EP1361066B1 - A fluid supply system including a degassing unit - Google Patents
A fluid supply system including a degassing unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1361066B1 EP1361066B1 EP03100769A EP03100769A EP1361066B1 EP 1361066 B1 EP1361066 B1 EP 1361066B1 EP 03100769 A EP03100769 A EP 03100769A EP 03100769 A EP03100769 A EP 03100769A EP 1361066 B1 EP1361066 B1 EP 1361066B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ink
- container
- compartment
- height
- fluid
- 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.)
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Classifications
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- 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
- B41J2/19—Ink jet characterised by ink handling for removing air bubbles
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- 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
-
- 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
- B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
- B41J2/17506—Refilling of the cartridge
- B41J2/17509—Whilst mounted in the printer
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- 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
- B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
- B41J2/17513—Inner structure
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- 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
-
- 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
- B41J2/18—Ink recirculation systems
Definitions
- This invention relates to droplet deposition apparatus and especially to printheads in ink jet printers.
- it relates to a system for providing liquid ink at proper static (hydraulic) pressure to a series of printheads in a drop-on-demand ink jet printer.
- ink-jet liquid droplet deposition apparatus it is important that the proper static (hydraulic) pressure, typically a small negative static (hydraulic) pressure, is achieved at each ink jet nozzle to avoid drool of the ink.
- static (hydraulic) pressure typically a small negative static (hydraulic) pressure
- an ink-supply system for providing ink in an apparatus having a first set of nozzles at a higher elevation than a second set of nozzles, comprising: a first compartment in fluid flow communication with the first set of nozzles, said first compartment being configured to allow the egress of liquid to maintain the level of liquid therein at a desired fill height; a second compartment in fluid flow communication with the second set of nozzles, said second compartment being configured to allow the egress of liquid to maintain the level of liquid in the second compartment at a desired fill height; and a reservoir for supplying liquid to the first and second compartments.
- a pump circulates the ink.
- the ink reservoir is divided into two chambers, an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, separated by a partition wall having an opening with a given flow resistance near the bottom of the reservoir and a gap above the wall.
- the ink that is withdrawn from the outlet chamber by the printhead is replenished via a flow of ink from the inlet chamber through the opening in the partition wall.
- the ink may release entrapped air, which is collected at the top of the closed ink reservoir.
- the partition wall within the reservoir ensures that, during priming, the collected air can be expelled from the reservoir through the printhead, thereby avoiding the need for an air vent from the reservoir. Constraints to make this work are that the outlet chamber is significantly smaller than the inlet chamber, and that the flow resistance of the opening in the partition wall near the bottom of the reservoir is too high to allow adequate replenishment of the outlet chamber at priming flow rates.
- FIG 1 shows schematically an ink jet printer and an ink supply system therefore
- Figure 2 shows schemattically a possible construction of an upper container for use in an ink jet printer and an ink supply system according to this invention.
- Figure 3 shows an other possible construction of an upper container for use in an ink jet printer and an ink supply system according to this invention.
- Figure 4 shows schematically a possible construction of an upper container for use in an ink jet printer and an ink supply system according to this invention serving two rows of printheads.
- Figure 5 shows a schematic front view of a possible construction of a lower container incorporating a "baby container” for use in an ink jet printer and an ink supply system according to this invention
- Figure 6 shows a schematic cross sectional view along line W,W' of figure 5 of a possible construction of a lower container for use in an ink jet printer and an ink supply system according to this invention.
- Figure 7 shows schematically a printer incorporating an upper and lower container of this invention.
- Figure 8 shows schematically the position of "purging" holes in partitions and overflow pipes that reach to said bottom wall of the upper and lower container and in the "baby container”.
- Figure 1 shows very schematically an ink jet printer and an ink supply system therefore.
- a lower container (100) containing ink (101) the ink is brought to an upper container (104) through ducts (103) by a pump (102).
- the upper container (104) has an overflow opening (105) for maintaining the ink level in said container at a constant level, by a duct (106) the overflowing ink is returned to the lower container (100).
- the difference in height ( ⁇ H) between the ink level in the upper container and the liquid droplet deposition apparatus determines the static (hydraulic) pressure in the liquid droplet deposition apparatus. By adjusting this difference in height ( ⁇ H), drool is avoided.
- ink is brought through a duct (103a) to liquid droplet deposition apparatus (107) wherein the ink is circulated, part of the ink is image wise ejected (108) to an image receiver (not shown) and the remaining ink is brought back to said lower container through a duct (103b).
