Means for preventing drying of ink at nozzles of print heads
AssigneeNCR Corporation
InventorFelix B. Krull
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An ink jet print head has at least one nozzle for ejecting ink droplets and includes an adjacent chamber containing liquid ink solvent therein. An absorbent material member is positioned to have one end thereof in the chamber-containing solvent and is directed or trained to an area which is in front of or around the nozzle to carry fluid or vapor therearound for the purpose of providing a moist or humid atmosphere at the nozzle and thereby prevent drying of the ink.
Claims15
An ink jet print head having at least one nozzle through which pass droplets of ink onto a receiving medium,
- means associated with said print head capable of holding a quantity of liquid ink solvent,
- means adjacent said nozzle providing an area of atmosphere for a medium of gaseous nature, and
- wick means having capillaric action properties and having a portion immersed in said liquid ink solvent and another portion extending from said liquid ink solvent to and around said nozzle in said area of atmosphere for carrying said solvent to said area enabling evaporation of said solvent in said area for providing an enriched atmosphere at said nozzle for maintaining the ink in a moist condition.
In an ink jet print head having at least one nozzle for passage of droplets of ink therethrough, and means for maintaining said droplets of ink in a wet condition, comprising a
- container associated with said print head and having a quantity of liquid ink solvent therein, a
- chamber adjacent said nozzle and formed to provide space for a certain volume of gas therein, and
- wick means having one end portion thereof immersed in said liquid ink solvent and another portion extending from said container and into said chamber for carrying said solvent thereinto and around said nozzle for evaporation to provide a moist atmosphere at said nozzle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.