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EP1167044B1 - Imprimante à jet d'encre et son système d'alimentation en encre - Google Patents

Imprimante à jet d'encre et son système d'alimentation en encre Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1167044B1
EP1167044B1 EP20000202261 EP00202261A EP1167044B1 EP 1167044 B1 EP1167044 B1 EP 1167044B1 EP 20000202261 EP20000202261 EP 20000202261 EP 00202261 A EP00202261 A EP 00202261A EP 1167044 B1 EP1167044 B1 EP 1167044B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ink
container
compartment
height
serving
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP20000202261
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1167044A1 (fr
Inventor
Paul. C/O Agfa-Gevaert N.V. Wouters
André. c/o Agfa-Gevaert N.V. Van Geyte
Bart. C/O Agfa-Gevaert N.V. Verhoest
Eric. C/O Agfa-Gevaert N.V. Piron
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Agfa Gevaert NV
Original Assignee
Agfa Gevaert NV
Agfa Gevaert AG
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 Agfa Gevaert NV, Agfa Gevaert AG filed Critical Agfa Gevaert NV
Priority to EP03100769A priority Critical patent/EP1361066B1/fr
Priority to EP20000202261 priority patent/EP1167044B1/fr
Priority to DE2000608084 priority patent/DE60008084T2/de
Priority to JP2001196575A priority patent/JP2002029064A/ja
Priority to US09/896,212 priority patent/US6371607B2/en
Publication of EP1167044A1 publication Critical patent/EP1167044A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1167044B1 publication Critical patent/EP1167044B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—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.
  • 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 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.
  • a height lower than 0.5 x h5 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) also.
  • This partition has an height, h3, smaller than h1 and is fixed on the bottom wall (110) of the container (104).
  • 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 compartments II and Ia.
  • a partition (118) is present, with an height h13.
  • 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) provides ink to a printhead of the second row, from where the ink is returned in the lower container (not shown).
  • This compartment also comprises an outlet (105a) located at an height, h11, above the bottom wall (110) of the container.
  • the ink is re-circulated to the lower container (not shown).
  • an upper container can be constructed that can serve three or more rows of printheads while preserving all advantages 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 does not disturb the surface of the ink in the lower container, entering 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 it possible for air that possibly gets entrapped in the returning ink, to 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 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 (106 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 at other places of the circulation circuit.
  • all ink comes together : overflow from the upper container, ink returning from the printheads and ink from 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 do not have 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 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 l/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 duct (106) also at the bottom of the upper container.
  • the partition (120) In 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.
  • FIG 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 holes (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 mPas, 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)

Claims (10)

