Patent ID: 7448724
Filing Date: 2008-11-11
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A method of maintaining a printhead in an operable condition and/or remediating a printhead to an operable condition, said method comprising the steps of: (i) providing an elastically deformable maintenance belt having a contact surface for sealing engagement with an ink ejection face of said printhead, said contact surface being sloped with respect to said face, said belt being supported by a drive wheel and at least one other wheel, and said wheels being mounted on a chassis; (ii) moving said chassis into a first position in which a clean part of said contact surface is sealingly engaged with said face, said movement being such that said contact surface progressively contacts said face during engagement; (iii) moving said chassis into a second position in which said contact surface is disengaged from said face, said movement being such that said contact surface peels away from said face, thereby providing an inked part of said contact surface; (iv) conveying said belt by rotation of said drive wheel, such that said inked part of said contact surface is conveyed away from said printhead; and (v) optionally repeating steps (ii) to (iv).