Abstract:
A self-cleaning printer system ( 400 ) with cleaning liquid ( 300 ) and cleaning mechanism ( 140 ) with a rotating disk cleaning assembly ( 32 ) can be used to remove contaminants from a print head ( 16 ) in the self-cleaning ink jet printer system ( 400 ). A rotating disk cleaning assembly ( 32 ) is disposed relative to the surface ( 15 ) of a print head ( 16 ) for directing a flow of cleaning liquid ( 300 ) along the surface ( 15 ) and to direct sliding contact of a disk ( 190 ) to clean the contaminants from the surface ( 15 ). The rotating disk cleaning assembly ( 32 ) is configured to introduce cleaning liquid ( 300 ) to the print head surface ( 15 ) to facilitate and augment cleaning by the disk ( 190 ). Flow of the cleaning liquid ( 300 ) is facilitated by vacuum pump ( 36 ) which directs cleaning liquid ( 300 ) from a cleaning liquid reservoir ( 270 ) to the rotating disk cleaning assembly ( 32 ).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to a self-cleaning ink jet printer and methods for cleaning the same, and more particularly to a rotating disk cleaning assembly for an ink jet printer having a fixed canopy-type gutter. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An ink jet printer produces images by ejecting ink droplets onto a receiver medium in an image-wise fashion. The advantages of non-impact, low-noise, low energy use, and low cost operation in addition to the capability of the printer to print on plain paper mediums are largely responsible for the wide acceptance of ink jet printers in the marketplace. 
     “On demand” ink jet printers utilize a pressurization actuator to produce the ink jet droplet at orifices of a print head. In this regard, either one of two types of actuators may be used including heat actuators and piezoelectric actuators. With heat actuators, a heater placed at a convenient location heats the ink and a quantity of the ink will phase change into a gaseous steam bubble and raise the internal ink pressure sufficiently for an ink droplet to be expelled onto the recording medium. With respect to piezoelectric actuators, a piezoelectric material possessing properties such that an electric field is produced when a mechanical stress is applied. The converse also holds true; that is, an applied electric field will produce a mechanical stress in the material. Some naturally occurring materials possessing these characteristics are quartz and tourmaline. The most commonly produced piezoelectric ceramics are lead zirconate titanate, barium titanate, lead titanate, and lead metaniobate. 
     In the case of “continuous” ink jet printers, electrostatic charging tunnels are placed close to the point where ink droplets are being ejected in the form of a stream. Selected droplets are electrically charged by the charging tunnels. The charged droplets are deflected downstream by the presence of deflector plates that have a predetermined electric potential difference between them. A gutter may be used to intercept the charged droplets, while the uncharged droplets are free to strike the recording medium. 
     Recently a new type of continuous ink jet printer has been disclosed. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,079,821 and 6,234,620 issued to Chwalek et al. and Faisst, Jr. et al., respectively, describe a continuous ink jet printer in which on demand asymmetric heating of an ink jet causes selected drops to deflect. In one mode of operation, selected drops are deflected toward an image-recording medium while the other drops are intercepted in a canopy-type gutter that is placed in close proximity (for example, 3 mm) to the ink jet nozzle plate. 
     Inks for high-speed ink jet printers, whether of the “continuous” or “piezoelectric” type, must have a number of special characteristics. For example, the ink should incorporate a nondrying characteristic, so that drying of ink in the ink ejection chamber is hindered or slowed to such a state that by occasional spitting of ink droplets, the cavities and corresponding nozzles are kept open. The addition of glycol facilitates free flow of ink through the ink jet chamber. Of course, the ink jet print head is exposed to the environment where the ink jet printing occurs. Thus, the previously mentioned nozzles are exposed to many kinds of air born particulates. Particulate debris may accumulate on surfaces formed around the nozzles and may accumulate in the nozzles and chambers themselves. That is, the ink may combine with such particulate debris to form an interference burr that blocks the nozzle or that alters surface wetting to inhibit proper formation of the ink droplet. The particulate debris should be cleaned from the surface and nozzle to restore proper droplet formation. In the prior art, this cleaning is commonly accomplished by brushing, wiping, spraying, vacuum suction, and/or spitting of ink through the nozzle. 