- a container with ink (109) is provided for replenishing the ink used during image wise ejection.
- An ink supply system as described above can be used with any liquid droplet deposition apparatus know in the art.
- Such an ink supply system, wherein ink is circulated can very advantageously be used in an ink jet printer comprising one or multi-channel pulsed droplet deposition apparatus in which piezoelectric actuator means are used for droplet ejection.
- an ink channel connects an ink reservoir to an ejection nozzle.
- Piezo electric transducers adjacent to the channel respond to a voltage impulse to generate a pressure pulse in the ink and eject ink droplet from the nozzle.
- Such multi-channel pulsed droplet deposition apparatus have been disclosed in, e.g., US-A-3 946 398, US-A-3 683 212, US-A-3 747 120, US-A-4 525 728, US-A-4 549 191 and US-A-4 584 590 and IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin Vol. 23 No. 10 March 1981.
- EP-A-278 589 multi-channel pulsed droplet deposition apparatus improved over the mentioned disclosures have been shown, also in EP-A-277 703, EP-A-278 590 and US-A-5 855 713 multi-channel pulsed droplet deposition apparatus are disclosed.
- any ink jet printer having an ink circulation circuit described in figure 1 and any printhead know in the art, it is important that not the level of the ink in the upper container (104) does not fluctuate but also that the surface of the ink stays level during operation of the printer. Even fluctuations (pulsations) caused by the pump that is used to circulate the ink have to be avoided, since even these small wave-like fluctuations of the ink surface in the upper container do change the difference in height ( ⁇ H) between the level of the ink and the printhead and can thus change the size of the droplet and/or the speed of ejection, when strong waves are produced on the surface of the ink in the upper container, even drool at the nozzles of the printhead can occasionally occur.
- ⁇ H difference in height
- the construction boils down to introducing in the container a labyrinth forcing the ink to pass the labyrinth close to the bottom of the container so has to leave the air or gas entrapped in the ink the possibility to escape towards the surface of the ink in the container.
- FIG. 1 A possible embodiment of such an upper container is shown in figure 2.
- the upper container (104) having a bottom wall (110) and side walls (111), has an overflow opening (105) located at an height, h1, above the bottom wall (110) of the container, so that the ink in the container reaches a constant level at an height, h1, above the bottom wall (110).
- a duct (106) conducts the ink back to the lower container (not shown).
- the container (104) is divided in two compartments, an inlet compartment (I) and a print/overflow compartment (II), by a partition (112). This partition is placed so that the upper end of it extends to an height, h5, above the bottom wall and so that h5 > h1.
- this partition has an opening with height, h4, so that both compartments are in communication with each other.
- the height, h4, is preferably equal to or smaller than 0.3 x h1, more preferably equal to or smaller than 0.15 x h1.
- the opening with height, h4 between the partition (112) and the bottom wall is placed directly on the bottom wall (110), this is a preferred embodiment, but the opening can be made in the partition (112) at some distance away from the bottom wall.
- the height of the opening and the exact placement are chosen so that the ink is forced to leave compartment one in the lower part of the container, at an height lower than 0.5 x h1 can serve the purposes of this invention.
- an inlet (114) for ink is present, preferably this inlet is capped (114a) and has side openings (114b), so that the inflowing ink is forced downwards and side wards and can not disturb the surface (116) of the ink.
- This inlet extends in the inlet compartment (I) to an height, h2, chosen to be smaller than the height, h1.
- the capping of the inlet is realised by using a pipe that is closed at one end.
- a partition (113) is present in the print/overflow compartment (II) in the print/overflow compartment (II) in the print/overflow compartment (II) in the print/overflow compartment (II) in the print/overflow compartment (II) also a partition (113) is present. This partition has an height, h3, smaller than h1 and is fixed on the bottom wall (110) of the container (104). Preferably h3 ⁇ 0.85 x h1, more preferably h3 ⁇ 0.5 x h1.
- an outlet (115) is present for conducting the ink to the printhead (multi-channel pulsed droplet deposition apparatus) which is not shown in figure 2.
- This outlet is placed behind the partition (113) in the print/overflow compartment, i.e., farther away from the inlet compartment than the partition (113).
- the partition (112) between the two compartments and the partition (113) in the print/outlet compartment form a kind of labyrinth.
- the ink enters the inlet compartment (I) and is forced to flow downwards, by doing so air bubbles that may be entrapped in the ink will mount to the surface (116) of the ink instead of staying with the ink that is forced down, thus by the mechanical construction of the upper container air, that may be entrapped in the ink, is evacuated from the ink.
