Device for preventing the contamination of ink jet components
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorGordon J. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In an ink jet printing system wherein a drop generator emits ink droplets for printing on a recording media, deleterious ink mist or ink dust formed as a result of ink droplets impacting on the media is collected by a collecting container disposed relative to the zone whereat ink droplets contact the media. A vacuum system is coupled to the container and extracts ink mist which is returned to the ink supply system for reuse. Airborne contamination, to components such as the drop generator, charge electrodes and deflection electrodes, are prevented by encasing the components in a pressurized box.
Claims16
Apparatus for use with an ink jet printer to collect ink mist generated by print fluid droplets contacting the surface of a recording media, said apparatus comprising:
- a substantially closed container means having an inlet opening therein and operable to collect the ink mist, said container means having its inlet opening disposed relative to a zone whereat droplets of print fluid impact the recording media;
- and
- means coupled to the container means and operable to extract the ink mist therefrom.
An improved nonimpact printing system comprising in combination:
- a cylindrical drum mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis;
- a recording media mounted to the surface of said drum and operable to rotate therewith;
- a print head disposed relative to said drum and operable to generate ink droplets for printing on the recording media;
- an environmental box means mounted to enclose the print head;
- a pressure means operable to pressurize the box above that of the ambient atmosphere outside the box means so that contaminants are being excluded therefrom;
- and
- a substantially closed container means mounted to the box and operable to collect ink mist generated from ink droplets impacting on the recording media.
In a nonimpact printing system wherein an indicia recording sheet is mounted to the surface of a rotating drum, a drop generator disposed relative to the drum and operable to produce a plurality of ink droplets, and means for influencing the droplets to enable printing on the recording sheet, an improved apparatus for controlling contaminants comprising:
- an ink mist collecting scoop having an inlet opening therein, said scoop disposed relative to the drop generator with the inlet opening positioned upstream from a zone whereat the ink droplets contact the recording sheet in the direction of drum rotation.
In a nonimpact printing system wherein an indicia recording sheet is mounted to the surface of a rotating drum, a drop generator disposed relative to the drum and operable to produce a plurality of ink droplets, and means for influencing the droplets to enable printing on the recording sheet an apparatus for controlling contaminants comprising:
- an environmental box mounted to encase the drop generator and the means for influencing the droplets, said environmental box having an opening to allow the emission of ink droplets;
- an ink mist scoop mounted to the environmental box, said scoop having an opening orientated to collect ink mist resulting from droplets impacting the recording sheet;
- a source of positive pressure means coupled to the environmental box and operable to pressurize said box to exclude contaminants;
- and
- a source of negative pressure means coupled to the ink mist scoop and operable to extract ink mist from said scoop.
A centrifugal fog collector adaptable for use with an ink jet printing system comprising:
- a cylindrical tube having a longitudinal slot therein;
- a collecting plate coacting with the slot to form an entry for collecting ink mist;
- a pair of end members one of each joined to opposite ends of the tube to form a closed container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.