     Thus, ink jet printers can be said to have the following problems: the inks tend to dry-out in and around the nozzles resulting in clogging of the nozzles; and the wiping of the nozzle plate causes wear on plate and wiper, the wiper itself producing particles that clog the nozzle. In addition, cleaning an ink jet nozzle plate that has limited accessibility due to the placement of a fixed gutter poses extra demands on the design of cleaning members and on methods used. 
     Ink jet print head cleaners are known. For example, a print head wiping system for ink jet print heads is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,614,930, entitled “Orthogonal Rotary Wiping System For Ink jet Printheads” issued Mar. 25, 1997 in the name of William S. Osborne et al. The Osborne et al. patent discloses a rotary service station, which incorporates a wiper-supporting tumbler. The tumbler rotates to wipe the print head along a length of a linearly aligned nozzle. In addition, a wiper scraping system scrapes the wipers to clean the wipers. However, Osborne et al. do not disclose use of an external solvent to assist cleaning and also does not disclose complete removal of the external solvent. In addition, a wiper scraping system is limited by the size constraints imposed by the print head itself. This is particularly true for fixed gutter ink jet print head systems, which partially encloses the print head surfaces. Fixed gutter systems require a mechanism that can work within small tolerances imposed by the integrated gutter in order to clean the print head. The Osborne et al. cannot tolerate the stresses demanded by the tight spacing and limited size of current ink jet print heads. 
     Therefore, there is a need to provide a suitable ink jet printer with a cleaning mechanism, and method of assembling the same, wherein the cleaning mechanism is capable of cleaning the print head surface within the confines of small tolerances and limited spacing. There is also a need to supply cleaning liquid to lubricate and aid cleaning in a manner that does not cause wear of the print head nozzle plate. Furthermore, there is a need for a cleaning mechanism that can operate within the limited spacing imposed by an fixed canopy-type gutter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a self-cleaning ink jet printer with a cleaning mechanism and method of assembling the same, wherein a surface of a print head belonging to the printer is effectively cleaned. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an ink jet print head assembly that includes a cleaning mechanism and method of assembling the same that can be utilized in fixed gutter continuous ink jet printers. 
     With the above objects in view, disclosed is a cleaning mechanism composed of a rotating disk cleaning assembly for use in a self-cleaning printer. The self-cleaning printer includes a print head having a print head surface and an ink channel therein, and a structural member that functions as a gutter for collecting ink disposed opposite to the print head surface. The cleaning mechanism is adapted to clean contaminant from the print head surface. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a self-cleaning printer is disclosed, wherein the self-cleaning printer includes a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in a nozzle. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the nozzles. The print head is capable of jetting ink through the nozzles, such that ink jets are subsequently heated to cause ink drops to form and to selectively deviate for printing. Ink drops are intercepted by either a receiver or a gutter. In one method of operation, ink is selectively deflected onto a receiver (e.g., paper or transparency) supported by a platen disposed adjacent the print head, while the non-deflected ink drops are intercepted by the gutter. 
     Ink intercepted by the gutter may be recycled. Contaminant such as an oily film-like deposit or particulate matter may reside on the surface and may completely or partially obstruct the nozzle. The oily film may be, for example, grease and the particulate matter may be particles of dirt, dust, metal and/or encrustations of dried ink. Presence of the contaminant interferes with proper ejection of the ink droplets from their respective nozzles and therefore may give rise to undesirable image artifacts, such as banding. It is therefore desirable to clean the contaminant from the surface and the nozzles. 
     Therefore, a cleaning mechanism is disposed relative to the surface and/or the nozzle, such that a flow of cleaning liquid may be directed along the surface and/or across the nozzle. The cleaning mechanism is disposed relative to the surface and/or the nozzle so as to direct a rotating disk cleaning assembly to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or nozzle via contact with the rotating disk cleaning assembly. As described in detail herein, ink delivered by the print head may be used as cleaning liquid. Ink squirted onto to the rotating disk is used to facilitate and augment cleaning by the rotating disk cleaning assembly. The rotating disk rotates by the rotating action of the internal rotating member, which in turn is connected to a driver that is driven by a motor. The rotating disk is surrounded by a soft and preferably porous covering. The rotating disk and soft covering upon sliding and rotating contact with a print head surface work together to remove contaminants from the print head surface. The soft covering surrounding the rotating disk also serves to hold contaminants and cleaning liquid during cleaning. 
