Method and apparatus for purging and/or priming an ink jet
AssigneeExxon Research & Engineering Co.
InventorKenneth W. Bower
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A catcher is associated with the nozzle of the jet. The catcher includes a chamber around the nozzle with an opening in the chamber for withdrawing ink and an opening for projecting droplets of ink therethrough.
Claims21
Ink jet apparatus comprising an ink reservoir, an ink jet nozzle terminating in an orifice, supply means coupling said reservoir to said orifice, and means for forcing the ink from said reservoir to said orifice during priming and/or purging, the improvement comprising an ink catcher chamber located immediately adjacent and fixedly mounted with respect to said nozzle and means for withdrawing ink from said chamber during priming and/or purging, said nozzle extending into said chamber.
Ink jet apparatus comprising an ink reservoir, an ink jet orifice, supply means coupling said reservoir to said orifice, and means for projecting droplets of ink from said orifice, the improvement comprising a chamber having a droplet projection opening juxtaposed to and located externally of said orifice, said chamber including movable closure means for opening and closing said opening.
A method of operating an ink jet apparatus comprising an ink jet orifice, a chamber surrounding said orifice outwardly thereof and a droplet projection opening justaposed to said orifice, the method comprising the following steps:
- flooding said chamber with ink through said orifice;
- withdrawing the ink from said flooded chamber;
- and
- projecting droplets of ink from said chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.