WO2002028652A1 - Debullage mecanique cyclique d"une encre pour jet d"encre - Google Patents

Debullage mecanique cyclique d"une encre pour jet d"encre Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002028652A1
WO2002028652A1 PCT/US2001/031322 US0131322W WO0228652A1 WO 2002028652 A1 WO2002028652 A1 WO 2002028652A1 US 0131322 W US0131322 W US 0131322W WO 0228652 A1 WO0228652 A1 WO 0228652A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ink
container
vacuum
closing
applying
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/031322
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Bruce S. Jones
Stephen A. Anderson
Original Assignee
Nu-Kote International, 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
Application filed by Nu-Kote International, Inc. filed Critical Nu-Kote International, Inc.
Priority to AU2002211487A priority Critical patent/AU2002211487A1/en
Publication of WO2002028652A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002028652A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • 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

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to the inkjet printing art, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for effectively degassing ink prior to filling an inkjet cartridge.
  • Inkjet cartridges are well known that employ an ink absorbing member or porous foam to store ink in a cartridge cavity and exert a slight negative pressure on the ink as it flows toward an outlet port of the cartridge.
  • Early cartridges of this type substantially fill the cartridge cavity with a foam block and place the block under compression to establish a capillary flow path that delivers ink to the ink outlet port that communicates with a printer needle.
  • a needle conveys ink to printhead nozzles that deliver ink droplets in a predetermined array on a recording medium, such as paper, to effect printing.
  • a method and apparatus for degassing ink for use in an inkjet cartridge effectively removes air and solvents from the inkjet ink.
  • the degassing method includes the steps of storing ink in a container, applying a vacuum to the ink at a level greater than the vapor pressure of the ink, closing the ink container, and opening the container to remove air and solvents separated from the ink.
  • the method includes the further steps of cyclically repeating the vacuum application and closing the ink container under vacuum to remove air and solvents from the ink.
  • a degassing assembly uses a vacuum pump connected to an ink storage container via a passage.
  • a valve is located in the passage for selectively connecting and disconnecting the container with the vacuum pump.
  • Quick connect couplings are normally closed when disconnected to maintain the container under vacuum and limit the introduction of air to the container.
  • Entrapped or excessive air or solvent is effectively removed from the inkjet ink.
  • Air is kept from reentering the ink by providing a closed container that is easily connected with external equipment .
  • FIGURE 1 is a schematic representation of the vacuum degassing equipment.
  • FIGURE 2 is a graphical representation of the cyclic operation of the degassing method.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an apparatus used to degas ink, i.e., remove air and solvent from the ink.
  • the apparatus 10 includes first and second storage containers 12 that each hold a predetermined quantity of inkjet ink.
  • Each of the containers is closed at an upper end by a cap 14 that seals the ink from the external environment .
  • three passages are provided through each cap member. Two of the passages relate to the filling process where ink is removed from the container and used to fill an ink absorbing member or porous foam block of an ink cartridge (not shown) .
  • the third passage 16 is connected via passage 18 to quick- connect coupling or connector 20.
  • the quick-connect couplings or connectors are commercially available and are of the type that provide a push-to-connect fitting that when connected establishes a closed flow passage and, when disconnected, seals the separated passage (s).
  • Passages 22 extend from the quick-disconnect couplings and selectively communicate with a vacuum pump 30.
  • a rotary vane pump pulls a vacuum on the ink at a level that exceeds the vapor pressure of the ink at room temperature.
  • Valves 32 are selectively opened or closed to expose the ink in the cartridge to the vacuum exerted by the pump.
  • valves 32 are schematically illustrated as manually operated valves, it will be appreciated that the valves are interconnected with a timer to provide for desired opening and closing according to a preselected cycling program. For example, one container may be exposed to vacuum by opening its respective valve 32 while the other container is maintained under a vacuum when the associated valve 32 is closed. Alternatively, the valves 32 may operate or cycle in unison.
  • a pressure gage 34 monitors the vacuum level provided by the pump.
  • a dial or numeric readout informs the system operator of the reduced pressure level so that the ink is exposed to a vacuum level greater than the vapor pressure of the ink. In this manner, entrained air and solvents can be effectively removed from the ink to improve print quality.
  • the pump runs continuously and pulls vacuum higher than the vapor pressure of the ink.
  • the ink undergoes a rapid boiling that removes the entrapped air, as well as water vapor, solvents, or other chemicals.
  • opening and closing valves 32 interposed between the pump and the containers, the excessive air, water vapor, solvent, and other key chemicals are greatly reduced.
  • a preferred cycle time leaves the valve open for a maximum of five minutes. The valve is then closed and remains closed for approximately twice the valve open time frame, e.g., approximately ten minutes.
  • the degassing method includes the steps of storing ink in a container and applying a vacuum to the container via a vacuum pump at a pressure level greater than the vapor pressure of the ink. Selectively closing the ink container and maintaining the ink under a vacuum allows air to migrate through the ink to the surface where it is subsequently removed with the solvents and other contaminants the next time valve 32 is opened. These steps are cyclically repeated to provide an efficient degassing of ink stored in the containers.
  • the degassed ink is removed from the degassing system by separating the container at the quick-connect couplings 20. Air is still prevented from entering the container since the quick-connect couplings adopt a sealed condition upon disconnect. The ink container is then transferred to a filling system where appropriate connections are made with the necessary fittings associated with the container cap. It will be appreciated that once the ink is degassed, it remains essentially isolated from the external environment to reduce the prospects for air and other contaminants entering the ink before filling.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Abstract

