Patent ID: 6848767
Filing Date: 2005-02-01
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A method for starting a continuous inkjet printer having a printhead with an associated droplet generator and orifice plate for jetting solvent ink for printing, the method comprising the steps of: providing a colorless flush fluid which readily dissolves the ink; crossflushing the flush fluid through the drop generator; causing the flush fluid to weep out of drop generator orifices in the orifice plate of the drop generator to dissolve and rinse away ink residues from a charge plate associated with the drop generator and an exterior of the orifice plate; causing the flush fluid to be jetted from the drop generator orifices; changing the jetted fluid from flush fluid to ink without stopping jetting of fluid from the drop generator orifices; and rinsing the charge plate with condensation produced by heating the jetting fluid.