Waste ink collection system for an ink jet printer
AssigneeLexmark International, Inc.
InventorCharles Stanley Aldrich
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A maintenance station for an ink jet printer includes a frame and a device, such as for example a cylindrical drum, rotatably coupled to the frame for collecting waste ink. A ratchet drive assembly is coupled to the frame for effecting rotation of the device. The ratchet drive assembly includes a ratchet gear coupled to the device, wherein the ratchet gear has a plurality of teeth. A distal end of a back-check member engages the teeth of the ratchet gear for effecting a rotation of the device in a first direction and prevents a rotation of the device in a direction opposite to the first direction. The rotation of the device is effected as the printhead cap is moved in a vertical direction.
Claims22
A maintenance station for an ink jet printer, comprising:
- a frame;
- a device rotatably coupled to said frame for collecting waste ink;
- and
- a ratchet drive assembly coupled to said frame for effecting rotation of said device, wherein said ratchet drive assembly comprises a ratchet gear coupled to said device, said ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth, and a back-check member having a distal end which engages said teeth for effecting a rotation of said device in a first direction.
A maintenance station for an ink jet printer, comprising:
- a frame;
- a device rotatably coupled to said frame for collecting waste ink;
- a ratchet drive assembly coupled to said frame for effecting rotation of said device, wherein said ratchet drive assembly comprises a ratchet gear coupled to said device, said ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth, and a back-check member having a distal end which engages said teeth for effecting a rotation of said device in a first direction;
- and
- a printhead capping assembly coupled to said frame, said printhead capping assembly having a printhead cap for engaging said printhead during a capping operation, said printhead capping assembly being coupled to said back-check member.
A maintenance station for an ink jet printer having a carriage assembly for moving an ink jet printhead having a column of nozzles along a linear scanning path, comprising:
- a frame;
- a printhead capping assembly coupled to said frame, said printhead capping assembly having a printhead cap for engaging said printhead during a capping operation, said printhead capping assembly being located on said frame along said linear scanning path of said ink jet printhead;
- and
- a cylindrical drum having a cylindrical surface, said cylindrical drum being rotatably coupled to said frame and positioned adjacent said printhead capping assembly, said cylindrical drum being orientated such that an axis of rotation of said cylindrical drum is substantially perpendicular to said linear scanning path of said ink jet printhead.
A maintenance station for an ink jet printer having a carriage assembly for moving an ink jet printhead having a column of nozzles along a linear scanning path, comprising:
- a frame;
- a printhead capping assembly coupled to said frame, said printhead capping assembly having a printhead cap for engaging said printhead during a capping operation, said printhead capping assembly being located on said frame along said linear scanning path of said ink jet printhead;
- a cylindrical drum having a cylindrical surface, said cylindrical drum being rotatably coupled to said frame and positioned adjacent said printhead capping assembly, said cylindrical drum being orientated such that an axis of rotation of said cylindrical drum is substantially perpendicular to said linear scanning path of said ink jet printhead;
- and
- a ratchet drive assembly coupled to said frame for effecting a rotation of said cylindrical drum, wherein said ratchet drive assembly comprises a ratchet gear coupled to said cylindrical drum, said ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth, and a back-check member coupled to said capping assembly, said back-check member having a distal end which engages said teeth.
A printer for printing with an ink jet printhead, comprising:
- a printer frame;
- a carriage assembly coupled to said printer frame, said carriage assembly moving said ink jet printhead along a linear scanning path;
- a maintenance assembly frame coupled to said printer frame;
- a device rotatably coupled to said maintenance frame for collecting waste ink ejected by said printhead;
- and
- a ratchet drive assembly coupled to said maintenance frame for effecting rotation of said device, said ratchet drive assembly comprises a ratchet gear coupled to said device, said ratchet gear having a plurality of teeth, and a back-check member having a distal end which engages said teeth for effecting a rotation of said device in a first direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.