L"invention concerne un appareil (10) qui sert à éliminer l"air, les solvants et autres substances chimiques d"une encre pour jet d"encre. Une pompe à vide (30) crée une dépression dans l"encre stockée dans un contenant (12), à un niveau supérieur à la pression de vapeur de l"encre. Des soupapes (32) interposées entre la pompe et les contenants de stockage sont sélectivement ouvertes et fermées. La succession de cycles permet d"éliminer l"air et les solvants et, lorsque les soupapes sont fermées, maintient les contenants sous vide si bien que l"air a suffisamment de temps pour migrer vers la surface où il est éliminé à la prochaine ouverture de la soupape.
PCT/US2001/031322 2000-10-06 2001-10-05 Debullage mecanique cyclique d"une encre pour jet d"encre WO2002028652A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002211487A AU2002211487A1 (en) 2000-10-06 2001-10-05 Cyclic mechanical degassing of inkjet ink

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US23908600P 2000-10-06 2000-10-06
US60/239,086 2000-10-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002028652A1 true WO2002028652A1 (fr) 2002-04-11

Family

ID=22900540

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2001/031322 WO2002028652A1 (fr) 2000-10-06 2001-10-05 Debullage mecanique cyclique d"une encre pour jet d"encre

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2002211487A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2002028652A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004113084A1 (fr) 2003-06-16 2004-12-29 Inca Digital Printers Limited Dispositif pour jet d'encre et procede associe
WO2006120048A2 (fr) * 2005-05-13 2006-11-16 David Gethings Elimination de bulles d'air de cartouches jet d'encre
CN102126351A (zh) * 2011-01-05 2011-07-20 武汉镭德杰科技发展有限公司 喷码机的墨盒结构

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5950403A (en) * 1996-11-14 1999-09-14 Seiko Epson Corporation Method of manufacturing an ink cartridge for use in ink jet recorder
US6238042B1 (en) * 1994-09-16 2001-05-29 Seiko Epson Corporation Ink cartridge for ink jet printer and method of charging ink into said cartridge

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6238042B1 (en) * 1994-09-16 2001-05-29 Seiko Epson Corporation Ink cartridge for ink jet printer and method of charging ink into said cartridge
US5950403A (en) * 1996-11-14 1999-09-14 Seiko Epson Corporation Method of manufacturing an ink cartridge for use in ink jet recorder

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004113084A1 (fr) 2003-06-16 2004-12-29 Inca Digital Printers Limited Dispositif pour jet d'encre et procede associe
US7559615B2 (en) 2003-06-16 2009-07-14 Inca Digital Printers Limited Inkjet device and method
WO2006120048A2 (fr) * 2005-05-13 2006-11-16 David Gethings Elimination de bulles d'air de cartouches jet d'encre
WO2006120048A3 (fr) * 2005-05-13 2007-04-26 David Gethings Elimination de bulles d'air de cartouches jet d'encre
CN102126351A (zh) * 2011-01-05 2011-07-20 武汉镭德杰科技发展有限公司 喷码机的墨盒结构

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2002211487A1 (en) 2002-04-15

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