EP0179607B1 - Ink jet apparatus - Google Patents
Ink jet apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0179607B1 EP0179607B1 EP19850307373 EP85307373A EP0179607B1 EP 0179607 B1 EP0179607 B1 EP 0179607B1 EP 19850307373 EP19850307373 EP 19850307373 EP 85307373 A EP85307373 A EP 85307373A EP 0179607 B1 EP0179607 B1 EP 0179607B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ink
- reservoir
- phase change
- ink jet
- jet
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17593—Supplying ink in a solid state
Definitions
- This invention relates to an ink jet wherein the ink employed within the jet is of the phase change type, which may be referred to as hot melt ink.
- phase change, or hot melt ink of the type utilized in an ink jet is characteristically solid at room temperature. When heated, the ink will melt to a consistency so as to be jettable.
- European Patent Application Number 0 097 823 describes an ink jet recording system comprising an ink jet, a reservoir, an orifice for ejecting hot melt ink in a liquid state from the reservoir, an ink inlet for supply of hot melt ink and heater means for heating hot melt ink and to maintain the ink in a liquid state.
- a hot melt ink jet printing apparatus for ejecting droplets of phase change ink comprising at least one ink jet including a chamber, an orifice for ejecting phase change ink in a liquid state from said chamber, an ink inlet for supply of phase change ink in a liquid state to said chamber, and a reservoir containing a supply of the phase change ink, said reservoir coupled to the inlet of said at least one ink jet, characterized in that said apparatus comprises first heater means for heating phase change ink in said jet(s) so as to undergo a phase change from a solid state to a liquid state without degrading the ink, second heater means for heating ink in said reservoir so as to undergo a phase change from a solid state to a liquid state without degrading the ink, and thermal resistance barrier means between said ink jet and said reservoir, whereby said first heater means is adapted to be controlled independently of said second heater means, thereby enabling said ink jet to be maintained at a different temperature than said reservoir, said jet
- the ink jet material has a thermal conductivity of at least 0.2 g cal/sec cm2 ( . C/cm) [83.68 W/(m.K)].
- Any of a plurality of highly thermally conductive materials may be utilized including stainless steel, although aluminum is preferred.
- the apparatus comprises a reservoir which is also coupled to the heater means.
- the reservoir also comprises a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 0.03 g cal/sec cm2 ( . C/cm) [12.55 W/(m.K)] preferably more than 0.2 g cal/sec cm2 ( . C/cm) [83.68 W/(m.K)].
- FIG. 1 is a sectional view of one form of ink jet system in accordance with this invention.
- an ink jet apparatus comprises an imaging head 10 including at least one ink jet 12 and a reservoir 14.
- the ink jet apparatus is adapted to jet droplets of hot melt or phase change ink.
- Substantially all of the imaging head 10 and the reservoir 14 in contact with the melted ink comprises a highly thermally conductive material so as to minimize temperature gradients and thereby avoid degradation of the ink and assure high performance and reliability of the ink jet apparatus.
- a block of solid state ink 16 is juxtaposed to an opening in a trough 18.
- the pellet 16 drops into the trough 18, the pellet 16 proceeds to melt in response to heat generated by a heater 20 located at the base of the reservoir 14 below a sloping surface 22.
- the ink jet 12 includes a chamber 24 having an orifice 26 for ejecting droplets of ink and an inlet 28 extending to the lowermost extremity 30 of the reservoir 14 adjacent the sloping bottom 22.
- the head 10 is provided with an independent heater 32 located between a thermal resistance barrier 34 comprising insulation and a head member 36.
- a thermal resistance barrier 34 comprising insulation and a head member 36.
- inlet 28 passes through the head member 36 which is highly conductive such that heat is conducted to the end 38 which maintains a pool of ink 40 in the liquid state in the immediate vicinity of the end 38 while the remainder of the ink within the reservoir 14 is able to cool to the solid state when the system is in a standby mode.
- the pool 40 of liquid ink is maintained in an otherwise solid state mass 42 of ink extending up to a level 44.
- a transducer 46 is juxtaposed to the end of the chamber 24.
- the transducer which is provided with electrodes is energized by a signal provided through a printed circuit board 48 located above the member 36.
- the transducer 46 and the printed circuit board 48 are then housed within head members 50 and 52.
- the head includes a chamber plate 54 forming the chamber 24, which is in communication with a foot 56 located at the end of the transducer 46.
- the inlet 28 supplies a manifold 58 located in a plate 60 which is coupled to restricted inlets to the jet 12.
- the manifold 58 serves a plurality of restricted inlets in an array of ink jets identical to the jet 12 shown in Fig. 1.
- the reservoir 14 as shown in Fig. 1 also includes a filter 62 which is located below a port 64 which is adapted to be opened and closed by a needle valve 66.
