Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A process for precisely aligning an orifice plate with an ink jet printhead and then securely bonding the orifice plate and printhead one to another, characterized in that cohesive failure mode bonding between the orifice plate (12) and the ink jet printhead substrate (10) is achieved by providing an adhesive layer (14) on one surface of the substrate (10), aligning the orifice plate (12) with the substrate (10) and atop the adhesive layer (14), providing a liquid layer (22) on the structure defined above, and applying predetermined heat and pressure through the liquid layer (22) and to the adhesive layer (14) for a predetermined time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A process for precisely aligning an orifice plate with an ink jet printhead and then securely bonding the orifice plate and printhead one to another, characterized in that cohesive failure mode bonding between the orifice plate (12) and the ink jet printhead substrate (10) is achieved by providing an adhesive layer (14) on one surface of the substrate (10), aligning the orifice plate (12) with the substrate (10) and atop the adhesive layer (14), providing a liquid layer (22) on the structure defined above, and applying predetermined heat and pressure through the liquid layer (22) and to the adhesive layer (14) for a predetermined time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process defined in claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive layer (14) is a thermally curable polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
The process defined in claims 1 or 2, characterized by applying heat and pressure to a sandwich structure (16) disposed on the orifice plate (12) and enclosing a liquefiable material (22) therein, thereby translating hydro-static forces through said liquefiable material (22) and to the plane of the major bonding forces of said substrate (10) and orifice plate (12) respectively, whereby substantially uniform bonding forces are applied across said major surfaces without regard to contours and irregularities in said surfaces to thereby enhance the adhesive bonding therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process defined in claim 3, characterized in that said sandwich structure (16) includes a pair of outer flexible foil layers (18,20) enclosing a liquefiable material (22).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The process defined in claims 3 or 4, characterized in that said substrate (10) is a silicon die including a thin film resistor structure for a thermal ink jet printhead, and said orifice plate (12) has nozzles therein for receiving ink from reservoirs in the silicon substrate (10).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The process defined in one of claims 3,4 or 5, characterized in that the pressure is applied to the sandwich structure (16) over a range of 1.3 - 130 bar (20 - 2000 PSI) and for the time of 5 to 60 seconds at a predetermined elevated temperature from 90°C to 160°C.