Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method of inkjet printing on untreated hydrophobic media

US6957886B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
19References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 27, 2002
Grant dateOct 25, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 27, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41M5/0011
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and method of thermal inkjet printing is provided. The apparatus is adapted to be used with an inkjet ink including a pigment(s), an aqueous vehicle, and a sufficient amount of polymeric binder and/or humectant(s) to wet and directly adhere to non-porous, uncoated, untreated, hydrophobic media. The ink is adapted to be ejected through a thermal inkjet head with consistent image quality and no kogation. The concentration of binder and/or humectant(s) raises the viscosity of the ink at room temperature. As such, the apparatus is adapted to lower the viscosity of the ink prior to the ink being ejected through the thermal inkjet printhead. Additionally, the apparatus is adapted to prepare the media for receiving the ink, and dry the ink after the ink is deposited on the media. This can be accomplished by providing heat to the media and/or the ink during the printing process.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.