Abstract: A printhead blotter system includes a supply of blotter material in roll form and a blotter backer structure. The blotter is passed over the backer. A fluid dispenser is mounted to the blotter backer for dispensing a cleaning fluid onto the blotter portion held against the backer surface. A mechanism is coupled to the backer to move the backer toward the printhead to an engagement position, or away from the printhead to a rest position. The mechanism can engage/disengage the blotter portion supported over the fabric backer with the printhead orifice plate.

Abstract: Techniques for dispensing a wiper cleaning fluid onto a printhead ink-ejecting nozzles, wherein the fluid is sprayed onto the nozzles, effectively dissolving ink and residue on the surface.

Abstract: A print head cleaning apparatus of an ink jet printer and an ink jet printer having the same, disposed to be movable between a printing position to eject ink from an ink injection nozzle to print an image on a paper sheet and a cleaning position to clean the ink injection nozzle. The print head is cleaned at the cleaning position using ultrasonic waves. The print head cleaning apparatus is fixed to the printer. The print head is moved to the print head cleaning apparatus and is then cleaned by the print head cleaning apparatus. Therefore, the print head is moved using an existing carrier transferring unit without a separate driving device to drive the print head, thereby facilitating the cleaning operation.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a printhead wherein

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering ink solvent to a printhead in a printing device is provided, the apparatus including a reservoir structure configured to hold ink solvent, a dispensing structure configured to dispense ink solvent drawn from the reservoir structure, and elongate conveyance structure fluidly connecting the reservoir structure to the dispensing structure, and having along its length a surface-energy characteristic which conveys a flowable continuum of ink solvent to the dispensing structure at least partially via surface-energy phenomena.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering ink solvent to a printhead in a printing device is provided, the apparatus including a reservoir structure configured to hold ink solvent, a dispensing structure configured to dispense ink solvent drawn from the reservoir structure, and elongate conveyance structure fluidly connecting the reservoir structure to the dispensing structure, and having along its length a surface-energy characteristic which conveys a flowable continuum of ink solvent to the dispensing structure at least partially via surface-energy phenomena.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to systems and methods for remediating printhead cross-contamination wherein at least one of the ink-jet inks has undergone crashing. Specifically, a method of minimizing or reversing crashing of a first ink-jet ink that has reacted with a second ink-jet ink on a printhead can comprise the steps of dispensing a reactive cleaning fluid that is chemically configured to react with the first ink-jet ink after crashing; and cleaning a printhead having a crashed inkjet ink thereon with the reactive cleaning fluid, thereby minimizing or reverse crashing at the printhead.

Abstract: A liquid composition for cleaning and removing koga on a heater formed after long-term use of an ink-jet recording head, or contaminants introduced during manufacture of the ink-jet recording head is provided. The liquid composition includes an effective amount of a cleaner to clean an ink-jet recording head, and the cleaner is at least one selected from an organic acid, a salt of organic acid, an organic acid ester, and a salt of organic acid ester.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a self-cleaning print head having an orifice plate defining an ink jet orifice, cleaning orifice and drain orifice. The orifice plate further defines an outer surface between the orifices. The print head has a source of pressurized cleaning fluid connected to the cleaning orifice and a fluid return connected to the drain orifice for storing used cleaning fluid. During cleaning operations, the source of pressurized cleaning fluid causes cleaning fluid to flow from the cleaning orifice, and the cleaning orifice directs the flow of cleaning fluid across the outer surface and the ink jet orifice and into the drain orifice.

Abstract: An ink jet printer is provided having a printhead defining a plurality of orifices for ejecting ink droplets. The printer comprises a source of cleaning fluid, a cleaning member having a surface partially dipped in the cleaning fluid, a first drive mechanism to move the cleaning member surface creating a flow of cleaning fluid on the surface and a second drive mechanism to advance the printhead and the cleaning member surface into a proximate and separate relation with the cleaning member surface wherein at least one of the orifices of the printhead enters the flow of cleaning fluid wherein the print head and the cleaning member surface are separated by gap of between 0.1 mm and 2.54 mm.

Abstract: A plate-making method comprising: forming an image directly on a plate material by an electrostatic ink jet method comprising ejecting an oil ink using electrostatic field based on signals of image data; and fixing said image to manufacture a printing plate, wherein said method uses: (1) an ink circulation line having the following members a, b and c: a. an ink jet ejection head, b. an ink transportation line comprising an ink feed line for feeding said oil ink to said ink jet ejection head and an ink recovery line for recovering said oil ink from said ink jet ejection head, and c.