     In another embodiment, cleaning liquid may be supplied to the print head surface through channels provided in the gutter. In yet another embodiment, the rotating disk cleaning assembly may be combined with an ultrasonic transducer. 
     A feature of the present invention is the provision of a rotating disk cleaning assembly with channels for liquid that fit in the restricted space between the print head surface and the gutter and is capable removing contaminant from the surface and/or nozzle. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a piping circuit to deliver and remove cleaning liquid from the print head surface. 
     Yet, another feature of the present invention is the provision of a mechanism to align and transport the rotating disk during cleaning operation. 
     Yet, another feature of the present invention is the provision of an ultrasonic transducer to energize the cleaning action by the rotating disk and the cleaning liquid. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that the cleaning assembly belonging to the invention cleans the contaminant from the surface and/or nozzle in the confined space between the print head surface and the fixed gutter. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings which show and describe illustrative embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter of the present invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in junction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1A is a simplified block schematic diagram of a first embodiment printer system equipped with a page width print head with fixed gutter and cleaning mechanism disposed adjacent to the print head; 
     FIG. 1B is a simplified block schematic diagram of a first embodiment printer, the printer equipped with a reciprocating print head with fixed gutter and cleaning mechanism disposed adjacent to the print head; 
     FIG. 2 is an isotropic view of the print head with fixed gutter, the print head defining a plurality of channels therein, each channel terminating in a nozzle; 
     FIG. 3 is a side view of a print head according to the invention, showing deflected ink drops directed toward a receiving medium and non-deflected ink drops intercepted by the fixed gutter; 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmented view in cross-section of the print head shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a fragmented view in cross-section of a contaminated print head with schematic representation of misaligned ink drops due to contamination; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rotating disk cleaning assembly having a rotating disk and shaft for removing contaminant from a print head surface, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a simplified block schematic diagram of a second embodiment printer system equipped with a page width print head with fixed gutter and rotating disk cleaning assembly disposed adjacent to the print head; 
     FIG. 8 is a simplified block schematic diagram of a third embodiment printer equipped with a reciprocating print head with fixed gutter and cleaning mechanism disposed on the same block as print head; 
     FIG. 9 shows an isometric view of print head with a rotating disk cleaning assembly aligned for widthwise translation; 
     FIG. 10 is a simplified block schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment printer system equipped with a modified gutter for facilitating the flow of a cleaning liquid onto the rotating disk; and 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of a print head with a modified gutter according to the fourth embodiment printer system shown in FIG.  10 . 
     Numerals and parts in the detailed description correspond to like references in the figures unless otherwise indicated. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, apparatus in accordance with the present invention. It is to be understood that elements not specifically shown or described may take various forms well known to those skilled in the art. 
