| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 347090000 | Collectors or catchers specifics | 30 |
| 20080284835 | INTEGRAL, MICROMACHINED GUTTER FOR INKJET PRINTHEAD - The invention provides an ink jet printhead comprising a monolithic printhead with an integral gutter system wherein said gutter system is provided with an end wall adjacent to the ink stream and wherein the side of the wall adjacent the ink direction is generally parallel to the ink direction through said print head. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20090033727 | LATERAL FLOW DEVICE PRINTHEAD WITH INTERNAL GUTTER - The invention provides an inkjet printhead comprising a lateral flow device nozzle plate, at least one ink nozzle in said plate, and an integral superstructure, containing a gutter, integral to said nozzle plate. A method of using the inkjet printhead is also disclosed. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090040283 | INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS - An inkjet recording apparatus comprises a main body, a print head, and a cable. The main body includes an ink container for storing ink, an ink supply pump for supplying the ink, and an operation control section. The print head includes a nozzle for expelling the ink supplied from the main body as ink particles, charging electrodes for charging the ink particles, deflecting electrodes for deflecting the charged ink particles, and a gutter for collecting ink particles that have not been used for printing. The cable includes an ink supply path through which the ink is supplied from the main body to the print head, an ink collecting path through which the ink particles collected in the gutter are returned to the ink container, signal lines interconnecting the operation control section and the print head. An ink collecting pump for transferring the ink particles collected in the gutter to the ink container is disposed in the print head. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090189964 | Ink jet recording device - An ink jet recording device, comprises: a main body equipped with an ink container which accumulate ink, an ink supply pump which supplies the ink, an ink recovery pump which recovers the ink, and a control unit; a printing head equipped with a nozzle which jets the ink supplied from the main body as ink particles, an electrification electrode which electrifies the ink particles, a deflection electrode which deflects the electrified ink particles, and a gutter which collects ink particles which are not used for printing; and a cable in which an ink supply flow path for supplying the ink from the main body to the printing head, an ink recovery flow path for returning the ink particles collected by the gutter into the ink container, an exhaust circulation path which connects the ink container and the gutter, and various signal lines for connecting the control unit and the printing head, are arranged. The gutter comprises two members of an ink flow path block in which ink flows, and exhaust flow path block in which exhaust solvent vapor flows. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20100026770 | Ink Jet Recording Device - An ink jet recording device comprises a main body equipped with an ink container, an ink supply pump ink, an ink recovery pump, and a control unit. A printing head equipped with a nozzle emits ink supplied from the main body as ink particles. An electrification electrode electrifies the ink particles and a deflection electrode deflects the electrified ink particles. A gutter collects ink particles which are not used for printing. An exhaust circulation path connects the ink container and the gutter. The gutter comprises two members of an ink flow path block in which ink flows and an exhaust flow path block in which exhaust solvent vapor flows. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100073444 | INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS - An inkjet recording apparatus is provided with an ink head having a nozzle face on which a nozzle for discharging ink is formed, a first tank stored with the ink to be supplied to the ink head through a first ink passage, a second tank stored with the ink not having been discharged from the ink head through a second ink passage, and a third ink passage connecting the second and first tanks. The inkjet recording apparatus is further provided with a pump disposed in the third ink passage and configured to feed the ink from the second tank into the first tank, a fourth ink passage connected in parallel with the pump, and a pressure regulation valve incorporated in the fourth ink passage. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100079565 | INK RECOVERY DEVICE - An ink recovery device is disclosed. The ink recovery device, configured to retrieve ink being sprayed out from an inkjet printer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: a recovery unit, which retrieves the ink; a storage, which is connected to the recovery unit and stores the retrieved ink; and a vibrating unit, which vibrates the stored ink. The ink recovery device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can effectively retrieve ink being sprayed out for the maintenance of an inkjet head and immediately reuse the retrieved ink while maintaining the properties of the ink. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100123764 | Waste Phase Change Ink Recycling - A system for recycling waste phase change ink in a phase change ink imaging device includes a waste ink collector positioned within a phase change ink imaging device to collect waste phase change ink produced by a printhead in the phase change ink imaging device. The waste ink collector includes a heater for heating the waste phase change ink in the collector to at least a phase change ink melting temperature. A waste phase change ink conveyor is configured to convey melted waste phase change ink from the waste ink collector to an ink reservoir for the printhead. