The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 18, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 29, 2000
Ravi Sharma, Fairport, NY (US);
Todd R. Griffin, Rochester, NY (US);
Charles F. Faisst, Avon, NY (US);
Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY (US);
Abstract
A cleaning assembly ( ) for removing contaminants from the surface ( ) of an ink jet print head ( ) in a self-cleaning ink jet printer ( ). The print head ( ) defines a plurality of ink channels ( ) terminating in orifices ( ) with a surface ( ) surrounding the orifices ( ). A gutter ( ) is disposed opposite the print head surface ( ) for collecting ink droplets ( ) ejected from the orifices ( ). A cleaning assembly ( ) includes a cup ( ) defining a cavity ( ) with an open end ( ) adapted to make contact with the print head surface ( ). An inflow channel ( ) provides the entry pathway for cleaning liquid to flow into the cavity ( ) via a gap ( ). An outflow channel provides an exit pathway for the flow of cleaning liquid from cavity ( ). The inflow channel ( ) and outflow channel are arranged to direct the flow of cleaning liquid into the cavity ( ), over the print head surface ( ) and orifices ( ) so that contaminants are removed from the print head surface ( ) and orifices ( ).