Abstract: A self-cleaning print head for an ink jet printer directs ink to a substrate to be marked. The print head has a drop generator with a body that has a front face, an ink supply conduit and at least one orifice extending through the front face. The orifice also defines a nozzle for ejecting ink droplets. A solvent supply conduit is provided for supplying solvent to the front face of the drop generator, and a drain conduit is provided for suctioning the solvent from the front face and into the drain conduit. The supply conduit and the drain conduit have openings on the front face disposed relative to each other and the orifice(s) so that the solvent released from the supply conduit moves along the front face, adjacent the orifice(s) and into the drain conduit regardless of the spatial orientation of the print head. This allows the solvent to move residue from the front face and into the drain conduit no matter the orientation of the print head.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing on a substrate is provided. The apparatus includes a substrate feeding system for feeding the substrate through a printing station in the apparatus and a printing system at the printing station for printing on the substrate. The substrate feeding system includes a drive roll upstream of the printing station; a drive motor for driving the drive roll, a tension roll downstream of the printing station; a tension motor for driving the tension roll, a coupling assembly coupling the tension motor to the tension roll and effective to apply a pivotal force to the tension motor in one direction about the axis of the tension roll according to the actual tension on the substrate, and a biasing-force device effective to apply a pivotal biasing force to the tension motor in the opposite direction about the axis of the tension roll according to the desired tension on the substrate.

Abstract: A self-cleaning print head is provided. The self-cleaning print head comprises a print head body having an outer surface defining an ink jet orifice. A source of pressurized cleaning fluid is provided to generate a flow of cleaning fluid at the outer surface during cleaning. A fluid drain is provided to receive the flow of cleaning fluid. A movable flow guide defines a flow path from the source of pressurized cleaning fluid along the outer surface and ink jet orifice and to the fluid drain. During cleaning, a translation drive moves the flow guides along a path that diverges from the flow path.

Abstract: A print head maintenance device is used in a printing device. The print head maintenance device cleans a print head of the printing device. The print head is movable on a horizontal track of the printing device. The print head has at least one linearly arranged nozzle array. When the print head moves across the maintenance device, the print head will connect with the maintenance device through the connecting device, making the connecting device capable of moving along the first track to slide the ink brush along the second track so as to clean remaining ink from the nozzle array of the print head.

Abstract: Techniques for dispensing a wiper cleaning fluid onto a printhead ink-ejecting nozzles, wherein the fluid is sprayed onto the nozzles, effectively dissolving ink and residue on the surface.

Abstract: A self-cleaning printer system (400) with cleaning liquid (300) and cleaning mechanism (140) with a rotating disk cleaning assembly (32) can be used to remove contaminants from a print head (16) in the self-cleaning ink jet printer system (400). A rotating disk cleaning assembly (32) is disposed relative to the surface (15) of a print head (16) for directing a flow of cleaning liquid (300) along the surface (15) and to direct sliding contact of a disk (190) to clean the contaminants from the surface (15). The rotating disk cleaning assembly (32) is configured to introduce cleaning liquid (300) to the print head surface (15) to facilitate and augment cleaning by the disk (190). Flow of the cleaning liquid (300) is facilitated by vacuum pump (36) which directs cleaning liquid (300) from a cleaning liquid reservoir (270) to the rotating disk cleaning assembly (32).

Abstract: Process and device for cleaning the nozzles of ink jet printers, and the print head incorporating such a device. A fixed cleaning jet (22) is installed on the print head, downstream of the ink nozzle to be cleaned (18) and offset to one side of it. When the ink jet stops, a given volume of solvent is sprayed by this cleaning jet, which hits the nozzle (18) at an angle. In this way the front face of the droplet generator is cleaned and scoured, and the ink residues are ejected towards the opposite side of the housing (36). Dry compressed air is then blown through the cleaning jet towards the ink nozzle (18) to dry the front of the nozzle and the ink residues deposited on the side of the housing (36).

