Abstract: A method of maintaining an elongate inkjet printhead includes the steps of: positioning a suction nozzle opposite inkjet nozzles of the printhead; positioning a wiper offset from the inkjet nozzles; and moving the suction nozzle and the wiper together along a length of the printhead. The wiper contacts only a non-printing part of the printhead while the suction nozzle is spaced apart from the inkjet nozzles of printhead.

Abstract: A method of maintaining an elongate inkjet printhead includes the steps of: positioning a suction nozzle opposite inkjet nozzles of the printhead; positioning a wiper offset from the inkjet nozzles; and moving the suction nozzle and the wiper together along a length of the printhead. The wiper contacts only a non-printing part of the printhead while the suction nozzle is spaced apart from the inkjet nozzles of printhead.

Abstract: A maintenance system for maintaining an elongate inkjet printhead. The maintenance system includes: a carriage movable longitudinally along the printhead, the carriage including a maintenance member having a primary suction nozzle facing inkjet nozzles of the printhead and a wiper adjacent the primary suction nozzle; a traversing mechanism for traversing the carriage longitudinally along the printhead; and an engagement mechanism for urging the wiper and the printhead into engagement with each other. During use, the wiper contacts a non-printing part of the printhead and the primary suction nozzle is spaced apart from the printhead.

Abstract: A maintenance system for maintaining an elongate inkjet printhead. The maintenance system includes: a carriage movable longitudinally along the printhead, the carriage including a maintenance member having a primary suction nozzle facing inkjet nozzles of the printhead and a wiper adjacent the primary suction nozzle; a traversing mechanism for traversing the carriage longitudinally along the printhead; and an engagement mechanism for urging the wiper and the printhead into engagement with each other. During use, the wiper contacts a non-printing part of the printhead and the primary suction nozzle is spaced apart from the printhead.

Abstract: An ink supply system for an inkjet printhead. The ink supply system includes: an ink reservoir for containing ink, the ink reservoir having a flexible wall; a spring contained within the ink reservoir, the spring being configured for biasing the flexible wall away from an opposite wall of the ink reservoir; an ink conduit providing fluid communication between the ink reservoir and the printhead; and a pressure device for positively pressurizing the flexible wall of the ink reservoir against the bias of the spring. The pressure device includes an air pump for positively pressurizing an air chamber communicating with the flexible wall, such that actuation of the air pump causes the wall to move towards the opposite wall against the bias of the spring.

Abstract: An inkjet printer that has a printhead with an array of ink ejection nozzles, an upstream ink line for connecting the printhead to an ink supply, a downstream ink line for connecting the printhead to a sump, a pump in the downstream ink line for drawing fluid out of the printhead, a gas inlet in communication with the printhead, the gas inlet being configured to open to atmosphere during a printhead de-priming operation, and close to atmosphere during a printhead priming operation and, an accumulator positioned in the upstream ink line for generating a positive pressure pulse for priming the printhead.

Abstract: A system for maintaining an elongate stationary print head is disclosed. The system has a carriage movable lengthwise along the elongate stationary print head. The carriage has a roller urged against the print head during movement in at least one direction. The system also has two reels, with a strip of material fed from one of the reels, around the roller of the carriage and onto the other reel. The carriage is moved lengthwise along the elongate stationary print head causing the strip around the roller of the carriage to wipe the print head when the roller is urged against the print head.

Abstract: A combined capper-platen for a stationary print head is disclosed. The capper-platen has a platen arranged below the stationary print head. The platen is movable towards and away from the print head. The capper-platen also has a capper having a perimeter gasket. The perimeter gasket is arranged around the platen and movable towards and away from the print head. The movement of the capper is co-axial to the movement of the platen and independent from the movement of the platen. The perimeter gasket seals the stationary print head when moved against the stationary print head. The capper-platen further has an actuator for selectively moving the capper and the platen towards and away from the print head.

Abstract: A method of removing flooded ink from an ink ejection face of a printhead. The method comprises moving a surface past the ink ejection face and transferring the flooded ink onto the moving surface, where no part of the surface contacts the face. The surface can be a surface of a disposable sheet. The disposable sheet can be absorbent. The disposable sheet can be different from print media used for printing.

Abstract: An inkjet printer has a carrier frame supporting an ink supply manifold; a pagewidth printhead with an ink ejection surface; an encapsulant defining a film guide and a maintenance station. The maintenance station includes: a chassis; a plurality of rollers mounted on the chassis; a film wound in a loop around the rollers; and a drive motor operatively connected to one of the rollers such that actuation of the drive motor rotates the film around said rollers. The chassis is moveable between a printing position in which the film is remote from the printhead and a cleaning position in which the film engages the film guide so that a cavity is defined by the film, the encapsulant and the ink ejection surface.

