Patent ID: 6692100
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A cleaning apparatus for cleaning an inkjet print head, comprising:a. a rotatable first spindle for supplying a web therefrom; b. a rotatable second spindle disposed proximate said first spindle for receiving the web thereon, the web being capable of extending from said first spindle to said second spindle while slidably engaging the print head for cleaning the print head; c. a web drive coupled to said first spindle and said second spindle for driving the web from said first spindle to said second spindle, said web drive including: i. a rotatable drive roller disposed proximate said first spindle for engaging the web supplied from said first spindle, so that said drive roller pulls the web from said first spindle with a predetermined back-tension force; and ii. a clutch coupled to said second spindle for controlling rotation of said second spindle, so that said second spindle pulls the web onto said second spindle with a predetermined forward-tension force greater than the back-tension force, in order that the web is wrinkle-free while the web slidably engages the print head.