Patent ID: 6547366
Filing Date: 2003-04-15
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A method for removing contaminants from an ink jet print head having a nozzle plate with a plurality of nozzles, said method comprising:a) applying a heat-activatable adhesive material over the surface of said nozzle plate having contaminants on the surface thereof; b) applying heat to said heat-activatable adhesive material to cause it to flow over the surface and recesses of said nozzle plate having contaminants on the surface and recesses thereof, thereby causing said contaminants to adhere to said heat-activatable adhesive material; and c) removing said heat-activatable adhesive material having said contaminants adhered thereto, said heat-activatable adhesive material being a thermally reversible polymer gel; said heat-activatable material comprising a thermally reversible polymer gel of a ti-i-block copolymer of poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(n-butyl acrylate)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate).