EP 0988977 A1 20000329 - Ultrasonic cleaning of ink jet printhead cartridges
Title (en)
Ultrasonic cleaning of ink jet printhead cartridges
Title (de)
Ultraschall-Reinigung von Tintenstrahldruckkopfpatronen
Title (fr)
Nettoyage par ultrasons des cartouches de tête d'impression à jet d'encre
Publication
Application
Priority
US 15972598 A 19980924
Abstract (en)
Ink jet printing apparatus for receiving an ink cartridge (72,74,76,78) defining an orifice structure having at least one orifice plate (72a,74a,76a,78a) with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink droplets onto a receiver to form an image, cleaning of the orifice structure of debris is providing by at least one actuable ultrasonic transducer (81,82,83,84) operatively associated with and spaced from the nozzles; and a thin layer (meniscus) of viscous fluid (81a,82a,83a,84a) provided between and in contact with the ultrasonic transducer and the orifice plate to transmit the ultrasound energy through that fluid media. The actuable ultrasonic transducer produce ultrasonic sound waves which pass through the thin viscous fluid layer and impinge upon the orifice structure and dislodges debris. <IMAGE>
IPC 1-7
IPC 8 full level
B41J 2/165 (2006.01)
CPC (source: EP)
B41J 2/16544 (2013.01); B41J 2/16552 (2013.01); B41J 2002/16567 (2013.01)
Citation (search report)
- [XY] US 5574485 A 19961112 - ANDERSON DAVID G [US], et al
- [Y] EP 0437361 A1 19910717 - HEWLETT PACKARD CO [US]
- [A] US 5741173 A 19980421 - LUNDT HOLGER [DE], et al
- [A] US 4849769 A 19890718 - DRESSLER JOHN L [US]
Designated contracting state (EPC)
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
DOCDB simple family (publication)
DOCDB simple family (application)
EP 99202982 A 19990913; JP 26504999 A 19990920