Inkjet page-wide-array printhead cleaning method and apparatus

Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Ejector mechanism

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347 30, 347 33, B41J 2165

Patent

active

055898653

ABSTRACT:
A cleaning media is fed adjacent to a page-wide-array ("PWA") printhead along a paper path. The cleaning media includes a solvent pad and an absorbent pad coupled to a backing material. The backing material defines an opening along a substantial width of the material and has size dimensions approximating that of conventional paper. The solvent pad includes a specific solvent appropriate for a particular ink composition. During operation the solvent pad is fed adjacent to the printhead causing the solvent to react with ink on the printhead. The absorbent pad trails the solvent pad and wipes away the ink and solvent. The absorbent pad is a lint-free pad which attracts dust and other contaminants. The opening trails the solvent pad and absorbent pad during use. A vacuum wand scans the printhead through the opening sucking up contaminants loosened by the solvent pad and absorbent pad. The solvent pad and absorbent pad each have sufficient compliance to scrub/brush the printhead. In one embodiment, the solvent pad absorbent pad and opening are angled across the page-width. The angling allows the printhead surface to be scrubbed with solvent at one end then progressively scrubbed along its length to the opposite end. Similarly, the printhead surface can be brushed with the absorbent pad at one end then progressively brushed along its length. Further, angling the opening enables the vacuum wand to scan the printhead through the opening while the cleaning media moves adjacent to the printhead.

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Dangelo et al., "Print Cartridge Fixturing and Maintenance in the HP Deskjet 1200C Printer;" Hewlett-Packard Journal; Feb. 1994.

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