Use of an essentially colorless marker to allow evaluation of nozzle health for printing colorless “fixer” agents in multi-part ink-jet images
US6378976B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 30, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/2114
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for a test pattern used in the alignment of an ink-jet pen which deposits fixer fluid, or other clear ink precursor fluid, or even colored ink fluid, on print media incorporates a colorless chemical marker in the fixer that is either infrared- or ultraviolet-sensitive and can either be observed using IR-sensitive detectors or visually, respectively, upon application of IR (or near-IR) radiation or UV radiation, respectively. Thus, data may be obtained with respect to deviations in a carriage-scan x-axis and a paper scan y-axis. Thus, the teachings of the present invention permit a determination of the extent of misdirected or missing nozzles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.