Printing video signal information using ink drops

Claim 2

In an apparatus for printing video signal information using ink drops, wherein ink under pressure is supplied to a nozzle which is vibrated by a transducer driven from a high-frequency power source to produce a stream of ink which separates into individual ink drops directed toward a recording medium, the improvement comprising means responsive to a video signal for applying a charge of selected magnitude and polarity to the ink drops as they are formed from said stream, first deflecting means responsive to a control signal for selectively deflecting said ink stream before separation in a first axial direction, second deflecting means for deflecting said ink drops in a second axial direction transverse to said first axial direction, and waste catcher means disposed in the path of any ink drop not subject to deflection by said first deflecting means for intercepting such ink drops, wherein said waste catcher means extends over a full deflection width in said second axial direction in order to capture all ink drops which are not deflected in said first axial direction, said waste catcher means further including a portion extending a predetermined distance in said first axial direction in order to intercept any ink drops which are deflected in said first axial direction but are unnecessary to recording.

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second deflecting means is formed by a pair of deflection plates and a constant potential source connected therebetween.

Claim 4

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first deflecting means comprises means for providing a constant deflecting force which acts on said ink stream before separation during a recording operation.

Claim 5

The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said first deflecting means is formed by an electrode disposed adjacent said ink stream at a position displaced from said ink stream in a direction parallel to said first axial direction and means for selectively applying a control signal to said electrode.

Claim 6

In an apparatus for printing video signal information using ink drops, wherein ink under pressure is supplied to a nozzle which is vibrated by a transducer driven from a high-frequency power source to produce a stream of ink directed along a rectilinear path and which separates into individual ink drops directed toward a recording medium, the improvement comprising means responsive to a video signal for applying a charge of selected magnitude and polarity to the ink drops as they are formed from said stream, first deflecting means responsive to a control signal for selectively deflecting said ink stream away from said rectilinear path in a first axial direction before separation into said ink drops, wherein said ink stream is deflected during recording operation free of unstable ink drop formation occurring during starting, second deflecting means for deflecting said ink drops to both sides of said rectilinear path in a second axial direction transverse to said first axial direction, and waste catcher means extending over a full deflection width in said second axial direction for intercepting all ink drops which are not deflected in said first axial direction by said first deflecting means during unstable ink drop formation; wherein said waste catcher means also extends for a prescribed distance in said first axial direction at a predetermined position in order to capture ink drops which are deflected at predetermined amounts in said second axial direction.

Claim 7

In an apparatus for printing video signal information using ink drops, wherein ink under pressure is supplied to a nozzle which is vibrated by a transducer driven from a high-frequency power source to produce a stream of ink directed along a rectilinear path and which separates into individual ink drops directed toward a recording medium, the improvement comprising means responsive to a video signal for applying a charge of selected magnitude and polarity to the ink drops as they are formed from said stream, first deflecting means responsive to a control signal for selectively deflecting said ink stream away from said rectilinear path in a first axial direction before separation into said ink drops, wherein said ink stream is deflected during recording operation free of unstable ink drop formation occurring during starting, second deflecting means for deflecting said ink drops to both sides of said rectilinear path in a second axial direction transverse to said first axial direction, and waste catcher means extending over a full deflection width in said second axial direction for intercepting all ink drops which are not deflected in said first axial direction by said first deflecting means during unstable ink drop formation; wherein said waste catcher means also extends for a prescribed distance in said first axial direction at a predetermined position in order to capture ink drops which are deflected at predetermined amounts in said second axial direction.

Claim 8

The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said second deflecting means is formed by a pair of deflection plates and a constant potential source connected therebetween.