Thermally induced phase separation to recover ink-jet pen

摘要

The present invention relates to a method and system for forming a protective cushion to slow down evaporation and prevent clogging in an inactive ink-jet printhead by a) heating ink-jet ink in the at least one ink firing chamber, the ink separating into an organic surfactant phase and an ink colorant phase; and b) forming the protective cushion at the at least one nozzle by allowing the organic surfactant phase to settle as a layer covering the opening of the at least one nozzle in the at least one ink firing chamber. <IMAGE>