Method of removing particulates from a printhead using a liquid foam
AssigneeSilverbrook Research Pty Ltd
InventorsVesa Karppinen, Kia Silverbrook, John Douglas Peter Morgan, David John Worboys, Patrick John McAuliffe
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Abstract
A method of removing particulates from an ink ejection face of a printhead is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a liquid foam on the face, thereby dispersing the particulates in the foam; and (b) transferring the foam, including the particulates, onto a transfer surface moving past the face. Ink consumption is minimized by use of a foam and damage to the face is avoided since the transfer surface typically does not contact the face.
Claims16
A method of removing particulates from an ink ejection face of a printhead, said method comprising the steps of:
- (i) providing a liquid foam on said face, thereby dispersing said particulates in said foam;
- (ii) transferring said foam, including said particulates, onto a transfer surface moving past said face;
- and,
- (iii) removing foam or ink from said transfer surface using an ink removal system;
- wherein,
- said transfer surface is an outer surface of a first transfer roller and said ink removal system comprises a cleaning pad in contact with said first transfer roller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.