Cleaning surfaces for print apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021294245-A1
Application number	US-201816605822-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 21, 2018
Priority date	Mar 21, 2018
Publication date	Sep 23, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

In an example, a print apparatus comprises an intermediate transfer member to receive thermoplastic print agent from a photoconductive surface, a rotatably mounted endless cleaning surface to receive a layer of thermoplastic print agent from the intermediate transfer member and a heater, to heat the endless cleaning surface. The endless cleaning surface may be to engage with the intermediate transfer member when heated to transfer residue from the intermediate transfer member to the layer of thermoplastic print agent on the endless cleaning surface.

First claim

1 . A print apparatus comprising:
an intermediate transfer member to receive thermoplastic print agent from a photoconductive surface; a rotatably mounted endless cleaning surface, to receive a layer of thermoplastic print agent from the intermediate transfer member; and a heater, to heat the endless cleaning surface, wherein the endless cleaning surface is to engage with the intermediate transfer member when heated, to transfer residue from the intermediate transfer member to the layer of thermoplastic print agent on the endless cleaning surface.

2 . The print apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the heater is to heat the endless cleaning surface to a temperature between 70-150° C.

3 . The print apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the endless cleaning surface comprises a surface of a roller.

4 . The print apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the heater is provided within the roller.

5 . The print apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the endless cleaning surface comprises a belt.

6 . A method comprising:
applying a layer of thermoplastic print agent to a first surface of a print apparatus; transferring the layer of thermoplastic print agent from the first surface to an endless cleaning surface of the print apparatus; heating the layer of thermoplastic print agent on the endless cleaning surface to a temperature at which the thermoplastic print agent acts as an adhesive; and engaging the endless cleaning surface with the first surface of the print apparatus to transfer residue from the first surface of the print apparatus to the heated layer of thermoplastic print agent on the endless cleaning surface.

7 . The method according to claim 6 wherein applying a layer of thermoplastic print agent to the first surface comprises applying a continuous area of print agent to the first surface.

8 . The method according to claim 6 , further comprising, after engaging the endless cleaning surface with the first surface of the print apparatus, applying a second layer of thermoplastic print agent to the endless cleaning surface.

9 . A method according to claim 6 , further comprising applying an image to the first surface of the print apparatus and transferring the image from the first surface to a substrate, wherein the endless cleaning surface is engaged with the first surface of the print apparatus directly after transferring the image to the substrate.

10 . A method according to claim 6 wherein the thermoplastic print agent is thermoplastic ink.

11 . A method comprising:
applying a layer of thermoplastic print agent to a rotatable cleaning surface; printing one or more impressions onto a substrate, wherein the impressions are transferred from a photoconductive surface to the substrate via an intermediate transfer member; determining that an indication that cleaning of the intermediate transfer member is to be carried out is present, and in response: heating the rotatable cleaning surface; and engaging the rotatable cleaning surface with the intermediate transfer member.

12 . A method according to claim 11 wherein determining that an indication that cleaning of the intermediate transfer member is to be carried out is present comprises determining that a predetermined number of print impressions has been made.

13 . A method according to claim 11 , further comprising, prior to engaging the rotatable cleaning surface with the intermediate transfer member, allowing the intermediate transfer member to cool such that it is at a lower temperature than the rotatable cleaning surface.

14 . A method according to claim 11 , further comprising, after engaging the rotatable cleaning surface with the intermediate transfer member, determining that a reapplication of thermoplastic print agent to the rotatable cleaning surface is indicated, and in response, applying a further layer of thermoplastic print agent to the rotatable cleaning surface.

15 . A method according to 14 , wherein determining that a reapplication of thermoplastic print agent to the rotatable cleaning surface is indicated comprises determining that the rotatable cleaning surface has engaged with the intermediate transfer member a predetermined number of times.

Assignees

• Hewlett Packard Development Co

Inventors

• Kedem Amir
• Kokotov Michael
• Ploshnik Elina
• Nesher Guy
• Feygelman Alex
• Shiran Eran
• Shalem Nadav
• Talmor Chen

Classifications

• G03G15/161 Primary

  with means for handling the intermediate support, e.g. heating, cleaning, coating with a transfer agent · CPC title

• G03G15/11

  Removing excess liquid developer, e.g. by heat · CPC title

• G03G2215/1661

  of transfer belt · CPC title

• G03G15/10

  using a liquid developer · CPC title

• G03G15/0806

  on a donor element, e.g. belt, roller (complete developer unit G03G15/0896) · CPC title