EP0780232A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Translational service station system for inkjet printheads
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1996-07-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2016-07-26
Abstract
Abstract An inkjet printhead service station (45; 60; 100) for an inkjet printing mechanism includes a platform (62; 120) that is translationally moveable perpendicular to a scanning axis (42) along which a carriage (40) transports the printhead (54, 56). The sliding pallet (62; 120) carries servicing appliances, like wipers (68; 150, 152) and caps (69; 210, 212) for servicing the printhead orifice plates (54, 56), as well as flaps (180, 182) for cleaning cheek regions (176, 178) of the printhead adjacent the orifice plate (56). The pallet (120) may be moved to expose a spittoon (48) formed thereunder for spitting ink from the printhead (54, 56). An upper bonnet portion (110) of the service station frame (46) has a scraper bar (185) for removing ink residue from the wipers (150, 152) and flaps (180, 182). An inkjet printing mechanism (20) having such a service station (45; 60; 100), and a method of servicing an inkjet printhead (54, 56) are also provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Bret K. Taylor
- 👤 Warren Scott Martin
- 👤 Allan D. Donley
- 👤 Mark L. Salzer
- 👤 Richard Scott Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:31
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/135; B41J2/165; B41J2/16517; B41J2/16535; B41J2/16544; B41J2/16547; B41J2/16505; B41J2/16508; B41J2/17; B41J2/1721; B41J2/1742; B41J2/1652; B41J2/16526; B41J2/16541
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of servicing an inkjet printhead (54, 56) of an inkjet printing mechanism (20), wherein the printhead (56) has a cheek region (176, 178) and an orifice plate (56) that ejects ink therethrough, with the orifice plate (56) being located adjacent to the cheek region (176, 178), the method comprising the steps of: moving the printhead (54, 56) along a scanning axis (42) to a servicing position; moving a pallet (120) that supports a flap (180, 182) in a direction substantially perpendicular (66) to the scanning axis (42) to service the printhead (54, 56) when in the servicing position; and while holding the printhead (56) in the servicing position, mopping the cheek region (176, 178) with the flap (180, 182) by moving the pallet (120) while holding the printhead (56) still.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: the pallet (120) has a wiper platform (148) that supports a printhead wiper (152); the flap (180, 182) is supported by the wiper platform (148); and the mopping step further includes the step of wiping the printhead (56) with the wiper (152) while moving the pallet (120) to mop the cheek region (176, 178).
Claim 3
Independent Claim
86 words
A method according to claims 1 or 2 wherein: the inkjet printing mechanism (20) comprises a black ink ejecting printhead (54) and a color ink ejecting printhead (56) having at least one cheek region (176, 178) adjacent thereto; the pallet (120) also supports a printhead wiper (150) for wiping the black ink ejecting printhead (54); the mopping step further includes the step of wiping the black ink ejecting printhead (54) with the wiper (150) while moving the pallet (120) to mop the cheek region (176, 178).
Claim 4
Independent Claim
85 words
A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein: the printhead (56) has a pair of cheek regions (176, 178) and an orifice plate (56) that ejects ink therethrough, with the orifice plate (56) being located between the pair of cheek regions (176, 178); the pallet supports a pair of flaps (180, 182); and the mopping step comprises mopping the pair of cheek regions (176, 178) with the pair of flaps (180, 182) by moving the pallet (120) while holding the printhead (56) still.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
57 words
A method according to any of claims 2 through 4, wherein the method further includes the step of removing any residue from the wiper (150, 152) and the flap (180, 182) after the wiping and mopping steps by moving the pallet (120) so the wiper (150, 152) and the flap (180, 182) contact a scraper member (185).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
153 words
A service station (100) for servicing an inkjet printhead (54, 56) of an inkjet printing mechanism (20) having a chassis (22), with the printhead (54, 56) supported by the chassis (22) for motion along a scanning axis (42) to a servicing position and with the printhead (56) having a cheek region (176, 178) and an orifice plate (56) that ejects ink therethrough, with the orifice plate (56) being located adjacent to the cheek region (176, 178), the service station comprising: a frame (102) supportable by the chassis (22); a moveable pallet (120) supported by the frame (102) for movement through a mopping stroke in a direction substantially perpendicular (66) to the scanning axis (42) to service the printhead (54, 56) when in the servicing position; and a flap (180, 182) supported by the pallet (120) to wipe the printhead cheek region (176, 178) when in the servicing position during the pallet mopping stroke.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
A service station (100) according to claim 6 wherein: the inkjet printing mechanism (20) has a black ink ejecting printhead (54) and a color ink ejecting printhead (56) with at least one cheek region (176, 178) adjacent thereto; and the service station (100) further includes a color wiper (152) supported by the pallet (120) for wiping the color ink ejecting printhead (56), and a black wiper (150) supported by the pallet (120) for wiping the black ink ejecting printhead (54), with the color wiper (152) being located adjacent the flap (180, 182).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A service station (100) according to claims 6 or 7 wherein: the pallet (120) has a platform (148); and the service station further includes a mount (190) that is detachably attached to the pallet platform (148), with the mount (190) supporting the flap (180, 182).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A service station (100) according to any of claims 6 through 8 wherein: the mount (190) is of a metal; and the flap (180, 182) is of an elastomeric material onsert molded to the mount (190).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
An inkjet printing mechanism, comprising: a chassis (22); an inkjet printhead (54, 56); supported by the chassis (22), a carriage (40) that transports the inkjet printhead (54, 56) along a scanning axis (42) to a servicing position, with the printhead (56) having a cheek region (176, 178) and an orifice plate (56) that ejects ink therethrough, with the orifice plate (56) being located adjacent to the cheek region (54, 56); and a service station according to any of claims 6 through 9 for servicing the printhead (54, 56) when in the servicing position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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