Cleaning fluid apparatus and method for continuous printing ink-jet nozzle

An ink jet printer comprising:

• a. an ink jet printer head having a front surface and an array of nozzle orifices arranged on the front surface, wherein ink droplets are projected through the orifices along a path towards a substrate;
• b. a bracket having a recess adapted to receive the ink jet printer head;
• c. a mounting plate removably attached to said bracket and securing said ink jet printer head in the recess, said mounting plate having an opening into which projects the front surface of the ink jet printer heads;
• d. a nozzle plate attached to said mounting plate and covering the opening in the mounting plate and separated by a gap from the front surface the ink jet printer head, wherein said nozzle plate having a slit aligned with the array of nozzle orifices and through which pass ink jet droplets on their path, and
• e. a liquid cleaning fluid stream flowing in the gap between the nozzle plate and front surface of the printer head, wherein said liquid fluid stream flows adjacent to the nozzle orifices while ink droplets are projected from the nozzle orifices to the substrate.

A method for cleaning an ink jet printing head having a front surface with a nozzle array of orifices, and a nozzle plate separated by a gap from the front surface of the printing head, the method comprising the following steps:

• a. propelling ink from the nozzle array through a slit in the nozzle plate and towards a web for printing on the web;
• b. shielding the orifices from ink splatter and airborne fibers and particles with the nozzle plate;
• c. washing the front surface of the printing head with a liquid fluid stream while propelling ink during step (a), and
• d. draining the liquid fluid stream and excess ink on the nozzle array down through the gap between the front surface of the printing head and nozzle plate.