Patent ID: 6796634
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: B01J,B41J,C40B

Abstract:
A cleaning station for cleaning a printhead having dispensed or contained a fluid at least once wherein the printhead comprises a dispensing chamber and a dispensing orifice for dispensing a fluid in fluid communication with the dispensing chamber, comprising:a wash fluid source for supplying a wash fluid suitable for removing deposited residue on the interior surfaces of the printhead; a fluid transfer channel having a fluid transfer port at a terminus thereof provided with a peripheral scaling material to enable formulation of a seal between the transfer port and the printhead, adapted to be placed against the printhead so that the fluid transfer port allows fluid communication between the fluid transfer channel and the dispensing chamber through the dispensing orifice; a wash fluid valve disposed between the wash fluid source and the fluid transfer channel, wherein the wash fluid source is in fluid communication with the fluid transfer channel when the wash fluid valve is open; a rinse fluid source for supplying a rinse fluid suitable for rinsing the interior surfaces of the printhead; a rinse fluid valve disposed between the rinse fluid source and the fluid transfer channel, wherein the rinse fluid source is in fluid communication with the fluid transfer channel when the rinse fluid valve is open; and a means to prevent the wash fluid valve and the rinse fluid valve form being open at the same time.