Electric-field manipulation of ejected ink drops in printing
US5975683A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 7, 1995 |
| Grant date | Nov 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 7, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2002/062
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided which compensates for environmental factors which cause misdirection of ink drops ejected from an ink jet printhead. Ink drops are electrostatically accelerated in a direction perpendicular to a print substrate, decreasing the ink drop flight time from the printhead to print substrate. The decrease in flight time decreases the misdirecting effect of the environmental factors on the ink drops since the environmental factors act on the ink drops for a shorter amount of time. Accelerating the ink drops also increases the spot size created when the drop impacts the print substrate, decreasing the amount of ink needed to create an image on the print substrate. The decrease in ink use results in less cockle and curl in the print substrate. The device also provides electrostatic deflection of the ink drops in directions parallel to the print substrate, increasing the resolution of the printhead.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.