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100208018 | Waste Phase Change Ink Recycling - A printhead for use in an imaging device includes a reservoir configured to receive ink from an ink source. An aperture plate includes a plurality of ink jet apertures at a first location in the aperture plate and a plurality of recycling apertures at a second location in the aperture plate. The printhead includes a plurality of ink jets, each ink jet being configured to receive ink from the reservoir and to reject ink through one of the ink jet apertures in the aperture plate, and a plurality of channels, each channel being configured to fluidly couple one of the recycling apertures in the aperture plate to the reservoir. A pressure source is coupled to the reservoir that is configured to generate a pressure in the reservoir. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100295910 | PRINTHEAD WITH POROUS CATCHER - A printhead includes a catcher and a negative pressure source. The catcher includes a liquid drop contact structure. The liquid drop contact structure includes a plurality of pores, each of the plurality of pores having a substantially uniform size when compared to each other. The plurality of pores have a critical pressure point above which air can displace liquid from the plurality of pores. The negative pressure source is in fluid communication with the plurality of pores of the liquid contact structure. The negative pressure source includes a pressure regulator to control the negative pressure such that the negative pressure remains below the critical pressure point of the plurality of pores of the liquid drop contact structure. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100295911 | ROTATING COANDA CATCHER - A catcher includes a housing and a drop contact structure. The housing defines a liquid removal conduit. The drop contact structure includes a moveable surface that delivers collected liquid drops to the liquid removal conduit of the housing. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100295912 | POROUS CATCHER - A catcher for use in a continuous printhead includes a liquid drop contact structure and a reinforcing structure. The liquid drop contact structure includes a plurality of pores with each of the plurality of pores having a substantially uniform size when compared to each other. The reinforcing structure, which is in contact with the liquid drop contact structure, includes a plurality of fluid channels through which liquid from the plurality of pores can be removed. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20110012967 | CATCHER INCLUDING DRAG REDUCING DROP CONTACT SURFACE - A catcher and a method of printing are provided. The catcher includes a liquid drop contact face. The liquid drop contact face includes an opening that creates an air cushion upon which liquid flows after a liquid drop contacts the drop contact face. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110310201 | PRINTER UTILIZING PRESSURE CONTROL OF AIR IN SUMP - An inkjet printer includes a printhead for printing onto a media substrate, the printhead defining a plurality of nozzles from which ink is expelled; an ink tank provided upstream of the printhead; a sump provided downstream of the printhead for collecting unused ink from the printhead, the sump having a lower portion for holding the unused ink and an upper portion defining a headspace of air above the unused ink; a first fluid conduit extending between the printhead and the sump for communicating the unused ink from the printhead to the sump, the first fluid conduit connecting the sump to a position in the printhead upstream of the plurality of nozzles; and a pump connected to the sump, the pump for drawing air from the headspace of the sump into atmosphere and effecting a negative pressure in the printhead upstream of the nozzles. Communication of ink from the ink tank to the printhead is effected by the negative pressure generated by the drawing of air from the headspace of the sump. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20120026259 | LIQUID FILM MOVING OVER SOLID CATCHER SURFACE - A printhead includes a jetting module that forms liquid drops travelling along a first path. A deflection mechanism causes selected liquid drops formed by the jetting module to deviate from the first path and begin travelling along a second path. A catcher includes a liquid outlet, a stationary surface, and a liquid source that causes a liquid film to exit the liquid outlet and flow over the stationary surface of the catcher. The catcher is positioned relative to the first path such that the liquid drops travelling along one of the first path and the second path contact the liquid film. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026260 | PRINTING USING LIQUID FILM SOLID CATCHER SURFACE - A method of printing includes providing liquid drops travelling along a first path using a jetting module. A catcher including a liquid outlet, a stationary surface, and a liquid source is also provided. A liquid film provided by the liquid source is caused to exit the liquid outlet of the catcher and flow over the stationary surface of the catcher. Selected liquid drops are caused to deviate from the first path and begin travelling along a second path using a deflection mechanism such that the liquid drops travelling along one of the first path and the second path contact the liquid film. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026261 | MOVING LIQUID CURTAIN CATCHER - A printhead includes a jetting module that forms liquid drops travelling along a first path. A deflection mechanism causes selected liquid drops formed by the jetting module to deviate from the first path and begin travelling along a second path. A moving liquid curtain is positioned relative to the first path such that the liquid drops travelling along one of the first path and the second path contact the liquid curtain in a drop interception region of the liquid curtain. A liquid collection device is positioned to collect the liquid curtain downstream from the drop interception region. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120098907 | LIQUID DISPENSER INCLUDING CURVED VENT - A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid return channel, and a liquid dispensing channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening. A drain is located in the wall downstream from the outlet opening. The drain includes a radius of curvature as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the wall. A liquid supply provides liquid that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member selectively diverts a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120098908 | LIQUID DISPENSER INCLUDING SECONDARY LIQUID MANIFOLD - A liquid dispenser includes an array of liquid dispensing elements positioned on a substrate. Each liquid dispensing element includes a liquid dispensing channel positioned on the substrate. The liquid dispensing channel includes an outlet opening positioned on a wall opposite the substrate. A diverter member is associated with the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid return channel is positioned on the substrate in fluid communication with the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid supply channel is positioned on the substrate in fluid communication with the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid supply passage extends through the substrate and is in fluid communication with the liquid supply channel. A liquid return passage extends through the substrate and is in fluid communication with the liquid return channel. A liquid manifold includes a liquid supply duct and a liquid return duct. The liquid supply duct is in fluid communication with each liquid supply passage of each liquid dispensing element. The liquid return duct is in fluid communication with each liquid return passage of each liquid dispensing element. A liquid supply provides liquid that flows from the liquid supply duct of the liquid manifold through each liquid dispensing element to the liquid return duct of the liquid manifold. Each diverter member is selectively activated to divert a portion of the liquid flowing through the associated liquid dispensing channel through the outlet opening of the associated liquid dispensing channel to dispense a drop of the liquid. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20130083144 | INK-JET RECORDING APPARATUS - An ink-jet recording apparatus includes a platen provided with a suction-collection section which sucks in and collects ink discharged deviating from an end portion of recording medium. The ink-jet recording apparatus includes a suction force generation unit for collecting ink configured to enable the suction collection section to generate a suction force, a collection flow path connecting the suction collection section to the suction force generation unit for collection, and a flow path control unit configured to vary an sectional area of the collection flow path. The sectional area of the collection flow path is varied according to an image forming time or a type of the recording medium. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130194359 | Collect Print Substance - Arrangement or method for collecting and heating print substance that passes through porous media in a printer. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130271539 | LIQUID CIRCULATION DEVICE AND LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS - A liquid circulation device includes a supply unit that forms a flow path supplying a liquid from a reservoir unit; a collection unit that forms a flow path collecting the liquid to the reservoir unit; and N number of the connection units provided respectively corresponding to N number of ejection units ejecting the liquid forming a flow path connecting the supply unit and the collection unit via the ejection units, wherein with regard to each of N number of the connection units, a connection order of the connection units with respect to the supply unit, which is counted from upstream in a flow direction of the liquid in the supply unit coincides with a connection order of the connection units with respect to the collection unit, which is counted from upstream in the flow direction of the liquid in the collection unit. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130278689 | CONTINUOUS INKJET PRINTING METHOD - A method of printing an image with a continuous inkjet printer system employing bimodal drop size generation with pigmented inkjet ink compositions comprising a polymer additive, wherein the liquid ink is an aqueous inkjet ink comprises dispersed pigment colorant particles having a mean particle size of less than 150 nanometers and at least about 0.1 wt % of polymer additive distinct from any polymer dispersant used to disperse the pigment particles, and recirculating liquid ink supplied to the nozzle if the printer system from a liquid ink source is in-line filtered with a filter selected to be effective at retaining particles having particle sizes equal to and greater than 0.6 micrometers from the liquid ink and to pass the dispersed pigment particles. The invention enables high quality drop control in a continuous inkjet printing system. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20140043412 | Printhead Having A Stepped Flow Path To Direct Purged Ink Into A Collecting Tray - An ink collecting system has been developed to direct ink purged from a printhead positioned above an ink collecting tray along a stepped flow path into the ink collecting tray. The stepped flow path enables the purged ink to flow from a faceplate on the jet stack, around a junction, onto a lower surface of the jet stack, and to a curved lower flange of a reservoir housing, which directs the ink away from the faceplate before the ink drops into the ink collecting tray for disposal or reuse. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140043413 | Ink Jet Recording Device - An ink that is unused for printing when a supply ink from an ink container is ejected from a nozzle, and printing is conducted on an object to be printed is sucked by a gutter together with an air, and the ink and air are recovered into the ink container. In this situation, the air mixed with an ink solvent and recovered is discharged as an exhaust gas from the ink container by an exhaust path, and at this time, the ink mist is removed from the exhaust gas in which a liquefaction ink solvent liquefied within the exhaust path and the ink mist are mixed together by an ink mist mixture unit. Thereafter, the liquid is held by the aid of a capillary action, and separated from the gas in a gas-liquid separator to recover the separated liquefaction ink solvent. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140043414 | GAS-LIQUID SEPARATOR AND INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A gas-liquid separator includes a casing with a cylindrical chamber inside, a gas-liquid 2-phase inlet pipe which is attached to a wall of the casing and connected to the chamber, a gas outlet pipe for discharging the gas of a gas-liquid mixture flowing into the chamber, and the gas-liquid 2-phase outlet pipe for discharging the liquid as a most part of the gas-liquid mixture flowing into the chamber. A gap is formed around the gas-liquid outlet pipe in the chamber for separating the mixture into liquid and gas using the surface tension and suction force. The gas-liquid separator is installed in the inkjet recording apparatus, especially in the print head. The print head is filled with the solvent gas so as to be suctioned from the gutter to reduce the solvent consumption. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140111584 | COMPENSATION DEVICE FOR A PRINTING HEAD AND PRINTING UNIT COMPRISING SAID COMPENSATION DEVICE - A compensation device configured to attenuate pressure variations in an ink printing head is provided. The device includes a first compensation chamber containing ink and having a bottom, an outlet orifice extending through the bottom, and an inlet orifice opposite the bottom; a second compensation chamber containing ink and having a bottom, an inlet orifice extending through the bottom, and an outlet orifice opposite the bottom; and a vent means allowing outflow of air contained in the compensation chambers. The vent means includes a first opening in the first compensation chamber; a second opening in the second compensation chamber operable to be in a lower position with respect to the first opening when the device is in an operating position in which the bottoms of the compensation chambers define lower walls of the corresponding compensation chambers; and an intermediate chamber communicating with the first opening and the second opening. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140292964 | Liquid Discharge Recording Apparatus and Method for Recovering Liquid - A liquid discharge recording apparatus includes: a liquid; a liquid discharge head configured to discharge the liquid; an absorber configured to absorb the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head; and unsaturated fatty acid of which specific gravity is smaller than that of the liquid and which is contained in the absorber. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20150085032 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - A liquid circulation part has a recovery path where a liquid flows into a retaining part from a first head and a second head. The recovery path has a first merging point where the liquid flowing from the first head and the liquid flowing from the second head are merged, a first recovery path part where the liquid flowing from the first head flows into the first merging point, and a second recovery path part where the liquid flows from the first merging point. The cross-sectional area of the second recovery path part, orthogonal to a direction of flow of the liquid in the second recovery path part, is greater than the cross-sectional area of the first recovery path part, orthogonal to the direction of flow of the liquid in the first recovery path part. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20160052282 | COLLECTOR SUBSTRATE ADVANCEMENT TO COLLECT FLUID - An image forming system includes a fluid applicator unit, a substrate positioning unit, and a fluid collector assembly. The fluid collector assembly includes a collector substrate, a collector advancement unit, and a collector control module. The fluid applicator unit may apply fluid to a substrate. The substrate positioning unit may position the substrate in a printzone to receive the fluid from the fluid applicator unit such that a first portion of the fluid remains on the substrate and a second portion of the fluid does not remain on the substrate. The collector substrate may collect the second portion of the fluid in the printzone below the substrate. The collector advancement unit may advance the collector substrate along a collector transport path below the substrate in the printzone. The collector control module may control the collector advancement unit to selectively advance the collector substrate along the collector transport path in response to application of the fluid to the substrate by the fluid applicator unit. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20080284835 | INTEGRAL, MICROMACHINED GUTTER FOR INKJET PRINTHEAD - The invention provides an ink jet printhead comprising a monolithic printhead with an integral gutter system wherein said gutter system is provided with an end wall adjacent to the ink stream and wherein the side of the wall adjacent the ink direction is generally parallel to the ink direction through said print head. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20090033727 | LATERAL FLOW DEVICE PRINTHEAD WITH INTERNAL GUTTER - The invention provides an inkjet printhead comprising a lateral flow device nozzle plate, at least one ink nozzle in said plate, and an integral superstructure, containing a gutter, integral to said nozzle plate. A method of using the inkjet printhead is also disclosed. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090040283 | INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS - An inkjet recording apparatus comprises a main body, a print head, and a cable. The main body includes an ink container for storing ink, an ink supply pump for supplying the ink, and an operation control section. The print head includes a nozzle for expelling the ink supplied from the main body as ink particles, charging electrodes for charging the ink particles, deflecting electrodes for deflecting the charged ink particles, and a gutter for collecting ink particles that have not been used for printing. The cable includes an ink supply path through which the ink is supplied from the main body to the print head, an ink collecting path through which the ink particles collected in the gutter are returned to the ink container, signal lines interconnecting the operation control section and the print head. An ink collecting pump for transferring the ink particles collected in the gutter to the ink container is disposed in the print head. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090189964 | Ink jet recording device - An ink jet recording device, comprises: a main body equipped with an ink container which accumulate ink, an ink supply pump which supplies the ink, an ink recovery pump which recovers the ink, and a control unit; a printing head equipped with a nozzle which jets the ink supplied from the main body as ink particles, an electrification electrode which electrifies the ink particles, a deflection electrode which deflects the electrified ink particles, and a gutter which collects ink particles which are not used for printing; and a cable in which an ink supply flow path for supplying the ink from the main body to the printing head, an ink recovery flow path for returning the ink particles collected by the gutter into the ink container, an exhaust circulation path which connects the ink container and the gutter, and various signal lines for connecting the control unit and the printing head, are arranged. The gutter comprises two members of an ink flow path block in which ink flows, and exhaust flow path block in which exhaust solvent vapor flows. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20100026770 | Ink Jet Recording Device - An ink jet recording device comprises a main body equipped with an ink container, an ink supply pump ink, an ink recovery pump, and a control unit. A printing head equipped with a nozzle emits ink supplied from the main body as ink particles. An electrification electrode electrifies the ink particles and a deflection electrode deflects the electrified ink particles. A gutter collects ink particles which are not used for printing. An exhaust circulation path connects the ink container and the gutter. The gutter comprises two members of an ink flow path block in which ink flows and an exhaust flow path block in which exhaust solvent vapor flows. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100073444 | INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS - An inkjet recording apparatus is provided with an ink head having a nozzle face on which a nozzle for discharging ink is formed, a first tank stored with the ink to be supplied to the ink head through a first ink passage, a second tank stored with the ink not having been discharged from the ink head through a second ink passage, and a third ink passage connecting the second and first tanks. The inkjet recording apparatus is further provided with a pump disposed in the third ink passage and configured to feed the ink from the second tank into the first tank, a fourth ink passage connected in parallel with the pump, and a pressure regulation valve incorporated in the fourth ink passage. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100079565 | INK RECOVERY DEVICE - An ink recovery device is disclosed. The ink recovery device, configured to retrieve ink being sprayed out from an inkjet printer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: a recovery unit, which retrieves the ink; a storage, which is connected to the recovery unit and stores the retrieved ink; and a vibrating unit, which vibrates the stored ink. The ink recovery device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can effectively retrieve ink being sprayed out for the maintenance of an inkjet head and immediately reuse the retrieved ink while maintaining the properties of the ink. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100123764 | Waste Phase Change Ink Recycling - A system for recycling waste phase change ink in a phase change ink imaging device includes a waste ink collector positioned within a phase change ink imaging device to collect waste phase change ink produced by a printhead in the phase change ink imaging device. The waste ink collector includes a heater for heating the waste phase change ink in the collector to at least a phase change ink melting temperature. A waste phase change ink conveyor is configured to convey melted waste phase change ink from the waste ink collector to an ink reservoir for the printhead. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100208018 | Waste Phase Change Ink Recycling - A printhead for use in an imaging device includes a reservoir configured to receive ink from an ink source. An aperture plate includes a plurality of ink jet apertures at a first location in the aperture plate and a plurality of recycling apertures at a second location in the aperture plate. The printhead includes a plurality of ink jets, each ink jet being configured to receive ink from the reservoir and to reject ink through one of the ink jet apertures in the aperture plate, and a plurality of channels, each channel being configured to fluidly couple one of the recycling apertures in the aperture plate to the reservoir. A pressure source is coupled to the reservoir that is configured to generate a pressure in the reservoir. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100295910 | PRINTHEAD WITH POROUS CATCHER - A printhead includes a catcher and a negative pressure source. The catcher includes a liquid drop contact structure. The liquid drop contact structure includes a plurality of pores, each of the plurality of pores having a substantially uniform size when compared to each other. The plurality of pores have a critical pressure point above which air can displace liquid from the plurality of pores. The negative pressure source is in fluid communication with the plurality of pores of the liquid contact structure. The negative pressure source includes a pressure regulator to control the negative pressure such that the negative pressure remains below the critical pressure point of the plurality of pores of the liquid drop contact structure. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100295911 | ROTATING COANDA CATCHER - A catcher includes a housing and a drop contact structure. The housing defines a liquid removal conduit. The drop contact structure includes a moveable surface that delivers collected liquid drops to the liquid removal conduit of the housing. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100295912 | POROUS CATCHER - A catcher for use in a continuous printhead includes a liquid drop contact structure and a reinforcing structure. The liquid drop contact structure includes a plurality of pores with each of the plurality of pores having a substantially uniform size when compared to each other. The reinforcing structure, which is in contact with the liquid drop contact structure, includes a plurality of fluid channels through which liquid from the plurality of pores can be removed. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20110012967 | CATCHER INCLUDING DRAG REDUCING DROP CONTACT SURFACE - A catcher and a method of printing are provided. The catcher includes a liquid drop contact face. The liquid drop contact face includes an opening that creates an air cushion upon which liquid flows after a liquid drop contacts the drop contact face. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110310201 | PRINTER UTILIZING PRESSURE CONTROL OF AIR IN SUMP - An inkjet printer includes a printhead for printing onto a media substrate, the printhead defining a plurality of nozzles from which ink is expelled; an ink tank provided upstream of the printhead; a sump provided downstream of the printhead for collecting unused ink from the printhead, the sump having a lower portion for holding the unused ink and an upper portion defining a headspace of air above the unused ink; a first fluid conduit extending between the printhead and the sump for communicating the unused ink from the printhead to the sump, the first fluid conduit connecting the sump to a position in the printhead upstream of the plurality of nozzles; and a pump connected to the sump, the pump for drawing air from the headspace of the sump into atmosphere and effecting a negative pressure in the printhead upstream of the nozzles. Communication of ink from the ink tank to the printhead is effected by the negative pressure generated by the drawing of air from the headspace of the sump. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20120026259 | LIQUID FILM MOVING OVER SOLID CATCHER SURFACE - A printhead includes a jetting module that forms liquid drops travelling along a first path. A deflection mechanism causes selected liquid drops formed by the jetting module to deviate from the first path and begin travelling along a second path. A catcher includes a liquid outlet, a stationary surface, and a liquid source that causes a liquid film to exit the liquid outlet and flow over the stationary surface of the catcher. The catcher is positioned relative to the first path such that the liquid drops travelling along one of the first path and the second path contact the liquid film. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026260 | PRINTING USING LIQUID FILM SOLID CATCHER SURFACE - A method of printing includes providing liquid drops travelling along a first path using a jetting module. A catcher including a liquid outlet, a stationary surface, and a liquid source is also provided. A liquid film provided by the liquid source is caused to exit the liquid outlet of the catcher and flow over the stationary surface of the catcher. Selected liquid drops are caused to deviate from the first path and begin travelling along a second path using a deflection mechanism such that the liquid drops travelling along one of the first path and the second path contact the liquid film. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120026261 | MOVING LIQUID CURTAIN CATCHER - A printhead includes a jetting module that forms liquid drops travelling along a first path. A deflection mechanism causes selected liquid drops formed by the jetting module to deviate from the first path and begin travelling along a second path. A moving liquid curtain is positioned relative to the first path such that the liquid drops travelling along one of the first path and the second path contact the liquid curtain in a drop interception region of the liquid curtain. A liquid collection device is positioned to collect the liquid curtain downstream from the drop interception region. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120098907 | LIQUID DISPENSER INCLUDING CURVED VENT - A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid return channel, and a liquid dispensing channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening. A drain is located in the wall downstream from the outlet opening. The drain includes a radius of curvature as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the wall. A liquid supply provides liquid that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member selectively diverts a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120098908 | LIQUID DISPENSER INCLUDING SECONDARY LIQUID MANIFOLD - A liquid dispenser includes an array of liquid dispensing elements positioned on a substrate. Each liquid dispensing element includes a liquid dispensing channel positioned on the substrate. The liquid dispensing channel includes an outlet opening positioned on a wall opposite the substrate. A diverter member is associated with the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid return channel is positioned on the substrate in fluid communication with the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid supply channel is positioned on the substrate in fluid communication with the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid supply passage extends through the substrate and is in fluid communication with the liquid supply channel. A liquid return passage extends through the substrate and is in fluid communication with the liquid return channel. A liquid manifold includes a liquid supply duct and a liquid return duct. The liquid supply duct is in fluid communication with each liquid supply passage of each liquid dispensing element. The liquid return duct is in fluid communication with each liquid return passage of each liquid dispensing element. A liquid supply provides liquid that flows from the liquid supply duct of the liquid manifold through each liquid dispensing element to the liquid return duct of the liquid manifold. Each diverter member is selectively activated to divert a portion of the liquid flowing through the associated liquid dispensing channel through the outlet opening of the associated liquid dispensing channel to dispense a drop of the liquid. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20130083144 | INK-JET RECORDING APPARATUS - An ink-jet recording apparatus includes a platen provided with a suction-collection section which sucks in and collects ink discharged deviating from an end portion of recording medium. The ink-jet recording apparatus includes a suction force generation unit for collecting ink configured to enable the suction collection section to generate a suction force, a collection flow path connecting the suction collection section to the suction force generation unit for collection, and a flow path control unit configured to vary an sectional area of the collection flow path. The sectional area of the collection flow path is varied according to an image forming time or a type of the recording medium. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130194359 | Collect Print Substance - Arrangement or method for collecting and heating print substance that passes through porous media in a printer. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130271539 | LIQUID CIRCULATION DEVICE AND LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS - A liquid circulation device includes a supply unit that forms a flow path supplying a liquid from a reservoir unit; a collection unit that forms a flow path collecting the liquid to the reservoir unit; and N number of the connection units provided respectively corresponding to N number of ejection units ejecting the liquid forming a flow path connecting the supply unit and the collection unit via the ejection units, wherein with regard to each of N number of the connection units, a connection order of the connection units with respect to the supply unit, which is counted from upstream in a flow direction of the liquid in the supply unit coincides with a connection order of the connection units with respect to the collection unit, which is counted from upstream in the flow direction of the liquid in the collection unit. | 10-17-2013 |
| 20130278689 | CONTINUOUS INKJET PRINTING METHOD - A method of printing an image with a continuous inkjet printer system employing bimodal drop size generation with pigmented inkjet ink compositions comprising a polymer additive, wherein the liquid ink is an aqueous inkjet ink comprises dispersed pigment colorant particles having a mean particle size of less than 150 nanometers and at least about 0.1 wt % of polymer additive distinct from any polymer dispersant used to disperse the pigment particles, and recirculating liquid ink supplied to the nozzle if the printer system from a liquid ink source is in-line filtered with a filter selected to be effective at retaining particles having particle sizes equal to and greater than 0.6 micrometers from the liquid ink and to pass the dispersed pigment particles. The invention enables high quality drop control in a continuous inkjet printing system. