Phase change waste ink control apparatus and method
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorScott J. Phillips
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A phase change waste ink control apparatus and method are provided and are suitable for use in a phase change ink image producing machine including a printhead system. The apparatus for the method includes (a) devices for producing phase change waste ink such as from a printhead system; (b) a waste ink gutter assembly, including a heating device, for collecting, accumulating and coalescing the phase change waste ink. The apparatus also includes (c) a controller for periodically turning the heating device on to heat and melt coalesced phase change waste ink within the waste ink gutter assembly; and (d) a waste ink collection container for collecting melted phase change waste ink from the waste ink gutter assembly.
Claims18
In a phase change ink image producing machine having a printhead system using phase change ink, a phase change waste ink control method comprising:
- (a) performing a waste ink producing event for producing phase change waste ink from said printhead system;
- (b) collecting, accumulating and coalescing said phase change waste ink within a waste ink gutter assembly having a heating device;
- (c) maintaining said heating device in an off mode;
- (d) comparing a value of phase change ink accumulated within said waste ink putter assembly with a control value therefor, and periodically turning said heating device on for heating and melting coalesced phase change waste ink within said waste ink gutter assembly, when said value of phase change ink accumulated within said waste ink putter assembly has reached said control value therefor;
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- (e) collecting melted phase change waste ink from said waste ink gutter assembly into a waste ink collection container.
A phase change waste ink control apparatus including:
- (a) means for producing phase change waste ink from said printhead system;
- (b) a waste ink gutter assembly for collecting, accumulating and coalescing said phase change waste ink, said waste ink gutter assembly including a heating device;
- (c) a controller for periodically turning said heating device on to heat and melt coalesced phase change waste ink within said waste ink gutter assembly, said controller being programmed to compare a value of phase change ink accumulated within said waste ink gutter assembly with a control value therefor, and to turn on said heating device when a value of phase change ink accumulated within said waste ink gutter assembly has reached said control value therefor;
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- (d) a waste ink collection container for collecting melted phase change waste ink from said waste ink gutter assembly.
A phase change ink image producing machine comprising:
- (a) a control subsystem for controlling operation of all subsystems and components of the image producing machine;
- (b) a movable imaging member having an imaging surface;
- (c) a phase change ink system;
- (d) a printhead system connected to said control subsystem and to said phase change ink system for ejecting drops of liquid phase change ink onto said imaging surface to form an image;
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- (d) a phase change waste ink control apparatus including:
- (i) means for producing phase change waste ink from said printhead system;
- (ii) a waste ink gutter assembly for collecting, accumulating and coalescing said phase change waste ink, said waste ink gutter assembly including a heating device;
- (iii) a controller for periodically turning said heating device on to heat and melt coalesced phase change waste ink within said waste ink gutter assembly, said controller being programmed to compare a value of phase chance ink accumulated within said waste ink cutter assembly with a control value therefor, and to turn on said heating device when a value of phase change ink accumulated within said waste ink putter assembly has reached said control value therefor;
- and
- (iv) a waste ink collection container for collecting melted phase change waste ink from said waste ink gutter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.