     Therefore, referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, therein are shown first and second examples of a first embodiment self-cleaning printer system denoted generally as  400  and  410 , respectively, according to the invention. The self-cleaning printer systems  400  and  410  utilize an image source  10 , such as a scanner or a computer, that provides the raster image data, outline image data in the form of a page description language, or other forms of digital image data. The image source  10  is converted to half-toned bitmap image data by an image-processing unit  12 , which stores the image data in memory. A plurality of heater control circuits  14  read the data from memory within the image-processing unit  12  and apply time-varying electrical pulses to a set of nozzle heaters  50  that are part of a print head  16 . The action of the nozzle heaters  50  (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) and print head  16  during printing is shown in FIG. 3 wherein the electrical pulses are applied at an appropriate time, and to the appropriate nozzle, so that drops  23  form a continuous ink jet stream to create spots on a recording medium  18 , typically paper, in an appropriate position designated by the data in the memory of the image processing unit  12 . Non-deflected ink drops  21  formed in the non-printing area are intercepted by a gutter  17 , which is fixed in relation to the print head  16 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, recording medium  18  is moved relative to the print head  16  by a recording medium transport system  20 , which is electronically controlled by a paper transport control system  22 , and which, in turn, is controlled by a micro-controller  24 . The paper medium transport system  22  shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is shown in schematic form only, and many different mechanical configurations are possible, as is known to those of skill in the art. For example, a transfer roller could be used as a paper medium transport system  22  to facilitate transfer of the ink drops  23  to recording medium  18 . Such transfer roller technology is well known in the art. In the case of page width print heads, it is most convenient to move the recording medium  18  past a stationary print head. However, in the case of a scanning print system (as shown schematically in FIG.  1 B), it is usually most convenient to move the print head along one axis (the sub-scanning direction) and the recording medium  18  along an orthogonal axis (the main scanning direction) in a relative raster motion. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1A,  1 B,  3  and  4 , ink is contained in an ink reservoir  28  under pressure. In the non printing state, continuous ink jet drop streams are unable to reach the recording medium  18  due to the position of gutter  17  that blocks the stream to allow a portion of the ink to be recycled by an ink recycling unit  19 . The ink-recycling unit  19  reconditions the ink and feeds it back to ink reservoir  28 . Such ink recycling units are well known in the art. The ink pressure suitable for optimal operation will depend on a number of factors, including geometry and thermal properties of the nozzles and thermal properties of the ink. A constant ink pressure can be achieved by applying pressure to ink reservoir  28  under the control of ink pressure regulator  26 . 
     The ink is distributed to the back surface of the print head  16  by an ink channel device  30  and through ink channel  31 , as shown in FIG.  4 . The ink preferably flows through slots and/or holes etched through silicon substrate of print head  16  to its print head surface  15 , where a plurality of nozzles  25  and heaters  50  are situated. FIG. 2 is an isotropic view of the print head  16  and gutter  17 . With print head  16  fabricated from silicon, it is possible to integrate heater control circuits  14  with the print head  16 . In operation, non-deflected ink drops  21  are intercepted by gutter  17 , while deflected ink drops  23  land on the recording medium  18 . Deflection may be caused by a variety of methods including the asymmetric heating method discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,821 issued to Chwalek et al. 
     Turning now to FIG. 5, it has been observed that the print head surface  15  may become fouled by contaminant  55 . Contaminant  55  may be, for example, an oily film or particulate matter residing on the surface of print head surface  15 . Contaminant  55  also may partially or completely obstructs one or more of the plurality of nozzles  25 . The particulate matter may be, for example, particles of dirt, dust, metal and/or encrustations of dried ink. The oily film may be, for example, grease or the like. Presence of contaminant  55  is undesirable because when contaminant  55  completely obstructs one or more of the plurality of nozzles  25 , ink is prevented from being ejected from nozzle  25 . In this regard, the terms “nozzle” and “nozzles” are used interchangeably throughout either in the singular or plural as may be appropriate. 
     In addition, when contaminant  55  partially obstructs nozzle  25 , flight of ink droplets  60  may be diverted from first axis  63  to travel along a second axis  65  (as shown). If ink droplets  60  travels along second axis  65 , ink droplets  60  will land on recording medium  18  in an unintended location. In this manner, such complete or partial obstruction of nozzle  25  leads to printing artifacts such as “banding”, a highly undesirable result. A similar printing artifact results if non-selected drops  21  travel on third axis  66 . Also, the presence of contaminant  55  may alter surface wetting and inhibit proper formation of droplets  60 . Therefore, it is desirable to clean (i.e., remove) contaminant  55  to avoid these and other printing artifacts. 
