Method for cleaning residual ink from a transfer roller in an ink jet printing apparatus
AssigneePitney Bowes Inc.
InventorDonald T. Dolan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for maintaining a transfer roller in an ink jet printer. In an ink jet printer having a transfer roller on which an image is formed by an ink jet printhead, the printhead is periodically purged to prevent clogging. During purging the ink discharged by the printhead is used to wet the entire surface of the roller to dissolve residual dried ink and the transfer roller is then cleaned with a wipping pad or roller.
Claims8
A method of cleaning a printing apparatus, said apparatus including a transfer roller for transferring an image to a substrate and an ink jet printhead for forming a reverse of said image on said transfer roller and a cleaning means for removing residual ink from said transfer roller, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) assuring that said substrate, during printing, is spaced from said transfer roller;
- b) operating said ink jet printhead to eject ink from all nozzles for at least one full cycle of said transfer roller, whereby substantially all of said transfer roller is wetted by ejected ink;
- and,
- c) operating said cleaning means to remove said ejected ink together with residual ink on said transfer roller which is dissolved by said ejected ink.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.