EP0805037B1 - Filter and quick disconnect fitting assembly for an ink jet printhead - Google Patents
Filter and quick disconnect fitting assembly for an ink jet printhead Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0805037B1 EP0805037B1 EP97302691A EP97302691A EP0805037B1 EP 0805037 B1 EP0805037 B1 EP 0805037B1 EP 97302691 A EP97302691 A EP 97302691A EP 97302691 A EP97302691 A EP 97302691A EP 0805037 B1 EP0805037 B1 EP 0805037B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- filter
- filter assembly
- ink jet
- quick disconnect
- assembly
- 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
Links
Images
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
- B41J2/17563—Ink filters
Description
- The present invention relates to continuous ink jet printers and, more particularly, to an integral filter and quick disconnect fitting assembly for an ink jet printhead.
- Ink jet printing systems are known in which a print head defines one or more rows of orifices which receive an electrically conductive recording fluid from a pressurized fluid supply manifold and eject the fluid in rows of parallel streams. Printers using such print heads accomplish graphic reproduction by selectively charging and deflecting the drops in each of the streams and depositing at least some of the drops on a print receiving medium, while others of the drops strike a drop catcher device.
- As is obvious to those skilled in the art, the fluid system for a continuous ink jet printer must perform a number of functions. These functions include liquid supply, catch fluid return, startup and shutdown of the print head, and long-term storage.
- Continuous ink jet fluid systems have filter design and packaging related to the ink jet printhead. Prior continuous ink jet printheads have a final filter that is placed in-line between the inlet to the printhead and the inlet tubing quick disconnect fitting. Existing ink jet printer systems are known which have a one inch 240 dots-per-inch (dpi) printhead, wherein 1 inch is 25,4 mm. However, such printheads have packaging constraints not previously addressed by prior printheads. With the packaging constraints of a one inch 240 dpi printhead, placement of the final filter in the same manner as prior printheads is nearly impossible.
- It is seen then that it would be desirable to eliminate the problems associated with the prior art final filter placement, yet still have the final filter in-line to the printhead inlet.
- This need is met by the system according to the present invention, wherein a quick disconnect fitting assembly incorporates the final filter as an integral assembly.
- In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a filter assembly is provided for a continuous ink jet printing system, the continuous ink jet printing system having a fluid system and an ink jet printhead. The filter assembly comprises a filter situated in-line with the ink jet printhead and surrounded by a sealing means. A quick disconnect fitting is provided for capturing the filter housed within the sealing means to provide an integral quick disconnect filter assembly.
- Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to address the packaging constraints of a 1 inch 240 dpi printhead. It is a further object of the present invention to keep the final filter in-line to the printhead inlet. It is an advantage of the present invention that it provides a quick disconnect fitting that incorporates the final filter as an integral assembly.
- Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
-
- Fig. 1 is a front view of a printhead and fluid manifold assembly, illustrating the integral filter assembly according to the present invention; and
- Fig. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the integral filter/quick disconnect fitting assembly shown in Fig. 1.
-
- The present invention is an integral filter and quick disconnect fitting assembly for an ink jet printhead, wherein the final filter of the printhead is packaged in a quick disconnect fitting to eliminate a separately housed in-line filter assembly.
- Referring now to the drawings, in Fig. 1 a front view of a
printhead 10 connected to afluid manifold 12 is shown, illustrating thefilter assembly 14 of the present invention. The present invention is described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, including particular reference to a fluid manifold such as is described and claimed in commonly assigned EP-A-0 764 538, which is prior art according to Article 54(3) EPC. - The
manifold assembly 12 comprises a variety of fluidic features. These include inlet andoutlet fluid connections manifold 12. The integrated fluidic features also include inlet andoutlet fluid connections printhead 10, for providing fluidic quick disconnect between themanifold 12 and theprinthead 10, in accordance with the present invention. - A
pressure transducer 24 to the outlet of theprinthead 10 and atemperature thermistor 26 to the inlet of theprinthead 10 are also associated with thefluid manifold 12. The pressure transducer 24 senses pressure at theprinthead 10 and is part of a servo loop control of the fluid pump to provide given printhead pressures. Thetemperature thermistor 26 senses ink temperature at theprinthead 10, and provides servo loop control of the ink heater in the fluid system, to maintain a minimal fluid temperature. - In addition, the
fluid manifold assembly 12 has associated inlet andoutlet solenoid valves printhead 10. Theinlet fluid valve 28 shuts off fluid to the printhead and prevents fluid from draining into the printhead during shutdown periods, where the printhead position may be lower than the fluid system position. Theoutlet fluid valve 30 provides a means for establishing pressure in the printhead when closed, while providing flow through cleaning of the printhead when open. - Continuing with Fig. 1 and referring to Fig. 2, the
filter assembly 14 of the present invention is illustrated. Afinal filter 32 with aseal 34 is captured in aquick disconnect fitting 36 to provide an integral quickdisconnect filter assembly 14. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thefilter 32 comprises a pleated stainless steel disc filter rated at two micron nominal and ten micron absolute. Theseal 34, preferably a silicone ring, seals the edges of thefinal filter 32, preventing fluid from bypassing the filter. The final filter and seal assembly is captured between the pair of moldedfittings 36. A first end of the filter assembly comprises a male end (38), with an o-ring, for mating with a female end of the fluid manifold quick disconnect fitting. The other, second, end of thefilter assembly 14 comprises abarb 37 for silicone fluid tubing 39 of Fig. 1, to provide mechanical gripping for the silicone tubing. It should be noted, of course, that the quick disconnect fitting can be either the female or male end of the filter assembly. Together, the male and female ends comprise a quick disconnect coupling. Thecomponents filter fitting assembly 14. - The final
filter fitting assembly 14 comprisesfilter 32 situated in-line with theink jet printhead 10. Sealing means 34surround filter 32. The quick disconnect fitting 36 captures thefilter 32 housed within thesealing means 34, to provide the integral quickdisconnect filter assembly 14. Theassembly 14 addresses the packaging constraints of certain printheads by eliminating an additional housing for the final filter, as has previously been required in prior continuous ink jet printheads. - The present invention is useful in the field of ink jet printing, and has the advantage of addressing packaging constraints of certain printheads. The present invention provides the further advantage of providing an integral filter/quick disconnect fitting assembly for an ink jet printhead. Finally, the present invention provides the advantage of eliminating a separate housing for the final filter.
- Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be apparent that other modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.
Claims (10)
- A filter assembly for a continuous ink jet printing system, the continuous ink jet printing system having a fluid system and an ink jet printhead (10), the filter assembly (14) comprising:a filter (32) situated in-line with the ink jet printhead;a sealing means (34) surrounding the filter; anda quick disconnect fitting (36) incorporating the filter housed within the sealing means (34) to provide an integral quick disconnect filter assembly (14).
- A filter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the filter comprises a pleated stainless steel disc filter.
- A filter assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the pleated stainless steel disc filter is rated at two micron nominal and ten micron absolute.
- A filter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sealing means comprises a silicone ring.
- A filter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the filter comprises a central portion and edge portions.
- A filter assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the sealing means seals the edge portions of the filter to prevent fluid from bypassing the filter.
- A filter assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the quick disconnect fitting comprises a pair of molded fittings.
- A filter assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a first end and a second end.
- A filter assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first end comprises a male end (38) for mating with a female end of the quick disconnect fitting.
- A filter assembly as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a barb (37) at the second end of the filter assembly.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US64023496A | 1996-04-30 | 1996-04-30 | |
US640234 | 1996-04-30 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0805037A2 EP0805037A2 (en) | 1997-11-05 |
EP0805037A3 EP0805037A3 (en) | 1998-05-20 |
EP0805037B1 true EP0805037B1 (en) | 2000-05-10 |
Family
ID=24567395
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP97302691A Expired - Lifetime EP0805037B1 (en) | 1996-04-30 | 1997-04-21 | Filter and quick disconnect fitting assembly for an ink jet printhead |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0805037B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH1034964A (en) |
AU (1) | AU714373B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2203955A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69701921T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2011073412A (en) * | 2009-10-02 | 2011-04-14 | Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co Ltd | Inkjet recorder |
EP3152061B1 (en) | 2014-06-05 | 2020-10-07 | Videojet Technologies Inc. | Continuous ink jet print head with zero adjustment embedded charging electrode |
EP3152058B1 (en) | 2014-06-05 | 2018-12-19 | Videojet Technologies Inc. | An ink buildup sensor arrangement |
JP6768523B2 (en) | 2014-06-05 | 2020-10-14 | ヴィデオジェット テクノロジーズ インコーポレイテッド | Filter Modules and Continuous Inkjet Printers for Continuous Inkjet Printers |
DE102017215451A1 (en) * | 2017-09-04 | 2019-03-07 | Krones Ag | Printhead tank for a direct printing device and method of making the printhead tank |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0764538A2 (en) * | 1995-09-19 | 1997-03-26 | SCITEX DIGITAL PRINTING, Inc. | Fluid manifold for ink jet printhead |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0146997A1 (en) * | 1984-01-03 | 1985-07-03 | John Derek Guest | Improvements in or relating to tube couplings |
US4599626A (en) * | 1984-08-02 | 1986-07-08 | Metromedia, Inc. | Ink drop ejecting head |
US4707262A (en) * | 1986-07-02 | 1987-11-17 | Dayco Products, Inc. | Hose construction, coupling arrangement therefor and method of making the same |
WO1991002919A1 (en) * | 1989-08-15 | 1991-03-07 | Applied Biosystems, Inc. | Snap cap reaction column |
US5951728A (en) * | 1994-10-03 | 1999-09-14 | Snap-Tite, Inc. | Coupling with filters |
-
1997
- 1997-04-21 EP EP97302691A patent/EP0805037B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-04-21 DE DE1997601921 patent/DE69701921T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-04-29 CA CA 2203955 patent/CA2203955A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-04-30 AU AU19938/97A patent/AU714373B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1997-04-30 JP JP11239297A patent/JPH1034964A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0764538A2 (en) * | 1995-09-19 | 1997-03-26 | SCITEX DIGITAL PRINTING, Inc. | Fluid manifold for ink jet printhead |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU1993897A (en) | 1997-11-06 |
AU714373B2 (en) | 1999-12-23 |
EP0805037A2 (en) | 1997-11-05 |
EP0805037A3 (en) | 1998-05-20 |
JPH1034964A (en) | 1998-02-10 |
DE69701921D1 (en) | 2000-06-15 |
CA2203955A1 (en) | 1997-10-30 |
DE69701921T2 (en) | 2000-12-07 |
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