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WO2000068016A1 - Nettoyage et entretien d'un tete d'impression a jet d'encre - Google Patents

Nettoyage et entretien d'un tete d'impression a jet d'encre Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000068016A1
WO2000068016A1 PCT/GB2000/001737 GB0001737W WO0068016A1 WO 2000068016 A1 WO2000068016 A1 WO 2000068016A1 GB 0001737 W GB0001737 W GB 0001737W WO 0068016 A1 WO0068016 A1 WO 0068016A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ink
printhead
nozzles
absorbent material
cleaning
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2000/001737
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Jindrich Vosahlo
Richard William Eve
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cambridge Consultants Ltd
Original Assignee
Cambridge Consultants Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cambridge Consultants Ltd filed Critical Cambridge Consultants Ltd
Priority to GB0102489A priority Critical patent/GB2354485B/en
Publication of WO2000068016A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000068016A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/16535—Cleaning of print head nozzles using wiping constructions
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/16535—Cleaning of print head nozzles using wiping constructions
    • B41J2/16541—Means to remove deposits from wipers or scrapers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the cleaning and maintenance of printheads.
  • Preferred embodiments of the invention relate to an automatic cleaning method for a drop on demand ink jet printhead.
  • a known technique for cleaning drop on demand ink jet printheads is to wipe the face of the nozzle plate with a soft blade to remove debris and excess ink. This can easily scratch the nozzle face as debris is pushed across it. Any damage to the exit area of a nozzle causes errors in the jet angle or may cause build up of a pool of ink preventing droplet ejection. This wiping technique does not re-prime nozzles that have become de-primed.
  • Hewlett-Packard and Epson desktop printers use such soft wiper blades in automatic printhead cleaning systems.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a method of cleaning an ink jet printhead which does not suffer from one or more of the disadvantages of prior art methods.
  • a method of cleaning an ink jet printhead having a nozzle plate through which the nozzles exit the printhead comprising the steps of: a) emitting ink from the nozzles onto the nozzle plate; and b) wiping the ink from the nozzle plate.
  • the nozzle plate By emitting ink onto the nozzle plate before the wiping step, the nozzle plate is wetted before cleaning, thus reducing the risk of scratches and damage to the nozzles and/or nozzle plate. Furthermore, the emission of ink from the nozzles acts to re- prime any de-prime nozzles.
  • the emitting step and the wiping step are carried out in the predetermined timed sequence.
  • the wiping step can be carried out before the emitted ink dries, and preferably the cleaning method is automated.
  • the step of emitting ink from the nozzles comprises temporarily increasing the pressure of the ink from its normal operating pressure.
  • the wiping step is carried out once the pressure of the ink has returned to its normal operating pressure. As the ink returns to its normal pressure, some of the ink emitted onto the nozzle plate will normally be drawn back into the nozzles, thus less ink will be wiped from the nozzle plate, reducing wastage of ink.
  • the wiping step is substantially simultaneous with the returning of the pressure of the ink to its normal operating pressure. This improves the efficiency of the cleaning and reduces the risk that the ink on the nozzle plate starts to dry before the wiping step is carried out.
  • the wiping may be effected in a direction substantially parallel to the row of nozzles, or maybe in another direction, for example substantially perpendicular to the row of nozzles.
  • an absorbent substrate is used to wipe the ink from the nozzle plate.
  • the use of an absorbent substrate improves the cleaning of the inks from the nozzle plate as well as encouraging drawing debris from the nozzles by capillary action.
  • the absorbent substrate comprises a strip of absorbent material, the method including the step of advancing the strip after the wiping step to provide fresh absorbent substrate for the next wiping step.
  • a clean region of absorbent substrate can be used, either every wiping step or after several wiping steps.
  • the absorbent substrate is stored on a storage reel, and the method includes a step of advancing the reel after the wiping.
  • the advancing of the absorbent substrate may occur after every wiping step, or periodically after several wiping steps.
  • the absorbent substrate may be disposed of or, preferably it is cleaned for reuse.
  • a partial vacuum is applied to the absorbent substrate to clean the substrate.
  • the method includes a step of reusing the cleaned substrate.
  • a further aspect of the invention provides a method of cleaning the nozzles of a printhead, the method comprising the steps of: a) wetting the nozzles of the printhead; and b) wiping the wetted region of the printhead.
  • the invention is not restricted for use where the printhead includes a nozzle plate but may be used for cleaning other types of nozzle arrangements.
  • the wetting of the nozzles might be carried out using a material other than the ink in the printhead.
  • a liquid material may be sprayed onto the nozzle before the wiping step.
  • the present invention provides an automatic cleaning and maintenance method for cleaning and maintaining an ink jet printhead comprising the following steps:
  • an ink pressure application step consisting of applying pressure to the ink to cause ink to flow through a set of printhead nozzles and onto a face of a nozzle plate through which the printhead nozzles exit the printhead;
  • an ink pressure restoration step consisting of restoring the pressure of the ink to its normal operating pressure in order to allow excess ink to be drawn back in to the printhead;
  • an absorbent material application step consisting of applying an absorbent material to the ink on the nozzle plate in order to draw out fresh ink and remove dirt and residues from the printhead nozzles;
