Xerox Corporation

Robert M Rottman

Donald J Drake

Mark Anthony Cellura

Elias Panides

Barry Daniel Reeves

Brian S Hilton

Scott J Phillips

Richard P Germain

Elliott A Eklund

An image forming device includes marking material dispensers for disposing an image on an imaging drum surface. The image forming device further includes plural particle removal devices comprising first and second particle removal devices coupled to a vacuum source. The first particle removal device includes a first vacuum port positioned as close as possible to an included image transfer site. The second particle removal device includes a second vacuum port positioned as close as possible to the marking material dispensers. The first and second vacuum ports are positioned proximate to the imaging drum surface to provide respective first and second air flows.

Image forming device arranged with plural particle removal devices

A printbar, such as a full width array printbar, filling method and apparatus provides for the selective application of positive pressure to an ink container, such as an ink bag, for forcing the expulsion of ink out of the bag and into the printbar. A steady force is applied until ink appears in a window provided in a vent line adjacent to and in fluid communication with the printbar, at which time the printbar manifold is full. Additional steady pressure forces ink to flow into the ink jet channels, assuring that the channels are fully primed and functional, at which time the positive pressure can be stopped. In an alternative embodiment, a motive force provided by, for example, a solenoid or motor, preferably including a gear and cam, are included to provide the motive force for the application of pressure against the ink bag. Pressure limiting springs may be utilized to provide the desired positive pressure to the ink manifold. A reflective light sensor may be included to detect ink in the vent line window and automatically turn off the motor or solenoid, preferably after a delay to allow priming of the channels.

Method and apparatus for positive pressure filling a printbar

A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a transport belt in a printing machine of the type in which liquid ink is deposited on a recording medium moved along a path by the transport belt. The cleaning apparatus located next to the transport belt cleans a first surface and a second surface of the transport belt when ink and/or other contaminants collect on the belt. A sensor senses when the belt needs cleaning. Interior side walls of apertures within the belt which enable vacuum transport of the recording medium through the printing machine are also cleaned. The cleaning apparatus includes a first cleaning device having a flexible web for cleaning the first surface of the transport belt and a second cleaning device having a flexible web for cleaning the second surface of the transport belt. The sensor includes a length sufficient to sense contaminants along the width of the transport belt.

Liquid ink printer transport belt cleaner

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Ontario, NY, United States of America

Robert M Rottman