EP1162071B1 - Nettoyage d'un dispositif à jet de liquide - Google Patents

Nettoyage d'un dispositif à jet de liquide Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1162071B1
EP1162071B1 EP01304624A EP01304624A EP1162071B1 EP 1162071 B1 EP1162071 B1 EP 1162071B1 EP 01304624 A EP01304624 A EP 01304624A EP 01304624 A EP01304624 A EP 01304624A EP 1162071 B1 EP1162071 B1 EP 1162071B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
plate
purge
opening
vacuum
ink
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
Application number
EP01304624A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1162071A1 (fr
Inventor
Philip H. Jackson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Illinois Tool Works Inc
Original Assignee
Illinois Tool Works Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/590,742 external-priority patent/US6406125B1/en
Application filed by Illinois Tool Works Inc filed Critical Illinois Tool Works Inc
Publication of EP1162071A1 publication Critical patent/EP1162071A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1162071B1 publication Critical patent/EP1162071B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/16552—Cleaning of print head nozzles using cleaning fluids
    • 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
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16505—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out
    • 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
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/1652—Cleaning of print head nozzles by driving a fluid through the nozzles to the outside thereof, e.g. by applying pressure to the inside or vacuum at the outside of the print head
    • 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
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/14—Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
    • B41J2002/14362—Assembling elements of heads

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to the field of liquid jetting systems and relates, more particularly, to the means and methods used to maintain a liquid jet device of a liquid jetting system in proper working order.
  • An example of a liquid jet device with which this invention is concerned is a printer head of an ink jet printer.
  • a printer head relies upon capillary action to move a working liquid (e.g. ink) to the printer head and includes means mounted within the head for directing ink through an orifice toward a target substrate.
  • a working liquid e.g. ink
  • ink-directing means can include an actuator, such a piezoelectric device or an electrostatic membrane, for directing ink through an orifice upon appropriate actuation of the actuator or, in the alternative, can include a thermal device wherein heat, which is applied to the ink, serves as the mechanism for directing ink through an orifice.
  • a liquid chamber, or ink flow passageway is provided in the printer head which conducts ink from a source, by way of a conduit connected between the source and the printer head, and past the ink-directing means to the orifice.
  • ink must be present in the ink flow passageway so that operation of the ink-directing means effects a drawing of ink into the passageway and a subsequent pushing of ink, under pressure, through the orifice and toward a target surface.
  • Air which is present in an ink flow passageway of a printer head and any blockage (surface or internal blockage) of the orifices of a printer head is commonly removed by a purging or head-cleaning operation which requires that additional ink be forced through the conduit and ink flow passageways by way of a purge bulb, pump or other means for forcing ink through the conduit and toward the printer head orifices.
  • a purging or head-cleaning process normally pushes ink, as well as air or blockage matter (e.g. debris), through the orifices so that ink, which is pushed from the orifices, flows downwardly along the front (i.e. the face plate) of the printer head.
  • JP-A-10202908 discloses an inkjet printer wherein the print head may be moved over a cap having a vacuum channel and a purge channel formed therein during a purging or cleaning operation.
  • This invention resides in an apparatus for purging air, surface blockage or internal blockage from a liquid jet apparatus during a purging or cleaning operation, the liquid jet apparatus having at least one orifice through which liquid is ejected by the liquid jet apparatus during a jetting operation, the liquid jet apparatus having a vacuum opening and a purge opening formed therein, the apparatus comprising, a plate defining an opening therein, the plate configured to overlie a portion of the liquid jet apparatus with the plate opening overlying the liquid jet apparatus orifice during both the purging or cleaning operation and the jetting operation, the plate having a vacuum channel and a purge channel, a portion of the vacuum channel overlying the vacuum opening in the liquid jet apparatus and a portion of the purge channel overlying the purge opening in the liquid jet apparatus during both the purging or cleaning operation and the jetting operation, each of the vacuum channel and the purge channel being in flow communication with the opening in the plate.
  • a liquid jet apparatus for jetting a liquid onto a target comprises a body having at least one orifice through which liquid is ejected by the liquid jet apparatus during a jetting operation, a face plate carried by the body, the face plate having an orifice therein through which the liquid is ejected, the face plate further including a purge opening and a vacuum opening formed therein, a vacuum source operably connected to the vacuum opening, a pressurized air source operably connected to the purge opening, and, an apparatus for purging air, surface blockage or internal blockage in accordance with the present invention, wherein the purge channel and the vacuum channel are configured for cooperating with the vacuum source and the pressurized air source to purge air, surface blockage or internal blockage from the liquid jet apparatus during a purging or cleaning operation.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown an ink jet printing system 20 within which an embodiment, generally indicated 22, of a purge/clean system is incorporated. Furthermore, the printing system 20 is shown utilized in a typical environment of use wherein the printing system 20 is used to print indicia, such as a bar code 24, upon the side of a carton 26 being moved along a moving conveyor 28 in the direction indicated by the arrow 29.