- the needle valve 66 is employed to close the port 64 during the priming operation.
- the insulating barrier 34 which provides a high thermal resistance path is sealed against portion 70 of the reservoir 14, using an O-ring 72 which is also characterized by adequate insulating properties.
- the member 36 which extends down into the reservoir 14 toward the lowermost portion 30 is slightly spaced from portion 70 of the reservoir 14. This spacing assures an adequate thermal barrier and high thermal resistance path so as to permit independent heating of the ink within the head as compared to the heat within the reservoir 14.
- Fig 1 shows redundant level sensing elements 74 and 76, which may comprise RF level sensing or other electrical sensor means.
- Baffles 78 are also provided in the reservoir 14.
- the head 10 as well as the reservoir 14 have a thermal conductivity in excess of 0.03 g cal/sec cm2 ( . C/cm) [12.55 W/(m.K)].
- the thermal conductivity of the head 10 and the reservoir 14 is in excess of 0.2 g cal/sec cm2 ( . C/cm.) [83.68 W/(m.K)].
- the advantages associated with high thermal conductivity so as to minimize so as to minimize temperature gradients and hot spots is achieved as well as rapid heating to the desired operating temperature.
- aluminum by virtue of its relatively low density provides a relatively lightweight imaging head 10 and reservoir 14 so as to minimise the inertia of the head 10 and the reservoir 14, thereby permitting rapid movement of the jet with respect to a surface being scanned.
- aluminum will not chemically react with ink.
- thermal resistance barrier 34 may comprise a material having a thermal conductivity less than 0.005 g cal/sec cm3 ( . C/cm) [2.09 W/(m.K)].
- the thermal barrier may also be achieved without benefit of insulation by minimising the metal contact between the head 10 and the reservoir 14.
- substantially all of the head 10 and the reservoir 14 which is in direct or indirect contact with the ink does comprise the high thermal conductivity material, a notable exception including the filter 62. Indirect contact is achieved where the material such as copper is coated so as to minimize any reaction with the ink.
Landscapes
- Ink Jet (AREA)
- Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to an ink jet wherein the ink employed within the jet is of the phase change type, which may be referred to as hot melt ink.
- The phase change, or hot melt ink, of the type utilized in an ink jet is characteristically solid at room temperature. When heated, the ink will melt to a consistency so as to be jettable.
European Patent Application Number 0 097 823 describes an ink jet recording system comprising an ink jet, a reservoir, an orifice for ejecting hot melt ink in a liquid state from the reservoir, an ink inlet for supply of hot melt ink and heater means for heating hot melt ink and to maintain the ink in a liquid state. - It has been found that improper heating may degrade the ink and thus the performance of an ink jet. In order to avoid such degradation by extended heating, the reservoir is allowed to cool during standby and only the head is heated, thereby limiting the amount of ink heated and minimizing degradation of the ink with its adverse effects on performance.
- It has also been found that extremely high, localized temperatures in an ink jet apparatus can subject the localized ink to undesirable conditions which will result in localized ink degradation which, of course, can also affect performance. Moreover, temperature gradients, i.e., variations in temperatures from one location to another location, in the ink jet apparatus can adversely affect performance of the ink jet. In addition to degrading performance, the above-discussed temperature effects can adversely affect reliability.
- According to the invention there is provided a hot melt ink jet printing apparatus for ejecting droplets of phase change ink comprising at least one ink jet including a chamber, an orifice for ejecting phase change ink in a liquid state from said chamber, an ink inlet for supply of phase change ink in a liquid state to said chamber, and a reservoir containing a supply of the phase change ink, said reservoir coupled to the inlet of said at least one ink jet, characterized in that said apparatus comprises first heater means for heating phase change ink in said jet(s) so as to undergo a phase change from a solid state to a liquid state without degrading the ink, second heater means for heating ink in said reservoir so as to undergo a phase change from a solid state to a liquid state without degrading the ink, and thermal resistance barrier means between said ink jet and said reservoir, whereby said first heater means is adapted to be controlled independently of said second heater means, thereby enabling said ink jet to be maintained at a different temperature than said reservoir, said jet(s) comprising a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 0.03 g cal/sec cm² (.C/cm) [12.55 W/(m.K)].
- With at least some embodiments of the invention, one or more of the following may be achieved:-
- minimizing the effects of heating on performance and reliability in a phase change ink jet system.
- providing a high degree of reliability in a phase change ink jet system.
- minimizing temperature gradients in such an ink jet system, including localized hot spots.
- providing an ink jet system of the phase change type which may be allowed to cool in the standby mode and be rapidly brought up to the desired operating temperature.
- providing an ink jet system of the phase change type comprising a material which will not adversely react with the ink contained within the system.
