Stalagmite dissolving spittoon system for inkjet printheads
US6050671A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 27, 1997 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 27, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/1742
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A spittoon system is provided for avoiding formation of an ink stalagmite during spitting of a pigment-based ink from a first printhead of an inkjet printing mechanism. First, ink is spit from a second inkjet printhead containing a dye-based ink formulation and accumulated in a pool defined by spittoon reservoir having a catch basin. The catch basin is configured to splatter and dissipate the pigment-based ink upon impacting the accumulated pool of ink. The spittoon preferably has funnel-shaped tapering walls that resist collection of the pigment-based ink, to avoid formation of an initial base portion of the ink stalagmite. A method of avoiding formation of such an ink stalagmite, along with an inkjet printing mechanism having such a spittoon system, are also provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.