Global Patent Index - EP 0805039 A1

EP 0805039 A1 19971105 - Low airflow catcher for continuous ink jet printers

Title (en)

Low airflow catcher for continuous ink jet printers

Title (de)

Tintenauffangvorrichtung mit geringem Luftstrom für kontinuierlich arbeitenden Tintenstrahldrucker

Title (fr)

Intercepteur à écoulement d'air réduit pour imprimantes à jet d'encre continu

Publication

EP 0805039 A1 19971105 (EN)

Application

EP 97302696 A 19970421

Priority

US 64023796 A 19960430

Abstract (en)

An improved catcher device is provided for use with a continuous ink jet printer of the kind for generating a row of parallel selectively charged drop streams catches charged ink drops. The improved catcher device includes a catcher face (20) for receiving selectively charged drops of ink. A catcher radius (28) associated with the catcher face directs the flow of selectively charged drops of ink from the catcher face into a catcher throat (22). The catcher throat is associated with the catcher radius and accepts a flow of selectively charged drops of ink from the catcher radius. The catcher throat (22) has a short, narrow gap (34) with a sudden enlargement (36) downstream of the gap and two converging-diverging channels (33) formed by an elliptical island (30) and elliptical sidewalls. Finally, a catcher vacuum port (26), comprising the catcher face (20), the catcher radius (28), and the catcher throat (22), establishes reduced airflow and returns the selectively charged drops of ink from the printhead to the fluid system. <IMAGE>

IPC 1-7

B41J 2/185

IPC 8 full level

B41J 2/045 (2006.01); B41J 2/185 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP)

B41J 2/185 (2013.01); B41J 2002/1853 (2013.01)

Citation (search report)

Designated contracting state (EPC)

DE FR GB

DOCDB simple family (publication)

EP 0805039 A1 19971105; EP 0805039 B1 20011212; AU 1993197 A 19971106; AU 734900 B2 20010628; AU 734900 C 20020418; CA 2203957 A1 19971030; DE 69708963 D1 20020124; DE 69708963 T2 20020606; JP H1044404 A 19980217

DOCDB simple family (application)

EP 97302696 A 19970421; AU 1993197 A 19970430; CA 2203957 A 19970429; DE 69708963 T 19970421; JP 11104697 A 19970428