Ink printing head with gutter cleaning structure and method of assembling the printer

Abstract

Ink printing printer with gutter cleaning structure and method of assembling the printer. The printer includes a print head (,) having a surface (,) thereon, the surface (,) including an orifice region (,) having at least one ink-ejection orifice (,), a first gutter (,) disposed proximate one side of the orifice region (,) adapted for connection to a source of a cleaning fluid, and a second gutter (,) disposed proximate an opposite side of the orifice region (,) adapted for connection to a receiver for the cleaning fluid. A cover member (,) is positionable opposite the orifice region (,) and the gutters (,) for forming a sealed enclosure (,) thereof defining a cavity (,) sized to allow fluid flow therethrough from the first gutter (,) over the orifice region (,) to the second gutter (,). A pump (,) is provided, preferably integrally formed in the print head (,), and connected to the gutters (,) through channels (,) in the print head (,) substrate for the circulation of the cleaning fluid. A filter (,) can also be provided between one of the gutters (,) and the pump (,) for removing contaminants from the cleaning fluid. A source of acoustic energy (,) can also be provided for exciting the cleaning fluid as the cleaning fluid flows through the cavity (,) for facilitating the cleaning action.