  • the printing system 20 includes an ink jet printer head 30 mounted in a stationary condition adjacent the conveyor 28, a supply 32 of ink, and a conduit, or hose 34, for conducting the ink from the supply 32 to the printer head 30. In this connection, the ink is conducted through the conduit 34 to the head 30 by capillary action.
  • the printer head 30 of the depicted system 20 includes suitable ink-directing means, generally indicated 31, for directing ink through and out of the head 30 toward the surface of a target, such as the side of a carton 26.
  • suitable ink-directing means 31 can take any of a number of forms, such as thermal ink jet mechanisms (such as are embodied in printer heads available from Canon U.S.A., Inc. under the trade designation "Bubble Jet") and electrostatic transducers
  • the ink-directing means 31 of the depicted system 20 is piezoelectric-based in that actuation of piezoelectric devices within the printer head 30 effects the movement of ink through and out of the head 30 toward the surface of a target, such as the side of a carton 26.
  • the system 20 described herein is an ink jet printing system, the principles of the present invention can be embodied in other liquid jetting systems. Accordingly, the principles of the present invention can be variously applied.
  • a control box 36 containing suitable control circuitry (not shown) is mounted adjacent the printer head 30, a plurality of wires 38 extend between the printer head 30 and the control circuitry positioned within the control box 36.
  • the printing system 20 is also provided with sensing means, including an electric eye 40, which is appropriately wired to the control box 36 for sensing the presence of a carton 26 moving along the conveyor 28.
  • sensing means including an electric eye 40, which is appropriately wired to the control box 36 for sensing the presence of a carton 26 moving along the conveyor 28.
  • appropriate piezoelectric devices in the head 30 are actuated, as desired, to print the indicia 24 upon the side of the carton 26 following a period of time necessary for a carton 26 to move from the electric eye 40 to a desired position in front of the printer head 30. It follows, therefore, that the actuation of the printer head 30 is coordinated with the speed of the cartons 26 as they move along the conveyor 28.
  • a piezoelectric-based ink jet printer head having a body 44, a face plate 46 defining an orifice 48 attached across the front of the body 44 and a piezoelectric device 50 mounted within the body 44 adjacent the orifice 48.
  • a ink flow passageway 52 or liquid chamber
  • the face plate 46 provides a chamber wall of the ink flow passageway 52, and the exterior surface of the face plate 46 provides the front of the head 42.
  • the ink normally does not flow out through the orifice 48 unless forced to do so.
  • the piezoelectric device 50 by energizing and de-energizing the piezoelectric device 50 so that the device 50 rapidly contracts and expands, ink is drawn into the passageway 52 from the supply and is then pushed, under pressure, through the orifice 48 toward the surface of a target. If, however, air is present in the ink passageway 52, expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric device 50 does not adequately draw ink into the passageway 52 where it can be subsequently pushed through the orifice 48.
  • the printer head 42 is similarly rendered inoperable for its intended purpose if its orifice 48 is blocked with blockage matter, such as debris or dirt. More specifically, the blockage matter (which can be surface blockage that blocks the orifice 48 at the surface of the face plate 46 or internal blockage that becomes lodged within the orifice 48 or ink flow passageway 52) prevents the passage of ink out of the orifice 48 by the actuation of the piezoelectric device 50 and prevents the flow of ink through the passageway 52 of the head 42 in the desired manner. Therefore, in the event that the orifice 48 becomes blocked with blockage matter, such as debris, the blockage material must be removed, e.g. purged, from the passageway 52 in a head-cleaning operation. As will be apparent herein, the purge/clean system 22 associated with the printing system 20 of Fig. 1 is adapted to readily purge air and blockage matter from the orifice 48 and passageway 52 in an advantageous manner.
