Method and apparatus for automatically cleaning the printhead of a thermal inkjet cartridge

摘要

An automatic system for cleaning a thermal inkjet printhead. A thermal inkjet cartridge and service station are provided within a printer unit. The service station is directly beneath the cartridge when it is not printing. Attached to the service station is a printhead wiper unit consisting of a single member or, in the alternative, dual members positioned against each other to form a capillary pathway therebetween. The cartridge includes a compartment having an opening therethrough and an absorbent member impregnated with cleaning solution When the cartridge is not printing, the wiper unit is aligned with the compartment containing the absorbent member and is in contact therewith. This supplies the wiper unit with cleaning solution The service station may include a secondary absorbent member contacting with the wiper unit to absorb cleaning solution from the capillary pathway in a dual wiper system or supply the pathway with additional solution