Patent · US Expired

Thermal ink jet print head with removable ink cartridge

US5119115A · kind A · utility

194Cited by
9References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 25, 1990
Grant dateJun 2, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 25, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J2/17513
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

In a thermal ink jet print head the ink is expelled in the form of small drops through a plurality of nozzles communicating with corresponding expulsion chambers for expulsion of the ink through the effect of rapid heating of heater elements contained in the expulsion chambers. The nozzles, the expulsion chambers, the heater elements and the associated electrical conductors are constructed in a plurality of metal layers and insulating layers supported by a silicon plate. The plate is fixed to the structure of the head and is supplied with ink contained in a movable cartridge fitted to the structure of the head. The cartridge comprises a rigid reservoir containing a sponge saturated with ink which can be hydraulically connected to the head by means of a needle-type conduit mounted on the head and which perforates a rubber membrane of the cartridge. During the periods of storage and inactivity of the head, the cartridge is removed, permitting drying of the nozzles to avoid possible nozzle blockages and corrosion of the layers of the plate by the ink.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.