EP1361066B1 - Système d'alimentation en fluide comprenant un ensemble de dégazage - Google Patents

Système d'alimentation en fluide comprenant un ensemble de dégazage Download PDF

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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
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Expired - Lifetime
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EP03100769A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP1361066A1 (fr
Inventor
Paul c/o AGFA-GEVAERT Corp. IP Dept 3800 Wouters
André c/o AGFA-GEVAERT Corp.IP Dept3800 Van Geyte
Bart c/o AGFA-GEVAERT Corp. IP Dept 3800 Verhoest
Eric c/o AGFA-GEVAERT Corp. IP Dept 3800 Piron
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Agfa Gevaert NV
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Agfa Gevaert NV
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Priority to DE60022690T priority Critical patent/DE60022690T2/de
Publication of EP1361066A1 publication Critical patent/EP1361066A1/fr
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/19—Ink jet characterised by ink handling for removing air bubbles
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Claims (3)

  1. Système d'alimentation en fluide comprenant un récipient, dans lequel
    ledit récipient comprend un premier compartiment et un deuxième compartiment communiquant par un fluide avec le premier compartiment pour contenir un fluide avec une surface de fluide à une hauteur de fluide (h1) par rapport à un fond dudit récipient;
    ledit premier compartiment comprend une entrée de fluide (114);
    ledit deuxième compartiment comprend une sortie de fluide (115);
    ledit deuxième compartiment est séparé dudit premier compartiment par une première cloison (112) présentant une première hauteur (h5) destinée à s'étendre au-dessus de ladite surface de fluide;
    ladite première cloison comporte une ouverture d'une hauteur (h4) choisie de façon à forcer ledit fluide à quitter ledit premier compartiment et à pénétrer dans ledit deuxième compartiment à une hauteur qui est inférieure à la moitié de ladite hauteur de fluide (h1) de ladite surface de fluide;
    caractérisé en ce que
    ledit deuxième compartiment comprend en outre une deuxième cloison (113), fixée au fond dudit récipient et en amont de ladite sortie de fluide (115) et présentant une deuxième hauteur (h3) par rapport audit fond dudit récipient, ladite deuxième hauteur (h3) étant inférieure à ladite hauteur de fluide (h1).
  2. Système d'alimentation en fluide selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit deuxième compartiment comprend un trop-plein pour maintenir ladite surface de fluide à ladite hauteur de fluide (h1) tout en permettant le débordement de fluide depuis ledit deuxième compartiment.
  3. Imprimante à jet d'encre comprenant le système d'alimentation en fluide selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre une tête d'impression à jet d'encre reliée à ladite sortie de fluide dudit deuxième compartiment dudit récipient.
EP03100769A 2000-06-29 2000-06-29 Système d'alimentation en fluide comprenant un ensemble de dégazage Expired - Lifetime EP1361066B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE60022690T DE60022690T2 (de) 2000-06-29 2000-06-29 System zur Zufuhr von Flüssigkeit das eine Entgasungseinheit beinhaltet

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20000202261 EP1167044B1 (fr) 2000-06-29 2000-06-29 Imprimante à jet d'encre et son système d'alimentation en encre

Related Parent Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00202261.4 Division 2000-06-29
EP20000202261 Division EP1167044B1 (fr) 2000-06-29 2000-06-29 Imprimante à jet d'encre et son système d'alimentation en encre

Publications (2)

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EP1361066A1 EP1361066A1 (fr) 2003-11-12
EP1361066B1 true EP1361066B1 (fr) 2005-09-14

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EP20000202261 Expired - Lifetime EP1167044B1 (fr) 2000-06-29 2000-06-29 Imprimante à jet d'encre et son système d'alimentation en encre
EP03100769A Expired - Lifetime EP1361066B1 (fr) 2000-06-29 2000-06-29 Système d'alimentation en fluide comprenant un ensemble de dégazage

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EP (2) EP1167044B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2002029064A (fr)
DE (1) DE60008084T2 (fr)

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JP2018158557A (ja) * 2017-03-23 2018-10-11 東芝テック株式会社 インク循環装置
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JPWO2021255773A1 (fr) * 2020-06-15 2021-12-23
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60008084D1 (de) 2004-03-11
EP1361066A1 (fr) 2003-11-12
JP2002029064A (ja) 2002-01-29
EP1167044A1 (fr) 2002-01-02
EP1167044B1 (fr) 2004-02-04
DE60008084T2 (de) 2004-12-30

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