- the force of the stream of ink is directed away from the surface of the ink and thus leaves the surface (116) undisturbed.
- any type of pump for circulating the ink because the variations in the force of the ink due to pulsations of the pump are, due to the construction of the upper container (104), of no consequence for the surface of the ink, which stays level. The consequence is that the height, h1, stays constant and that thus almost laminar flow is preserved, the size and the speed of the droplets ejected in the printhead remains constant.
- a pump with low pulsation is used, e.g., screw pumps or centrifugal pumps. The latter type of pump is especially preferred.
- the construction of the upper container as shown in figure 2 does as explained solve the problems of prior art ink supply systems, i.e., pulsation dampening, air evacuation, occasional drool avoidance with simple constructional measures, it showed that a further improvement could be realised by the embodiment shown in figure 3.
- the upper container is now divided in three compartments, an inlet compartment (I), a print compartment (II) and an outlet compartment (III). Basically the inlet compartment (I) and the print compartment (II) are construed in the same manner as explained when discussing figure 2 and present the same advantages. Therefore this discussion will not be repeated here.
- the outer wall (111) shown in figure 2 as farthest away from the inlet compartment has now become an inner wall (117) separating the print compartment from the outlet compartment.
- the height of that inner wall (117), h1 is lower than the height of the outer walls and thus ink can flow over the edge of the inner wall in the outlet compartment (III).
- the side of the inner wall (117) facing the outlet compartment can, when so desired, be treated so as to be easily wetted by the overflowing ink, which can make the ink flow in the outlet compartment almost as a laminar flow, thus avoiding any air inclusion during overflow.
- an ink jet printer it is desired in an ink jet printer according to this invention to accurately balance the wettability of the surfaces contacting the ink, so that the occurrence of film forming at the surface of the ink, where the ink surface contacts the wall and partitions in the container, is minimised and that the laminar flow of the ink along some surfaces of the container is not impaired. It may in a printer of this invention thus be necessary to have some walls and partitions - or parts of them - treated so that the wettability by the ink is poor for avoiding excessive drying of the ink and to have some walls and partitions - or parts of them - treated so that the wettability by the ink is rather good for increasing the laminarity of the ink flow.
- an outlet (105) is present and has an height, h6, so that the ink has to accumulate first to a certain extent in the outlet compartment before it leaves the compartment. This again helps to avoid possible air inclusions in the ink that is re-circulated through a duct (106) back to the lower container (not shown).
- pulsation dampening air evacuation, avoidance of changes in size and/or speed of the ejected ink droplets and avoidance of air intake during overflow.
- compartments I and II are identical to the compartments described when discussing figure 2, and an outlet (115) in compartment II brings the ink to a printhead of the first row (107) from where the ink is returned in the lower container (not shown).
- compartment I and II serve printhead of the first row.
- the ink from compartment II flows over a partition (117) in to compartment Ia.
- the height (h1) of that partition (117) determines the level of ink in compartment I and II and thus, as explained earlier the static (hydraulic) pressure at the nozzles of the printhead (107).
- Compartment Ia and IIa are via an outlet (115a) connected to a printhead (107a) of the second row.
- Compartment Ia is an inlet compartment, receiving ink because ink of compartment II flows over the partition between compartment II and Ia. Between compartment Ia and IIa a partition (119) is present that has an height, h15, and that leaves an opening between the bottom wall (110) of the upper container, said opening having an height, h14. Compartment IIa is a print/outlet compartment that via an outlet (115a) provide ink to a printhead of the second row, from where the ink is returned in the lower container (not shown). In this compartment a partition (118) is present, with a height h13.
- This compartment also comprises an outlet (105a) located at an height, h11, above the bottom wall (110) of the container, via a duct (106) the ink is re-circulated to from the lower container (not shown).
- an upper container can be constructed that can serve three or more rows of printheads while preserve all advantage that have been explained.
- an upper container as per this invention, can also be realised by adapting the construction of the lower container.
- the lower container so that the ink that returns in it from the printheads (liquid droplet ejection apparatus) and from the overflow (105) of the upper container do not disturb the surface of the ink in the lower container, enter the container via an almost laminar flow.
- the construction has to be adapted so that air that may be entrapped in the ink during the circulation can easily be separated from the ink without the need for special degassing devices.
- FIG 5 a front view of an embodiment of such a lower container is schematically shown, the front wall is shown as being transparent.
- the lower container (100) having a bottom wall (110) and side walls (111) is divided in two compartments, I and II.
