Perforated membranes for liquid contronlin acoustic ink printing
US5028937A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 30, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 30, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2002/14322
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, an acoustic ink printer comprises a pool of liquid ink having a free surface in intimate contact with the inner face of a perforated membrane. The printer addresses all pixel positions within its image field via substantially uniform, relatively large diameter apertures which extend through the membrane on centers that are aligned with respective ones of the pixel positions. In operation, one or more focused acoustic beams selectively eject individual droplets of ink from the ink menisci that extend across the apertures. Accordingly, the membrane is positioned and the bias pressure that is applied to the ink is selected so that the menisci essentially remain within the focal plane of such beam or beams.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.