  • the blockage matter which can be surface blockage that blocks the
  • the printer head 30 of the ink jet printing system 20 of Fig. 1 includes a face plate 58 (Fig. 4) through which a linear row of orifices 60 are defined, and the purge/clean system 22 incorporated within the Fig. 1 system 20 includes means, generally indicated 62, associated with the face plate 58 for providing, or defining, a collection cavity 64 (best shown in Fig. 10) adjacent the face plate 58 for collecting ink which has been expelled from the printer head 30 by way of the orifices 60 and means, generally indicated 66 in Fig. 1, for withdrawing the ink which is collected, or contained, within the collection cavity 64.
  • the printer head 30 also includes an internal operating (i.e. piezoelectric-based) componentry, generally indicated 70, within which ink-moving piezoelectric devices are supported and outer housing members 72, 74 which are secured about the componentry 70.
  • the internal componentry 70 includes a mount 76 to which the face plate 58 is attached so that the face plate 58 is held in a stationary condition against the front of the componentry 70.
  • the face plate 58 has front and rear surfaces 78, 80, respectively, and its row of orifices 60 are arranged along a line 68 which extends centrally along the length of the plate 58.
  • the face plate 58 has a rectangular outer periphery and is attached to the mount 76 with several (e.g. sixteen total) screws 82 which are inserted through screw-accepting openings 84 provided along the face plate 58 and are threadably received by internally-threaded openings provided in the mount 76.
  • the collection cavity 64 can be formed by any of a number of components and in any of a number of configurations, the depicted collection cavity 64 is formed by appropriately-shaped cutouts and grooves, described herein, formed in a plurality of cavity-providing plate members, or plates 86, 88 and 90, which are arranged in an overlying, or stacked, relationship against the front surface 78 of the face plate 58.
  • Each plate 86, 88 and 90 is relatively thin and is held in a stationary relationship against the face plate 58 with screws 82 (e.g. the aforementioned four screws 82) and mount openings which are used to attach the face plate 58 to the mount 76.
  • each of the cavity-providing plates 86, 88 and 90 is provided within screw-accepting openings 91 defined at the corners of the plates 86, 88 and 90 which can be aligned with the screw-accepting openings 84 of the face plate 58 for acceptance of the shanks of the screws 82 so that the plates 86, 88 and 90, along with the face plate 58, are tightly held between the heads of the screws 82 and the surface of the mount 76.
  • each plate 86, 88 and 90 is provided with a pair of through-holes 93 for accepting alignment pins associated with the head 30 to facilitate the assembly of plates 86, 88 and 90 in an aligned condition.
  • the cavity-providing plates 86, 88 and 90 of the cavity-providing means 62 includes a first plate 86 (referred to hereinafter as a gasket 86) which is positioned in contact with so as to substantially cover the front surface 78 of the face plate 58, a second, or flowover plate 88 which is positioned in contact with so as to substantially cover the front surface 78 of the gasket 86, and a third, or cover plate 90 which is positioned in contact with so as to substantially cover the front surface of the flowover plate 88.
  • a first plate 86 referred to hereinafter as a gasket 86
  • a second, or flowover plate 88 which is positioned in contact with so as to substantially cover the front surface 78 of the gasket 86
  • a third, or cover plate 90 which is positioned in contact with so as to substantially cover the front surface of the flowover plate 88.
  • the gasket 86 is platen-like in form and has outer, substantially rectangular dimensions which conform generally to those of the face plate 58.
  • the gasket 86 includes a through-opening 92 which extends along the length of the gasket 86 and opposing rows of notches 94 which communicate with the through-opening 92 (as best shown in Fig. 7) so that the notches 94 extend laterally from the through-opening 92.
  • the material out of which the gasket 86 is constructed can be any of a number of materials, but is preferably stainless steel.
  • the flowover plate 88 (best shown in Figs. 5 and 11) is also platen-like in form, but has somewhat of an L shape, and includes three parallel slot-like through-openings 96, 98, 100 which extend linearly along the length of the plate 88.
  • the (middle) through-opening 98 positioned between the other two (outer) through-openings 96 and 100 is positioned so as to be aligned with the through-opening 92 of the gasket 86, and the two outer through-openings 96, 100 are positioned so as to communicate with the notches 94 of the gasket 86 when the flowover plate 88 is positioned in its operative, overlying relationship with the gasket 86.
  • the cover plate 90 (best shown in Figs. 5 and 6) is plate-like in form having somewhat of an L-shape which corresponds generally to that of the flowover plate 88 and is provided with a slot-like through-opening 112 which extends substantially centrally therealong.
  • the material out of which each of the flowover plate 88 and the cover plate 90 is constructed is stainless steel, although other materials can be used.
