Air handling for an ink jet printhead

• Main Authors: HARE, TIMOTHY T, BOWLING, BRUCE A, DURST, HOMER D, LOYD, BLUM, JOHN N
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 28.06.2000
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS; i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; LINING MACHINES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PRINTING; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS; STAMPS; TRANSPORTING; TYPEWRITERS

In a continuous ink jet printing system, the printhead is pressurized by the flow of filtered air supplied by the printhead docking station to which it is attached or docked. The printhead docking station has at least one fan (2) for moving air and for transferring the air from the printhead docking station into the printhead. The printhead receives air for the printhead docking station, and directs the air flow to the region around the jet array. The directing of air flow to the region around the jet array can also include reduction of air leakage from the printhead in regions which are away from the jet array region, such as by the use of a seamless cover, and eyelid sealing. Plenum (7) located in at least the printhead and/or printhead docking station serve to distribute the air across the width of the printhead. Filter media located in at least the printhead and/or printhead docking station are used to clean the air supplied to the printhead by the printhead docking station. In this way, filtered air is supplied to the ink jet printhead by the printhead docking station to which it is attached. The use of a one piece printhead cover and seals around the movable eyelid minimize air leakage from the printhead, ensuring the needed air flow in the critical region around the jets.