Continuous ink-jet printing method and apparatus
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsDavid L. Jeanmaire, James M. Chwalek, Christopher N. Delametter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for printing an image is provided. The apparatus includes a droplet forming mechanism operable in a first state to form droplets having a first volume travelling along a path and in a second state to form droplets having a plurality of other volumes travelling along the same path. A droplet deflector system applies force to the droplets travelling along the path. The force is applied in a direction such that the droplets having the first volume diverge from the path while the droplets having the plurality of other volumes remain travelling substantially along the path or diverge slightly and begin travelling along a gutter path.
Claims35
An apparatus for printing an image comprising:
- a droplet forming mechanism operable in a first state to form droplets having a first volume travelling along a path and in a second state to form droplets having a plurality of other volumes travelling along said path, each of said plurality of other volumes being greater than said first volume;
- and
- a droplet deflector system which applies force to said droplets travelling along said path, said force being applied in a direction such that said droplets having said first volume diverge from said path, wherein said force includes a gas flow continuously applied to the droplets having the first volume and the droplets having the plurality of other volumes, wherein said droplet forming mechanism includes a heater.
An apparatus for printing an image comprising:
- a droplet forming mechanism operable in a first state to form droplets having a first volume travelling along a path and in a second state to form droplets having a plurality of other volumes travelling along said path, each of said plurality of other volumes being greater than said first volume;
- and
- a droplet deflector system which applies force to said droplets travelling along said path, said force being applied in a direction such that said droplets having said first volume diverge from said path, wherein said force is a negative pressure force, wherein said droplet forming mechanism includes a heater.
An apparatus for printing an image comprising:
- a droplet forming mechanism operable in a first state to form droplets having a first volume travelling along a path and in a second state to form droplets having a plurality of other volumes travelling along said path, each of said plurality of other volumes being greater than said first volume;
- and
- a droplet deflector system which applies force to said droplets travelling along said path, said force being applied in a direction such that said droplets having said first volume diverge from said path, wherein said force is a negative pressure force, wherein said drop forming mechanism is operable in the first state to form a succession of droplets having the first volume travelling along the path.
An apparatus for printing an image comprising:
- a droplet forming mechanism operable in a first state to form droplets having a first volume travelling along a path and in a second state to form droplets having a plurality of other volumes travelling along said path, each of said plurality of other volumes being greater than said first volume;
- and
- a droplet deflector system which applies force to said droplets travelling along said path, said force being applied in a direction such that said droplets having said first volume diverge from said path, wherein said droplet forming mechanism includes a heater operable in said first state to form said droplets having said first volume travelling along said path and in said second state to form said droplets having said plurality of other volumes travelling along said path.
An apparatus for printing an image comprising:
- a droplet forming mechanism operable in a first state to form a succession of printed droplets travelling along a path and in a second state to form non-printed droplets travelling along said path;
- and
- a system which applies force to said printed droplets and said non-printed droplets travelling along said path, said force being applied in a direction such that said printed droplets diverge from said path and begin travelling along a printed path, wherein said force includes a gas flow continuously applied to said printed droplets and said non-printed droplets.
A method of diverging ink droplets comprising:
- forming droplets having a first volume travelling along a path;
- forming droplets having a plurality of other volumes travelling along the path;
- and
- causing at least the droplets having the first volume to diverge from the path by applying a force to at least the droplets having the first volume in a direction such that the droplets having the first volume diverge from the path, the force including a gas flow continuously applied to the droplets having the first volume and the droplets having the plurality of other volumes, wherein forming the droplets having the first volume and forming the droplets having the plurality of other volumes includes using heat.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.