  • the printer head 30 of the depicted printing system 20 has a maximum throw distance, or distance that the ink is accurately thrown from the orifices 60, of about 6 mm (0.25 inches). Consequently, it is preferred that the collective thicknesses of the gasket 86 and plates 88 and 90 total no more than about 0.10 inches (2.5mm) to enable a target surface, e.g.
  • the orifices 60 communicate with the through-bore 106 by way of the outer through-opening 96 and groove 103, while the orifices 60 also communicate with the through-bore 108 by way of the outer though-opening 100 and groove 102.
  • a vacuum is drawn in the cavity 64 by way of the through-bore 108 during a purging or head-cleaning operation while pressurized air is introduced into the cavity 64 by way of the through-bore 106 so that a flow of air is induced across the orifices 60 from the through-opening 96 toward the through-opening 100. This induced air flow, as well as the canted condition of the head 30 (as shown in Fig.
  • the depicted purge/clean system 22 also includes means, generally indicated 114, for purging air from the ink flow passageways and blockage matter which has become lodged within the orifices 60 of the printer head 30 and means, generally indicated 116, for withdrawing ink which has been purged from the orifices 60 and is present upon the front surface of the face plate 58.
  • the purging means 114 includes a purge pump 118 which is connected in-line with the conduit 34 leading to the printer head 30 for pumping, when desired, a small volume of ink through the conduit 34 from the supply 32 so that any air which is contained within the ink flow passageways and any blockage matter which is lodged within the orifices 60 is pushed, or expelled, through the orifices 60 along with the ink which is pumped through the printer head 30 by the purge pump 118.
  • a purge pump 118 which is connected in-line with the conduit 34 leading to the printer head 30 for pumping, when desired, a small volume of ink through the conduit 34 from the supply 32 so that any air which is contained within the ink flow passageways and any blockage matter which is lodged within the orifices 60 is pushed, or expelled, through the orifices 60 along with the ink which is pumped through the printer head 30 by the purge pump 118.
  • a return line 120 (having a check valve 122 mounted therein) is connected between the printer head 30 and supply 32 so that some of the ink which is pumped to the printer head 30 by the pump 118 to return to the supply 32.
  • the purge pump 118 expels ink, as well as air and blockage matter, from the orifices 60 of the printer head 30, and this expelled ink ordinarily would flow downwardly along the front surface 78 of the face plate 58.
  • the cavity-providing means 62 described above prevents the exposure of this expelled ink to surfaces which are desired to be kept clean and the withdrawing means 116 cooperates with the through-opening 100 of the cavity-providing means 62 to remove this expelled ink from the face plate 58 so that ink in prevented from accumulating upon the face plate 58.
  • the withdrawing means 116 of the depicted purge/clean system 22 includes a vacuum pump 124, a controller 126 within which the vacuum pump 124 is mounted, and an air flow network 128 connected between the vacuum pump 124 and the through-bore 108 of the flowover plate 88.
  • the air flow network 128 of the depicted system 22 includes a first vacuum hose 130 which is connected between a collection reservoir assembly 132 and the inlet of the vacuum pump 124 and a second vacuum hose 134 which is connected between the collection reservoir assembly 132 and the through-bore 108 (Fig. 5) of the flowover plate 88.
  • an air hose connector 136 (Figs. 5 and 6) is threadably received by the though-bore 108, and a sealing ring 138 is interposed between appropriate surfaces of the connector 136 and the flowover plate 88 to seal the connector 136 to the plate 88.
  • the collection reservoir assembly 132 includes a reservoir 142 and a lid 144 through which a pair of conduit segments 146, 148 extend.
  • Each conduit segment 146 or 148 is connected to a corresponding one of the vacuum hoses 130 or 134, and the lid 144, reservoir 142 and conduit segments 146, 148 are sealingly connected to one another to prevent leakage of the vacuum created by the pump 124 through the air flow network 128.
  • Control of the operation of the vacuum pump 124, as well as the purge pump 118, is had by way of suitable controls mounted within the controller 126 and which are appropriately wired to the vacuum pump 124 and the purge pump 118.
  • the vacuum pump 124 is actuated to draw air toward the pump 124 from the cavity 64 of the cavity-providing means 62 though the air flow network 128, and the operation of the purge pump 118 is initiated to pump a low volume of ink through the printer head orifices 60 so that any air which may be present in the ink passageways and any blockage matter which is lodged within the orifices 60 of the printer head 30 is expelled through the orifices 60.
  • any ink which is expelled from the orifices 60 during an air-purging or head-cleaning operation and which begins to flow downwardly along the front surface 78 of the face plate 58 is drawn through the notches 94 and into the outer through-opening 100 of the flowover plate 88 by the influence of the vacuum pump 124, as well as by the influence of gravity. Consequently, the gasket 86 acts as a manifold through which ink is permitted to be drawn into the outer through-opening 100 of the flowover plate 88 from the front surface 78 of the face plate 58.
  • the though-opening 100 and groove 102 act as flow channels through which the expelled ink moves downwardly through the cavity-providing means 62.
  • the collection reservoir 142 Fig. 12
  • the ink falls from the inlet conduit segment 148 and is collected within the reservoir 142 for reuse or disposal. Since ink separates from the combined air and ink contents drawn through the air flow network 128 at the reservoir 142, only air is moved along the vacuum hose 130 which extends from the reservoir 142 to the vacuum pump 124.
  • the operation of the purge/clean system 22 can be initiated, for example, by pressing of "start" switch associated with the controller 126 which, in turn, actuates the vacuum pump 124 and the purge pump 118. Shut-off of the vacuum and purge pumps 124, 118 can be effected after a predetermined period of time (e.g. a few seconds) with appropriate timing controls.
  • the ability to manually initiate operation of the purge/clean system 22 is advantageous when, or if, air becomes entrained within any ink flow passageway of the printer head 30 during operation or any of the orifices 60 become blocked, and it is desired that a purging operation be initiated immediately to rectify the situation.
  • actuation of the purge/clean system 22 can be automatically initiated at predetermined intervals to ensure that the orifices 60 or ink flow passageways of the printer head 30 are free from air and orifice-blockage matter following those predetermined intervals.
  • the controller 126 can be programmed to automatically initiate an operating cycle of the purge/clean system 22 at the initiation of an assembly line operation to ensure that the printer head 30 is free from air and blockage matter at start-up of operation.
  • the purge pump 118 which is selected for use with the purging means 114 possesses appreciably more strength than the vacuum pump 124, it may desirable that the purge pump 118 be operated intermittently, rather than continuously, during the operation of the vacuum pump 124.
  • the controls of the controller 126 can be selected (or programmed) to intermittently actuate and de-actuate the purge pump 118 while the vacuum pump 124 is operated during an operating cycle of the purge/clean system 22.
  • the face plate 58 of the printer head 30 is maintained relatively free of ink which is expelled from the orifices 60 during an air-purging and head-cleaning operation, and no manual methods are needed to wipe ink from the front of the printer head 30 to prevent the expelled ink from contacting or marking a surface desired to remain free of ink.
  • the purge/clean system 22 includes means, generally indicated 152 in Figs. 1 and 12, for creating a zone of above-atmospheric pressure in a region adjacent the front plate 58 of the printer head 30 of a printing system to help maintain the orifices 60 of the front plate 58 relatively clean, or in other words, free of matter, such as unwanted dust and debris, which could otherwise become lodged within the orifices 60.
  • the creating means 152 utilizes the cavity 64 of the cavity-providing means 62, and this provided cavity 64 surrounds the region adjacent the front plate 58 within which the zone of above-atmospheric pressure is desired to be created.
  • the creating means 152 also includes a source, indicated 169, of pressurized air, which can be a fan or a compressor 171, which is situated to one side of the printer system 20 and further includes a conduit 170 connected between the pressurized air source 169 and the through-bore 106 for conducting the pressurized air from the source 169 to the portion of the cavity 64 provided by the through-opening 96.
  • a source indicated 169
  • pressurized air which can be a fan or a compressor 171
  • the conduit 170 for conducting the pressurized air from the source 169 to the portion of the cavity 64 provided by the through-opening 96.
  • an air flow connector 137 (Figs. 5 and 6) is threadably received by the through-bore 106, and the conduit 170 is joined to the connector 137.
  • the connector 137 is sealed against the flowover plate 88 with a sealing ring 138. Therefore, during operation of the pressure-creating means 152, air from the pressurized air source 169 is conducted into the
  • the internal pressure of the cavity 64 need not exceed atmospheric pressure by an appreciable amount (and can, in fact, be as small as 1.0 psig) to develop an environment within the cavity 64 wherein any leakage of air out of the cavity 64, such as through the aligned through-openings 92, 98, 112 will reduce any likelihood that unwanted dust or debris will collect at, and thereby lodge within, the orifices 60. Consequently, the pressure of the air delivered to the cavity 64 from, the source 169 need not be very great so that the energy expended to pressurize the air at the source 169 can (for energy-conserving measures) be relatively small.
