Patent ID: 7635173
Filing Date: 2009-12-22
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a continuous inkjet printer, including a printhead having a linear array of nozzles from which fluid droplets are emitted, in a non-printing maintenance mode which is used instead of shutting down the inkjet printer during an extended time interval when the inkjet printer is not being used for printing, comprising: a. monitoring a usage rate of fluid transferred from a makeup fluid tank to an ink supply tank while the continuous inkjet printer is operating in the non-printing maintenance mode, wherein the non-printing maintenance mode is a sleep mode in which fluid is continuously flowed through the printhead to prevent the fluid from drying in the printhead during the sleep mode; b. comparing the fluid usage rate monitored against a predetermined usage rate that accounts for fluid evaporization during the sleep mode; and c. limiting fluid spillage by selectively preventing fluid from entering the ink supply tank or by shutting down the inkjet printer if the fluid usage rate exceeds the predetermined usage rate during the sleep mode.