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20140043412 | Printhead Having A Stepped Flow Path To Direct Purged Ink Into A Collecting Tray - An ink collecting system has been developed to direct ink purged from a printhead positioned above an ink collecting tray along a stepped flow path into the ink collecting tray. The stepped flow path enables the purged ink to flow from a faceplate on the jet stack, around a junction, onto a lower surface of the jet stack, and to a curved lower flange of a reservoir housing, which directs the ink away from the faceplate before the ink drops into the ink collecting tray for disposal or reuse. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140043413 | Ink Jet Recording Device - An ink that is unused for printing when a supply ink from an ink container is ejected from a nozzle, and printing is conducted on an object to be printed is sucked by a gutter together with an air, and the ink and air are recovered into the ink container. In this situation, the air mixed with an ink solvent and recovered is discharged as an exhaust gas from the ink container by an exhaust path, and at this time, the ink mist is removed from the exhaust gas in which a liquefaction ink solvent liquefied within the exhaust path and the ink mist are mixed together by an ink mist mixture unit. Thereafter, the liquid is held by the aid of a capillary action, and separated from the gas in a gas-liquid separator to recover the separated liquefaction ink solvent. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140043414 | GAS-LIQUID SEPARATOR AND INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A gas-liquid separator includes a casing with a cylindrical chamber inside, a gas-liquid 2-phase inlet pipe which is attached to a wall of the casing and connected to the chamber, a gas outlet pipe for discharging the gas of a gas-liquid mixture flowing into the chamber, and the gas-liquid 2-phase outlet pipe for discharging the liquid as a most part of the gas-liquid mixture flowing into the chamber. A gap is formed around the gas-liquid outlet pipe in the chamber for separating the mixture into liquid and gas using the surface tension and suction force. The gas-liquid separator is installed in the inkjet recording apparatus, especially in the print head. The print head is filled with the solvent gas so as to be suctioned from the gutter to reduce the solvent consumption. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140111584 | COMPENSATION DEVICE FOR A PRINTING HEAD AND PRINTING UNIT COMPRISING SAID COMPENSATION DEVICE - A compensation device configured to attenuate pressure variations in an ink printing head is provided. The device includes a first compensation chamber containing ink and having a bottom, an outlet orifice extending through the bottom, and an inlet orifice opposite the bottom; a second compensation chamber containing ink and having a bottom, an inlet orifice extending through the bottom, and an outlet orifice opposite the bottom; and a vent means allowing outflow of air contained in the compensation chambers. The vent means includes a first opening in the first compensation chamber; a second opening in the second compensation chamber operable to be in a lower position with respect to the first opening when the device is in an operating position in which the bottoms of the compensation chambers define lower walls of the corresponding compensation chambers; and an intermediate chamber communicating with the first opening and the second opening. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140292964 | Liquid Discharge Recording Apparatus and Method for Recovering Liquid - A liquid discharge recording apparatus includes: a liquid; a liquid discharge head configured to discharge the liquid; an absorber configured to absorb the liquid discharged from the liquid discharge head; and unsaturated fatty acid of which specific gravity is smaller than that of the liquid and which is contained in the absorber. | 10-02-2014 |
| 20150085032 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - A liquid circulation part has a recovery path where a liquid flows into a retaining part from a first head and a second head. The recovery path has a first merging point where the liquid flowing from the first head and the liquid flowing from the second head are merged, a first recovery path part where the liquid flowing from the first head flows into the first merging point, and a second recovery path part where the liquid flows from the first merging point. The cross-sectional area of the second recovery path part, orthogonal to a direction of flow of the liquid in the second recovery path part, is greater than the cross-sectional area of the first recovery path part, orthogonal to the direction of flow of the liquid in the first recovery path part. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20160052282 | COLLECTOR SUBSTRATE ADVANCEMENT TO COLLECT FLUID - An image forming system includes a fluid applicator unit, a substrate positioning unit, and a fluid collector assembly. The fluid collector assembly includes a collector substrate, a collector advancement unit, and a collector control module. The fluid applicator unit may apply fluid to a substrate. The substrate positioning unit may position the substrate in a printzone to receive the fluid from the fluid applicator unit such that a first portion of the fluid remains on the substrate and a second portion of the fluid does not remain on the substrate. The collector substrate may collect the second portion of the fluid in the printzone below the substrate. The collector advancement unit may advance the collector substrate along a collector transport path below the substrate in the printzone. The collector control module may control the collector advancement unit to selectively advance the collector substrate along the collector transport path in response to application of the fluid to the substrate by the fluid applicator unit. | 02-25-2016 |
