Method and apparatus for printing ink droplets that strike print media substantially perpendicularly
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorDavid L. Jeanmaire
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for printing ink droplets that strike print media substantially perpendicularly, including the steps of: emitting a first drop having a first volume and a second drop having a second volume as a stream of ink from a plurality of nozzle bores formed in a printhead; moving either the first or second drop into a perpendicular strike position relative to the print media; separating either the first drop or the second drop along different droplet paths; capturing either the first drop or the second drop with an ink gutter; and striking the print media with either the first drop or the second drop substantially perpendicular to the print media.
Claims12
A method for printing ink droplets that strike print media substantially perpendicularly, comprising the steps of:
- a) emitting a first ink droplet having a first volume and a second ink droplet having a second volume as a stream of ink from a plurality of nozzle bores formed in a printhead;
- b) applying a continuous air flow, produced from a first droplet deflector, to the stream of ink at an angle to cause the stream of ink to separate into a first stream of ink droplets having a first range of volumes, moving alone a first set of paths;
- and a second stream of ink droplets having a second range of volumes, moving along a second set of paths;
- c) altering the first set of paths of the first stream of ink droplets having a first range of volumes with a second droplet deflector so that the first set of paths becomes perpendicular to an image receiver;
- d) capturing either the first ink droplet or the second ink droplet with an ink gutter;
- e) adjusting the stream of ink emitted by the one or more nozzles according to image data to be printed;
- and
- f) striking the print media with either the first ink droplet or the second ink droplet substantially perpendicular to the print media.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.