Patent US5446286A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4234884A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ink jet printer assembly and alignment of printer components
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1979-03-01
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Granted: 1980-11-18
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Expires: 1999-03-01
Abstract
Abstract An ink jet printer for generating a plurality of fluid jet drop streams includes a locating plate defining a plate receiving recess and an opening, within the recess, through the locating plate. A charge electrode plate is positioned within the plate receiving recess and defines a plurality of electrode openings therethrough which are lined with charge electrodes. Print data conductors are connected electrically to the charge electrodes for selectively supplying charge control signals to the electrodes. A print head means includes a fluid receiving reservoir and an orifice plate communicating therewith. The orifice plate defining a plurality of orifices from which fluid jet drop streams emerge. The print head means is mounted on the locating plate and positioned by a plurality of locating pins which extend from the print head means and are received within registration openings in the locating plate. A drop deflection electrode and drop catchers are also mounted on the locating plate. The locating plate provides a dimensional reference from which the respective positions of the other printer elements may be accurately set.
Inventors
- 👤 James L. Vedder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:36
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/135; B41J2/145; B41J2/155
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
An ink jet printer for generating a plurality of fluid jet drop streams, comprising: locating plate means defining a plate receiving recess and an opening within said recess through said locating plate means, charge electrode plate positioned in said plate receiving recess and defining a plurality of electrode openings therethrough lined with charge electrodes, print data conductors, connected electrically to said charge electrodes, for selectively supplying charge control signals thereto, print head means including a fluid receiving reservoir and an orifice plate communicating therewith, said orifice plate defining a plurality of orifices from which fluid jet drop streams emerge, a plurality of locating pin means, mounted on said print head means and received within registration openings in said locating plate means, for positioning said orifice plate with respect to said charge electrode plate such that each of said plurality of orifices is aligned with a respective one of said electrode openings defined by said charge electrode plate, whereby fluid drops in each jet stream are selectively charged in correspondence with said charge control signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
An ink jet printer for generating a plurality of fluid jet drop streams, comprising: locating plate means defining a plate receiving recess and an opening within said recess through said locating plate means, charge electrode plate positioned in said plate receiving recess and defining a plurality of electrode openings therethrough lined with charge electrodes, print data conductors, connected electrically to said charge electrodes, for selectively supplying charge control signals thereto, print head means including a fluid receiving reservoir and an orifice plate communicating therewith, said orifice plate defining a plurality of orifices from which fluid jet drop streams emerge, a plurality of locating pin means, mounted on said print head means and received within registration openings in said locating plate means, for positioning said orifice plate with respect to said charge electrode plate such that each of said plurality of orifices is aligned with a respective one of said electrode openings defined by said charge electrode plate, whereby fluid drops in each jet stream are selectively charged in correspondence with said charge control signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ink jet printer of claim 1 further comprising a printer cabinet surrounding said print head means and attached to said locating plate means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ink jet printer of claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting the spacing between said orifice plate and said charge electrode plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The ink jet printer of claim 3 in which said means for adjusting the spacing between said orifice plate and said locating plate means comprises means in said print head means defining a plurality of threaded holes therethrough and threaded members in said threaded holes, extending from said print head means and contacting said locating plate means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The ink jet printer of claim 1 in which said plurality of locating pin means comprise first and second locating pins, mounted at opposite ends of said print head means and received within corresponding first and second registration openings in said locating plate means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The ink jet printer of claim 5 in which said first and second locating pins are substantially cylindrical, and in which said first registration opening is substantially cylindrical and said second registration opening is an elongated slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The ink jet printer of claim 6 in which said plurality of electrode openings are positioned along a pair of parallel rows and in which said plurality of orifices are positioned along a pair of parallel rows, said pair of rows of said orifices being in substantial registration with said pair of rows of said electrode openings, whereby two parallel rows of jet drop streams are formed and selectively charged.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The ink jet printer of claim 7 in which locating pins are positioned along a line parallel to and substantially intermediate said pair of rows of said electrode openings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The ink jet printer of claim 8 in which said second registration opening is elongated in a direction substantially parallel to said line along which said locating pins are positioned.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The ink jet printer of claim 7 further comprising a pair of drop catchers positioned below said locating plate means, outwardly of said pair of parallel rows of electrode openings, and adjustable catcher mounting means for pivotally mounting said catchers on said locating plate means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The ink jet printer of claim 10 further comprising catcher retainer means, mounted on said locating plate means, for engaging said drop catchers and retaining said catchers in positions adjacent said jet drop streams such that drops therefrom are selectively caught.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
The ink jet printer of claim 10 further comprising: a drop deflection electrode positioned below said locating plate means and extending in a direction parallel to and intermediate to said rows of jet drop streams, and means for providing an electrical potential between said drop deflection electrode and said drop catchers such that a drop deflecting electrical field is created therebetween, whereby charged ones of said drops in said jet drop streams are deflected to strike said catchers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ink jet printer of claim 12, further comprising adjustable deflection electrode mounting means for adjustably mounting said deflection electrode on said locating plate means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
The ink jet printer of claim 13 in which said deflection electrode comprises a conductive ribbon and in which said adjustable deflection electrode mounting means comprises a pair of mounting blocks, one of said pair of mounting blocks engaging each end of said conductive ribbon and including means for adjusting the position of said ribbon and means for tensioning said ribbon.
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) | 1983-11-18 | 1984-05-19 | 1984-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-18 | 1988-05-19 | 1988-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-18 | 1992-05-19 | 1992-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |