejector or from a different ejector.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a fluid ejector arrangement employing a single roller for handling different fluids that should not be mixed. The single roller is divided into portions assigned to respective fluids. In embodiments, the single roller is used to clean a plurality of ejectors, in which case each section of the roller handles one ejector. In other embodiments, the single roller is used to clean a single ejector that ejects to a plurality of fluids, in which case each section of the roller handles one fluid. Still other embodiments can employ a plurality of ejectors and a plurality of fluids ejected from one or more of the ejectors, wherein each section of the roller is assigned to a particular fluid, whether the fluid be ejected from the same ejector or from a different ejector.

Abstract: An improved method of upgrading an image transfer engine such as, for example, an ink jet fluid printer or plotter using liquid ink, or a xerographic device using a liquid toner is disclosed. A removable ink flush tank/cartridge containing an ink cleaner is substituted for a removable ink tank, permitting complete cleaning of ink from the ink fluid flow paths in the engine. This results in less contamination of new inks with previously used inks in the engine.

Abstract: An improved method of upgrading an image transfer engine such as, for example, an ink jet fluid printer or plotter using liquid ink, or a xerographic device using a liquid toner is disclosed. A removable ink flush tank/cartridge containing an ink cleaner is substituted for a removable ink tank, permitting complete cleaning of ink from the ink fluid flow paths in the engine. This results in less contamination of new inks with previously used inks in the engine.

Abstract: Methods and systems for maintaining the concentration of cleaning solutions for cleaning print heads at an effective cleaning level throughout the life of a printer in which the print heads are installed include holding the cleaning fluid in one or more holding tanks. Contaminated cleaning solution in each of the one or more holding tanks is maintained at a suitable contamination/clean solution ratio by adding fresh solution and drawing off contaminated solution from one or more of the one or more holding tanks. The cleaning fluid is recirculated to and from one or more print head cleaning chambers and the one or more holding tanks.

Abstract: A priming method for a fluid ejection system that divides the priming schedule for the ink ejector into two parts (charging and priming). Priming is well known in the industry and is a high negative pressure pulse of short duration to minimize print quality defects and to remove air bubbles in the printhead. Charging is a low negative pressure profile of longer duration to prepare dry or new printhead for use and to minimize discontinuities and ink flow when a new ink jet cartridge is installed.

Abstract: A priming method for a fluid ejection system that divides the priming schedule for the ink ejector into two parts (charging and priming). Priming is well known in the industry and is a high negative pressure pulse of short duration to minimize print quality defects and to remove air bubbles in the printhead. Charging is a low negative pressure profile of longer duration to prepare dry or new printhead for use and to minimize discontinuities and ink flow when a new ink jet cartridge is installed.

Abstract: A printhead priming operation is described which provides an improved restoration of a thermal ink jet printhead following a capping operation. In one embodiment, a printhead is moved to a capping position following a print operation. A timing sequence is initiated in which the resistors are addressed by a partial tone firing pattern. At a later time interval, the resistors are addressed by a full tone firing pattern followed by another partial tone firing pattern. This firing sequence maintains the printhead nozzles free of contaminants while lessening air bubble formation within the printhead channels and ink reservoir. Upon resumption of print operation, the printhead begins printing at a lower temperature achieved during the partial tone firing.

Abstract: A ventable capping and priming assembly is provided for capping a nozzle face of an ink jet printhead so as to enable sealed priming of the printhead, as well as venting of the printhead to relieve defect causing pressures therefrom during non-priming periods. The ventable capping and priming assembly includes a capping member including a sealing member for sealing engagement with the nozzle face of the ink jet printhead, and a capping member mounted to the capping member and including a priming recess and a vacuum path formed therein. Further, the ventable capping and priming assembly includes a venting path formed from an outside surface of the capping member, and through the capping member, into the priming recess for venting the nozzle face of the ink jet printhead being capped, thereby relieving the nozzle face of the ink jet printhead of defect causing capping pressures during non-priming periods.

