Patent ID: 6189995
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An inkjet printhead servicing system for use with an inkjet printer having a plurality of inkjet printheads mounted in a printer carriage which moves from a print zone where ink drops are applied to media to a service zone for performing various printhead servicing functions, the system comprising:a plurality of service modules, a separate service module for servicing each printhead, each service module having waste ink receptacles and printhead servicing means thereon for performing a plurality of servicing functions;a carriage having separate module reception slots therein for holding separate ones of said service modules, the carriage including datum surfaces extending in a plane for abutting engagement with portions of said service modules extending in said plane to position said service modules in said slots on the carriage;guide walls on said carriage for guiding said service modules when positioning said service modules in said slots; anda chassis on which said carriage is mounted for arcuate movement toward and away from a path of movement of a printer carriage in a path extending generally normal to the path of movement of said printer carriage between a manually accessible position and various printhead servicing positions in which different types of said printhead servicing means are engageable with individual printheads to be serviced to perform different types of said servicing functions.