(19)
(11) EP 1 602 484 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
07.01.2009 Bulletin 2009/02

(43) Date of publication A2:
07.12.2005 Bulletin 2005/49

(21) Application number: 05016732.9

(22) Date of filing: 29.11.1999
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B41J 2/025(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB

(30) Priority: 14.12.1998 US 211059

(62) Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
99309513.2 / 1013422

(71) Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
Rochester NY 14650-2201 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Braun, Hilarion
    - (US)
  • Katerberg, James A.
    Kettering, Ohio 45429 (US)
  • Baumer, Michael F.
    Dayton, Ohio 45440 (US)
  • Fagerquist, Randy L.
    Fairbern, OH 45324 (US)

(74) Representative: Weber, Etienne Nicolas 
Kodak Industrie Département Brevets - CRT Zone Industrielle
71102 Chalon sur Saône Cedex
71102 Chalon sur Saône Cedex (FR)

   


(54) Drop generator for long array ink jet printer


(57) A drop generator for use in an ink jet printer is capable of stimulating long ink jet arrays at high operating frequencies. The drop generator comprises a substantially uniform cross section for a central portion and two end sections with different cross sections. The end sections have features to adjust a resonant frequency of the end sections to match that of the central portion. In particular, these features comprise cuts on a top of the drop generator. The drop generator utilizes multi-lobed radial bending modes for vibration of an array of orifices, and the vibrational modes are driven by at least two rows of transducers which extend substantially the length of the drop generator. The transducers are placed consistent with a lobe structure of an operational radial bending mode.







Search report