摘要 |
In one embodiment, an air purge apparatus includes a first station and a second station. The print cartridge is mounted in the first station with its nozzles facing downward. The first station includes a bellows, or any other pump, for pressurizing a diaphragm internal to a regulator-based inkjet print cartridge. This opens a regulator valve which allows air to be purged out of the print cartridge body. The print cartridge is then positioned in the second station with its nozzles facing upwards. The second station includes a pump for supplying a negative pressure to the nozzles of the print cartridge so as to purge air from the manifold of the print cartridge. In another embodiment, the stations are deleted, and the print cartridge is held in place manually. A syringe may be used for the pressure source. In another embodiment, ink at a high pressure is supplied to an ink inlet port of the print cartridge to open the regulator valve and to purge air through the nozzles.
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