Patent ID: 6679590
Filing Date: 2004-01-20
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A method for shutting down printheads of a continuous ink jet printing system having a droplet generator with an inlet and an outlet, an associated orifice plate, a jet array, a charge plate, and a catcher, the method comprising the steps of:providing means to supply vacuum to the outlet of the droplet generator to remove ink from the droplet generator; providing means to supply clean, pressurized air to the inlet of the droplet generator to assist in removal of ink from the droplet generator; and pulsing at least one of the supply means to supply vacuum or supply pressurized air such that when both supply means are active, resultant high air flow rate through the droplet generator removes fluid from the droplet generator, and when one of the supply means is inactive, a zero pressure region along the orifice array is eliminated.