# US 11,110,709 B2 · System and method for cleaning a printhead

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,110,709 B2
- Document ID: US11110709B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/780,419
- Filed: 2020-02-03
- Published: 2021-03-04
- Granted: 2021-09-07
- Earliest claimed: 2019-08-30
- Assignees: Xerox Corporation
- Applicants: Xerox Corporation
- Inventors: Michael J. Levy; Seemit Praharaj; Jason M. LeFevre; Linn C. Hoover; Paul J. McConville; Chu-heng Liu; Douglas K. Herrmann; David A. Vankouwenberg
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11110709B2

## CPC

- B41J 2/16552: {using cleaning fluids}
- B41J 2/16535: {using wiping constructions (B41J2/16552 takes precedence)}
- B41J 2/16538: {with brushes or wiper blades perpendicular to the nozzle plate}
- B41J 2/16541: {Means to remove deposits from wipers or scrapers}
- B41J 2/16544: {Constructions for the positioning of wipers}
- B41J 2002/16558: {Using cleaning liquid for wet wiping}
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS

## Abstract

A system for cleaning and treating a printhead includes (a) a movable carriage having affixed to a base of the movable carriage a cleaning blade and an absorptive pad, (b) a low vapor pressure organic solvent, the low vapor pressure organic solvent is deliverable to the absorptive pad via a pump, the low vapor pressure organic solvent has a vapor pressure lower than water and (c) a carriage moving mechanism that moves the carriage so that the cleaning blade and the absorptive pad pass over the printhead.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for cleaning a printhead comprising:
(a) a movable carriage having affixed to a base:
a cleaning blade; and
an absorptive pad;
(b) a low vapor pressure organic solvent;
wherein the low vapor pressure organic solvent is deliverable to the absorptive pad via a pump; and
wherein the low vapor pressure organic solvent has a vapor pressure lower than water;
and
(d) a brush that is fixed so that the brush is stationary relative to the carriage, wherein movable carriage is configured to move the cleaning blade and absorptive pad past the brush, thereby allowing the brush to clean the cleaning blade and the absorptive pad.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the low vapor pressure organic solvent has a vapor pressure less than about 1 kpascal at 25° C.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the low vapor pressure organic solvent is selected from the group amyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, n-butanol, cyclohexane, ethyl glycol, ethylene glycol, tetrachloroethane, and nonane.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a water source and a pump to deliver water to the brush.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a waste collection system to remove spent water, purged ink and organic solvent from the carriage.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein the waste collection system comprises a pump, tubing connected to the pump and disposed near the bottom of the carriage, and a waste container.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, where the waste collection system comprises a non-porous structure at the bottom of the carriage.

### Claim 8

A method of cleaning a printhead comprising:
providing a system for cleaning a printhead comprising:
a. a movable carriage having affixed to a recessed base:
a cleaning blade; and
an absorptive pad; and
b. a low vapor pressure organic solvent;
wherein the low vapor pressure solvent is deliverable to the absorptive pad via a pump; and
wherein the low vapor pressure organic solvent has a vapor pressure lower than water; and
moving the carriage so that the cleaning blade and the absorptive pad pass over the printhead; and
moving the carriage so that the cleaning blade and the absorptive pad pass over a brush that cleans the cleaning blade and the absorptive pad.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising removing waste from the bottom of the carriage.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, further comprising delivering water to the brush.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the carriage is moved so that the cleaning blade and the absorptive pad pass over the printhead after an ink purge.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the low vapor pressure organic solvent has a vapor pressure less than about 1 kpascal at 25° C.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the low vapor pressure organic solvent is selected from the group amyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, n-butanol, cyclohexane, ethyl glycol, ethylene glycol, tetrachloroethane, and nonane.