Manufacture of nozzles for ink jet printers
US5189437A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 2, 1991 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 2, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2202/12
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of manufacturing one or more nozzles for an ink jet printhead initially comprises bonding a nozzle plate to the ink ejection end of the printhead. A mask is then secured in contact with the nozzle plate, the mask having a plurality of apertures each defining a respective nozzle exit. Laser radiation applied to the mask exposes the areas defined by the apertures to ablate the plate material between the nozzle exits on the external surface of the plate and corresponding nozzle inlets on the opposite surface of the plate. The assembly comprising the printhead, plate and mask is rocked during the exposure step to increase the area of the nozzle inlet relative to its outlet. Also, prior to the nozzle formation step, one or more ink troughs may be provided for supplying an external source of ink for each nozzle. The ink troughs, which may be formed using laser ablation techniques similar to those used in the formation of the nozzles, facilitate a continuous, positive flow of ink through the nozzles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.