- ink (101) is present with an ink surface (116a).
- a "baby container” (120) is present in compartment I and dips in to the ink (101).
- the ink in compartment I has a surface at an height, h35, above the bottom wall of the lower container and the "baby container is" immersed in the ink so that the bottom wall of it is placed at an height, h36, above the bottom wall of the lower container.
- the height, h36 is chosen such that h36 ⁇ 0.6 x h35, preferably so that h36 ⁇ 0.8 x h35.
- the first compartment (I) is separated from the second compartment (II) by a partition (122) having an height, h31.
- This height, h31 is chosen such that 0.25 x h31 ⁇ h35 ⁇ 0.95 x h31, preferably so that 0.4 x h31 ⁇ h35 ⁇ 0.75 x h31.
- the first compartment further comprises an outlet (124) for bringing the ink again in the circulation circuit.
- a further partition (121) is present having an height, h33 chosen such that h33 > h31. At the bottom of the second compartment, the partition (121) leaves an opening with height, h34.
- the height, h34 is preferably equal to or smaller than 0.3 x h31, more preferably equal to or smaller than 0.15 x h31.
- the opening with height, h34, between the partition (121) and the bottom wall is placed directly on the bottom wall (110), this is a preferred embodiment, but an opening in the partition (121) at some distance away from the bottom wall can serve the purposes of this invention.
- the purposes of the invention are also served.
- the ink re-circulating from the printhead enters the second compartment via an inlet (123) situated in the side wall (111) at an height, h32.
- This height, h32 is chosen such that 0.25 mm ⁇ h31 - h32 ⁇ 50 mm, preferably so that 0.5 mm ⁇ h31 - h32 ⁇ 30 mm.
- the placement of the inlet (123) quite close to the surface (116b) of the ink in compartment II, makes is possible for air that possibly get entrapped in the returning ink can easily be evacuated via that surface (116b). In operation the ink, returning from the printhead, is forced down upon entering the second compartment (II) and has to pass underneath the partition (121).
- figure 6 which is a cross-section of the lower container along the line W-W' in figure 5. It shows the lower container (100) and the “baby container” (120) in it.
- the "baby container” with side walls (111a) and a bottom wall (110a) dips in to the ink (101).
- the ink has a surface at an height, h35, above the bottom wall of the lower container and the "baby container” is immersed in the ink so that the bottom wall (110a) of it is placed at an height, h36, above the bottom wall of the lower container.
- the height, h36 is chosen such that h36 ⁇ 0.6 x h35, preferably so that h36 ⁇ 0.8 x h35.
- the baby container is also compartmentalised, an has two compartments,(Ib and IIb) separated from each other by a partition (126), with an height, h37 above the bottom wall of the "baby container".
- ink entering the circulation circuit from a container (109) with ink (101), for replenishing the ink used during image wise ejection enters in the "baby container” from a duct (106a) in the first compartment (Ib).
- the ducts extend under the surface (116c) of the ink in the baby container, so that the ink has no free fall.
- Both ducts (160 and 106a) enter the "baby container” at an height, h39 above the bottom wall of the "baby container". This height, h39, is chosen such that 0.25 mm ⁇ h37 - h39 ⁇ 30 mm, preferably so that 0.5 mm ⁇ h37 - h39 ⁇ 15 mm.
- a partition (125) is placed in the first compartment (Ib) of the "baby container, having an height, h38, measured from the bottom wall of the "baby container” said height , h38 being such that h38 > h37.
- the height, h42 is preferably equal to or smaller than 0.3 x h37, more preferably equal to or smaller than 0.15 x h37.
- this compartment of the baby container is separated from compartment I of the lower container by a partition (128), having an height h40, measured from the bottom wall of the "baby container". Also in this compartment of the "baby container", a partition (127) is placed , having an height, h41, measured from the bottom wall of the "baby container” said height , h41 being such that h41 > h40.
- a partition (125) is placed at the bottom of the partition (125) , having an opening with height, h43 is left.
- the height, h43 is preferably equal to or smaller than 0.3 x h40, more preferably equal to or smaller than 0.15 x h40.
- the opening with height, h43, between the partition (127) and the bottom wall is placed directly on the bottom wall (110a), this is a preferred embodiment, but an opening in the partition (127) at some distance away from the bottom wall can serve the purposes of this invention.
- the height of the opening and the exact placement are chosen so that the ink is forced to flow from the ducts (106 and 106a)) to the lower part of the "baby container", i.e. at an height lower than 0.5 x h40, the purposes of the invention are also served.
