Inkjet printer and flow restriction system therefor
US8517485B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 18, 2008 |
| Grant date | Aug 27, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 14, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/1721
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A gutter line of a continuous inkjet printer which includes a variable flow restrictor fitted into the gutter line, and a pressure transducer for measuring the pressure in the gutter line downstream of the variable flow restrictor, where the variable flow restrictor is controlled in response to the output of the pressure transducer to maintain a downstream pressure substantially constant. Airflow along the gutter line has a lower flow resistance than a slug of ink. Accordingly, the system responds dynamically to restrict the flow of air along the gutter line when no ink is passing along it, thereby reducing the volume of air sucked along the gutter line while maintaining adequate suction to reliably clear ink away from the gutter so that the amount of solvent lost from the ink is reduced during operation of an inkjet printer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.