Abstract: A print head cleaning apparatus of an ink jet printer and an ink jet printer having the same, disposed to be movable between a printing position to eject ink from an ink injection nozzle to print an image on a paper sheet and a cleaning position to clean the ink injection nozzle. The print head is cleaned at the cleaning position using ultrasonic waves. The print head cleaning apparatus is fixed to the printer. The print head is moved to the print head cleaning apparatus and is then cleaned by the print head cleaning apparatus. Therefore, the print head is moved using an existing carrier transferring unit without a separate driving device to drive the print head, thereby facilitating the cleaning operation.

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: A self-cleaning ink jet printer with cleaning mechanism and method of cleaning the ink jet printer. The printer comprises a print head having a surface thereon surrounding a plurality of ink ejection orifices. The orifices are in communication with respective ones of a plurality of ink channels formed in the print head. A solvent delivering canopy is constructed from alternating stacked layers of polyimide and stainless steel sheets with internal geometries, one on top of each other, thus creating internal fluidic passageways. The canopy is connected to a manifold body and has a passageway alignable with the surface. Contaminant residing on the surface is entrained in the solvent when a wiper blade loosens contaminant from the surface. Per an applied vacuum, the canopy vacuums the solvent and entrained contaminant from the surface.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a self-cleaning printer with a print head having an orifice plate defining an ink jet orifice, a cleaning orifice and a drain orifice. The orifice plate further defines an outer surface between the orifices. A source of pressurized cleaning fluid is connected to the cleaning orifice and a fluid return is connected to the drain orifice for storing used cleaning fluid. A cleaning surface is disposed adjacent to and separate from the outer surface to define a capillary fluid flow path from the cleaning orifice across the ink jet orifice and to the drain orifice. During cleaning, the source of pressurized cleaning fluid discharges a flow of a cleaning fluid into the capillary fluid flow path and pressurized cleaning fluid from the capillary flow path passes through the drain orifice and into the fluid return.

Abstract: An ink jet printer with wiper blade cleaning mechanism, and method of cleaning. A print head surface includes a plurality of ink ejection orifices. A solvent delivering wiper has a first passageway therethrough alignable with the surface. The first passageway delivers a liquid solvent to the surface to flush contaminant from the surface. The wiper also includes a plurality of wicking channels alignable with the surface and a second passageway in communication with the wicking channels. A vacuum pump is in communication with the second passageway for vacuuming the solvent and entrained contaminant from the surface, along the wicking channels and through the second passageway.

Abstract: Cleaning apparatus for cleaning debris from orifices in an ink jet printhead nozzle plate includes a structure defining a cleaning cavity between two horizontally contacting rollers where cleaning liquid is loaded, agitated, and dynamically sealed in the cavity trough the rotation of the rollers. A relative movement is also provided between the nozzle plate and the cleaning structure so that the nozzle plate can be positioned above the cleaning cavity with the rotating rollers. The nozzle plate is spaced a small distance from the flow of the cleaning liquid that the cleaning fluid fills this small distance. The flow causes the cleaning fluid to engage the nozzle plate and remove debris from the nozzle plate and orifice nozzles. After the cleaning cycle has ended the cleaning fluid is discarded.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus having a cleaning station that is structurally integrated with a droplet deflector is provided. The apparatus includes an ink droplet forming mechanism formed from a printhead having at least one nozzle for ejecting a stream of ink droplets of different volumes, a pneumatic droplet deflector for producing a flow of gas that transversely impinges the droplet stream of the printhead in order to separate ink droplets of different volumes from one another. The droplet deflector includes a pressurized gas source, which may be an air blower, and a plenum for conducting the gas flow generated by the gas source. The cleaning station is formed at least in part from the plenum of the droplet deflector, and provides a flow of both a liquid cleaning fluid and a flow of gas to periodically clean the printhead of the ink droplet forming mechanism.

Abstract: A method is described for removing residue from a fluid deposited on the interior surface of an inkjet printhead after the printhead has contained or dispensed the fluid at least once. The method makes use of a reverse flushing technique optionally used in combination with sonication. A cleaning station for flushing an inkjet printhead with a wash fluid, rinse fluid, and/or inert gas is provided as well.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a print head comprises a print head body defining an interior chamber and an orifice plate. The orifice plate has an outer surface and further defines a cleaning fluid orifice through the orifice plate for conducting a flow of a cleaning fluid through the cleaning fluid orifice and onto an outer surface of said orifice plate. The orifice plate also defines a drain orifice for conducting a flow of cleaning fluid from the surface to the interior chamber. A supply of pressurized cleaning fluid is disposed in said cavity and connected to the cleaning fluid passageway. During cleaning operations, the fluid flow system defines a flow of a cleaning fluid from the passageway and onto said outer surface. The drain orifice receives cleaning fluid from the outer surface and channels the cleaning fluid into the fluid return.