- the ink overflows the partition (128) in to the ink (101) in compartment I of the lower container.
- inlet (123) in the lower container (100) close to the surface (116b) of the ink contained in compartment II and the placement of the ducts (106 and 106a) in the "baby container” (120) close to the surface (116c) of the ink contained in compartment Ib of the "baby container” has not only the advantage of allowing easy air evacuation during operation of the printer, but has the great advantage that when starting the printer and thus starting the circulation of ink in empty ducts, the air is easily evacuated from the ducts and other parts, because the air is pushed away by the ink and can readily escape in the lower container.
- lids are most beneficially air tight so that no external air can enter the containers.
- This has the advantage that the air above the ink, in both containers, is saturated by the solvent of the ink and that evaporation of the solvent out of the ink is minimised and even prevented.
- Both containers are connected by a duct (129) in the respective lids so that the air in the upper container and the air in the lower container are in communication.
- the air/ink volume in both containers is kept almost constant and when an ink level changes in one of the containers, air from the otter container is sucked to the first container or is pushed out of the first container.
- the ink level raises in the lower container air is pushed from the lower container to the upper one through the duct (129).
- Ink jet printer shown in figure 7, further comprises a inlet (130), equipped with a cock (130a) for compressed air.
- a inlet (130) equipped with a cock (130a) for compressed air.
- the duct (129) between the upper and lower container is present for pressure equalisation.
- this duct is present the equilibrium in the printer is not disturbed when purging with compressed air, because the pressure in the lower and upper container are, due to the presence of the duct (129), is equalised.
- conditioning means a heater (132) and a cooler (133) for the ink
- the placement of the conditioning means in the lower container has advantages over the placement of it at other places of the circulation circuit.
- all ink comes together : overflow from the upper container, ink returning from the printheads and ink form the supply vessel (109) for replenishment, thus all the ink is conditioned at once.
- the amount of ink in the lower container is rather large, so that there is a buffer capacity and the conditioning means have not to cope with peaks of very cold ink or peaks of very hot ink.
- a filter is placed for cleaning the ink and for avoiding that dust and other particles would reach the printhead where dust can block some nozzles and thus deteriorate the print quality.
- Filtration of the ink is known from, e.g., WO-A-00 21755. It was found that, when using a filter it is best to have an oversized filter, which makes it possible to use a centrifugal pump for circulating the ink. It has been explained in this document that the use of a pump with low pulsations is preferred for circulating the ink. When using an oversized filter, the pressure drop in the filter is low and thus can a pump delivering low pressure on the ink can be used.
- An oversized filter for use in this invention is a filter that, when using ink with a viscosity between 5 to 20 mPas and a circulation speed of 3 to 5 1/min has a filter surface between 0.25 and 2 m 2 , preferably between 0.5 and 1 m 2 .
- the upper container, lower container and "baby container” can be emptied without special difficulties. This is achieved by having in the upper container small holes (134) in the partitions that reach to the bottom wall of that container, (these are partitions 113, 117,118 in the upper container, see figures 3 and 4) and in the output tube (106) also at the bottom of the upper container.
- the lower container there is provided a small hole in the partition (120) separating compartment II from compartment I, near the bottom of the lower container.
- the "baby container” there are provided holes in the partition separating compartment Ib from compartment IIb and in the bottom wall of the "baby container” in compartment IIb.
- figure 8 the placement of the holes is shown : figure 8a in the upper container showing an enlargement along the bottom of the container as shown in figure 4, figure 8b in the lower container showing an enlargement along the bottom of the container as shown in figure 5 and figure 8c in the baby container, showing an enlargement along the bottom of the "baby container” as shown in figure 6.
- the hole (134) have to be dimensioned that so as not to disturb the circulation of the ink in the ink supply system because of too much ink leaking away and so as not to get (too) easily clogged. It was found that with inks with a viscosity between 5 and 20 mPa, both limits included, the holes (134) could have an area between 5 and 15 mm 2 , both limits included.
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- Ink Jet (AREA)
Description
This has a detrimental effect on printing quality.