- minimizing the weight associated with the ink jet system, thereby permitting rapid movement of an ink jet relative to a surface being scanned.
- Preferably, the ink jet material has a thermal conductivity of at least 0.2 g cal/sec cm² (.C/cm) [83.68 W/(m.K)].
- Any of a plurality of highly thermally conductive materials may be utilized including stainless steel, although aluminum is preferred.
- In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention, the apparatus comprises a reservoir which is also coupled to the heater means. The reservoir also comprises a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 0.03 g cal/sec cm² (.C/cm) [12.55 W/(m.K)] preferably more than 0.2 g cal/sec cm² (.C/cm) [83.68 W/(m.K)].
- The invention will be better understood from the following description given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a sectional view of one form of ink jet system in accordance with this invention.
- Referring to Fig. 1, an ink jet apparatus comprises an imaging head 10 including at least one
ink jet 12 and areservoir 14. The ink jet apparatus is adapted to jet droplets of hot melt or phase change ink. Substantially all of the imaging head 10 and thereservoir 14 in contact with the melted ink comprises a highly thermally conductive material so as to minimize temperature gradients and thereby avoid degradation of the ink and assure high performance and reliability of the ink jet apparatus. - As shown in Fig. 1, a block of
solid state ink 16 is juxtaposed to an opening in atrough 18. When thepellet 16 drops into thetrough 18, thepellet 16 proceeds to melt in response to heat generated by aheater 20 located at the base of thereservoir 14 below a sloping surface 22. - As shown in Fig. 1, the
ink jet 12 includes achamber 24 having anorifice 26 for ejecting droplets of ink and aninlet 28 extending to thelowermost extremity 30 of thereservoir 14 adjacent the sloping bottom 22. - The head 10 is provided with an independent heater 32 located between a
thermal resistance barrier 34 comprising insulation and ahead member 36. By providing the heater 32 which is independent of theheater 20, it is possible to maintain the head 10 at a different temperature from thereservoir 14. This allows thereservoir 14 and the ink within the reservoir to be cooled in the standby mode thereby avoiding cooking of and resulting degradation of a large volume of ink while at the same time maintaining the ink within the imaging head 10 in a liquid state so as to prevent depriming. - With respect to the prevention of depriming, it will be appreciated that
inlet 28 passes through thehead member 36 which is highly conductive such that heat is conducted to theend 38 which maintains a pool ofink 40 in the liquid state in the immediate vicinity of theend 38 while the remainder of the ink within thereservoir 14 is able to cool to the solid state when the system is in a standby mode. As shown in Fig. 1, thepool 40 of liquid ink is maintained in an otherwisesolid state mass 42 of ink extending up to alevel 44. - As also shown in Fig. 1, a
transducer 46 is juxtaposed to the end of thechamber 24. The transducer which is provided with electrodes is energized by a signal provided through a printedcircuit board 48 located above themember 36. Thetransducer 46 and the printedcircuit board 48 are then housed withinhead members - As also shown in Fig. 1, the head includes a chamber plate 54 forming the
chamber 24, which is in communication with afoot 56 located at the end of thetransducer 46. As the transducer changes state in response to signals applied, the position of thefoot 56 varies so as to expand and compress the volume within thechamber 24. Theinlet 28 supplies amanifold 58 located in aplate 60 which is coupled to restricted inlets to thejet 12. Actually, themanifold 58 serves a plurality of restricted inlets in an array of ink jets identical to thejet 12 shown in Fig. 1. - The
reservoir 14 as shown in Fig. 1 also includes a filter 62 which is located below aport 64 which is adapted to be opened and closed by aneedle valve 66. Theneedle valve 66 is employed to close theport 64 during the priming operation. - As also shown in Fig. 1, the
insulating barrier 34 which provides a high thermal resistance path is sealed againstportion 70 of thereservoir 14, using an O-ring 72 which is also characterized by adequate insulating properties. Preferably, themember 36 which extends down into thereservoir 14 toward thelowermost portion 30 is slightly spaced fromportion 70 of thereservoir 14. This spacing assures an adequate thermal barrier and high thermal resistance path so as to permit independent heating of the ink within the head as compared to the heat within thereservoir 14. - Finally, Fig 1 shows redundant
level sensing elements reservoir 14. - As stated in the foregoing, it is preferred that the head 10 as well as the
reservoir 14 have a thermal conductivity in excess of 0.03 g cal/sec cm² (.C/cm) [12.55 W/(m.K)]. Preferably, the thermal conductivity of the head 10 and thereservoir 14 is in excess of 0.2 g cal/sec cm² (.C/cm.) [83.68 W/(m.K)]. In this connection, it is preferred to utilize aluminum although stainless steel may be utilized as well as other materials having similar conductivities, e.g., metallic and plastic composites. -
- Where the preferred material of aluminum is utilized, the advantages associated with high thermal conductivity so as to minimize so as to minimize temperature gradients and hot spots is achieved as well as rapid heating to the desired operating temperature. In addition, aluminum by virtue of its relatively low density provides a relatively lightweight imaging head 10 and
reservoir 14 so as to minimise the inertia of the head 10 and thereservoir 14, thereby permitting rapid movement of the jet with respect to a surface being scanned. Moreover, aluminum will not chemically react with ink. - Of course, it is clear that the entire imaging head 10 and
entire reservoir 14 does not comprise the high thermal conductivity material. For example,thermal resistance barrier 34 may comprise a material having a thermal conductivity less than 0.005 g cal/sec cm³ (.C/cm) [2.09 W/(m.K)]. The thermal barrier may also be achieved without benefit of insulation by minimising the metal contact between the head 10 and thereservoir 14. However, substantially all of the head 10 and thereservoir 14 which is in direct or indirect contact with the ink does comprise the high thermal conductivity material, a notable exception including the filter 62. Indirect contact is achieved where the material such as copper is coated so as to minimize any reaction with the ink. It is also possible to utilise more than one high thermal conductivity material in the ink jet apparatus. For example, it may be possible to make a portion of the head 10 from aluminum with a portion or all of thereservoir 14 comprises stainless steel.
