Ink jet print head maintenance system

In an ink jet printer of the type having an ink jet print head with an ink jet nozzle surface containing at least one orifice through which ink drops are ejected, the improvement comprising:

• a print head drip edge projecting downwardly below the ink jet nozzle surface for collecting ink from the ink jet nozzle surface;
• an ink drip collector having a downwardly inclined ink collection surface with an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edge being spaced apart from and positioned below the print head drip edge to receive ink therefrom;
• and
• an ink receptacle positioned below the lower edge of the ink collection surface of the ink drip collector to receive ink.

In an ink jet printer of the type having an ink jet print head with an ink jet nozzle orifice surface containing at least one orifice through which ink drops are ejected, a method of cleaning or maintaining an ink jet print head, comprising the steps of:

• (a) performing a purge cycle by selectively maintaining a relative vacuum at the ink jet nozzle orifice surface while jetting ink from the ink jet print head to purge the ink jet print head, and releasing the relative vacuum applied to the ink jet nozzle orifice surface to end the purge cycle;
• (b) performing an air cleaning cycle by directing a narrow air stream across the ink jet nozzle orifice surface while it is exposed to an ambient pressure;
• and
• (c) wiping the ink jet nozzle orifice surface with a wipe surface.