Patent US3891121A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3891121A
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Method of operating a drop generator that includes the step of pre-pressurizing the liquid manifold
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1972-08-04
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Granted: 1975-06-24
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Expires: 1992-08-04
Abstract
Abstract Method of operating a drop generator while avoiding spattering during start up and termination of operations. The method includes pressurizing the drop generator manifold with air or other gas and with a flushing liquid formulated to leave substantially no residue upon evaporation, before pumping coating material to the manifold. In stopping the drop generator the flow of coating material to the manifold is replaced with a flow of flushing liquid and the flow of flushing liquid is then terminated and, simultaneously, an evacuation line leading to a low pressure source is opened.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard G Stoneburner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 19:17
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/135; B41J2/165; B41J2/16517; B41J2/1652; B41J2/16526
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of commencing operation of a drop generator which includes orifice defining means and a manifold communicating with said orifice defining means for providing a supply of liquid coating material thereto comprising: a. pressurizing said manifold with a gas to a pressure above the coating pressure necessary to cause said coating material to be ejected from said orifice defining means as a free standing filament which forms a series of discrete drops, and b. thereafter introducing said coating material into said manifold at a pressure no less than said coating pressure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of commencing operation of a drop generator which includes orifice defining means and a manifold communicating with said orifice defining means for providing a supply of liquid coating material thereto comprising: a. pressurizing said manifold with a gas to a pressure above the coating pressure necessary to cause said coating material to be ejected from said orifice defining means as a free standing filament which forms a series of discrete drops, and b. thereafter introducing said coating material into said manifold at a pressure no less than said coating pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of pressurizing Said manifold with gas comprises: a. pressurizing said manifold with gas at approximately 18 psi.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of introducing coating material into said manifold comprises: a. introducing said coating material into said manifold at approximately 11 psi.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: a. adding a flushing liquid to said manifold after said step of pressurizing said manifold with gas and before introducing said coating material into said manifold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said step of adding flushing liquid comprises: a. adding said flushing liquid at approximately 20 psi.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising: a. discontinuing said adding of said flushing liquid to said manifold while continuing said step of introducing said coating material into said manifold, b. discontinuing introducing said coating material into said manifold and commencing adding flushing liquid to said manifold, and c. evacuating said manifold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said step of evacuating said manifold comprises: a. evacuating said manifold at a negative pressure of approximately 15 inches of mercury below atmospheric pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of pressurizing said manifold with a gas comprises: a. pumping gas under pressure into said manifold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising: a. discontinuing said pumping of said gas into said manifold after said coating material is introduced into said manifold at said coating pressure.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
221 words
A method of operating a drop generator which includes an orifice plate having means defining a plurality of small diameter orifices therethrough, a manifold communicating with said orifices for providing a supply of coating material thereto, and a gas port and a liquid port communicating with said manifold comprising: a. pumping air into said manifold through said gas port at approximately 18 psi, b. pumping a mixture of distilled, deionized water and denatured alcohol through said liquid port and into said manifold at approximately 20 psi, c. discontinuing said pumping of air into said manifold, d. discontinuing said pumping of said mixture after said manifold is full of said mixture and commencing pumping of coating material through said liquid port into said manifold at approximately 11 psi, e. bleeding any remaining air in said manifold out through said gas port, f. continuing pumping of said coating material into said manifold to cause fine filaments of said coating material to be ejected through said orifices and form a series of discrete drops, g. discontinuing pumping of said coating material and commencing pumping of said mixture through said liquid port into said manifold, and h. substantially simultaneously discontinuing pumping of said mixture and evacuating said manifold through said gas port at a negative pressure of approximately 15 inches of mercury below atmospheric pressure.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
221 words
A method of operating a drop generator which includes an orifice plate having means defining a plurality of small diameter orifices therethrough, a manifold communicating with said orifices for providing a supply of coating material thereto, and a gas port and a liquid port communicating with said manifold comprising: a. pumping air into said manifold through said gas port at approximately 18 psi, b. pumping a mixture of distilled, deionized water and denatured alcohol through said liquid port and into said manifold at approximately 20 psi, c. discontinuing said pumping of air into said manifold, d. discontinuing said pumping of said mixture after said manifold is full of said mixture and commencing pumping of coating material through said liquid port into said manifold at approximately 11 psi, e. bleeding any remaining air in said manifold out through said gas port, f. continuing pumping of said coating material into said manifold to cause fine filaments of said coating material to be ejected through said orifices and form a series of discrete drops, g. discontinuing pumping of said coating material and commencing pumping of said mixture through said liquid port into said manifold, and h. substantially simultaneously discontinuing pumping of said mixture and evacuating said manifold through said gas port at a negative pressure of approximately 15 inches of mercury below atmospheric pressure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-23 | 1978-12-23 | 1979-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-23 | 1982-12-23 | 1983-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-23 | 1986-12-23 | 1987-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |