Lexmark International, Inc.

Mark Aaron Neal

Randal Scott Williamson

Martin Alan Johnson

Daniel Robert Gagnon

Gregory Paul Washnock

Charles Jarratt Simpson

Nathan Edward Crosby

Jennifer Christina Williams

A mid-frame for use in an imaging apparatus includes an undulating surface extending in an undulation direction. At least one elongated slot can be formed in the mid-frame, wherein a direction of elongation of the elongated slot is substantially the same direction as the undulation direction.

Mid-frame for an imaging apparatus

A receptacle for the color ink spitting of a printhead to maintain the print nozzles and better collect the ink and transfer the waste ink to a containment area utilizes a porous open cell foam spit surface to allow the waste ink and air to pass through while maintaining some surfaces for the transport and collection of waste ink. This open cell design of the foam allows the ink and air to pass through it without deflecting the vast majority of the ink volume. The foam is hydrophobic foam to prevent the foam from absorbing the ink. The foam is also made from an ether-based material to be compatible with the inks. Walls forming a chimney are added to the sides of the foam to help contain and direct the waste ink flow from the printhead to the waste ink accumulation area in the printer. The spit foam and chimney direct the waste ink directly onto a felt absorption pad located below the spit surface where the waste ink is absorbed and stored. The felt pad is used in place of a hard spit surface to collect any ink that jets through the foam filled chimney. To help reduce or eliminate ink fogging, a pause time is built into the controls. Delaying the movement of the carrier until the fog or mist is below the spit surface reduces or eliminates the contamination of other parts of the printer. Color ink is spit first then monochrome ink. The spitting of monochrome ink after the color ink gives a built in delay before moving the carrier and thus allows more time for the color ink to migrate through the spit foam and away from the printhead. Additional carrier delay time may also built into the controls to further reduce or eliminate ink fogging.

Ink jet mist control system

A method for increasing the waste ink storage capacity in an ink jet printer includes the steps of providing a printer frame including a first frame portion and a second frame portion; providing a platen extending between the first frame portion and the second frame portion; providing a maintenance station coupled to the first frame portion; providing a printhead carrier for carrying a first printhead and a second printhead, and adapted for reciprocating movement along a carrier path, the carrier path extending over the first frame portion and the platen; defining a first ink spit area located at the maintenance station; defining a second ink spit area located at the platen; and selectively controlling an operation of the first printhead during spitting operations to eject a first ink in the first ink spit area and selectively controlling an operation of the second printhead during spitting operations to eject a second ink in the second ink spit area.

Method for increasing waste ink collection capacity in an ink jet printer by utilizing multiple ink spit areas along the carrier path

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Lexington, KY, United States of America

Mark Aaron Neal