Abstract: A service station system for cleaning printheads, particularly inkjet printheads is provided. The service station includes a body having a seal attached thereto and at least one pressure operated sprayer attached to the body within an area demarcated by the seal. Each sprayer includes a bent cap, which enables spraying a cleaning agent at a predetermined spray angle. The sprayers are positioned so that substantially all of the nozzle plate will be wetted by the cleaning agent when the seal, the body and the nozzle plate are positioned to form an enclosed volume. The service station also includes a pressure release valve to keep the pressure within the enclosed volume at atmospheric level during spraying.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a self-cleaning print head is provided. The self-cleaning print head comprises a print head body having an outer surface defining an ink jet orifice. A source of pressurized cleaning fluid is provided to generate a flow of cleaning fluid at the outer surface during cleaning. A fluid drain is provided to receive the flow of cleaning fluid. A movable flow guide defines a flow path from the source of pressurized cleaning fluid along the outer surface and ink jet orifice and to the fluid drain. During cleaning, a translation drive moves the flow guides along a path that diverges from the flow path.

Abstract: An ink jet recording device is provided, which is capable of improving workability of cleaning and a restoration property of a system after cleaning and carrying out printing in a properly maintained state using ink that requires cleaning at a high frequency. The ink jet recording device, which is provided with a plurality of ink jet head 1A having a plurality of nozzle openings for discharging ink supplied from ink reservoir portions 7 and 11, is further provided with a cleaning liquid supply pipe 6 via an open-close valve 4 separately from an ink supply pipe 5 via an open-close valve 3 in the vicinity of the upper surface of a flow path substrate 2A.

Abstract: A wet-wiping printhead cleaning system for inkjet printer incorporating a wiper for wiping the printhead including a treatment fluid applicator configured for placing treatment fluid onto at least one element of the printhead and wiper elements involved in wiping the printhead orifice plate surface, the treatment fluid being placed on said at least one element by direct contact of the applicator, subsequently the wiper wipes the printhead, the treatment being available to enhance cleaning effectiveness, the treatment fluid lubricating the wiper so as to lengthen wiper service life and enhance wiping performance, as well as acting to render unwanted accumulations on the printhead more removable by wiping.

Abstract: A system for cleaning clogged orifices of a fluid head includes both apparatus and method by which reverse flow of a cleaning solution is combined with providing the vibrational energy of an ultrasonic frequency generator to the fluid head. A liquid pump and a filter interconnect between the input terminal of a fluid head to be cleaned and the input to the cleaning chamber of the apparatus so that a liquid cleaning solution reverse flushes the clogged fluid head, while the ultrasonic frequency generator is providing vibrational energy to break loose stubborn clogs.

Abstract: An ink jet printer is provided having a printhead defining a plurality of orifices for ejecting ink droplets. The printer comprises a source of cleaning fluid, a cleaning member having a surface partially dipped in the cleaning fluid, a first drive mechanism to move the cleaning member surface creating a flow of cleaning fluid on the surface and a second drive mechanism to advance the printhead and the cleaning member surface into a proximate and separate relation with the cleaning member surface wherein at least one of the orifices of the printhead enters the flow of cleaning fluid wherein the print head and the cleaning member surface are separated by gap of between 0.1 mm and 2.54 mm.

Abstract: A scraper system having coarse and fine cleaning components is provided for cleaning ink residue from a wiper after wiping ink residue from a printhead in an inkjet printing mechanism. The scraper system includes a stationary coarse scraper bar which the wiper passes over to remove the ink residue from the wiper body. The system a fine scraper of a foam material which may be impregnated with an ink solvent. The fine scraper foam is sliced to form segments separated by slits. As the wiper passes over the fine scraper, the wiper tip plunges into the slits to remove ink residue from the important wiper tips, leaving them clean for the next printhead wiping stroke. The fine scraper may be cam actuated to selectively engage the wiper or mounted stationarily. A method of cleaning printheads and inkjet printing mechanisms having scraper system are also provided.