  • the pressure-creating means 152 be operated continually-even during printing operations performed with the printing system with which the purge/clean system 22 is used.
  • ink which is expelled from the orifices 60 during a purging or head-cleaning operation is forced to flow, under the influence of gravity and an induced flow of air across the orifices 60 from the though-opening 96 toward the through-opening 100, into the through-opening 100 of the cavity 94 for collection, rather than into the though-opening 96.
  • the aforedescribed purge/clean system 22 has been shown and described as including purging means 114 for forcing ink through the face plate orifices 60 during a purging or head-cleaning operation, the cavity-providing means 62 and the withdrawing means 116 can be used without the purging means 114 to retrofit the printer head of an existing ink jet printing system so that ink which is expelled from the face plate with conventional purging means associated with the printing system can be removed with the cavity-providing means 62 and the withdrawing means 116.
  • FIGS. 13-16 An alternate embodiment of a portion of the purge/clean system 222 is shown in FIGS. 13-16.
  • the vacuum and air pressure conduits 234, 270 are formed as part of the print head 230, rather than as separate conduits as shown in the embodiment exemplified in Fig. 6. That is, both conduits 234, 270 penetrate the head 230 and provide openings 236, 272 at the face plate 258.
  • a single plate as indicated at 288, is used to provide a cavity 264 that is used for ink withdrawal and a cavity 252 to provide positive air pressure.
  • the plate 288 is commonly referred to as maintenance module.
  • the plate 288 includes a front surface 290, which is that surface opposing the surface on which printing is carried out (e.g., the target), and a rear surface 292 that abuts the print head face plate 258.
  • the plate 288 includes a slot-like opening 298 through which the ink is propelled onto the target. This slot-like opening 298 corresponds to openings 92, 98 and 112 of the previously described embodiment.
  • the ink withdrawal cavity 252 is formed as a vacuum channel, indicated generally at 274, formed in the rear surface 292 of the plate 288.
  • a plurality of finger-like notches 276 are formed in the plate 288, and extend between the vacuum channel 274 and the slot opening 298. The notches 276 thus provide flow communication between the slot 298 and the vacuum channel 274.
  • the channel 274 is oriented generally parallel to the slot 298 and the notches 276 are formed transverse to both the slot 298 and the channel 274.
  • the channel 274 terminates at an end 278 that corresponds to the vacuum opening 236 in the face plate 258.
  • the channel 274, at about the end 278, overlies the vacuum opening 236 in the face plate 258.
  • vacuum is provided to the plate 288 (and thus to the slot 298, via the notches 276) by direct communication of the opening 236 to the channel 274.
  • the positive pressure air cavity 252 is formed as a purge or positive pressure channel 280, and is also formed in the rear surface 292 of the plate 288.
  • the purge channel 280 is oriented generally parallel to the slot 298, and finger-like notches 282 extend between the slot 298 and the channel 280.
  • the purge channel 280 terminates at an end 284 that overlies the purge or pressure opening 272 formed in the face plate 258. Air is provided at a positive pressure to the slot 298 (by the channel 280 via the notches 282) to carry out the purge functions described above.
  • the vacuum and purge channels 274, 280 are formed in the plate 288, generally parallel to one another, on opposing sides of the slot 298.
  • the vacuum channel 274 is disposed above the slot 298, and the channel end 278 is at a downward incline or angle relative to the main portion of the channel 274. In this manner, as ink is drawn from about the slot 298, it flows downward, with gravity, toward the vacuum opening 236 in the face plate 258.
  • the purge channel 280 is located below the slot 298 and the purge air flow is upward into the slot 298.
  • the purge channel end 284 is formed generally aligned with the main portion of the channel 280.
  • the plate 288 has a thickness of about 0.25 mm (0.010 inches, about 10 mils) and the channels 274, 280 and notches 276, 282 are formed by acid etching.
  • the acid etched areas have a depth of about 5 mils. It has been found that this plate 288 thickness and etching depth provides sufficient rigidity to the plate 288 and sufficient flow capabilities at the channels 274, 280 and notches 276, 282 to carry out the vacuum and purge functions for the maintenance module.
  • a further enhancement of the alternate maintenance module is that it is configured to readily install on the print head 230, over the face plate 258.
  • clip like portions 238 extend rearwardly from the plate 288, generally transverse thereto. The clips 238 are urged over, and engage sides 260 of the face plate 258 to secure the maintenance module plate 288 by a snap-fit. This arrangement reduces or eliminates the need for screws or other fasteners to secure the maintenance module plate 288 to the print head 230. Thus, by a simple frictional or snap-fit over the printing head face plate 258, the maintenance module plate 288 is held in place.
  • the snap-fit configuration permits two or more of the otherwise used fastener or screw openings to be used to provide the vacuum and purge openings 236, 272 in the print head face plate 258.
  • the print head 230 can be configured so that the internally carried conduits 234, 270 have little to no impact on the overall size of the print head 230.
  • the snap-fit configuration also permits readily aligning the plate 288 over the face plate 258. Such alignment is necessary to assure that the jetted ink is directed through the slotted opening 298 in the plate and onto the target for printing.
  • a maintenance module 288 in accordance with the present invention can include a coating or layer, as indicated at C in Fig. 16, of a low friction material thereon.
  • a present material is a fluoropolymer, such as TEFLON or the like. Such a material facilitates readily cleaning the front surface 290 of the plate 288 in the event that the plate 288 becomes dirty or contaminated by, for example, adhesive ribbons and the like.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
  • Surgical Instruments (AREA)
  • Cleaning Or Drying Semiconductors (AREA)
  • Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
  • Perforating, Stamping-Out Or Severing By Means Other Than Cutting (AREA)

Claims (10)

  1. Appareil de purge d'air, de blocage de surface ou de blocage interne à partir d'un appareil à jet de liquide pendant une opération de purge ou de nettoyage, l'appareil à jet de liquide comportant au moins un orifice à travers lequel un liquide est éjecté par l'appareil à jet de liquide pendant une opération au jet, l'appareil à jet de liquide comportant une ouverture de vide et une ouverture de purge formées dans celui-ci, l'appareil comprenant:
    une plaque (88) définissant une ouverture (98), la plaque (88) étant configurée pour surplomber une partie de l'appareil à jet de liquide avec l'ouverture de plaque (98) surplombant l'orifice de l'appareil à jet de liquide (60) à la fois pendant une opération de purge ou de nettoyage et pendant l'opération au jet, la plaque (88) comprenant un canal de vide et un canal de purge (64), une partie (108) du canal de vide surplombant l'ouverture de vide dans l'appareil à jet de liquide, et une partie du canal de purge (106) surplombant l'ouverture de purge dans l'appareil à jet de liquide à la fois pendant l'opération de purge ou de nettoyage et pendant l'opération au jet, chacun du canal de vide et du canal de purge (64) étant en communication d'écoulement avec l'ouverture (98) dans la plaque (88).
  2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'ouverture (98) dans la plaque (88) est une fente allongée.
  3. Appareil selon la revendication 2, dans lequel les canaux de vide et de purge (64) sont des canaux allongés s'étendant essentiellement parallèlement à la fente allongée (98).
  4. Appareil selon la revendication 3, dans lequel les canaux de vide et de purge (64) sont disposés sur des côtés opposés de la fente allongée (98).
  5. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel chacun des canaux de vide et de purge (64) comporte une pluralité d'encoches (94) s'étendant entre un canal respectif (64) et la fente (98).
  6. Appareil selon la revendication 5, dans lequel les encoches (94) s'étendent essentiellement transversalement à et entre leurs canaux respectifs (64) et la fente allongée (98).
  7. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la plaque (88) définit un côté avant et un côté arrière, le côté arrière étant attenant à l'appareil à jet d'encre, et dans lequel le côté avant comporte un revêtement à faible coefficient de frottement.
  8. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la plaque est une plaque unitaire unique.
  9. Appareil selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans lequel la plaque est un ensemble de multiples plaques mises côte à côte (90, 88, 86).
  10. Appareil à jet de liquide pour diriger un jet un liquide sur une cible, comprenant:
    un corps comportant au moins un orifice à travers lequel un liquide est éjecté par l'appareil à jet de liquide pendant une opération au jet;
    une plaque avant portée par le corps, la plaque avant comportant un orifice à travers lequel le liquide est éjecté, la plaque avant comprenant en outre une ouverture de purge et une ouverture de vide formées dans celle-ci;
    une source de vide connectée de façon opérationnelle à l'ouverture de vide;
    une source d'air sous pression connectée de façon opérationnelle à l'ouverture de purge; et
    un appareil de purge d'air, de blocage de surface ou de blocage interne selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le canal de purge et le canal de vide (64) sont configurés pour coopérer avec la source de vide et la source d'air sous pression pour la purge d'air, de blocage de surface ou de blocage interne à partir de l'appareil à jet de liquide pendant une opération de purge ou de nettoyage.