In the second compartment, a further partition (121) is present having an height, h33 chosen such that h33 > h31. At the bottom of the second compartment, the partition (121) leaves an opening with height, h34. The height, h34, is preferably equal to or smaller than 0.3 x h31, more preferably equal to or smaller than 0.15 x h31. In the figure 5 the opening with height, h34, between the partition (121) and the bottom wall is placed directly on the bottom wall (110), this is a preferred embodiment, but an opening in the partition (121) at some distance away from the bottom wall can serve the purposes of this invention. In fact when the height of the opening and the exact placement are chosen so that the ink is forced to flow from the inlet (123) to the lower part of the container, i.e. at an height lower than 0.5 x h31, the purposes of the invention are also served. The ink re-circulating from the printhead (not shown) enters the second compartment via an inlet (123) situated in the side wall (111) at an height, h32. This height, h32, is chosen such that 0.25 mm ≤ h31 - h32 ≤ 50 mm, preferably so that 0.5 mm ≤ h31 - h32 ≤ 30 mm. The placement of the inlet (123) quite close to the surface (116b) of the ink in compartment II, makes is possible for air that possibly get entrapped in the returning ink can easily be evacuated via that surface (116b). In operation the ink, returning from the printhead, is forced down upon entering the second compartment (II) and has to pass underneath the partition (121). This also increases the separation of the liquid and the air that is possibly entrapped in it. The ink overflows then the partition (122) between the two compartments and enters the first compartment. The flow of the ink along the side of the partition (122) facing the first compartment is quasi laminar and any air not yet separated from the ink can escape from the ink on that face. When the lower container is used with in a printer with more than one row of printheads, it is possible to let the ink, returning from each row of printheads, enter the lower container in the same compartment (II) or that several compartments (II) can be added to the lower container.
The baby container is also compartmentalised, an has two compartments,(Ib and IIb) separated from each other by a partition (126), with an height, h37 above the bottom wall of the "baby container". The ink, leaving the upper container (104) via overflow (105, 105a), enters the "baby container" via a duct (106) in the first compartment (Ib). Also ink entering the circulation circuit from a container (109) with ink (101), for replenishing the ink used during image wise ejection, enters in the "baby container" from a duct (106a) in the first compartment (Ib). The ducts extend under the surface (116c) of the ink in the baby container, so that the ink has no free fall. Both ducts (160 and 106a) enter the "baby container" at an height, h39 above the bottom wall of the "baby container". This height, h39, is chosen such that
0.25 mm ≤ h37 - h39 ≤ 30 mm, preferably so that
0.5 mm ≤ h37 - h39 ≤ 15 mm. The placement of the ducts (106 and 106a) quite close to the surface (116c) of the ink in compartment Ib, makes is possible for air that possibly get entrapped in the returning ink can easily be evacuated via that surface (116c). In the first compartment (Ib) of the "baby container", a partition (125) is placed , having an height, h38, measured from the bottom wall of the "baby container" said height , h38 being such that h38 > h37. At the bottom of the partition (125) an opening with height, h42 is left. The height, h42, is preferably equal to or smaller than 0.3 x h37, more preferably equal to or smaller than 0.15 x h37. In the figure 6 the opening with height, h42, between the partition (125) and the bottom wall is placed directly on the bottom wall (110a), this is a preferred embodiment, but an opening in the partition (125) at some distance away from the bottom wall can serve the purposes of this invention. In fact when the height of the opening and the exact placement are chosen so that the ink is forced to flow from the ducts (106 and 106a)) to the lower part of the "baby container", i.e. at an height lower than 0.5 x h37, the purposes of the invention are also served. From the first compartment (Ib) the ink over flows partition (126) between the two compartments in to compartment IIb, this compartment of the baby container is separated from compartment I of the lower container by a partition (128), having an height h40, measured from the bottom wall of the "baby container". Also in this compartment of the "baby container", a partition (127) is placed , having an height, h41, measured from the bottom wall of the "baby container" said height , h41 being such that h41 > h40. At the bottom of the partition (125) an opening with height, h43 is left. The height, h43, is preferably equal to or smaller than 0.3 x h40, more preferably equal to or smaller than 0.15 x h40. In the figure 6 the opening with height, h43, between the partition (127) and the bottom wall is placed directly on the bottom wall (110a), this is a preferred embodiment, but an opening in the partition (127) at some distance away from the bottom wall can serve the purposes of this invention. In fact when the height of the opening and the exact placement are chosen so that the ink is forced to flow from the ducts (106 and 106a)) to the lower part of the "baby container", i.e. at an height lower than 0.5 x h40, the purposes of the invention are also served. The ink overflows the partition (128) in to the ink (101) in compartment I of the lower container.
