Abstract: An ink coagulating agent of metal salt is provided in a waste ink tank. The coagulating agent is dissolved in aqueous solvent to be a metal salt solution. Absorbers of a porous material are impregnated with the metal salt solution and disposed in the waste ink tank.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a plurality of ink jet recording heads for executing color recording, a recovery structure for maintaining and recovering a discharge state with respect to the plurality of recording heads, and a waste ink collecting container for collecting waste ink discharged from the recovery structure. The recovery structure has a plurality of waste ink collecting routes to the collecting container in accordance with each of the plurality of recording heads, and the plurality of waste ink collecting routes are disposed so as to discharge a predetermined kind of waste ink and other plural kinds of waste ink to different portions of the collecting container, respectively.

Abstract: It is intended to expand the recording width of the serial printer by executing the one-directional recording, instead of the two-directional recording, according to the required recording width. For this purpose there is provided a serial recording apparatus comprising a carrier for mounting a recording head for executing recording on a recording medium, a scanning section for causing the carrier to execute a reciprocating scanning motion along the recording medium and a recording section for executing the recording in the scanning motions in two directions of the carrier in case the recording width required for the recording along the scanning direction of the carrier does not exceed a predetermined reference recordable width, and executing the recording in the scanning motion of the carrier in one direction only in case the required recording width is larger than the predetermined reference recordable width.

Abstract: A printer for forming a full-width image on a receiver exclusive of a transverse side of the receiver, and method of assembling the printer. The printer comprises an ink jet print head adapted to eject a plurality of ink droplets onto a receiver sheet for forming an image that extends a full-width of the receiver sheet. To achieve this result, the print head commences ejection of ink droplets beginning at a predetermined distance from a transverse side of the receiver sheet. A reservoir is disposed adjacent the transverse side and along the predetermined distance for collecting ink droplets ejected along the predetermined distance, so that none of the ink droplets are inadvertently deposited onto the transverse side or onto components housed in the printer. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reservoir is an absorbent material that absorbs the ink droplets ejected along the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A translational inkjet printhead servicing station for an inkjet printing mechanism, particularly one having imaging printheads for creating photographic quality images, includes a collapsible spittoon having a mouth that collapses during a portion of the servicing routine to save space. Spit ledges extend into the spittoon mouth to capture ink droplets and ink aerosol by-products, with the captured ink draining from the ledges into a catch basin below. The service station includes a printhead wiper blade having a tip that removes ink residue from the printhead. A dual-direction wiper cleaning system removes liquid components of the ink residue from the wiping tip in two opposing directions. In one direction, the liquid ink residue is pulled away from the wiper tip under capillary forces created by a series of grooves formed on the surface of the wiper blade, while in the opposite direction, the liquid components are absorbed off the tip by a wiper scraper.

Abstract: A cleaning blade which comes in elastic contact with a nozzle plate to clean a recording head is subjected to ink-receptive treatment on the surface thereof which comes in contact with the nozzle plate, such as formation of grooves or the like which can retain an ink by a capillary force. In this arrangement, an ink can be retained on the blade regardless of the rebounding of the blade shortly after the termination of cleaning operation, making it possible to prevent the ink from flying toward the recording head when the blade rebounds.

Abstract: An in ink jet printing method and apparatus are disclosed which prevents mixing of ink with a liquid insolubilizing and/or agglomerating the ink and which can print images having excellent water resistance and high quality. Prevention of mixing of the ink with the liquid is achieved by separately arranging an ink receiver for receiving ink ejected by preliminary ejection and the liquid insolubilizing and/or agglomerating the ink ejected by preliminary ejection, or by setting the distance between the ink jet cartridge for the liquid and the cartridge for ink adjacent thereto is made larger than the distance between two adjacent ink jet cartridges. Alternatively, the direction of ejecting ports of an ink jet ejectors may be deviated.

Abstract: This invention provides a discharged ink treating method for destroying or dispersing ink deposit created on a discharged ink receiving portion side, by the use of a mechanically operated member. A method of treating discharged ink from an ink using portion using liquid ink has the step of destroying or dispersing ink deposit created in a discharged ink path along which the discharged ink passes from the ink using portion to a discharged ink receiving portion and on the discharged ink receiving portion side, by the use of a mechanically operated member.

Abstract: An ink jet printing system comprises multiple print cartridges each containing a different ink and having a plurality of printhead nozzle arrays scanning across printing media in a printing zone. After a specified amount of ink has been dispensed, an ink jet printhead carriage is moved to a refill station for ink replenishment. A label on a print head service module displays encoded visual indicia which are sensed by an optical sensor on the ink jet printhead carriage. The optical sensor is used to read pre-encoded information as well as on the fly information which is recorded on a label when the carriage moves along a traverse path to the printhead service station.

Abstract: An ink-jet type image forming apparatus expells ink smoothly from a cap member to an expelled ink tank when the ink expulsion flowpath is in a horizontal direction. In the apparatus, a nozzle ejects ink according to the prescribed image information. A cap is located opposite to the nozzle while an expelled ink storage member stores the ink held in the cap member. An ink expulsion path forming member forms an expulsion path of ink from the cap member to the expelled ink storing member. This is accomplished through an ink transfer suction device arranged in an ink guide tubular member that causes ink to flow to the interior of the ink expulsion path forming member via an ink flowpath in the tubular member.

Abstract: A cartridge for an ink jet printer capable of directly or indirectly reducing the capacity of a wasted ink recovery unit without causing any restraint to a printing function, an ink jet printer adapted to accommodate this cartridge, and an ink jet printer capable of reducing a printing time without causing any restraint to the printing function are provided. In the cartridge for an ink jet printer, containing a printing article and removably mounted in an ink jet printer, a wasted ink recovery unit for storing wasted ink produced in the ink jet printer is provided in a cartridge case. This allows the capacity of the wasted ink recovery unit to be determined on the basis of a cartridge exchanging frequency. The ink jet printer adapted to accommodate this cartridge does not require a wasted ink recovery unit, so that its size can be reduced correspondingly.

Abstract: A spittoon system is provided for avoiding formation of an ink stalagmite during spitting of a pigment-based ink from a first printhead of an inkjet printing mechanism. First, ink is spit from a second inkjet printhead containing a dye-based ink formulation and accumulated in a pool defined by spittoon reservoir having a catch basin. The catch basin is configured to splatter and dissipate the pigment-based ink upon impacting the accumulated pool of ink. The spittoon preferably has funnel-shaped tapering walls that resist collection of the pigment-based ink, to avoid formation of an initial base portion of the ink stalagmite. A method of avoiding formation of such an ink stalagmite, along with an inkjet printing mechanism having such a spittoon system, are also provided.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus comprises a wiper 15 provided with a main part 16 for wiping nozzle faces and a lower contacting part 17 which comes into contact with a lower front portion of an ink jet head, the lower contacting part 17 is provided with a groove in which the wiped ink is allowed to flow to a wiper holder 30 side. The lower contacting part 17 is formed with a torsion angle so that the lower front portion can come first into contact with an upper surface of the lower contacting part 17 at the start of wiping, and an side end of the lower front portion is designed into a rounded or a chamfered shape so as to guide the lower contacting part under the lower front portion. The angle of elevation of the lower contacting part 17 is designed to an angle whereby the bent portion is positioned higher than the other portion of the lower contacting part 17 in order to prevent the ink wiped from remaining there.

Abstract: A translational inkjet printhead servicing station for an inkjet printing mechanism, particularly one having imaging printheads for creating photographic quality images, includes a collapsible spittoon having a mouth that collapses during a portion of the servicing routine to save space. Spit ledges extend into the spittoon mouth to capture ink droplets and ink aerosol by-products, with the captured ink draining from the ledges into a catch basin below. The service station includes a printhead wiper blade having a tip that removes ink residue from the printhead. A dual-direction wiper cleaning system removes liquid components of the ink residue from the wiping tip in two opposing directions. In one direction, the liquid ink residue is pulled away from the wiper tip under capillary forces created by a series of grooves formed on the surface of the wiper blade, while in the opposite direction, the liquid components are absorbed off the tip by a wiper scraper.

Abstract: An ink jet apparatus includes a first ejecting portion for ejecting a treatment liquid having a function of insolubilizing or agglomerating an ink and a second ejecting portion for ejecting the ink, in which apparatus a waste liquid of the treatment liquid and a waste liquid of the ink are mixed so that the mixture is insolubilized or agglomerated and is stored within the apparatus. Cap units for recovering heads, which eject ink or treatment liquid having a function of insolubilizing or agglomerating the ink, contact the heads to cap the heads when a carriage is at the home position in order to prevent the ink and treatment liquid from evaporating. The ink and treatment liquid in the heads, which are sucked upon recovering treatment, are transferred from pump units to a waste liquid storing portion by means of tubes.

Abstract: A service station for an inkjet printer provides for wiping and sealing a nozzle of the printer's head as the head is moved to the printer's service zone from a printing zone by a carriage, includes a mobile head service having a wiper for cleaning the nozzle, a cap for sealing the nozzle, and a waste ink storage groove holding waste ink from the nozzle; a rotating member moving the mobile head servicer in the direction of the head's movement by the carriage's moving force; a lifting cam elevating the mobile head servicer rotating by the rotating member by stages so that the wiper and cap come in contact with the nozzle, thus scaling the nozzle; and restoring means making the mobile head servicer and rotating member return to their original neutral position.

Abstract: An ink jet printer casing which reduces the volume and thickness of a used ink tank by fully utilizing the inherent ink absorbing capability of the ink absorbing substance. A used ink containing room, defined by side walls, is formed on the bottom surface of the casing. The used ink containing room is divided into a plural number of segmental regions by partitioning plates. Individual segments of ink absorbing substance made of a porous material are placed in the segmental regions, respectively. If the casing is tilted, the water heads of the segments of ink absorbing substance are low as a whole when viewed in the vertical direction since the segments of ink absorbing substance are isolated from one another by the partitioning plates. The ink absorbing substance may also be formed as a single member, and the ink led to a central part of the used ink containing room.

Abstract: A blotter for ink absorption in ink-jet printers includes two parts of a cellulose fiber material, one adjacent the other and in physical contact, beneath the service station and on the base of the printer. The blotter parts have the capacity to simultaneously absorb at least the contents of four ink cartridges, and will last the lifetime of the printer. As a consequence of the blotter of the present invention, ink from leaky ink cartridges and ink overflow from ink cartridge maintenance are absorbed and contained. Over time, the water in the inks which has been absorbed by the blotter parts will evaporate and an additional volume of ink can be absorbed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for applying an intermediate transfer surface, in the form of a liquid layer, on a support surface as may be used in a phase change ink printing system. The apparatus includes an applicator assembly for distributing the liquid layer onto the support surface to produce the intermediate transfer surface and an apparatus for metering the liquid layer uniformly on the support surface. The applicator assembly has a contact medium for removing foreign matter from and delivering the liquid onto the support surface. Preferably the contact medium is a liquid impregnated web that is periodically incremented to present a clean web surface in contact with the support surface. The metering apparatus is a hydrodynamic blade that uniformly distributes the liquid intermediate transfer layer over the support surface.

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: In an ink jet recovery apparatus, a recovery operation of the recording head is performed by exhausting ink from the recording head. The recording apparatus has a waste ink storage tank to store the ink exhausted in the recovery operation. The amount of waste ink currently stored in the waste ink storage tank is calculated in accordance with the amount of ink exhausted up to the present, the elapsed time since the last recovery operation, and the amount of ink exhausted in the current recovery operation. The amount of ink stored in the waste ink storage tank can thus be accurately monitored, so that waste ink is not allowed to flow out of the storage tank. Users can be informed of overflow of the waste ink and thereby prompted to exchange the tank; space required for the tank can thus be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink jet recording apparatus comprising a conveying means for a recording medium in a substantially horizontal direction, a head holding means for holding a plurality of ink jet heads in such a manner that the ink jet heads discharge ink vertically downward toward the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means in the substantially horizontal direction, a vertical shifting means for shifting the head holding means in a substantially vertical direction, a head recovery means for recovering and preventing the non-discharge of ink from the plurality of ink jet heads, in a condition opposed to the plurality of ink jet heads, and a horizontal shifting means for shifting the head recovery means in the substantially horizontal direction into a spatial area provided above the recording medium by lifting the head holding means in the substantially vertical direction by means of the vertical shifting means, so that the head recovery means is opposed relation to the plurality of ink

