Patent ID: 6435647
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink jet printer comprising:a print head having a surface thereon and an ink channel therein; a cleaning mechanism associated with the print head, the cleaning mechanism comprising: a moving wiper having an edge that engages the print head surface and moves therealong to wipe cleaning fluid and contaminant from the print head surface, the wiper including an orifice defined therethrough for discharging a cleaning fluid onto the print head surface at a point ahead of the moving wiper edge; a vacuum passageway fixed to the moving wiper ahead of both the edge and the point of application of cleaning fluid onto the print head surface, the vacuum passageway being aligned with the print head surface and having a vacuum being applied to the vacuum passageway; wherein, during cleaning, the cleaning fluid lubricates the print head surface to reduce damage to the print head surface by the edge and the cleaning fluid flushes contaminant from the print head surface and the vacuum applied to the vacuum passageway removes cleaning fluid and any entrained contaminant from the print head surface.