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US 2026/0077596 A1Published application
Systems for air flow management in inkjet printers
AssigneeElectronics for Imaging, Inc.
InventorsDavid Lara RUIZ, Eduardo BUENO ESPINAL
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A single vacuum source is used for multiple high flow rate subsystems in an inkjet printer to control the dispersal of satellite droplets during ink ejection while printing and ensuring that the substrates are sufficiently flat for the printing process. This reduces cost and layout requirements, provides a simplified control structure, and allows integration of a centralized liquid removal system and a single vacuum source. Accordingly the printing quality, robustness, and versatility of inkjet printers is improved.
Claims23
An apparatus, comprising:
- a vacuum operated conveyor system for transporting a substrate past one or more print bars in a printer during a printing sequence;
- and
- a vacuum operated mist removal system comprising at least one suction element for drawing satellite droplets away from the substrate when ink is ejected from the one or more print bars to prevent said satellite droplets from falling on undesired locations during the printing sequence;
- and
- a common vacuum source connected to both said conveyor system and said mist removal system.
2 more elements
A method, comprising:
- with a vacuum operated conveyor system, transporting a substrate past one or more print bars in a printer during a printing sequence;
- and
- with a vacuum operated mist removal system comprising at least one suction element, drawing satellite droplets away from the substrate when ink is ejected from the one or more print bars to prevent said satellite droplets from falling on undesired locations during the printing sequence;
- and
- connecting a common vacuum source to both said conveyor system and said mist removal system.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.