  • ink pressure restoration step and the absorbent material application step are synchronised so as to occur in a predetermined timed sequence.
  • Examples described below aim to overcome the problems of prior art cleaning methods mentioned above by synchronising an ink pressure purge with the application of an absorbent material.
  • the ink pressure purge ensures the surface of the nozzle plate is wet, reducing the risk of damage to the nozzle plate face.
  • the absorbent material draws ink out of the nozzles by capillary action thus removing dirt and residue.
  • a further advantage of examples of the system is that most waste ink is retained by the absorbent material, which can easily be disposed of.
  • the invention also provides an apparatus for cleaning an ink jet printhead by a method as described above.
  • apparatus for cleaning an ink jet printhead having a nozzle plate through which the nozzles exit comprising: a) means for emitting ink from the nozzles onto the nozzle plate; and b) a wiper arranged for wiping the nozzle plate.
  • the means for emitting ink includes means for temporarily increasing the pressure of the ink from its normal operating pressure.
  • the wiper includes an absorbent substrate.
  • the apparatus may further comprise a reel for the wiper, the reel being adapted to advance the wiper to provide fresh absorbent substrate.
  • the apparatus further includes means for applying a partial vacuum to the absorbent substrate to clean the substrate.
  • apparatus for cleaning an ink jet printhead comprising: an ink chamber for supplying ink to the printhead at an operating pressure; an absorbent material mounted for wiping residue from the printhead; a control device programmed to control the relative movement of the printhead and absorbent material; and wherein the control device is programmed to apply pressure to the ink chamber to temporarily supply ink to the printhead at a pressure above the operating pressure.
  • control device is programmed to carry out the application of pressure of the ink and the relative movement of the printhead and the absorbent material in a predetermined timed sequence.
  • the control device may comprise a suitably programmed processor.
  • the invention also provides a printer including apparatus as described above and a printer adapted to carry out a method described above.
  • the invention also provides a computer program and a computer program product for carrying out any of the methods described herein, and a computer readable medium having stored thereon a program for carrying out any of the methods described herein.
  • the invention also provides a method substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, and apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
  • Figure 1 Schematic side view and end view of a printhead before a cleaning operation
  • Figure 2 Schematic side view and end view of a printhead during an ink pressure purge
  • Figure 3 Schematic side view and end view of a printhead after an ink pressure purge
  • Figure 4 Schematic side view and end view of a printhead during a wipe with an absorbent material
  • Figure 5 Schematic side view and end view of a printhead after a cleaning operation.
  • the example described below aims to remove ink residue and dirt from the nozzle face and re -prime any de-primed channels, leaving the ink meniscus in good condition for printing.
  • Pressure is applied to an ink chamber for a short period so that ink flows from the nozzles to wet the face of a nozzle plate, this also re-primes some of the de-primed nozzles.
  • excess ink flows back into the nozzles, leaving some ink on the nozzle plate face.
  • An absorbent material is then put in contact with the nozzle plate face, and wiped along or across to remove the ink, dirt and residue leaving the nozzle plate face clean.
  • Figures 1 to 5 show the sequence of the cleaning/maintenance operation.
  • Figure 1 shows two orthogonal views of a printhead (1) before a cleaning operation starts.
  • Figure 2 shows the printhead (1) during an ink pressure purge, where ink has flowed from the nozzles over the nozzle face to form a bead (2).
  • An absorbent material (3) is shown below the nozzle plate.
  • Figure 3 shows the printhead after the pressure purge, where the excess bead (2) has been sucked back into the nozzles, and the absorbent material (3) starts to move towards the nozzle plate face.
  • Figure 4 shows the absorbent material (3) half way through a wiping operation, the bead (2) has been removed from the left side.
  • Figure 5 shows the printhead at the end of the operation, the bead has been removed and the absorbent material has started to move away from the nozzle plate face.
  • the operation has been described for the case where the absorbent material is wiped along the line of the nozzles.
  • the operation can also be performed with the absorbent material being wiped across the line of the nozzles.
  • the absorbent material (3) may comprise a pad of absorbent material.
  • the pad may be held on a formation which may be stationary (in which case the wiping is effected by movement of the printhead), or may be movable.
  • the absorbent material (3) is movable both towards and away from the printhead (1) as well as along the face of the nozzle plate. It will be seen that, where a single pad is used for the wiping, the pad will become dirty with use as ink and debris is transferred from the printhead (1) to the absorbent material (3).
  • the absorbent material (3) is periodically replaced.
  • the absorbent material comprises a strip of material which is arranged on a reel, the reel being advanced periodically to reveal fresh absorbent material. The reel may be advanced with every cleaning operation or after several cleaning operations.
  • the reel arrangement maybe a reel to reel arrangement.
  • the absorbent material may be disposed of once it has been used, or it can be cleaned and reused.
  • a partial vacuum may be used to remove the ink and debris from the used absorbent material, but other methods could be used, for example washing with solvents.
  • the timing of the emission of the ink onto the nozzle plate and the movement of the absorbent material are all carried out by a suitably programmed control device.
  • This control device also controls the advancement of the reel of absorbent material, where used.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Abstract

Selon cette invention, un procédé de nettoyage d'une tête d'impression à jet d'encre (1) comportant une plaque de buses consiste à faire gicler de l'encre (2) à partir des buses sur la plaque de buses puis à essuyer l'encre de la plaque de buses. En faisant gicler de l'encre sur la plaque de buses avant d'essuyer cette dernière on diminue le risque de rayure de la plaque de buses; cela permet en outre d'effectuer l'amorçage des buses. Dans des modes de réalisation préférés, on essuie la plaque de buses avec un substrat absorbant (3) qui peut aider à enlever d'éventuels résidus et poussière.
PCT/GB2000/001737 1999-05-05 2000-05-05 Nettoyage et entretien d'un tete d'impression a jet d'encre Ceased WO2000068016A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0102489A GB2354485B (en) 1999-05-05 2000-05-05 Cleaning and maintenance of an ink jet printhead

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9910314.5 1999-05-05
GBGB9910314.5A GB9910314D0 (en) 1999-05-05 1999-05-05 Cleaning and maintenance method for an ink jet printhead

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000068016A1 true WO2000068016A1 (fr) 2000-11-16

Family

ID=10852791

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2000/001737 Ceased WO2000068016A1 (fr) 1999-05-05 2000-05-05 Nettoyage et entretien d'un tete d'impression a jet d'encre

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (2) GB9910314D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2000068016A1 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2370016A (en) * 2000-10-31 2002-06-19 Zipher Ltd Maintaining an inkjet printhead by applying a pressure pulse to ink within the head wherein the pulse has a rising leading edge and a trailing falling edge
US7291002B2 (en) 2003-05-23 2007-11-06 Z Corporation Apparatus and methods for 3D printing
US7387359B2 (en) 2004-09-21 2008-06-17 Z Corporation Apparatus and methods for servicing 3D printers
US7401887B2 (en) * 2005-10-11 2008-07-22 Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd Method of maintaining a printhead using air blast cleaning
US7435368B2 (en) 1996-12-20 2008-10-14 Z Corporation Three-dimensional printer
CN102265425A (zh) * 2008-12-27 2011-11-30 E.I.内穆尔杜邦公司 用于防止连续印刷溅泼的设备和方法

