Ink jet printer with bubble driven flexible membrane
US4480259A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 30, 1982 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 30, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/14064
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus is disclosed for propelling ink droplets from an ink jet nozzle which uses an expanding bubble as a driving mechanism. Unlike other thermal ink jet devices, the ink itself is not used to provide the driving bubble. Rather a two fluid system is disclosed whereby a flexible membrane is used to maintain separation between a working fluid and the ink. A bubble is thermally created in the working fluid which distends the membrane and causes ink on the other side of the membrane to be expelled from an ink jet orifice. The membrane is in direct physical contact with the surface of the bubble-generating resistor and a quantity of the working fluid lies between the resistor and the membrane in pockets created by roughening the surface of the membrane or by roughening the surface of the resistor; alternatively, pockets between the membrane and the resistor may be provided by particulates contained within the working fluid which provide local separations of the membrane and the resistor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.