Printer with electrostatic ink control
AssigneeNorthern Telecom Limited
InventorsPaolo Cielo, William D. Westwood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A liquid ink printer uses electrostatic control of ink flow along paths defined by strips of hydrophilic material. The strips may be discontinuous, with a narrow gap across which ink is urged to flow by application of a voltage to an electrode, or a gate member may be pulled down onto a strip to prevent ink flow. In a further arrangement drops of ink are extracted from the ends of the strips and accelerated towards a printing position by an electrode pattern.
Claims10
A printer with electrostatic ink control, comprising:
- a substrate including an ink reservoir at one end and a printing position at the other end;
- a plurality of strips of hydrophilic material extending side by side on said substrate from said reservoir towards said printing position;
- at least one orifice in a wall of said reservoir for the supply of ink to said strips;
- electrostatic means associated with each strip for controlling the flow of ink along said strip to said printing position.
A printer as claimed in claims, 1, 5, 6 or 2, including a continuous orifice extending for all of said strips.
A method of printing with liquid ink comprising:
- feeding a liquid ink from a reservoir on to a plurality of strips of hydrophilic material supported on a substrate, and controlling the flow of ink along said strips by electrostatic means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.