Phase change ink image producing machine including an imaging member having a textured imaging surface
US6899419B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 8, 2004 |
| Grant date | May 31, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 8, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/139
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A phase change ink image producing machine including (a) a control subsystem for controlling operation of all subsystems and components of the image producing machine; (b) melting apparatus for melting solid phase change ink into melted molten liquid ink; (c) a printhead system located for receiving said melted molten liquid ink, said printhead system being connected to said control subsystem for ejecting droplets of melted molten liquid ink onto an imaging member to form an image and a liquid ink imaging member having a top outer imaging surface for receiving image forming ink droplets from a printhead. The liquid ink imaging member includes (i) a substrate member; (ii) at least one elastomeric layer formed over the substrate member and including the top outer imaging surface; and (iii) a surface texture formed into the top outer imaging surface and comprising asperities spaced apart at most from about one-half to about one pixel spot size for providing contact angle hysteresis to pin image forming ink droplets received thereon, thereby preventing ink droplet drawback, and resulting in quality images.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.