# US 8,770,711 B2 · Printhead maintenance system having wiper module

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- Number: US 8,770,711 B2
- Document ID: US8770711B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/107,993
- Filed: 2011-05-16
- Published: 2011-11-17
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2010-05-17
- Assignees: Zamtec Ltd
- Applicants: John Christian Love; Jeffrey D. Lueschen; Paul Fishbein; Paul Seiter; Greg Williams
- Inventors: John Christian Love; Jeffrey D. Lueschen; Paul Fishbein; Paul Seiter; Greg Williams
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770711B2

## CPC

- B41J 2/1752: {Mounting within the printer}
- B41J 2/16535: {using wiping constructions (B41J2/16552 takes precedence)}
- B41J 2/16541: {Means to remove deposits from wipers or scrapers}
- B41J 2/16585: {for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads}
- B41J 2/175: Ink supply systems {; Circuit parts therefor}
- B41J 2/17556: {Means for regulating the pressure in the cartridge}
- B41J 2/19: for removing air bubbles
- B41J 2/17553: {Outer structure}
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS

## Abstract

A maintenance system for a printhead is provided having a support frame, a wiper module supported by the support frame, a lift mechanism for lifting the wiper module from the support frame, and a rotation mechanism. The wiper module has a wiper roller on a rotatable shaft and a porous material about the shaft, and a transfer roller in rotatable contact with the wiper roller. The lift mechanism lifting the wiper module to position the porous material of the wiper roller against the printhead. The rotation mechanism rotates the wiper and transfer rollers so that the porous material of the wiper roller rotates against the printhead. The porous material is configured to absorb fluid from the printhead during rotation, and so that the fluid absorbed by the porous material of the wiper roller is transferred to the transfer roller.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A maintenance system for a printhead, the system comprising:
a support frame comprising a drainage area;
a wiper module supported by the support frame, the wiper module comprising:
a porous wiper roller mounted on a rotatable shaft;
a non-porous transfer roller in rotatable contact with the wiper roller; and
a resilient doctor blade in scraping contact with the transfer roller;
a lift mechanism for lifting the wiper module from the support frame to position a porous surface of the wiper roller against the printhead; and
a rotation mechanism for rotating the wiper and transfer rollers
wherein, during use, the porous wiper roller rotates against the printhead, fluid absorbed by the porous wiper roller is transferred to the transfer roller and the fluid drains under gravity down the doctor blade towards the drainage area of the support frame.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A system according to claim 1, wherein:
the porous wiper roller comprises a compressible core mounted to the shaft and, a porous material provided over the core; and
the lift mechanism is configured to position the porous material against the printhead so as to compress the compressible core.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A system according to claim 2, wherein the core is formed of extruded closed-cell foam.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

A system according to claim 2, wherein the transfer roller comprises a smooth hard cylinder which contacts the porous wiper roller so as to compress the compressible core.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

A system according to claim 2, wherein the porous material is formed of non-woven microfiber.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A system according to claim 5, wherein the non-woven microfiber is wrapped about the core by a spiralling technique so that at least two layers of the microfiber are present about the core with an adhesive between the layers.