Patent ID: 6604811
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A fast acting printhead maintenance assembly comprising:(a) a support frame; (b) a flexible wiping member mounted to said support frame, said flexible wiping member having a body portion, and a wiping edge adjoining said body portion for making wiping contact with a nozzle face of a printhead during relative motion between the printhead and said flexible wiping member, said wiping edge including a gentle taper for facilitating easy movement thereof across the nozzle face of the printhead; and (c) a liquid ink wicking and absorbing member attached to said body portion of said flexible wiping member for immediately and quickly wicking and absorbing liquid ink wiped by said wiping edge from the nozzle face of the printhead, said liquid ink absorbing member comprising a porous plastic material including a surfactant additive for increasing absorbency of said porous plastic material, thereby resulting in continued high quality printed images and a relatively longer printhead life.