EP 1013459 B1 20050928 - Air handling for an ink jet printhead
Title (en)
Air handling for an ink jet printhead
Title (de)
Luftbehandlung für Tintenstrahldruckkopf
Title (fr)
Traitement d'air pour tête d'impression à jet d'encre
Publication
Application
Priority
US 21108498 A 19981214
Abstract (en)
[origin: EP1013459A1] In a continuous ink jet printing system, the printhead is pressurized by the flow of filtered air supplied by the printhead docking station to which it is attached or docked. The printhead docking station has at least one fan (2) for moving air and for transferring the air from the printhead docking station into the printhead. The printhead receives air for the printhead docking station, and directs the air flow to the region around the jet array. The directing of air flow to the region around the jet array can also include reduction of air leakage from the printhead in regions which are away from the jet array region, such as by the use of a seamless cover, and eyelid sealing. Plenum (7) located in at least the printhead and/or printhead docking station serve to distribute the air across the width of the printhead. Filter media located in at least the printhead and/or printhead docking station are used to clean the air supplied to the printhead by the printhead docking station. In this way, filtered air is supplied to the ink jet printhead by the printhead docking station to which it is attached. The use of a one piece printhead cover and seals around the movable eyelid minimize air leakage from the printhead, ensuring the needed air flow in the critical region around the jets. <IMAGE>
IPC 1-7
IPC 8 full level
B41J 2/18 (2006.01); B41J 2/01 (2006.01); B41J 2/185 (2006.01); B41J 29/377 (2006.01)
CPC (source: EP)
B41J 29/377 (2013.01)
Designated contracting state (EPC)
DE FR GB
DOCDB simple family (publication)
EP 1013459 A1 20000628; EP 1013459 B1 20050928; CA 2292410 A1 20000614; DE 69927467 D1 20051103; DE 69927467 T2 20060629; JP 2000218832 A 20000808
DOCDB simple family (application)
EP 99309504 A 19991129; CA 2292410 A 19991210; DE 69927467 T 19991129; JP 35302599 A 19991213