Abstract: An inkjet printer comprises an inkjet printhead and an ink reservoir contained in a pressurizable chamber, with an ink conduit interconnecting the ink reservoir and the printhead. An air compressor is in fluid communication with the chamber and a valve is positioned between the air compressor and the chamber. A first air conduit interconnects an outlet of the air compressor and the valve, while a second air conduit interconnects an inlet of the air compressor and the valve. The valve is switchable between a first configuration in which the valve interconnects the outlet and the chamber via the first air conduit, and a second configuration in which the valve interconnects the inlet and the chamber via the second air conduit.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance system for maintaining a printhead having an ink ejection face is provided. The maintenance system comprises: (a) a foaming system for providing liquid foam on the face, (b) a foam transfer surface for receiving the foam from said face, (c) a transport mechanism for feeding said transfer surface through a transfer zone and away from said printhead, and (d) a valve configurable in first and second positions, the first position for establishing fluid communication between said printhead and an ink supply system and the second position for establishing fluid communication between said printhead and said foaming system. The transfer zone is adjacent to and spaced apart from said ink ejection face.

Abstract: A printhead cartridge for an inkjet printer is removably receivable in the printer. The cartridge comprises: a pagewidth printhead, an ink delivery system and a maintenance station. The maintenance station comprises: a chassis reciprocally moveable between a first position and a second position, and a printhead maintenance system mounted on the chassis. The printhead maintenance system is moveable by the chassis between the first position in which the printhead is maintained by the maintenance system and the second position in which the maintenance system is disengaged from the printhead. The chassis comprises an engagement formation for complementary engagement with an engagement arm of an engagement mechanism in the printer. The chassis is moveable by means of the engagement mechanism.

Abstract: An inkjet printer has an inkjet printhead and a printhead maintenance station. The maintenance station includes a maintenance roller which is rotatable and moveable between a first position in which a capping portion is sealingly engaged with the printhead and a second position in which the capping portion is disengaged from the printhead. The maintenance roller is mounted on a chassis which is reciprocally moveable between the first and second positions. The printer includes an engagement mechanism for moving the chassis between the first and second positions by complementary engagement with engagement formations on the chassis.

Abstract: A print head maintenance system for maintaining a stationary print head is disclosed. The maintenance includes both cleaning and priming In one embodiment the system includes a suction nozzle, a pump for supplying suction to the suction nozzle, and a positioning mechanism for moving the suction nozzle longitudinally past the print head. In an alternative embodiment the system further includes an ejection nozzle closely spaced to the suction nozzle, and a further pump for supplying fluid to the ejection nozzle. The positioning mechanism moves the ejection and suction nozzles longitudinally past the print head.

Abstract: A method of removing foreign particulates from an ink ejection face of a pagewidth printhead mounted on a substrate. The substrate has a film guide positioned adjacent the printhead. The method comprises the steps of: (a) flooding the face with ink and dispersing the particulates into the flooded ink; (b) positioning a polymer film in a transfer zone so as to define a cavity defined by the ink ejection face, the film guide and the polymer film; and (c) guiding the polymer film through the transfer zone. The movement of the film in the transfer zone transfers the flooded ink onto the polymer film.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance assembly for removing particulates from an ink ejection face of a printhead. The assembly comprises: pressure means for flooding the face and thereby dispersing the particulates into flooded ink; a first transfer roller having a transfer surface for receiving the flooded ink; a transfer mechanism for rotating the first transfer roller; and an ink removal system for removing ink from the transfer surface. The ink removal system comprises a second transfer roller engaged with the first transfer roller.

Abstract: A method of purging and printing from an inkjet printhead. The method comprises the steps of: (i) purging the printhead using a purging ink, thereby flooding an ink ejection face of the printhead; (ii) removing the flooded ink from the ink ejection face by feeding a transfer surface past the printhead, wherein no part of the transfer surface makes contact with the printhead; and (iii) printing from the printhead using a printing ink.

Abstract: An inkjet printer that has a printhead with an ink ejection face, an ink supply system for supplying ink to the printhead and a foaming system for generating a liquid foam on the ejection face. The liquid foam is a matrix of liquid membranes forming randomly-packed Voronoi polyhedra.

Abstract: Provided is a printhead maintenance station for a pagewidth printer. The maintenance station includes a capper having an open-ended capping chamber with a perimeter gasket for operatively engaging with a printhead of the printer to form a protective seal around the printhead. Also included is an engagement mechanism configured to actuate said capper into and out of sealing engagement with the printhead, as well as an air supply and vacuum assembly with valve arrangements arranged in fluid communication with the capping chamber to facilitate in purging excess ink from the printhead when the capper is engaged with said printhead.