- 100
- Lower container
- 101
- Ink
- 102
- Pump
- 103, 103a, 103b, 106, 106a
- Ducts
- 104
- Upper container
- 105, 105a
- Outlets for overflowing ink
- 107
- Printhead (droplet ejection apparatus)
- 108
- Ejected ink
- 109
- Ink reservoir
- 110
- Bottom wall of a container
- 111
- Side wall of a container
- 112, 113, 117, 118, 119, 121, 122, 125, 126, 127, 128
- Partitions
- 114
- Inlet
- 114a
- Cap on inlet
- 114b
- Side holes in inlet
- 115, 115a
- Outlets to printhead
- 116, 116a, 116b, 116 c
- surface of the ink
- 120
- "baby container" in lower container
- 129
- Air duct
- 130
- Duct for compressed air
- 131
- Filter
- 132
- Heater
- 133
- Cooler
- 134
- Holes
Claims (3)
- A fluid supply system comprising a container, whereinsaid container comprises a first compartment and a second compartment in fluid communication with the first compartment, for containing a fluid having a fluid surface at a fluid height (h1) with reference to a bottom of said container;said first compartment comprises a fluid inlet (114);said second compartment comprises a fluid outlet (115);said second compartment is separated from said first compartment by a first partition (112) having a first height (h5) for extending above said fluid surface;said first partition has an opening with a height (h4), chosen so as to force said fluid to leave said first compartment and enter said second compartment, at a height lower than half said fluid height (h1) of said fluid surface;
said second compartment further comprises a second partition (113), fixed to said bottom of said container and upstream said fluid outlet (115) and having a second height (h3) with reference to said bottom of said container, wherein said second height (h3) is smaller than said fluid height (h1). - The fluid supply system according to claim 1, wherein said second compartment comprises an overflow for maintaining said fluid surface at said fluid height (h1) by permitting fluid to overflow from said second compartment.
- An ink jet printer comprising the fluid supply system according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising a ink jet printhead connected to said fluid outlet of said second compartment of said container.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE60022690T DE60022690T2 (en) | 2000-06-29 | 2000-06-29 | System for supplying liquid which includes a degassing unit |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP20000202261 EP1167044B1 (en) | 2000-06-29 | 2000-06-29 | An ink jet printer and an ink supply system for the same |
Related Parent Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP00202261.4 Division | 2000-06-29 | ||
EP20000202261 Division EP1167044B1 (en) | 2000-06-29 | 2000-06-29 | An ink jet printer and an ink supply system for the same |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1361066A1 EP1361066A1 (en) | 2003-11-12 |
EP1361066B1 true EP1361066B1 (en) | 2005-09-14 |
Family
ID=8171711
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP03100769A Expired - Lifetime EP1361066B1 (en) | 2000-06-29 | 2000-06-29 | A fluid supply system including a degassing unit |
EP20000202261 Expired - Lifetime EP1167044B1 (en) | 2000-06-29 | 2000-06-29 | An ink jet printer and an ink supply system for the same |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20000202261 Expired - Lifetime EP1167044B1 (en) | 2000-06-29 | 2000-06-29 | An ink jet printer and an ink supply system for the same |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (2) | EP1361066B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2002029064A (en) |
DE (1) | DE60008084T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (28)
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JP2002347240A (en) * | 2001-05-24 | 2002-12-04 | Sii Printek Inc | Ink jet head and ink-jet recorder |
GB2402908B (en) * | 2003-06-16 | 2006-07-12 | Inca Digital Printers Ltd | Inkjet device and method |
FR2876948A1 (en) * | 2004-10-21 | 2006-04-28 | Dubuit Reeltech Sarl | Ink supplying device for ink jet printer, has pipe to transfer ink from main to secondary reservoir, where ink is maintained at constant level in secondary reservoir, and peristaltic pump for permanent circulation of ink between reservoirs |
GB0618620D0 (en) * | 2006-09-22 | 2006-11-01 | The Technology Partnership Plc | Ink supply system |
US7845784B2 (en) * | 2006-12-28 | 2010-12-07 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Ink supplying mechanism and ink supplying method |
ATE461048T1 (en) * | 2006-12-28 | 2010-04-15 | Agfa Graphics Nv | INK DEGASSING FOR ROTARY INK FEED SYSTEM IN INKJET PRINTER |
