Ink receiving apparatus and method

An inkjet printhead servicing assembly comprising a spittoon arranged to store ink ejected by an inkjet printhead in a spitting operation, the assembly further comprising a spitting surface movable between a first and a second position, said spitting surface being arranged to receive ink drops ejected by said inkjet printhead in a spitting operation and being arranged to move to said second position and from said second position to transfer said ink to said spittoon.

An ink jet device comprising at least one print head arranged to eject ink drops in a spitting operation and a spittoon arranged to store said ejected ink, the device further comprising a temporary spittoon arranged to move between first and second positions, in said first position said temporary spittoon being located in close proximity to a nozzle plate of said printhead and arranged such that said ejected ink drops are directed onto a surface of said temporary spittoon, in said second position said temporary spittoon being arranged to transfer said ink to said spittoon and being located sufficiently distant from said nozzle plate to allow a capping or wiping operation to be performed.

An inkjet printhead servicing assembly comprising a spitting surface and a cap assembly, said servicing assembly further comprising a reciprocating shuttle arranged to move between first and second positions and to actuate said spitting surface and said cap assembly, said servicing assembly being arranged such that when said shuttle is in said first position said cap assembly is located distant to a nozzle plate of said printhead and said spitting surface is located in close proximity to said nozzle plate such that ink ejected from said nozzle plate during a spitting routine is ejected onto said spitting surface, said servicing assembly being further arranged such that when said shuttle is in said second position said cap assembly substantially caps said nozzle plate and said spitting surface is located in a position such that said ink ejected onto said spitting surface is transferable under gravity to a permanent ink storage container.

A method of servicing an inkjet printhead with a servicing assembly, said servicing assembly comprising a spittoon arranged to store ink ejected by said ink jet printhead in a spitting operation, and a spitting surface, the method comprising the steps of:

• locating said spitting surface in a first position such that drops ejected by said ink jet printhead in a spitting operation are ejected onto said spitting surface;
• moving said spitting surface to a second position such that said ejected drops may be transferred to said spittoon.