System and method for draining ink from ink receiving devices

A method of draining ink from a device configured to receive ink from an ink ejection element, said method comprising:

• receiving ink from said ink ejection element in at least one pad wherein said at least one pad is configured to contact at least one area of ink deposit build-up on said ink ejection element, while substantially avoiding contact with nozzles defined by said ink ejection element;
• enabling said received ink to be transferred from said at least one pad to a transfer member;
• and
• enabling said transferred ink in said transfer member to be conveyed to an absorbent mass located in a receptacle.

An image forming mechanism comprising:

• an ink ejection element having a plurality of nozzles, said ink ejection element configured to undergo servicing operations by a service station;
• said service station including a wiper for selectively wiping the ink ejection element and a carriage movably supporting a device for receiving ink from said ink ejection element;
• a transfer member located between said device and a receptacle, wherein said transfer member is operable to enable ink to travel from said device to said receptacle;
• said device including at least one pad having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being configured to absorb ink from an area of ink build-up, while substantially avoiding areas wherein nozzles are defined;
• said at least one pad being configured to enable absorbed ink to travel to said second portion;
• and
• said second portion being positioned on said device to enable said absorbed ink to be conveyed to said transfer member.

A system for draining ink from a device for receiving ink, said system comprising:

• a transfer member located between said device and a receptacle, wherein said transfer member is operable to enable ink to travel from said device to said receptacle;
• said device including at least one pad having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being configured to absorb ink;
• said at least one pad being configured to enable absorbed ink to travel to said second portion;
• said second portion being positioned on said device to enable said absorbed ink to be conveyed to said transfer member;
• and
• wherein said transfer member comprises a first end and a second end, said first end being configured to receive ink from said second portion of said at least one pad and said second end contacting an absorbent mass in said receptacle.

A system for draining ink from a device for receiving ink, said system comprising:

• a transfer member located between said device and a receptacle, wherein said transfer member is operable to enable ink to travel from said device to said receptacle;
• said device including at least one pad having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being configured to absorb ink;
• said at least one pad being configured to enable absorbed ink to travel to said second portion;
• said second portion being positioned on said device to enable said absorbed ink to be conveyed to said transfer member;
• and
• wherein the device is operable to move between an ink receiving position and a resting position, and wherein said transfer member is operable to receive ink from said at least one pad when said device is in said resting position.

A system for draining ink from a device for receiving ink, said system comprising:

• a transfer member located between said device and a receptacle, wherein said transfer member is operable to enable ink to travel from said device to said receptacle;
• said device including at least one pad having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being configured to absorb ink;
• said at least one pad being configured to enable absorbed ink to travel to said second portion;
• said second portion being positioned on said device to enable said absorbed ink to be conveyed to said transfer member;
• and
• a plurality of pads configured to receive ink from a bottom of an ink ejection element and one or more sides of said ink ejection element.

A system for draining ink from a device for receiving ink, said system comprising:

• a transfer member located between said device and a receptacle, wherein said transfer member is operable to enable ink to travel from said device to said receptacle;
• said device including at least one pad having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being configured to absorb ink;
• said at least one pad being configured to enable absorbed ink to travel to said second portion;
• said second portion being positioned on said device to enable said absorbed ink to be conveyed to said transfer member;
• and
• wherein said at least one pad and said transfer member each comprise a foam material.

A method of draining ink from a device configured to receive ink from an ink ejection element, said method comprising:

• receiving ink from said ink ejection element in at least one pad;
• enabling said received ink to be transferred from said at least one pad to a transfer member;
• enabling said transferred ink in said transfer member to be conveyed to an absorbent mass located in a receptacle;
• maneuvering a substrate supporting said at least one pad in a direction generally toward said ink ejection element;
• and
• contacting said at least one pad with said ink ejection element prior to said ink receiving step.

A method of draining ink from a device configured to receive ink from an ink ejection element, said method comprising:

• receiving ink from said ink ejection element in at least one pad;
• enabling said received ink to be transferred from said at least one pad to a transfer member;
• enabling said transferred ink in said transfer member to be conveyed to an absorbent mass located in a receptacle;
• maneuvering a substrate supporting said at least one pad in a direction generally away from said ink ejection element;
• and
• contacting at least a portion of said at least one pad with said transfer member prior to said step of enabling said received ink to be transferred from said at least one pad to said transfer member.

A method of draining ink from a device configured to receive ink from an ink ejection element, said method comprising:

• receiving ink from said ink ejection element in at least one pad;
• enabling said received ink to be transferred from said at least one pad to a transfer member;
• enabling said transferred ink in said transfer member to be conveyed to an absorbent mass located in a receptacle;
• and
• wherein said steps of enabling said received ink and said transferred ink to travel comprises enabling said received ink and said transferred ink to travel through a plurality of foam members by operation of the capillarity of the foam members.

An image forming mechanism comprising:

• an ink ejection element having a plurality of nozzles, said ink ejection element configured to undergo servicing operations by a service station;
• said service station including a wiper for selectively wiping the ink ejection element and a carriage movably supporting a device for receiving ink from said ink ejection element;
• a transfer member located between said device and a receptacle, wherein said transfer member is operable to enable ink to travel from said device to said receptacle;
• said device including at least one pad having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being configured to absorb ink;
• said at least one pad being configured to enable absorbed ink to travel to said second portion;
• said second portion being positioned on said device to enable said absorbed ink to be conveyed to said transfer member;
• and
• wherein said transfer member comprises a first end and a second end, said first end being configured to receive ink from said second portion of said at least one pad and said second end contacting an absorbent mass in said receptacle.

An image forming mechanism comprising:

• an ink ejection element having a plurality of nozzles, said ink ejection element configured to undergo servicing operations by a service station;
• said service station including a wiper for selectively wiping the ink ejection element and a carriage movably supporting a device for receiving ink from said ink ejection element;
• a transfer member located between said device and a receptacle, wherein said transfer member is operable to enable ink to travel from said device to said receptacle;
• said device including at least one pad having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being configured to absorb ink;
• said at least one pad being configured to enable absorbed ink to travel to said second portion;
• said second portion being positioned on said device to enable said absorbed ink to be conveyed to said transfer member and
• wherein the device is operable to move between an ink receiving position and a resting position, wherein said transfer member is operable to receive ink from said at least one pad when said device is in said resting position, and wherein said at least one pad is separated from said transfer member in said ink receiving position.

An image forming mechanism comprising:

• an ink ejection element having a plurality of nozzles, said ink ejection element configured to undergo servicing operations by a service station;
• said service station including a wiper for selectively wiping the ink ejection element and a carriage movably supporting a device for receiving ink from said ink ejection element;
• a transfer member located between said device and a receptacle, wherein said transfer member is operable to enable ink to travel from said device to said receptacle;
• said device including at least one pad having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being configured to absorb ink;
• said at least one pad being configured to enable absorbed ink to travel to said second portion;
• said second portion being positioned on said device to enable said absorbed ink to be conveyed to said transfer member;
• and
• a plurality of pads configured to receive ink from a bottom of said ink ejection element and one or more sides of said ink ejection element.