EP01304624A 2000-06-08 2001-05-25 Nettoyage d'un dispositif à jet de liquide Expired - Lifetime EP1162071B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/590,742 US6406125B1 (en) 2000-06-08 2000-06-08 System and method for maintaining the front of a fluid jet device in a relatively clean condition
US590742 2000-06-08
US09/775,237 US6457802B2 (en) 2000-06-08 2001-02-01 System and method for maintaining the front of a fluid jet device in a relatively clean condition
US775237 2001-02-01

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1162071A1 EP1162071A1 (fr) 2001-12-12
EP1162071B1 true EP1162071B1 (fr) 2006-11-22

Family

ID=27080937

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01304624A Expired - Lifetime EP1162071B1 (fr) 2000-06-08 2001-05-25 Nettoyage d'un dispositif à jet de liquide

Country Status (10)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1162071B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2002011892A (fr)
CN (1) CN1189326C (fr)
AT (1) ATE345934T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU756643B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2349097C (fr)
DE (1) DE60124621T2 (fr)
DK (1) DK1162071T3 (fr)
MX (1) MXPA01005702A (fr)
TW (1) TW527286B (fr)

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6406125B1 (en) 2000-06-08 2002-06-18 Illinois Tool Works Inc. System and method for maintaining the front of a fluid jet device in a relatively clean condition
EP1780023B1 (fr) 2000-10-31 2008-08-13 Zipher Limited Appareil d'impression
US6637862B2 (en) * 2002-02-08 2003-10-28 Illinois Tool Works, Inc. Maintenance module for fluid jet device
US6848766B2 (en) * 2002-10-11 2005-02-01 Eastman Kodak Company Start-up and shut down of continuous inkjet print head
US20050099451A1 (en) * 2003-11-04 2005-05-12 Videojet Technologies Inc. Method and apparatus for reducing debris accumulation in an ink jet printhead
CN100395112C (zh) * 2003-12-24 2008-06-18 杭州宏华数码科技股份有限公司 数码喷绘机的喷头实时自动清洗方法及其装置
US8128201B2 (en) * 2006-12-01 2012-03-06 Fujifilm Dimatix, Inc. Non-wetting coating on a fluid ejector
CN102858547A (zh) * 2010-05-02 2013-01-02 Xjet有限公司 带有自清洗、防沉积与除烟气装置的打印系统
CN103041943B (zh) * 2013-01-10 2015-09-02 深圳市华星光电技术有限公司 喷嘴清洁装置和具有该喷嘴清洁装置的涂布机
JP6241092B2 (ja) * 2013-06-28 2017-12-06 セイコーエプソン株式会社 インクジェットプリンター
JP6792708B2 (ja) * 2017-03-31 2020-11-25 ヒューレット−パッカード デベロップメント カンパニー エル．ピー．Ｈｅｗｌｅｔｔ‐Ｐａｃｋａｒｄ Ｄｅｖｅｌｏｐｍｅｎｔ Ｃｏｍｐａｎｙ， Ｌ．Ｐ． プリントヘッドのためのプライマ

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH02108549A (ja) * 1988-09-26 1990-04-20 Tektronix Inc インクジェット・ヘッドの洗浄方法及び装置
US5184147A (en) * 1991-04-22 1993-02-02 Tektronix, Inc. Ink jet print head maintenance system
JP3417449B2 (ja) * 1997-01-20 2003-06-16 セイコーエプソン株式会社 インクジェット式記録装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1162071A1 (fr) 2001-12-12
MXPA01005702A (es) 2003-08-20
AU756643B2 (en) 2003-01-16
TW527286B (en) 2003-04-11
CA2349097A1 (fr) 2001-12-08
DE60124621D1 (de) 2007-01-04
DK1162071T3 (da) 2007-03-19
ATE345934T1 (de) 2006-12-15
CA2349097C (fr) 2006-10-24
AU5179801A (en) 2001-12-13
CN1189326C (zh) 2005-02-16
CN1344620A (zh) 2002-04-17
DE60124621T2 (de) 2007-09-13
JP2002011892A (ja) 2002-01-15

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