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 ganged inkjet printhead sealing system maintains inkjet printhead health in an inkjet printing mechanism during periods of printing inactivity. In multi-printhead printing mechanisms, separate caps seal against each of the printheads. The caps each have an outlet vent. The vents are all ganged together and fluidically coupled to a single, common pressure regulation chamber that isolates the environment adjacent the printhead nozzles from the external environment when the printheads are capped. A fluid in a U-shaped manometer tube, or an elastomeric bladder are used to isolate the pressure chamber environment. The bladder may be constructed as a thin-walled sheet, a spring-biased bag, or as a bellows. The pressure chamber volume changes to accommodate pressure spikes during the capping process, as well as environmental changes in temperature, elevation, barometric pressure, etc. An inkjet printing mechanism having such a ganged capping system, along with associated capping methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a self-cleaning print head having an orifice plate defining an ink jet orifice, cleaning orifice and drain orifice. The orifice plate further defines an outer surface between the orifices. The print head has a source of pressurized cleaning fluid connected to the cleaning orifice and a fluid return connected to the drain orifice for storing used cleaning fluid. During cleaning operations, the source of pressurized cleaning fluid causes cleaning fluid to flow from the cleaning orifice, and the cleaning orifice directs the flow of cleaning fluid across the outer surface and the ink jet orifice and into the drain orifice.

Abstract: A method is described for removing residue from a fluid deposited on the interior surface of an inkjet printhead after the printhead has contained or dispensed the fluid at least once. The method makes use of a reverse flushing technique optionally used in combination with sonication. A cleaning station for flushing an inkjet printhead with a wash fluid, rinse fluid, and/or inert gas is provided as well.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a print head comprises a print head body defining an interior chamber and an orifice plate. The orifice plate has an outer surface and further defines a cleaning fluid orifice through the orifice plate for conducting a flow of a cleaning fluid through the cleaning fluid orifice and onto an outer surface of said orifice plate. The orifice plate also defines a drain orifice for conducting a flow of cleaning fluid from the surface to the interior chamber. A supply of pressurized cleaning fluid is disposed in said cavity and connected to the cleaning fluid passageway. During cleaning operations, the fluid flow system defines a flow of a cleaning fluid from the passageway and onto said outer surface. The drain orifice receives cleaning fluid from the outer surface and channels the cleaning fluid into the fluid return.

Abstract: An ink jet printer with cleaning mechanism, and method of assembling same. The printer comprises a print head having a surface thereon surrounding a plurality of ink ejection orifices. The orifices are in communication with respective ones of a plurality of ink channels formed in the print head. A vacuum hood capable of sealingly surrounding at least one of the orifices has having a first passageway therethrough capable of being disposed in communication with the orifice for vacuuming contaminant from the ink channel by way of the orifice. A solvent delivering wiper is connected to the hood and has a second passageway therethrough alignable with the surface. The second passageway delivers a liquid solvent to the surface to flush contaminant from the surface. Contaminant residing on the surface is entrained in the solvent while the wiper flushes contaminant from the surface. A vacuum canopy is connected to the wiper and has a third passageway therethrough alignable with the surface.

Abstract: A printhead blotter system includes a supply of blotter material in roll form and a blotter backer structure. The blotter is passed over the backer. A fluid dispenser is mounted to the blotter backer for dispensing a cleaning fluid onto the blotter portion held against the backer surface. A mechanism is coupled to the backer to move the backer toward the printhead to an engagement position, or away from the printhead to a rest position. The mechanism can engage/disengage the blotter portion supported over the fabric backer with the printhead orifice plate.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a self-cleaning printer with a print head having an orifice plate defining an ink jet orifice, a cleaning orifice and a drain orifice. The orifice plate further defines an outer surface between the orifices. A source of pressurized cleaning fluid is connected to the cleaning orifice and a fluid return is connected to the drain orifice for storing used cleaning fluid. A cleaning surface is disposed adjacent to and separate from the outer surface to define a capillary fluid flow path from the cleaning orifice across the ink jet orifice and to the drain orifice. During cleaning, the source of pressurized cleaning fluid discharges a flow of a cleaning fluid into the capillary fluid flow path and pressurized cleaning fluid from the capillary flow path passes through the drain orifice and into the fluid return.

