Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a frame and a maintenance sled movably coupled to the frame. The maintenance sled includes a carrier engagement member. A printhead carrier is coupled to the frame. A carrier motor is drivably coupled to the printhead carrier. A controller is coupled to the carrier motor. The controller controls the carrier motor to drive the printhead carrier at a first velocity and at a second velocity. The second velocity is lower than the first velocity. The printhead carrier is controlled to move at the first velocity toward the maintenance sled, wherein prior to the printhead carrier contacting the carrier engagement member of the maintenance sled, the printhead carrier is decelerated from the first velocity to the second velocity.

Abstract: A printhead capping assembly includes a cap holder and a printhead cap. The cap holder defines a cavity and a vent exit. The printhead cap has a base and a lip portion extending from the base. The lip portion defines an open interior region. The base is inserted into the cavity of the cap holder. The base includes a serpentine channel extending from the open interior region to the vent exit of the cap holder.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a maintenance station mounting a printhead wiper having a waste ink collection surface. A printhead carrier carries a printhead and a printhead wiper cleaning mechanism for cleaning the printhead wiper. The printhead wiper cleaning mechanism includes a hook member for contacting the waste ink collection surface of the printhead wiper for removing residual waste ink from the waste ink accumulation surface as the printhead wiper cleaning mechanism moves relative to the printhead wiper.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a frame, and a maintenance station coupled to the frame. The maintenance station includes a maintenance housing having an end portion. A maintenance sled is movably mounted to the maintenance housing. The maintenance sled has a first position and a second position. A flexible member is mounted to the maintenance sled. The flexible member includes a main body and an elastic portion extending from the main body. The main body and the elastic portion define a cavity. The elastic portion of the flexible member contacts the end portion of the maintenance housing when the maintenance sled is in the first position.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a frame and a maintenance sled movably coupled to the frame. The maintenance sled includes a carrier engagement member. A printhead carrier is coupled to the frame. A carrier motor is drivably coupled to the printhead carrier. A controller is coupled to the carrier motor. The controller controls the carrier motor to drive the printhead carrier at a first velocity and at a second velocity. The second velocity is lower than the first velocity. The printhead carrier is controlled to move at the first velocity toward the maintenance sled, wherein prior to the printhead carrier contacting the carrier engagement member of the maintenance sled, the printhead carrier is decelerated from the first velocity to the second velocity.

Abstract: A printhead capping assembly includes a cap holder, a printhead cap and a pin. The pin includes a head and a shaft. The shaft has a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end being adjacent to the head. The head has an outer periphery, and a bottom surface extending outwardly from the shaft toward the outer periphery. The pin has a channel including a first channel portion and a second channel portion. The first channel portion extends from the outer periphery of the head to the shaft. The first channel portion is connected to the second channel portion. The pin is inserted through the second hole and into the first hole to place the head in contact with the second base of the printhead cap. The second base of the printhead cap seals along the first channel portion to define a first vent path portion.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a frame, and a maintenance station coupled to the frame. The maintenance station includes a maintenance housing having an end portion. A maintenance sled is movably mounted to the maintenance housing. The maintenance sled has a first position and a second position. A flexible member is mounted to the maintenance sled. The flexible member includes a main body and an elastic portion extending from the main body. The main body and the elastic portion define a cavity. The elastic portion of the flexible member contacts the end portion of the maintenance housing when the maintenance sled is in the first position.

Abstract: An ink collection assembly includes an ink collection chimney defined, at least in part, by a tubular. The tubular structure has a proximal end and a distal end. The tubular structure extends from the proximal end a first distance to the distal end. The distal end defines an opening for receiving waste ink. A hydrophobic foam is positioned in the tubular structure. With the hydrophobic foam positioned in the tubular structure, the tubular structure includes a hollow portion located between the hydrophobic foam and the proximal end.

Abstract: A printhead capping assembly includes a cap holder, a printhead cap and a pin. The pin includes a head and a shaft. The shaft has a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end being adjacent to the head. The head has an outer periphery, and a bottom surface extending outwardly from the shaft toward the outer periphery. The pin has a channel including a first channel portion and a second channel portion. The first channel portion extends from the outer periphery of the head to the shaft. The first channel portion is connected to the second channel portion. The pin is inserted through the second hole and into the first hole to place the head in contact with the second base of the printhead cap. The second base of the printhead cap seals along the first channel portion to define a first vent path portion.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance cap includes a base and a wall portion. The wall portion is defined by a plurality of adjoining walls, and has a proximal end and a distal end, the plurality of adjoining walls defining an interior region. The proximal end is coupled to the base. A first lip extends from the distal end of the wall portion by a first extent in a direction non-orthogonal to the base, the first lip defining a first perimetrical sealing surface. A second lip extends from the distal end of the wall portion by a second extent, the second lip being spaced apart from the first lip, the second lip defining a second perimetrical sealing surface.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance cap includes a base and a wall portion. The wall portion is defined by a plurality of adjoining walls, and has a proximal end and a distal end, the plurality of adjoining walls defining an interior region. The proximal end is coupled to the base. A first lip extends from the distal end of the wall portion by a first extent in a direction non-orthogonal to the base, the first lip defining a first perimetrical sealing surface. A second lip extends from the distal end of the wall portion by a second extent, the second lip being spaced apart from the first lip, the second lip defining a second perimetrical sealing surface.

Abstract: An ink collection assembly includes an ink collection chimney defined, at least in part, by a tubular. The tubular structure has a proximal end and a distal end. The tubular structure extends from the proximal end a first distance to the distal end. The distal end defines an opening for receiving waste ink. A hydrophobic foam is positioned in the tubular structure. With the hydrophobic foam positioned in the tubular structure, the tubular structure includes a hollow portion located between the hydrophobic foam and the proximal end.

Abstract: A waste ink accumulation system in an ink jet printer includes a rotatable body having an ink-collecting surface and a plurality of projections extending from the ink-collecting surface. An actuating mechanism rotates the body.

Abstract: A receptacle for the color ink spitting of a printhead to maintain the print nozzles and better collect the ink and transfer the waste ink to a containment area utilizes a porous open cell foam spit surface to allow the waste ink and air to pass through while maintaining some surfaces for the transport and collection of waste ink. This open cell design of the foam allows the ink and air to pass through it without deflecting the vast majority of the ink volume. The foam is hydrophobic foam to prevent the foam from absorbing the ink. The foam is also made from an ether-based material to be compatible with the inks. Walls forming a chimney are added to the sides of the foam to help contain and direct the waste ink flow from the printhead to the waste ink accumulation area in the printer. The spit foam and chimney direct the waste ink directly onto a felt absorption pad located below the spit surface where the waste ink is absorbed and stored.

Abstract: A receptacle for the color ink spitting of a printhead to maintain the print nozzles and better collect the ink and transfer the waste ink to a containment area utilizes a porous open cell foam spit surface to allow the waste ink and air to pass through while maintaining some surfaces for the transport and collection of waste ink. This open cell design of the foam allows the ink and air to pass through it without deflecting the vast majority of the ink volume. The foam is hydrophobic foam to prevent the foam from absorbing the ink. The foam is also made from an ether-based material to be compatible with the inks. Walls forming a chimney are added to the sides of the foam to help contain and direct the waste ink flow from the printhead to the waste ink accumulation area in the printer. The spit foam and chimney direct the waste ink directly onto a felt absorption pad located below the spit surface where the waste ink is absorbed and stored.

Abstract: A waste ink accumulation system in an ink jet printer includes a rotatable body having an ink-collecting surface and a plurality of projections extending from the ink-collecting surface. An actuating mechanism rotates the body.