Abstract: A method of exchanging a waste ink pack that stores waste ink discharged by repeated ink clearing operations performed on an ink jet head involves comparing a cumulative number of times the ink clearing operation have been performed using a particular waste ink pack with upper limit data based on the capacity of the waste ink pack. When the cumulative number reaches the upper limit data, an indication is provided that the waste ink pack should be exchanged for a new one, after which exchange a previous instruction to a recovery device to perform an ink clearing operation is performed. Ink clearing operations are then repeated with that waste ink pack until the number of such operations again reaches the upper limit data.

Abstract: A trap door spittoon system confines airborne ink aerosol satellites generated while purging an inkjet printhead. This systems prevent stray ink aerosol from clinging to undesired surfaces in an inkjet printing mechanism. The printing mechanism has an inkjet printhead that selectively ejects ink during both printing and when purging the printhead by a process known as "spitting." This ink ejection generates as a by-product airborne ink aerosol satellites, which float about the mechanism, often landing in undesirable locations. To confine the ink aerosol generated during purging, the printing mechanism has a spittoon with a mouth that is covered by a trap door mechanism immediately following spitting to capture the stray aerosol within the spittoon. Various pivoting and sliding door embodiments are shown, along with a method of operating an inkjet printing mechanism to confine the wandering inkjet aerosol.

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: An ink-jet recording device in which a capping device a and cleaning device can be made as compact as possible. The ink-jet recording device includes a capping device which is disposed out of a printing area and, when pushed by a recording head or a carriage carrying the recording head, can be moved between a non-capping position and a capping position, a cam surface and a cam follower which, in a process where the recording head is moved from the non-capping position to the capping position, shift the capping device to the nozzle surface of the recording head, a cleaning device which is swingably mounted to the capping device by device of shafts and is movable between a non-cleaning position and a cleaning position in accordance with the movement of the recording head, and a suction pump which supplies a negative pressure to the capping device to thereby suck out ink within a cap member into a waste ink tank.

Abstract: An inkjet printing mechanism has multiple inkjet printheads which controllably eject multiple ink droplets, and has a carriage to carry the printhead. The carriage is designed to move the printhead through a print zone to a service station where the printhead is serviced. During a servicing mode of operation, the printheads eject ink droplets at the service station to clear the orifices of the nozzles of the printheads prior to printing. A reservoir is provided at the service station to collect the ink droplets ejected from the printheads during the servicing mode. Multiple chimneys receive ink from the multiple printheads and guide ink from different printheads to different areas of the reservoir. Precipitates that may form when different inks combine are kept away from the chimneys.

Abstract: A service station for an inkjet printing mechanism has a moveable platform that receives waste ink which is occasionally discharged from an inkjet printhead. The printing mechanism has a drive mechanism which moves the platform between a first position for receiving the purged ink, and a second position for discharging the purged ink. The moveable platform may be configured as a rotating annular wheel, with a scraper positioned adjacent thereto for removing the discharged ink from the wheel. The platform may be provided by an endless belt conveyed over two or more rollers. At least one of the rollers may be located substantially under the printhead, and another roller may be located either near or remote from the printhead. Ink may be discharged from the belt using a scraper, and/or using specially contoured rollers. A method is also provided for cleaning an inkjet pen mounted for use in an inkjet printing mechanism.

Abstract: A spittoon system is described as an assemblage of sorbent pads that leads away from a region beneath an ink-jet printer's printhead when the latter is in its service position, with the pads' material and structure defining plural contact interface regions between successive pads, the interface regions having a plurality of hardness and sorbency characteristics. Preferably, the system includes a first sorbent pad that is spring biased into contact with a second sorbent pad. The second pad matingly engages a third pad preferably having a compatible sorbency with the second pad, but having a different hardness such that one yields to the other and the surface area of their mating expanses is maximized. Preferably, the third foam pad itself is an assemblage of two pad sections having different thicknesses, the two sections having mating fingers to produce a rabbet joint that holds them tightly in contact but permits easy assembly.

Abstract: An ink priming device for an ink jet printing apparatus is disclosed which includes a housing adapted to fit over the nozzle plate of the print head when the print head is in a non-printing position, the housing having a substantially air tight connection to the nozzle plate.

Abstract: A waste-ink absorbent to be mounted on an ink-jet recording apparatus comprises a composition containing a biodegradable polymer and a microorganism growth nutrient. An ink contains a recording agent and a liquid medium for dissolving or dispersing the recording agent, the recording agent comprising a composition containing a biodegradable polymer linked to a solubilizing group of a water-soluble dye by coordination bonding. An ink-jet recording method conducts recording by ejecting droplets of the ink through an ejection orifice of a recording head in correspondence with recording signals. An ink-jet recording apparatus is equipped with a recording unit having an ink container holding the ink therein and a head.

Abstract: An inkjet printing mechanism has an inkjet printhead which controllably ejects multiple ink droplets and a carriage to carry the printhead. The carriage is designed to move the printhead through a print zone to a service station where the printhead is serviced. During a servicing mode of operation, the printhead ejects ink droplets at the service station to clear the printhead nozzle orifices prior to printing. A reservoir is provided at the service station to collect the ink droplets ejected from the printhead during the servicing mode. A venturi passageway is also positioned at the service station adjacent to the reservoir. The venturi passageway guides the ink droplets ejected from the printhead into the reservoir.

Abstract: A self cleaning wiper blade cleaning system has at least one polyurethane wiping blade releasably mounted in a slot on a planar surface of a fixed structural member. A front end of the mounted blade wipes the nozzle face of the printhead as it enters and leaves a priming station to maintain the printhead nozzle face clear of ink and other debris. The ink which is removed from the printhead nozzle face by the edge of the wiper blade is drawn away therefrom by capillary action of small grooves cut in the wiper blade. The grooves have one end in contact with an absorbent pad provided at a bottom edge of the wiper blade and the other end of the slot is adjacent but spaced a predetermined distance from the front edge of the wiper blade. The capillary action of the grooves provide continuous removal of the ink from the vicinity of cleaning edge of the wiper blade, obviating the need of a separate system to clean the wiper blades.

Abstract: A capillary vent system for a service station cap system in an ink-jet printer having a basin formed on a substantially planar surface mounted on the under side of a nylon sled subjacent a cap for a printhead mounted on the top surface of the sled which serves as a cover for the basin. A vent is defined between a semicircular groove formed on the under side of the basin cover such that the vent is in fluid communication with the basin and has a lower surface substantially coplanar with the underside of the cover. The vent extends from the edge of the cover to a location over the basin. Ink from the printhead collects in the basin and at least some of the collected ink drains through the vent. The vent forms a capillary space between the basin member and the basin cover to draw the collected ink in, thus preventing vent clogging.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus which has at least one ink jet recording head to perform recording on a recording medium held on a rotary drum by discharging liquid ink from discharging nozzles, comprises a receptor, arranged on the rotary drum at a position which does not overlap with a position at which a recording medium is placed, for receiving ink droplets discharged by the ink jet recording head not for recording.

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 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: A process and apparatus for removing waste ink from a capping station on a low cost integral capping, priming and wiping station for a thermal ink jet printer. In particular, the prime operation is repeated so that the scanning carriage (containing the ink jet printhead) travels past the capping position which breaks the vacuum seal and causes waste ink in the cap volume to be released into the pump chamber, thus cleaning the cap volume of excess ink. The additional prime cycle does not remove ink from printhead orifices because the scanning carriage travels away from the capping position as vacuum is applied.