EP2520432A1 - Reinigungstechniken für Tintenstrahlpatronen - Google Patents

Reinigungstechniken für Tintenstrahlpatronen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2520432A1
EP2520432A1 EP11165194A EP11165194A EP2520432A1 EP 2520432 A1 EP2520432 A1 EP 2520432A1 EP 11165194 A EP11165194 A EP 11165194A EP 11165194 A EP11165194 A EP 11165194A EP 2520432 A1 EP2520432 A1 EP 2520432A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
inkjet cartridge
inkjet
cartridge
wastewater
clean water
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP11165194A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Charalampos Michelakis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rethink SA
Original Assignee
Rethink SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rethink SA filed Critical Rethink SA
Priority to EP11165194A priority Critical patent/EP2520432A1/de
Publication of EP2520432A1 publication Critical patent/EP2520432A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17559—Cartridge manufacturing

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to computer peripherals and more specifically to cleaning techniques used during remanufacturing computer printing consumables.
  • inkjet print cartridges also called inkjet cartridges or ink cartridges.
  • aspects of this invention relate to processes and devices for cleaning a used inkjet cartridge.
  • a method is provided for cleaning an inkjet cartridge by forcing circulation of ultra-clean water in the inkjet cartridge chamber.
  • ultra clean water is used in the present disclosure to describe water that has a conductivity that is lower than five micro Siemens (5 ⁇ S).
  • a device for forcing the circulation of ultra clean water in the inkjet chamber.
  • the proposed device has means for injecting ultra clean water through the upper part of an inkjet cartridge, through inkjet chamber ventilation holes.
  • the proposed device further comprises means for sucking wastewater through the lower part of the cartridge, through the print-head nozzles. For the latter to take place, special adaptors have been developed that attach to the print-head and exercise negative pressure (suction) to the inkjet chamber.
  • the water flowing through the lower part is visually inspected as it flows through means for inspecting, such as transparent piping.
  • atomised water i.e. a mix of water and compressed air resulting in water droplets of very small dimensions, is sprayed on the print-head, further contributing to a print-head completely free of ink or any other residues.
  • an inkjet cartridge is inserted in a spinner after being cleaned with ultra-clean water. It is spinned at 800 rpm with the print-head looking outwards so that the water is force-ejected through centrifugal power.
  • FIG. 1 is a lower perspective view of an inkjet cartridge.
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the inkjet cartridge of FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of cleaning an inkjet cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 is a lower perspective view of inkjet cartridge 10.
  • Inkjet cartridge 10 includes print-head 12 located at the bottom of cartridge 10 below an ink holding chamber (not shown).
  • Print-head 12 includes a nozzle plate 16 with two arrays 18, 20 of ink ejection nozzles 22. In the embodiment shown, each array 18, 20 is a single row of nozzles 22.
  • Flexible circuit 28 carries electrical traces from external contact pads 30 to firing resistors (not shown) positioned behind ink ejection nozzles 22.
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of inkjet cartridge 10 of FIG. 1 . Openings 48 and 49 formed in cover 40 are covered by a label or other suitable adhesive sheet 50. Vent openings 48 are exposed to the atmosphere through circuitous tunnels 52. Each tunnel 52, commonly referred to as a labyrinth, is formed by a recess in the top of cover 40 that extends past the edge of label 50. Labyrinths, which are well known in the art of inkjet printing, are commonly used for venting ink cartridges to slow the rate of evaporation.
  • FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating method 100 of cleaning an inkjet cartridge according to an exemplary embodiment.
  • a high pressure pump system is connected to the upper part of the inkjet cartridge through openings, such as openings 48 and/or 49 of FIG. 1 , and a negative low pressure pneumatic pump system is attached to the print-head at the lower part of the inkjet cartridge.
  • ultra-clean water is injected from upper-part openings, such as openings 48 and/or 49 shown in FIG. 2 , with the assistance of a high-pressure pump.
  • wastewater is sucked through nozzles, such as nozzles 22 of FIG.
  • Transparent tex plastic piping may be used for that purpose.
  • both the high pressure pump system and the negative low pressure pneumatic pump system are removed from the inkjet cartridge, as shown in step 145.
  • atomized water is sprayed to the nozzles.
  • step 160 the inkjet cartridge is spinned at 800rpm to force wastewater out.
  • step 170 dry air is inserted in the cartridge until the cartridge is completely dry.
  • step 180 the cartridge is refilled.
  • the high-pressure pump system may include at least a high-pressure pump and a set of syringe type needles, one for each opening.
  • the negative low pressure pneumatic pump system may include at least a pump, a flexible transparent piping such as transparent ix plastic piping and a set of fittings, one for the pump and another for the print-head of the inkjet cartridge.
  • a pH reading may be applied at the output of the negative low pressure piping. pH reading of ultra-clean water is substantially different from that of water contaminated with ink. This pH reading may be stand alone or differential. In the first case a reference value is compared and when deviation from the reference value is within a predefined range the cleaning process is considered complete. In the case of differential reading, a pH reading at the input is compared to a pH reading at the output. When the difference is within a predefined range the cleaning process is considered complete.
  • the method of cleaning used inkjet cartridges has been described in relation to a used inkjet cartridge having one chamber, which is typically a one colour cartridge. However, the same method can be used to clean a multi-colour, typically tri-colour, cartridge having a plurality of chambers, one for each colour.
  • the high-pressure pump system is connected to each chamber with at least one needle inserted in each chamber.
  • inkjet cartridge 10 is used as an example. Any other inkjet cartridge having substantially an inkjet chamber, a print-head with nozzles and a cover with ventilation openings may be cleaned with the proposed method.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
EP11165194A 2011-05-06 2011-05-06 Reinigungstechniken für Tintenstrahlpatronen Withdrawn EP2520432A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11165194A EP2520432A1 (de) 2011-05-06 2011-05-06 Reinigungstechniken für Tintenstrahlpatronen

