Mark C Engel

US Patent:

6435646, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Jan 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/754544

Inventors:

Warren S. Martin - Vancouver WA
Mark S. Engel - Camas WA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41J 2165

US Classification:

347 22, 347 29, 347 33

Abstract:

A fiber tracking management system controls fibers clinging to an inkjet printhead in an inkjet printing mechanism, to stop these fibers from trailing across freshly printed wet ink and leaving unsightly fiber tracks. The system includes a sled which supports a fiber crushing member that contacts the printhead when the sled is in the servicing position and crushes fibers dangling from the printhead against the printhead. The printhead carriage has a datum which extends over the printzone and collects fibers from a wiper following printhead wiping. The system also has a fiber remover which removes fibers deposited along the exterior surface of the datum. The fiber remover may be a clutch actuator or other mechanism which plucks the fibers off the carriage, or a compressible pad which smashes the fibers and scrubs ink residue from the datum. A method of controlling fibers clinging to an inkjet printhead is also provided.

US Patent:

62206915, Apr 24, 2001

Filed:

Apr 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/303800

Inventors:

Warren S. Martin - Vancouver WA
Mark S. Engel - Camas WA
Harold F. Mantooth - Vancouver WA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B41J 2165

US Classification:

347 33

Abstract:

A fiber tracking management system controls fibers clinging to an inkjet printhead in an inkjet printing mechanism, to stop these fibers from trailing across freshly printed wet ink and leaving unsightly fiber tracks. The system includes a sled which supports a fiber crushing member that contacts the printhead when the sled is in the servicing position and crushes fibers dangling from the printhead against the printhead. The printhead carriage has a datum which extends over the print zone and collects fibers from a wiper following printhead wiping. The system also has a fiber remover which removes fibers deposited along the exterior surface of the datum. The fiber remover may be a clutch actuator or other mechanism which plucks the fibers off the carriage, or a compressible pad which smashes the fibers and scrubs ink residue from the datum. A method of controlling fibers clinging to an inkjet printhead is also provided.