EP0526061A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Service station for ink-jet printer
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1992-07-20
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-07-20
Abstract
Abstract The service station provides components for wiping (40, 44) and capping (42, 46) the orifice plate of an ink-jet pen that is installed in a printer that can carry more than one pen-type (26, 29). Certain service station components are dedicated for use with only one type of pen (26) and other components are dedicated for use with another type of pen (29), thereby avoiding ink contamination that may occur, where, for example, a single wiper is used to wipe pens of both type.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul W. Martin
- 👤 J.P. Harmon
- 👤 Kris M. English
- 👤 Wen-Li Su
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:12
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/135; B41J2/165; B41J2/16517; B41J2/16535; B41J2/16544; B41J2/16547; B41J2/1652; B41J2/16541; B41J2002/16576
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for positioning a selected one of at least two service components at a first position along a path (28) traversed by a pen that is installed in a printer, the apparatus comprising: a carrier mechanism (48) located adjacent to the path (28); a first service component (44, 46) mounted to the carrier mechanism (48); a second service component (40, 42) mounted to the carrier mechanism (48); and drive means (52) for moving the carrier mechanism (48) between a first orientation wherein the first service component (44, 46) is located at the first position for contacting the pen and a second orientation wherein the second service component (40, 42) is located at the first position for contacting the pen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first service component is a wiper member (44) for wiping part of a pen that traverses the path (28).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a cleaner member (80) for scraping the wiper member (44) as the drive means moves the carrier mechanism (48).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the wiper member (44) includes two tips (47, 49) located adjacent one another for wiping part of a pen that traverses the path (28).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second service component is a wiper member (40) for wiping part of a pen that traverses the path (28).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first service component is a member (46) for capping a pen that traverses the path (28).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first service component (44, 46) is moved out of the first position as the carrier mechanism (48) is moved into the second orientation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising detection means for detecting information concerning the color of ink held in the pen traversing the path (28) and for activating the drive means (52) in response to the detected information.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for servicing a pen that is installed in a printer for movement between a printing position and a service position, comprising the steps of: installing into a printer a selected one of first and second pens (26, 29) for movement between a printing position and a service position within the printer; providing a rotatable carrier (48) upon which a first capping member (46) and a second capping member (42) are carried; detecting which of the first and second pens (26, 29) is installed in the printer; rotating the carrier (48) for placing the first capping member (46) in position for capping the first pen (26) when the first pen is detected as installed in the printer; and rotating the carrier (48) for placing the second capping (42) member in position for capping the second pen (29) when the second pen is detected as installed in the printer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 9 including the steps of: placing a first wiper (44) into position for contact with the first pen (26) whenever the first pen is moved from the printing position to the service position; and placing a second wiper (40) into position for contact with the second pen (29) whenever the second pen is moved from the printing position to the service position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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