Ink jet apparatus having amplified asymmetric heating drop deflection

A method of increasing divergence in ink drops comprising:

• providing a source of ink drops;
• directing the ink drops to travel in a first state along a first path and in a second state along a second path, the first and second paths diverging from the source;
• and
• causing the divergence of at least one path to increase by applying a force in a direction substantially perpendicular to drops travelling along at least one of the first and second paths, wherein applying the force includes generating a gas flow and applying the gas flow to drops travelling along at least one of the first and second paths.

A method of increasing divergence in ink drops comprising:

• providing a source of ink drops;
• directing the ink drops to travel in a first state along a first path and in a second state along a second path, the first and second paths diverging from the source;
• and
• causing the divergence of at least one path to increase by positioning a gas flow proximate to one of the first and second paths.

An ink drop deflector mechanism comprising:

• a source of ink drops;
• a path selection device operable in a first state to direct ink drops from the source along a first path and in a second state to direct drops from the source along a second path, said first and second paths diverging from said source, said path selection device including a heater operable to produce said ink drops traveling along said first path and said second path;
• and
• a system which applies force to drops travelling along at least one of said first and second paths, said system including a gas source which generates a gas flow, said gas flow being applied in a direction substantially perpendicular to said first path such that divergence of said first path is increased.

A method of increasing divergence in ink drops comprising:

• providing a source of ink drops;
• directing the ink drops to travel in a first state along a first path and in a second state along a second path, the first and second paths diverging from the source;
• and
• causing the divergence of at least one path to increase, wherein causing the divergence of at least one path to increase includes applying a gas flow to drops travelling along at least one of the first and second paths.