초록 ▼

The present invention is directed toward a method of cleaning an ink jet cartridge assembly and an apparatus for use in such method. The method broadly includes the preparation of ink jet cartridges for vacuum impregnation of heated cleaning solvent and use of centrifugal force to void the cartridge

The present invention is directed toward a method of cleaning an ink jet cartridge assembly and an apparatus for use in such method. The method broadly includes the preparation of ink jet cartridges for vacuum impregnation of heated cleaning solvent and use of centrifugal force to void the cartridge of solvent, ink residue and other waste sediment. During the vacuum impregnation sub-process the heated solvent boils at a lower temperature where internal agitation and turbulence inside the otherwise sealed ink jet cartridge housing causing dried ink and other residue in the ink reservoir foam pads, internal ink paths and print head assembly to return to liquid state and be discharged upon centrifugation. The invention also comprises apparatus to perform vacuum impregnation at proper pressure, spin plates to secure ink jet cartridge housing without damaging ink reservoir foam pads as pin block their discharge and optimum revolution speed can be monitored.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for removing dried ink and other residue from the inside of an ink jet printing cartridge reservoir, ink paths and a print head assembly of an ink cartridge in preparation for remanufacturing/recycling, wherein said cartridge includes a top cap portion opposite said print head assembly,

1. A method for removing dried ink and other residue from the inside of an ink jet printing cartridge reservoir, ink paths and a print head assembly of an ink cartridge in preparation for remanufacturing/recycling, wherein said cartridge includes a top cap portion opposite said print head assembly, said print head assembly includes a print head nozzle plate, said cartridge may include a plurality of color chambers and/or vent plugs, the method comprising the steps of:a. preparing said ink jet cartridge for vacuum impregnation of solvent by: 1. removing said top cap portion of said cartridge, or 2. drilling a hole over each color chamber at said top cap portion, or 3. drilling a hole on a lateral plane of said cartridge reservoir directly above the print head nozzle plate and at said top cap portion, or 4. removing the existing vent plugs, b. placing the prepared cartridge into a vacuum chamber, c. preheating a liquid solvent to a temperature between 100 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit, d. in said vacuum chamber, submerging said cartridge completely with the preheated liquid solvent plus an excess amount of the preheated liquid solvent equal to at least the volume of air trapped inside the cartridge, e. sealing said vacuum chamber airtight and mechanically reducing pressure until: 1. all air trapped in said cartridge is replaced fully by the liquid solvent, and 2. atmospheric pressure is reduced enough to cause the liquid solvent to boil for a short period of time, and permitting ambient air to enter the vacuum chamber so that the vacuum chamber return to atmospheric pressure, f. repeating step (e) as necessary to permit: 1. the cartridge to be completely impregnated by the heated liquid solvent, and 2. agitation caused by boiling to fully dislodge dried ink residue and return dried ink to liquid state from said ink cartridge reservoir and said ink paths, g. removing said cartridge from said vacuum chamber and securing said cartridge in a centrifuge apparatus, h. rotating said cartridge at a speed between 500 and 2500 total revolutions per minute until a centrifugal force causes all liquid solvent, ink residue and other debris to be removed from said cartridge, and i. removing said cartridge from said centrifuge apparatus.