Abstract: A self-cleaning in ink jet printer (10) with cleaning mechanism (170) and method of cleaning the ink jet printer. The printer (10) comprises a print head (60) having a surface (95) thereon surrounding a plurality of ink ejection orifices (90). The orifices (90) are in communication with respective ones of a plurality of ink channels (70) formed in the print head (60). A canopy (185) is constructed from alternating stacked layers (185a, 185b, 185c, 185d, 185e) of polyimide and stainless steel sheets with internal geometries, one on top of each other thus creating internal fluidic passageways. The solvent delivering canopy (185) is connected to a manifold body (180) and has a passageway (234) alignable with the surface (95). Contaminant residing on the surface is entrained in the solvent when a wiper blade (225) loosens contaminant from the surface (95). The canopy (185) also has a passageway (236) alignable with the surface (95).

Abstract: A two-stage scraper system having coarse and fine cleaning components is provided for cleaning ink residue from a wiper following wiping a printhead in an inkjet printing mechanism. A fixed, coarse scraper bar is sandwiched between a pair of moveable fine scraper bars. During the first scraping stage, the fine scrapers are retracted from the wiper path and the coarse scraper cleans one side of the wiper. During the second scraping stage, the fine scraper move into the wiper path and one of the fine scrapers removes ink residue from the wiper tip. Moving bi-directionally, the wiper reverses to first encounter the coarse scraper, then the other fine scraper, removing ink residue from the other side and tip of the wiper. The fine scrapers may be absorbent or impregnated with an ink solvent. A method of cleaning printhead and inkjet printing mechanisms having two-stage wiper cleaning systems 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 cleaning assembly (170) for removing contaminants from the surface (90) of an ink jet print head (60) in a self-cleaning ink jet printer (10). The print head (60) defines a plurality of ink channels (31) terminating in orifices (25) with a surface (90) surrounding the orifices (25). A gutter (17) is disposed opposite the print head surface (90) for collecting ink droplets (100) ejected from the orifices (25). A cleaning assembly (170) includes a cup (190) defining a cavity (197) with an open end (195) adapted to make contact with the print head surface (90). An inflow channel (210) provides the entry pathway for cleaning liquid to flow into the cavity (197) via a gap (220). An outflow channel provides an exit pathway for the flow of cleaning liquid from cavity (197).

Abstract: An ink-jet printer comprises a machine frame (14); a printing head (16) provided reciprocatingly movable in a predetermined direction in the machine frame, the printing head including a plurality of nozzles (28) for ejecting ink droplets and at least one nozzle surface (30) on which the nozzles open; ink-supply means (18) for supplying ink to the printing head; material-feeding means (20) for feeding a material to be printed (M) into a printing area (P) opposed to the printing head in the machine frame; and maintenance means (22) provided with a plurality of functional stations distributively arranged at opposite end regions of a reciprocation range of the printing head in the machine frame.

Abstract: A service station wiper fluid in an inkjet ink printing system, which in addition to the servicing fluid, also has a surfactant which improves the surface energy consistency of the nozzle plate, thus stabilizing the drop directionality of the ink from inkjet nozzle to the print media.

Abstract: A replaceable reservoir cartridge is provided for use in an inkjet apparatus, wherein a reservoir cartridge with a first ink has been installed and which is to be replaced by a reservoir cartridge including a second ink. The replaceable reservoir cartridge includes a supply of fluid for flushing the first ink from the pathways in the inkjet apparatus. A memory is carried by the replaceable reservoir cartridge and couples to a processor within the inkjet apparatus when the replaceable reservoir cartridge is installed. The memory includes parameters, which, upon being accessed and utilized by a procedure stored in the processor, causes a printing of a plurality of disposable media sheets to enable a flushing of the first ink from pathways in the inkjet apparatus. The replaceable reservoir cartridge may be incorporated into a kit which further includes a storage media (i.e., a diskette) with a procedure for controlling the inkjet apparatus to enable operation of the flushing action.

Abstract: An ink solvent application system applies an inkjet ink solvent with a wiper to clean ink residue from an inkjet printhead. The solvent is stored in a porous applicator and extracted using capillary forces generated when the wiper is rubbed across the applicator. To retain sufficient amounts of ink solvent on the wiper, the wiper moves away from the applicator in a coordinated motion having both rotational and translational components. This coordinated motion for picking solvent from the applicator is superior to a purely rotational stroke of the wiper, which picks very little solvent. The wiper then wipes the solvent across the printhead to dissolve accumulated ink residue. The wiper then moves across a blotter to remove dissolved ink residue and dirty solvent from the wiper. A method of cleaning ink residue from an inkjet printhead, along with an inkjet printing mechanism having such a solvent application system, are also provided.