Inkjet head storage and cleaning

摘要

Inkjet head cleaning and storage includes cleaning an orifice plate by inserting a tip of a shaped wiper into a slit of a printing mask, such that one or more shoulders of a handling end of the shaped wiper are in contact with respectively one or more edges of the slit. The shoulders of the shaped wiper facilitate the tip applying a predetermined pressure to an orifice surface during wiping. Preventing sediment buildup during extended periods of non-printing includes placing at least the orifice plate of the printing head in a protecting liquid that avoids evaporation of the volatile liquid from the nozzles. An innovative “night plate” can be used to seal the slit of a printing mask and ink purged from the printing head used to fill a gap between the printing head and the mask, thereby covering at least the orifice plate with purged ink.

主权项

1. A printing system, comprising:
(a) a printing head having an orifice surface; and (b) an ink bath configured relative to the printing head such that a gap is formed between the printing head and the ink bath, such that when the gap is at least partially filled with a protecting fluid, the orifice surface is submerged in the protecting fluid.