Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Ejector mechanism
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-23
2001-12-11
Nguyen, Thinh (Department: 2861)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Ink jet
Ejector mechanism
C347S050000, C347S058000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328417
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an ink jet printhead. More particularly, the invention relates to an ink jet printhead nozzle array.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
In ink jet printheads, the more closely packed the nozzles of an array are, the better the print quality.
Further, where a nozzle is stationery and an actuator is used to eject ink from the nozzle, such ink is ejected substantially normal to the substrate. However, where the nozzle is displaceable, ink is ejected from the nozzle at a slight angle. If nozzles in the array are directed to be displaced in opposite directions, i.e. as mirror images of one another, the ink droplets ejected from such nozzles are offset with respect to the perpendicular to a greater extent. This may result in a degradation of the print quality.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided an ink jet printhead nozzle array which includes a plurality of nozzle assemblies, each nozzle assembly comprising an ink ejection nozzle, an actuator and a connecting member interconnecting the nozzle with its actuator, the nozzle assemblies being arranged in rows with the nozzles of the assemblies of one row nesting between connecting members of adjacent nozzle assemblies of the other row and the actuators of the assemblies of both rows being arranged on the same side of the rows.
In this specification the term “nozzle” is to be understood as an element defining an opening and not the opening itself.
The nozzle of each assembly may be moveable and may be displaced by means of its associated actuator for effecting ink ejection.
The actuator of each assembly may be a thermal bend actuator, the connecting member being in the form of an arm having one end connected to, and extending from, the actuator and having the moveable nozzle fast with an opposed end.
The actuators of said other row may be received between the connecting member of said one row.
The nozzles of the assemblies may be shaped further to facilitate close packing of the nozzles. Preferably, the nozzles are substantially hexagonally shaped.
The printhead may be a multi-color printhead, each color having two rows of nozzle assemblies associated with it and the actuators of all of the rows may extend in the same direction.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5754198 (1998-05-01), Nishikawa
patent: 5790149 (1998-08-01), Abe et al.
patent: 5828390 (1998-10-01), Thiel
patent: 5966148 (1999-10-01), Rogers et al.
patent: 0750987 (1997-01-01), None
patent: 0921003 (1999-06-01), None
patent: WO89/02577 (1989-03-01), None
patent: WO97/28000 (1997-08-01), None
Nguyen Thinh
Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
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