Inkjet printer nozzle plate

Details Inkjet printer nozzle plate Inkjet printer nozzle plate

1998-07-17

2001-10-16

Nguyen, Thinh (Department: 2853)

Incremental printing of symbolic information

Ink jet

Ejector mechanism

C347S094000, C347S067000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06302525

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to nozzle plate for an inkjet printer having a nozzle aperture through which ink is dispensed.
It is known in the field of fluid mechanics and in inkjet printing technology that, if a liquid is held in an container and that container has a hole in it with the hole below the level of the surface of the liquid, the liquid will not necessarily leak from the container depending upon the parameters of the liquid and the hole. The parameters which determine whether or not the liquid leaks from the container or not are the size of the hole, the surface tension of the liquid, the surface energy of the material in which the hole is formed, the vertical height of the liquid above the hole and the force of gravity. In inkjet printer systems, for example the so-called “BubbleJet” printers, additional means are used to control the pressure which the liquid exerts on the hole, typically in the form of an open cell foam structure. The surface tension force of the liquid acting in the capillaries of the foam at the liquid/air interface on the external surface of the foam can generate a back pressure which is able to balance the weight of the liquid in the foam.
There can be occasions when it is beneficial to have a large hole or slit in an inkjet printer, but where it is not feasible to use an open cell foam structure in order to exert a back pressure. For example, WO-A-93-11866, PCT/GB95/01215 and WO-A-94-18011 all disclose printing methods where a large slit may be useful.
It is desirable therefore to provide an alternative mechanism for ink retention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a nozzle plate apparatus for an inkjet printer having a nozzle aperture which includes a plurality of elements sub-dividing the aperture into a plurality of smaller apertures.
Preferably, the nozzle aperture includes a material disposed within the aperture and comprising a plurality of strands.
The aperture may be an elongate slit.
A particular feature of the invention is that one can sub-divide an aperture in a liquid containing vessel of dimensions which would otherwise normally allow liquid to escape due to gravity. Sub-dividing the aperture as proposed by the present invention effectively produces a number of small orifices of dimensions which allow the surface tension of the liquid to prevent the liquid from escaping. The invention also allows what is, in effect, a local reservoir of fluid to be retained close to the ejection location which can be used to improve the supply of fluid to the ejection location and the supply of charged particles to the ejection location. This is of use in printers of the type to which the invention relates as these are capable of operating at very high speeds.
The strands dividing the aperture into a plurality of apertures may be provided by the walls of a foam structure deposited in the nozzle aperture or else by individual filaments arranged substantially orthogonal to a major axis of the aperture, for example.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5838350 (1998-11-01), Newcombe
patent: 402277646 (1990-11-01), None
patent: 403005158 (1999-01-01), None
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, Tenth Edition.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Inkjet printer nozzle plate does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Inkjet printer nozzle plate, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Inkjet printer nozzle plate will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2581780