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3974540A (en) * 1975-08-06 1976-08-17 Bonner William J Ribbon cleaning and scanning apparatus
US4223322A (en) * 1977-12-08 1980-09-16 Olympia Werke Ag Maintaining the nozzle surface of an ink writing head
US4450456A (en) * 1981-07-21 1984-05-22 U.S. Philips Corporation Cassette comprising a capping device and a cleaning device for an ink jet printer
US4571601A (en) * 1984-02-03 1986-02-18 Nec Corporation Ink jet printer having an eccentric head guide shaft for cleaning and sealing nozzle surface
EP0709204A1 (fr) * 1994-10-28 1996-05-01 Hewlett-Packard Company Système de nettoyage humide pour têtes d'impression à jet d'encre

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4369456A (en) * 1981-08-26 1983-01-18 Pitney Bowes Inc. Cleaning device for writing heads used in ink jet recorders and printers
US4829318A (en) * 1987-09-30 1989-05-09 Dataproducts, Inc. Head tending system for purging and cleaning an ink jet print head
US4853717A (en) * 1987-10-23 1989-08-01 Hewlett-Packard Company Service station for ink-jet printer

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3974540A (en) * 1975-08-06 1976-08-17 Bonner William J Ribbon cleaning and scanning apparatus
US4223322A (en) * 1977-12-08 1980-09-16 Olympia Werke Ag Maintaining the nozzle surface of an ink writing head
US4450456A (en) * 1981-07-21 1984-05-22 U.S. Philips Corporation Cassette comprising a capping device and a cleaning device for an ink jet printer
US4571601A (en) * 1984-02-03 1986-02-18 Nec Corporation Ink jet printer having an eccentric head guide shaft for cleaning and sealing nozzle surface
EP0709204A1 (fr) * 1994-10-28 1996-05-01 Hewlett-Packard Company Système de nettoyage humide pour têtes d'impression à jet d'encre

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7435368B2 (en) 1996-12-20 2008-10-14 Z Corporation Three-dimensional printer
GB2370016B (en) * 2000-10-31 2003-01-15 Zipher Ltd Printing apparatus
GB2370016A (en) * 2000-10-31 2002-06-19 Zipher Ltd Maintaining an inkjet printhead by applying a pressure pulse to ink within the head wherein the pulse has a rising leading edge and a trailing falling edge
US7600852B2 (en) 2000-10-31 2009-10-13 Zipher Limited Printing apparatus
US7419239B2 (en) 2000-10-31 2008-09-02 Zipher Limited Printing apparatus
US7291002B2 (en) 2003-05-23 2007-11-06 Z Corporation Apparatus and methods for 3D printing
US7387359B2 (en) 2004-09-21 2008-06-17 Z Corporation Apparatus and methods for servicing 3D printers
US7401887B2 (en) * 2005-10-11 2008-07-22 Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd Method of maintaining a printhead using air blast cleaning
US7891760B2 (en) 2005-10-11 2011-02-22 Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd Printhead maintenance station incorporating a dabbing device
CN102265425A (zh) * 2008-12-27 2011-11-30 E.I.内穆尔杜邦公司 用于防止连续印刷溅泼的设备和方法
JP2012514300A (ja) * 2008-12-27 2012-06-21 イー・アイ・デュポン・ドウ・ヌムール・アンド・カンパニー 連続印刷用の飛散防止装置および方法
EP2374174A4 (fr) * 2008-12-27 2012-09-05 Du Pont Appareil et procédé de prévention des éclaboussures pour impression continue
CN102265425B (zh) * 2008-12-27 2015-07-29 E.I.内穆尔杜邦公司 用于防止连续印刷溅泼的设备和方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0102489D0 (en) 2001-03-14
GB2354485A (en) 2001-03-28
GB2354485B (en) 2002-12-04
GB9910314D0 (en) 1999-06-30

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