Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Ejector mechanism
Patent
1998-12-04
2000-11-07
Le, N.
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Ink jet
Ejector mechanism
347 29, 347 30, B41J 2165
Patent
active
061426016
ABSTRACT:
Self-cleaning printer with reverse fluid flow and method of assembling the printer. The printer comprises a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Contaminant may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes a septum disposed opposite the surface or orifice for defining a gap therebetween. Presence of the septum accelerates the flow of fluid through the gap to induce a hydrodynamic shearing force in the fluid. This shearing force acts against the contaminant to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. A pump in fluid communication with the gap is also provided for pumping the fluid through the gap. As the surface and/or orifice is cleaned, the contaminant is entrained in the fluid. A filter is provided to separate the contaminant from the fluid. In addition, a valve system in fluid communication with the gap is operable to direct flow of the fluid through the gap in a first direction and then in a second direction opposite the first direction to enhance cleaning effectiveness.
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Delametter Christopher N.
Meichle Michael E.
Quenin John A.
Sharma Ravi
Eastman Kodak Company
Le N.
Stevens Walter S.
Yo Anh T. N.
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