US4084164A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ink collector in ink jet printer
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1977-06-27
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Granted: 1978-04-11
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Expires: 1997-06-27
Abstract
Abstract An ink jet printer employs a wire mesh gutter electrode assembly and a wire mesh high voltage electrode, each having angled or skewed configurations geometrically related for providing a relatively narrow constricted path for ink droplets, so that charged and partially charged droplets, which are not used for imprinting, traverse a short path and are effectively captured and collected for recirculation and use in the ink recording process.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Curtis Alt
- 👤 Francis James Perry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:22
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; B41J2/18; B41J2/185; B41J2002/1853
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
An ink jet printer wherein rows of streams of selectively charged ink droplets are directed towards a record medium comprising: a gutter electrode assembly having wall portions; a high voltage electrode disposed between said gutter wall portions and having faces in juxtaposition with said wall portions; said gutter electrode assembly and high voltage electrode being at different electrical potentials for generating an electrostatic field; said wall portions and faces of said electrodes being skewed at a predetermined angle relative to the paths of said ink streams and forming narrow channels for passage of said ink droplets, so that the ink droplets pass close to said high voltage electrode upon entry into said channels and the ink droplets that are exiting from said channels pass close to the gutter electrodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
An ink jet printer wherein rows of streams of selectively charged ink droplets are directed towards a record medium comprising: a gutter electrode assembly having wall portions; a high voltage electrode disposed between said gutter wall portions and having faces in juxtaposition with said wall portions; said gutter electrode assembly and high voltage electrode being at different electrical potentials for generating an electrostatic field; said wall portions and faces of said electrodes being skewed at a predetermined angle relative to the paths of said ink streams and forming narrow channels for passage of said ink droplets, so that the ink droplets pass close to said high voltage electrode upon entry into said channels and the ink droplets that are exiting from said channels pass close to the gutter electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ink jet printer as in claim 1, wherein said gutter assembly and said high voltage electrode are formed with fine screen wire mesh.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An ink jet printer as in claim 1, wherein said predetermined angle of skew is between 4° and 8° relative to the direction of the rows of streams of ink droplets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ink jet printer as in claim 1, wherein said ink droplets are confined to a very narrow area so that a relatively low charge and deflection voltage is utilized.
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) | 1981-04-10 | 1981-10-10 | 1982-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-10 | 1985-10-10 | 1986-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-10 | 1989-10-10 | 1990-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |