Priming station for an ink jet printer

摘要

A priming station for an ink jet printer includes an ink accumulator tank which has an enhanced moisture vapor transfer rate based on a choice of materials and tank design. In a preferred embodiment, the ink accumulator tank is connected between a printhead nozzle face capping member and a vacuum pump. The tank comprises a tub bonded to a cover having holes formed therethrough. A thin, highly permeable film which provides a relatively high moisture vapor transfer rate is adhesively bonded to the cover overlying the holes. In a preferred embodiment, the film is a thin (0.635 to 0.78 mm thick) silicone or Mylar. This design reduces the accumulator tank replacement frequency by increasing the evaporation rate of the ink stored in the tank.