Print device using hydrophilic/hydrophobic polymers
US6394584B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 27, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 28, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 27, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/005
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A printing device comprising a polymer element capable of switching from an initial state to a final state when subjected to an event, the initial state and the final state being selected from an hydrophilic state and an hydrophobic state provided that the initial state differs from the second state, wherein said polymer element is impregnated with a print fluid, and a controller adapted to generate the event producing the switch of the polymer element, provided that the event is an optical, a thermal or a chemical event, wherein the controller is adapted to generate the event producing the switch of the polymer element on a localized zone and on a internal zone delimited by the localized zone, in order to form a fluid drop at the surface of the polymer element.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.