  1. Imprimante à jet d'encre comportant un système d'alimentation en encre comprenant un récipient de distribution d'encre (104) et un récipient de retour d'encre (100), au moins une tête d'impression (107), des moyens (103a, 103b) pour faire circuler l'encre, par gravité, dudit récipient de distribution d'encre audit récipient de retour d'encre à travers ladite au moins une tête d'impression, un moyen (102) pour faire recirculer l'encre dudit récipient de retour jusqu'au récipient de distribution, caractérisée en ce que :
    un récipient particulier, choisi dans le groupe comprenant ledit récipient de distribution et ledit récipient de retour comprend un premier compartiment et un deuxième compartiment communiquant avec le premier, pour contenir de l'encre présentant une première surface d'encre à une première hauteur (h1, h31, h37) par rapport à un fond dudit récipient ;
    ledit premier compartiment comprend une entrée d'encre ;
    ledit deuxième compartiment comprend une sortie d'encre, le deuxième compartiment est séparée dudit premier compartiment par une cloison (112, 121, 125) destinée à se prolonger d'une hauteur (h5, h33, h38) au-dessus de ladite première surface d'encre ;
    ladite cloison comporte une ouverture, une hauteur de ladite ouverture et une position de ladite ouverture étant choisies de manière à forcer l'encre à s'écouler dudit premier compartiment audit deuxième compartiment à travers une partie inférieure de ladite cloison, autrement dit ladite hauteur de ladite ouverture est inférieure à la moitié de ladite première hauteur de ladite première surface d'encre (h1, h31, h37).
  2. Imprimante à jet d'encre selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle ladite entrée d'encre contient un moyen pour éviter l'écoulement dirigé de l'encre entrante vers ladite surface d'encre.
  3. Imprimante à jet d'encre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ledit deuxième compartiment comprend une cloison (113) supplémentaire présentant une hauteur (h3) supplémentaire par rapport audit fond dudit récipient particulier, ladite hauteur supplémentaire étant inférieure à ladite première hauteur de ladite première surface d'encre et ladite cloison supplémentaire étant placée en amont de la sortie d'encre dudit deuxième compartiment.
  4. Imprimante à jet d'encre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ledit deuxième compartiment comprend des moyens (105, 117) pour maintenir ladite surface d'encre à une hauteur souhaitée et permettre l'écoulement du trop-plein d'encre depuis ledit deuxième compartiment.
  5. Imprimante à jet d'encre selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle ledit récipient particulier est ledit récipient de distribution, et dans laquelle lesdits premier et deuxième compartiments constituent un premier groupe de distribution de deux compartiments d'encre en communication et dans laquelle ladite sortie d'encre est une première sortie d'encre pour distribuer de l'encre à une première tête d'impression (107), et dans laquelle :
    ledit récipient de distribution comprend en outre un deuxième ensemble de distribution de deux compartiments d'encre en communication (Ia-IIa) pour contenir de l'encre présentant une deuxième surface d'encre à une deuxième hauteur (h11) inférieure à ladite première hauteur, par rapport au fond dudit récipient de distribution ;
    lesdits premier et deuxième groupes de distribution de deux compartiments d'encre en communication sont agencés pour permettre l'écoulement du trop-plein d'encre dudit premier groupe de distribution (I-II) jusque dans ledit deuxième groupe de distribution (Ia-IIa) ;
    ledit deuxième groupe de distribution de deux compartiments d'encre en communication comporte une deuxième sortie d'encre pour distribuer de l'encre à une deuxième tête d'impression (107a) ;
    ledit deuxième groupe de distribution de deux compartiments d'encre en communication comporte une deuxième cloison (119) pour séparer lesdits deux compartiments dudit deuxième groupe de distribution et destinée à se prolonger au-dessus de ladite deuxième surface d'encre, ladite deuxième cloison comportant une deuxième ouverture, une hauteur de ladite deuxième ouverture et une position de ladite deuxième ouverture étant choisies de manière à forcer l'encre à s'écouler d'un premier compartiment dudit deuxième groupe de distribution à un deuxième compartiment dudit deuxième groupe de distribution à travers une partie inférieure de ladite deuxième cloison, autrement dit ladite hauteur de ladite deuxième ouverture est inférieure à la moitié de ladite deuxième hauteur de ladite deuxième surface d'encre.
  6. Imprimante à jet d'encre selon la revendication 4, dans laquelle ledit récipient particulier est ledit récipient de retour et dans laquelle lesdits premier et deuxième compartiments constituent un premier groupe de retour de deux compartiments d'encre en communication et dans laquelle ladite entrée d'encre est une première entrée d'encre pour le retour de l'encre en provenance d'une tête d'impression (107), et dans laquelle ledit récipient de retour comprend en outre :
    un deuxième groupe de retour de deux compartiments d'encre en communication comportant une entrée d'encre (106) pour le retour du trop-plein d'encre en provenance dudit récipient de distribution ;
    un troisième groupe de retour de deux compartiments d'encre en communication comportant une entrée d'encre (106a) pour renouveler l'encre à partir d'un réservoir d'alimentation (109).
  7. Imprimante à jet d'encre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ledit récipient de retour comprend des moyens (132, 133) pour conditionnement l'encre.
  8. Imprimante à jet d'encre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ledit récipient de distribution et ledit récipient de retour comprennent chacun un couvercle étanche à l'air (104a, 100) et sont reliés l'un à l'autre par un conduit à air (129) permettant d'équilibrer la pression.
  9. Imprimante à jet d'encre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle des parties internes dudit récipient de distribution et dudit récipient de retour sont revêtues d'une couche d'ajustement de la mouillabilité.
  10. Imprimante à jet d'encre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle une pluralité de cloisons dudit récipient particulier parvenant au fond dudit récipient particulier comportent des trous à proximité du fond pour vider ledit récipient particulier, lesdits trous présentant une surface comprise entre 5 et 15 mm2, ces deux limites étant incluses.
EP20000202261 2000-06-29 2000-06-29 Imprimante à jet d'encre et son système d'alimentation en encre Expired - Lifetime EP1167044B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP03100769A EP1361066B1 (fr) 2000-06-29 2000-06-29 Système d'alimentation en fluide comprenant un ensemble de dégazage
EP20000202261 EP1167044B1 (fr) 2000-06-29 2000-06-29 Imprimante à jet d'encre et son système d'alimentation en encre
DE2000608084 DE60008084T2 (de) 2000-06-29 2000-06-29 Tintenstrahldrucker und dessen Tintenversorgungssystem
JP2001196575A JP2002029064A (ja) 2000-06-29 2001-06-28 インキジェットプリンター及びそのインキ供給システム
US09/896,212 US6371607B2 (en) 2000-06-29 2001-06-29 Ink jet printer and an ink supply system therefore

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EP20000202261 EP1167044B1 (fr) 2000-06-29 2000-06-29 Imprimante à jet d'encre et son système d'alimentation en encre

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JP2002029064A (ja) 2002-01-29
EP1361066B1 (fr) 2005-09-14
EP1167044A1 (fr) 2002-01-02
DE60008084D1 (de) 2004-03-11
DE60008084T2 (de) 2004-12-30

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