Claims (8)
- A hot melt ink jet printing apparatus for ejecting droplets of phase change ink comprising at least one ink jet (12) including a chamber (24), an orifice (26) for ejecting phase change ink in a liquid state from said chamber, an ink inlet (28) for supply of phase change ink in a liquid state to said chamber, and a reservoir (14) containing a supply of the phase change ink, said reservoir coupled to the inlet of said at least one ink jet, characterized in that said apparatus comprises first heater means (32) for heating phase change ink in said jet(s) so as to undergo a phase change from a solid state to a liquid state without degrading the ink, second heater means (20) for heating ink in said reservoir so as to undergo a phase change from a solid state to a liquid state without degrading the ink, and thermal resistance barrier means (34) between said ink jet and said reservoir, whereby said first heater means is adapted to be controlled independently of said second heater means, thereby enabling said ink jet to be maintained at a different temperature than said reservoir, said jet(s) comprising a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 0.03 g cal/sec cm² (.C/cm) [12.55 W/(m.K)].
- An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said material has a thermal conductivity of at least 0.2 g cal/sec cm² (.C/cm) [83.68 W/(m.K)].
- An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said material comprises stainless steel.
- An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said material comprises aluminum.
- An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said apparatus comprises a reservoir (14) coupled to said second heater means (20), said reservoir (14) also comprising a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 0.03 g cal/sec cm² (.C/cm) [12.55 W/(m.K)].
- An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said material of said reservoir (14) has a thermal conductivity of at least 0.2 g cal/sec cm² (.C/cm) [83.68 W/(m.K)].
- An apparatus of claim 5, wherein said material of said reservoir (14) comprises stainless steel.
- An apparatus of claim 5, wherein said material of said reservoir (14) comprises aluminum.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US661029 | 1984-10-15 | ||
US06/661,029 US4607266A (en) | 1984-10-15 | 1984-10-15 | Phase change ink jet with independent heating of jet and reservoir |
US66192484A | 1984-10-16 | 1984-10-16 | |
US661924 | 1984-10-16 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0179607A2 EP0179607A2 (en) | 1986-04-30 |
EP0179607A3 EP0179607A3 (en) | 1988-04-06 |
EP0179607B1 true EP0179607B1 (en) | 1991-09-18 |
Family
ID=27098226
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19850307373 Expired - Lifetime EP0179607B1 (en) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-10-14 | Ink jet apparatus |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0179607B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE3584136D1 (en) |
HK (1) | HK21092A (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0683051B1 (en) * | 1988-04-22 | 2000-08-09 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Ink jet type recording apparatus and method |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3247519A (en) * | 1962-08-20 | 1966-04-19 | Neff Instr Corp | Graphical recording system employing heated ink compositions |
US4106030A (en) * | 1977-02-14 | 1978-08-08 | Recognition Equipment Incorporated | Ink jet printer ink heater |
JPS597052A (en) * | 1982-06-30 | 1984-01-14 | インタ−ナショナル ビジネス マシ−ンズ コ−ポレ−ション | Liquid injection recorder |
-
1985
- 1985-10-14 DE DE8585307373T patent/DE3584136D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1985-10-14 EP EP19850307373 patent/EP0179607B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1992
- 1992-03-19 HK HK21092A patent/HK21092A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0179607A2 (en) | 1986-04-30 |
HK21092A (en) | 1992-03-27 |
DE3584136D1 (en) | 1991-10-24 |
EP0179607A3 (en) | 1988-04-06 |
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