Abstract: An ink jet printer includes a capping and wiping system in a maintenance station which is connected to a common vacuum source. The wiping system includes a blotter-type collection member which presents an air vent when the printhead is in a capped position. When a priming operation is initiated, the air vent route is blocked, and full pressure is applied at the capping nozzle interface.

Abstract: A priming station for an ink jet printer includes an ink accumulator tank which has an enhanced moisture vapor transfer rate based on a choice of materials and tank design. In a preferred embodiment, the ink accumulator tank is connected between a printhead nozzle face capping member and a vacuum pump. The tank comprises a tub bonded to a cover having holes formed therethrough. A thin, highly permeable film which provides a relatively high moisture vapor transfer rate is adhesively bonded to the cover overlying the holes. In a preferred embodiment, the film is a thin (0.635 to 0.78 mm thick) silicone or Mylar. This design reduces the accumulator tank replacement frequency by increasing the evaporation rate of the ink stored in the tank.

Abstract: A maintenance station of an ink jet printer includes a blade cleaning station wherein a wiper blade assembly provides independent cleaning of different portions of the front nozzle face of a multi-segment ink jet printhead. In one embodiment, a printer includes a color printhead which contains recording groups of nozzles, each group associated with printing of a different colored ink. Each color group is separated by a non-recording boundary sector. To prevent color mixing during a printhead face wiping operation, a blade assembly is formed with separate blade segments which provide separate wiping actions to each recording segment without mixing adjacent wiped colors. In one embodiment, two blades are staggered in a wipe direction. Each blade has furrows formed along its length to coincide with the non-recording segments of a printhead face. Each blade cleans two non-adjacent recording segments, while the total wiping action is accomplished without mixing of ink into the nozzles of adjacent groups.

Abstract: A storage container for temporarily storing an ink jet printhead cartridge during periods of non-use, the container including an improved nozzle capping mechanism which permits a variable range of forces to be applied to obtain the necessary sealing. The membrane is characterized by having, on one surface, a ribbed section which encircles the nozzle area to form a sealing perimeter. The other surface of the membrane has a shallow recess formed beneath the ribbed section, the recess providing for inward deflection along the ribbed area, the ribbed section maintaining an effective seal throughout a deflectable range. The arrangement solves a prior art problem of membrane buckling when excessive force is applied.

Abstract: A maintenance station for an ink jet printer having a printhead with nozzles in a nozzle face and an ink supply cartridge is mounted on a translatable carriage for concurrent movement therewith. When the printer is in a non-printing mode, the carriage is translated to the maintenance station located outside and to one side of a printing zone, where various maintenance functions are provided depending upon the location of the carriage mounted printhead within the maintenance station. The printhead nozzle face is cleaned by at least one wiper blade as the printhead enters and leaves the maintenance station. Adjacent the wiper blade is a location for collecting nozzle-clearing ink droplets, followed by a capping location where a carriage actuatable cap moves into sealing engagement with the printhead nozzle face and surrounds the nozzle to provide a controllable environment therefor. A vacuum pump is interconnected to the cap by flexible hose with an ink separator therebetween.

Abstract: A wiper blade cleaning system has two polyurethane wiping blades of unequal lengths, but which are otherwise identical. The blades are releasably mounted in slots on a planar surface of a fixed structural member. The mounted blades are parallel and spaced apart a predetermined distance. The positioning of the blades is dependent on the order in which they must act on the nozzle face of the printhead as it leaves the priming station, so that the shorter blade cleans first. The shorter blade is stiffer because of its shorter length and serves to remove ink efficiently off of the printhead nozzle face. However, when cleaning a non-coplanar nozzle face, small amounts of ink collected on the shorter blade cleaning edge may be deposited in crevices or other discontinuities on the non-coplanar nozzle face. The longer blade is more compliant because of its added length and follows in the wake of the shorter blade to remove the last vestige of ink left by the stiffer, shorter blade.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and dispensing particulate material comprising a container defining a chamber for storing particulate material having an opening in the surface for dispensing particulate material which may be closed and sealed.