Print window improvement for continous ink jet printer

(19)

(11)

EP 1 013 425 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	23.08.2000 Bulletin 2000/34

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	28.06.2000 Bulletin 2000/26

(21)	Application number: 99309553.8

(22)	Date of filing: 29.11.1999

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁷: B41J 2/085, B41J 2/185

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
	Designated Extension States:
	AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30)

Priority:

14.12.1998 US 211204

(71)	Applicant: Scitex Digital Printing, Inc.
	Dayton, Ohio 45420-4099 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Simon, Robert J. Bellbrook, Ohio 45305 (US) Woolard, Daniel E. Dayton, Ohio 45419-1855 (US) McCann, James D. Waynesville, Ohio 45068 (US) Enz, Richard T. Dayton, Ohio 45458 (US) Katerberg, James A. Kettering, Ohio 45429 (US)

(74)	Representative: Freed, Arthur Woolf et al
	Reginald W. Barker & Co., Cliffords Inn Fetter Lane London EC4A 1BY London EC4A 1BY (GB)

(54)	Print window improvement for continous ink jet printer

(57) A system and method are provided for improving the operating latitude for the charging and deflection voltage of an ink jet printhead, by catching non-print drops (16) with a wall impinging catcher to form a fluid layer in a face (10) of the catcher; and lowering drag on the fluid layer on the catcher face. This is accomplished by providing a drop generator for producing ink drops and a catcher/charge plate assembly for catching and recirculating non print drops. A printhead frame maintains the alignment of the drop generator and the catcher/charge plate assembly. Temperature induced distortion of these components is eliminated by heating them to a constant temperature.

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