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP11165194A EP2520432A1 (de) 2011-05-06 2011-05-06 Reinigungstechniken für Tintenstrahlpatronen

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2520432A1 true EP2520432A1 (de) 2012-11-07

Family

ID=44558429

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP11165194A Withdrawn EP2520432A1 (de) 2011-05-06 2011-05-06 Reinigungstechniken für Tintenstrahlpatronen

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2520432A1 (de)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5563636A (en) 1992-05-04 1996-10-08 Hewlett-Packard Company On-line/off-line primer for ink jet cartridge
US5933175A (en) * 1996-08-05 1999-08-03 Hewlett-Packard Company Bottom fill inkjet cartridge through bubble generator
EP1013446A2 (de) * 1998-12-22 2000-06-28 Seiko Epson Corporation Wiederverwertung einer Tintenpatrone
US20040066429A1 (en) * 2002-10-07 2004-04-08 Yoel Wazana Resealed ink cartridge and method of manufacture
EP1867454A1 (de) * 1999-05-14 2007-12-19 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Verfahren zur Wiederverwendung von Kunststoffen
US7802859B2 (en) 2006-10-30 2010-09-28 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Refilling a used ink cartridge

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5563636A (en) 1992-05-04 1996-10-08 Hewlett-Packard Company On-line/off-line primer for ink jet cartridge
US5933175A (en) * 1996-08-05 1999-08-03 Hewlett-Packard Company Bottom fill inkjet cartridge through bubble generator
EP1013446A2 (de) * 1998-12-22 2000-06-28 Seiko Epson Corporation Wiederverwertung einer Tintenpatrone
EP1867454A1 (de) * 1999-05-14 2007-12-19 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Verfahren zur Wiederverwendung von Kunststoffen
US20040066429A1 (en) * 2002-10-07 2004-04-08 Yoel Wazana Resealed ink cartridge and method of manufacture
US7802859B2 (en) 2006-10-30 2010-09-28 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Refilling a used ink cartridge

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