Methods and apparatus for cleaning an inkjet print head

#The invention claimed and disclosed herein pertains to inkjet imaging apparatus, and more specifically, to methods and apparatus for cleaning print heads of inkjet imaging apparatus.

#Many types of prior art imaging apparatus are known. The term “imaging apparatus” generally encompasses any device that is configured to produce an image on an imaging media such as paper or the like. Imaging apparatus are employed in various types of devices including printers, photocopiers, facsimile machines, and the like, as well as combinations thereof which are capable of performing multiple functions. The two main categories of imaging apparatus are those of impact and non-impact imaging apparatus. Impact imaging apparatus include both the dot matrix and the character types. Non-impact imaging apparatus include inkjet, laser, solid ink, dye-sublimation, thermal wax, and thermal auto-chrome types of imaging apparatus. One of the most popular types of imaging apparatus is that of the inkjet, because of its relatively low cost and its capability to produce relatively high-quality images.

#Inkjet imaging apparatus employ one or more nozzles to spray very small, individual droplets of ink onto the imaging media to form the image. These droplets can be generated in any of a number of different manners, such as by thermally heating the ink in the nozzle to cause it to boil, or by oscillating a piezoelectric crystal in the nozzle to force ink from the nozzle. Each droplet of ink that is sprayed by the nozzle forms a corresponding ink spot on the imaging media. The spots are extremely small and generally blend together to form the overall image on the imaging media. Monochromatic inkjet imaging apparatus are generally used for printing only text and/or monochromatic graphics, and employ a single color of ink, which is usually black. Color inkjet imaging apparatus are capable of producing images containing any of a wide range of colors. Such color inkjet imaging apparatus generally employ several colors of ink which usually include the colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

#FIG. 1 is an isometric view that depicts the print head in accordance with the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram that depicts an inkjet imaging apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the inkjet imaging apparatus that is depicted in FIG. 2, and which shows movement of the print head.

#Apparatus and methods in accordance with the instant invention are intended to provide for cleaning of the print head of an inkjet imaging apparatus. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an inkjet imaging apparatus includes a print head having a nozzle area and an ink nozzle defined in the nozzle area. The apparatus also includes an actuating mechanism configured to bring an imaging media and the nozzle area of the print head into contact with one another to facilitate cleaning of the nozzle area and the ink nozzle.

#In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an imaging apparatus as described above is provided, wherein the print head is configured to be moved into contact with the imaging media by the actuating mechanism. In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, an imaging apparatus has a print head, an actuating mechanism, and a backup object. The actuating mechanism is configured to move the backup object into contact with the imaging media so as to move the imaging media into contact with the nozzle area of the print head.

#In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, an inkjet imaging apparatus includes a chassis, a media path, an actuating mechanism, a lateral positioning mechanism, and a print head. The lateral positioning mechanism is configured to move the print head across the imaging media while the print head and imaging media are in contact with one another. The print head is supported on the lateral positioning mechanism which, in turn, is supported on the actuating mechanism. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the instant invention, an imaging apparatus includes the aforementioned elements, but the print head is supported on the actuating mechanism which, in turn, is supported on the lateral positioning mechanism.