     Therefore, the self-cleaning printer systems  400  and  410  are equipped with a cleaning mechanism  140  that can be used for simultaneously removing contaminant  55  from the print head surface  15  of the print head  16  and the nozzles  25 , according to the invention. In particular, the self-cleaning printer system  400  of FIG. 1A is of the page width print head variety, while self-cleaning printer system  410  of FIG. 1B illustrates a scanning type print head. The differences between a page width print head and a scanning type print head are well understood by those of ordinary skill. The cleaning mechanism  140  includes a rotating disk cleaning assembly  32 , disposed for directing cleaning liquid  300  carried in or on a soft absorbent covering  195  on disk  190  to surface  15  and nozzles  25 . Disk  190  moves along the print head surface  15  and across nozzles  25  to clean contaminant  55  therefrom. Disk  190  may be constructed of a soft absorbent material such as felt, polyurethane sponge or expanded polytetrafluroethylene so that cleaning liquid supplied to it is absorbed by the soft absorbent covering. During cleaning, cleaning liquid  300  in or on soft absorbent covering  195  provides chemical cleaning and lubrication between disk  190  and print head surface  15 . Alternatively, disk  190  may be constructed of a stiff material such as plastic or metal coated with soft absorbent material  195 . The stiff material  193  is perforated to allow cleaning liquid  300  supplied to it to wick through and get absorbed by soft absorbent covering  195 . The cleaning liquid  300  mentioned hereinabove may be any suitable liquid solvent composition, such as ink, water, isopropanol, diethylene glycol, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, octane, acids and bases, surfactant solutions and any combination thereof. Complex liquid compositions may also be used, such as microemulsions, micellar surfactant solutions, vesicles and solid particles dispersed in the cleaning liquid  300 . 
     To better understand the implementation of print head cleaning assembly  32  and, in particular, the disk  190 , reference is made to FIG.  6 . FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a section of rotating disk cleaning assembly  32  having a disk  190  and a shaft  191  for removing contaminant from a print head surface  15 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The disk  190  can be constructed by laminating a perforated metal or plastic disk  193  with a soft absorbent material  195 . Arrow  604  indicates the motion of disk  190  when driven by a motor (not shown) coupled to shaft  191 . In first embodiment self-cleaning printer systems  400  and  410 , cleaning liquid is supplied to the absorbent covering  195  through channels (not shown) in cleaning assembly block  180  prior to engagement of disk  190  with print head surface  15 . 
     In operation, upon receiving an electronic signal from micro-controller  24  via cleaning assembly control  40 , pump  36  is activated causing cleaning liquid  300  to be moved from cleaning liquid reservoir  270  through filter  280  and sprayed onto surface of disk  190 . Cleaning assembly control  40  also activates disk motor (not shown) causing the disk  190  to rotate. Micro-controller  24  also sends as electronic signal to print head transport control  42 , which causes print head  16  to assume a “maintenance” position by translating toward disk  190  following the direction of arrow  44   a . Preferably, disk  190  is pre-aligned with print head surface  15  of print head  16  so that when print head  16  reaches disk  190 , print head surface  15  and nozzles  25  are in contact with soft absorbent material  195  of disk  190 . Thus, as print head  16  continues to travel along direction of arrow  44   a , contaminant  55  on print head surface  15  and in nozzles  25  is removed by the disk  190 . After cleaning, print head  16  is translated back along direction of arrow  44   b  to its normal printing position. 
     As can be appreciated by those of ordinary skill, the process of engaging disk  190  with print head surface  15  described above is one of many methods of using cleaning assembly  32  to clean print head surface  15  and nozzles  25 . For example rather than having print head surface  15  moved towards disk  190 , cleaning assembly  32  may be optionally equipped with its own translation capability wherein the cleaning assembly  32  moves from a “home” position to a cleaning position that enables the disk  190  to come into contact with the print head surface  15 . 