JP5188773B2 (en) * | 2007-10-01 | 2013-04-24 | 株式会社石井表記 | Liquid storage tank for inkjet printer |
JP4971942B2 (en) * | 2007-10-19 | 2012-07-11 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Inkjet recording apparatus and recording method |
ITRE20080022A1 (en) * | 2008-02-19 | 2009-08-20 | Vincenzo Palumbo | INK FEEDING SYSTEM FOR PRINTERS |
WO2009139771A1 (en) * | 2008-05-14 | 2009-11-19 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Printer ink delivery systems |
JP5009229B2 (en) * | 2008-05-22 | 2012-08-22 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Inkjet recording device |
WO2009142889A1 (en) * | 2008-05-23 | 2009-11-26 | Fujifilm Corporation | Circulating fluid for fluid droplet ejecting |
EP2127885A1 (en) * | 2008-05-29 | 2009-12-02 | Stork Prints B.V. | Inkjet printing device |
AT507142B1 (en) | 2008-08-14 | 2011-05-15 | Durst Phototechnik Digital Technology Gmbh | INK SUPPLY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CLEANING AN INK SUPPLY SYSTEM |
US20100102471A1 (en) * | 2008-10-24 | 2010-04-29 | Molecular Imprints, Inc. | Fluid transport and dispensing |
AT507445B1 (en) | 2008-10-31 | 2011-09-15 | Durst Phototechnik Digital Technology Gmbh | INK SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR AN INK JET PRINTER |
DE102009003444B4 (en) * | 2009-02-05 | 2015-04-16 | Theodor Hymmen Verwaltungs Gmbh | Apparatus for digital printing with a circulating system for ink |
JP5536410B2 (en) * | 2009-10-05 | 2014-07-02 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Inkjet recording device |
JP5753749B2 (en) | 2010-09-27 | 2015-07-22 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Method for producing curable composition for imprint |
HRP20100586A2 (en) * | 2010-10-29 | 2012-04-30 | Velkavrh Darko | Method and device for fluid recirculation through printhead nozzles |
ITMI20111034A1 (en) | 2011-06-08 | 2012-12-09 | Telecom Italia Spa | DEVICE FOR PRINTING INTO JET OF A SURFACE |
CN107073968B (en) * | 2014-09-18 | 2019-11-12 | 柯尼卡美能达株式会社 | The bubble removal method of ink gun and the bubble removal device of ink gun |
JP6455280B2 (en) * | 2015-03-30 | 2019-01-23 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Printing device |
WO2017196839A1 (en) * | 2016-05-09 | 2017-11-16 | R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company | System and method for supplying ink to an inkjet printhead |
JP2018158557A (en) * | 2017-03-23 | 2018-10-11 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Ink circulation device |
US11433684B2 (en) | 2018-08-22 | 2022-09-06 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Print apparatuses using reusable print agent containers |
JPWO2021255773A1 (en) * | 2020-06-15 | 2021-12-23 | ||
CN113619286B (en) * | 2021-07-28 | 2022-07-26 | 泰安易捷数字印刷有限公司 | Multi-pole liquid level negative pressure ink quantity control device |
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JPS58194561A (en) * | 1982-05-11 | 1983-11-12 | Canon Inc | Recording apparatus |
US5245360A (en) * | 1983-12-26 | 1993-09-14 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Ink jet apparatus capable of mounting an ink tank and ink for use in same |
US4929963A (en) * | 1988-09-02 | 1990-05-29 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Ink delivery system for inkjet printer |
US5138332A (en) * | 1990-10-29 | 1992-08-11 | Xerox Corporation | Ink jet printing apparatus |
CA2101017C (en) * | 1992-07-24 | 1999-10-26 | Masahiko Higuma | Ink jet cartridge, ink jet head and printer |
US5771052A (en) * | 1994-03-21 | 1998-06-23 | Spectra, Inc. | Single pass ink jet printer with offset ink jet modules |
DE69529884T2 (en) * | 1994-11-30 | 2003-11-13 | Canon K.K., Tokio/Tokyo | Inkjet printing apparatus |
JPH10230623A (en) * | 1997-02-21 | 1998-09-02 | Hitachi Koki Co Ltd | Method and apparatus for removing bubble from ink jet printer employing thermally fusible ink |
JP3387806B2 (en) * | 1997-12-29 | 2003-03-17 | キヤノン株式会社 | Ink circulation method for ink supply device |
-
2000
- 2000-06-29 DE DE2000608084 patent/DE60008084T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-06-29 EP EP03100769A patent/EP1361066B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-06-29 EP EP20000202261 patent/EP1167044B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2001
- 2001-06-28 JP JP2001196575A patent/JP2002029064A/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1361066A1 (en) | 2003-11-12 |
JP2002029064A (en) | 2002-01-29 |
EP1167044A1 (en) | 2002-01-02 |
EP1167044B1 (en) | 2004-02-04 |
DE60008084T2 (en) | 2004-12-30 |
DE60008084D1 (en) | 2004-03-11 |
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