     Referring to FIG. 7, therein is shown an example of self cleaning ink jet printer system, denoted generally as  420  in which cleaning assembly  32  may be translated for the purpose of cleaning print head surface  15  and nozzles  25  of print head  16 . By way of example only, print head cleaning assembly  32  may be supported on an elevator (not shown) and lifted in direction of arrow  46   b  to appropriate location in order to engage the disk  190  with print head surface  15  of print head  16 . This corresponds to the cleaning position of the cleaning assembly  32 . Similarly, translation of cleaning assembly  32  along arrows  70   a  and 70 b  may also be utilized to aid optimal engagement of disk  190  with print head surface  15  of print head  16 . After print head surface  15  and nozzles  25  have been cleaned, print head  16  is translated back to its printing position, and print head cleaning assembly  32  is lowered to its rest or home position along arrow  46   a.    
     When required, disk  190  may be replaced or cleaned. Disk  190  may be cleaned using cleaning liquid supply to cleaning assembly block  180 . For example, cleaning liquid  300  may be suctioned from the cleaning liquid reservoir  270  and directed through piping segment  38   a  and squirted onto disk  190  during cleaning. Used cleaning liquid can be returned to cleaning liquid reservoir  270  via piping segment  38   b . Alternatively, a mechanism (not shown) may be provided to lower disk  190  so that it is in contact with vacuum slots (not shown) provided in cleaning assembly block  180 . Cleaning liquid  300  supplied to disk  190  by pump  36  may now be sucked away by vacuum pump  34 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 therein is shown an example of a third embodiment self cleaning ink jet printer system, denoted generally as  430 , in which a print head cleaning assembly  33  is provided on the same block as print head  16 . In order to clean print head surface  15  and nozzles  25 , disk  190  translates back and forth on guide rail  77  following arrows  75   a  and  75   b . According to the third embodiment of printer system  430 , rotating disk cleaning assembly  33  is mounted on print head  16  and pre-aligned with surface  15  and gutter  17 . Upon receiving an appropriate electrical signal from cleaning assembly controller  40  and micro-controller  24 , rotating disk cleaning assembly  33  is activated to translate along the direction of seventh arrow  75   a  using guide rail  77 , as shown in FIG.  9 . The motor driving the rotating disk cleaning assembly  33  is not shown. 
     As before, disk  190  is covered with a soft absorbent material  195  and may be cleaned on pad  90 . Cleaning liquid  300  is supplied via duct  500  and recycled through duct  510 . Further more, a separate duct (not shown) may be provided to supply vacuum suction to disk  190  during cleaning. 
     Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 therein is shown an example of a fourth embodiment self cleaning ink jet printer system  440  capable of removing contaminant  55  from surface  15  and nozzles  25 . In particular, ink jet printer system  440  has a disk  190  that is supplied with cleaning liquid  300  through modified gutter  17   a . Cleaning liquid  300  is pumped to modified gutter  17   a  through valve  520  and piping segment  530  by pump  36 . To facilitate the flow of cleaning liquid, modified gutter  17   a has an internal duct  85 , which delivers cleaning liquid  300  onto a soft absorbent covering  195  on the disk  190 . Delivery of cleaning liquid through modified gutter  17   a  is compatible with previously discussed self cleaning printer systems, i.e., modified gutter  17   a , valve  520  and piping segment  530  may readily be added to self cleaning printer systems  400 ,  410 ,  420  and  430 . 
     While the invention has been described with particular reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements of the preferred embodiments without departing from the invention. For example, it will be appreciated that FIGS. 7,  8 ,  9 , and  11  depict a page width print head by way of example only. Scanning type print heads that are smaller than page width size can also be cleaned using a variation of the method described above. In yet another variation, rather that use a cleaning liquid  300  for cleaning print head surface  15  and nozzles  25  of print head  16 , ink  29  may be squirted out of nozzles  25  on to soft absorbent covering  195  on disk  190  during cleaning. At the end of the cleaning cycle, disk  190  and soft absorbent covering  195  may be cleaned with cleaning liquid  300  by the methods described above. In yet another variation, cleaning assemblies  32  and  33  may be coupled to an ultrasonic transducer to enhance cleaning of print head print head surface  15  and nozzles  25 . In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation and material to a teaching of the present invention without departing from the essential teachings of the invention. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                  10 
                 image source 
               
               
                   
                  12 
                 image processing unit 
               
               
                   
                  14 
                 heater control circuits 
               
               
                   
                  15 
                 front surface 
               
               
                   
                  16 
                 print head 
               
               
                   
                  17 
                 gutter 
               
               
                   
                  17a 
                 modified gutter 
               
               
                   
                  18 
                 recording medium 
               
               
                   
                  19 
                 ink recycling unit 
               
               
                   
                  20 
                 recording medium transport system 
               
               
                   
                  21 
                 non-deflected ink drop 
               
               
                   
                  22 
                 recording medium transport control system 
               
               
                   
                  23 
                 deflected ink drop 
               
               
                   
                  24 
                 micro-controller 
               
               
                   
                  25 
                 nozzle 
               
               
                   
                  26 
                 ink pressure regulator 
               
               
                   
                  28 
                 ink reservoir 
               
               
                   
                  29 
                 ink 
               
               
                   
                  30 
                 ink channel device 
               
               
                   
                  31 
                 ink channel 
               
               
                   
                  32 
                 rotating disk cleaning assembly 
               
               
                   
                  33 
                 rotating disk cleaning assembly on print head 
               
               
                   
                  34 
                 vacuum pump 
               
               
                   
                  36 
                 circulation pump 
               
               
                   
                  38a 
                 piping segment 
               
               
                   
                  38b 
                 piping segment 
               
               
                   
                  40 
                 cleaning assembly motion control 
               
               
                   
                  42 
                 cleaning assembly motion control 
               
               
                   
                  44a 
                 first arrow 
               
               
                   
                  44b 
                 second arrow 
               
               
                   
                  6a 
                 third arrow 
               
               
                   
                  46b 
                 fourth arrow 
               
               
                   
                  50 
                 nozzle heaters 
               
               
                   
                  55 
                 contaminant 
               
               
                   
                  60 
                 ink droplet 
               
               
                   
                  63 
                 first axis 
               
               
                   
                  65 
                 second axis 
               
               
                   
                  70a 
                 fifth arrow 
               
               
                   
                  70b 
                 sixth arrow 
               
               
                   
                  75a 
                 seventh arrow 
               
               
                   
                  75b 
                 eighth arrow 
               
               
                   
                  77 
                 guide rail 
               
               
                   
                  79a 
                 ninth arrow 
               
               
                   
                  79b 
                 tenth arrow 
               
               
                   
                  90 
                 pad 
               
               
                   
                 180 
                 cleaning assembly block 
               
               
                   
                 190 
                 rotating disk 
               
               
                   
                 191 
                 rotating shaft 
               
               
                   
                 193 
                 perforated metal or plastic disk 
               
               
                   
                 195 
                 soft absorbent covering 
               
               
                   
                 300 
                 cleaning liquid 
               
               
                   
                 400 
                 first embodiment printer system 
               
               
                   
                 410 
                 second example of first embodiment printer system 
               
               
                   
                 420 
                 third example of first embodiment printer system 
               
               
                   
                 430 
                 third embodiment printer system 
               
               
                   
                 440 
                 fourth embodiment printer system 
               
               
                   
                 500 
                 supply duct 
               
               
                   
                 510 
                 return duct 
               
               
                   
                 520 
                 control valve 
               
               
                   
                 530 
                 piping segment 
               
               
                   
                 604 
                 arrows