US4849768A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printing random patterns with fluid jets
Assignee: LOU GRAHAM & ASSOCIATES Inc
•
Filing: 1988-05-04
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Granted: 1989-07-18
•
Expires: 2008-05-04
Abstract
Abstract The fluid jet applicator of the present invention utilizes a piezoelectric crystal to artificially stimulate the fluid supply chamber with coherent acoustic energy to pruposely generate and exploit the acoustic standing waves therein. As a result, although sized droplets will be formed at substantially the same frequency from each orifice, individual droplets will be formed so as to be out of phase with its adjacent neighbors in accordance with the standing acoustic wave pattern. By selecting only a very short print time, e.g., such that only one or two drops are formed within such a time and by controlling the frequency of such print time, a wide range of aesthetically appealing, unique, random interference of patterns can be created. Patterns closely simulating natural wood grains including knot holes can be readily produced by the present invention. More, the present invention allows patterns to be modified with relative ease and remarkable flexibility.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis A. Graham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:47
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06B; D06B11/00; D06B11/0056; D06B11/0059
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of applying random interference patterns to a moving substrate using a fluid jet applicator having a fluid plenum and an associated orifice array and means for selectively passing droplets onto the moving substrate only during controlled print times having a duration T, said method comprising the steps of: applying artificial stimulation to said fluid plenum to purposefully generate standing waves within the fluid plenum to generate a droplet curtain such that a droplet emanating from a given orifice is not formed at the same time as droplets from neighboring orifices; and maintaining the print time T below a predetermined maximum value, said predetermined maximum value being selected so that a random interference pattern is applied by said selectively passing droplets of said droplet curtain onto said substrate, whereby said standing waves are purposefully utilized to generate said patterns and whereby a random interference pattern of a desired type may be applied to said substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of applying random interference patterns to a moving substrate using a fluid jet applicator having a fluid plenum and an associated orifice array and means for selectively passing droplets onto the moving substrate only during controlled print times having a duration T, said method comprising the steps of: applying artificial stimulation to said fluid plenum to purposefully generate standing waves within the fluid plenum to generate a droplet curtain such that a droplet emanating from a given orifice is not formed at the same time as droplets from neighboring orifices; and maintaining the print time T below a predetermined maximum value, said predetermined maximum value being selected so that a random interference pattern is applied by said selectively passing droplets of said droplet curtain onto said substrate, whereby said standing waves are purposefully utilized to generate said patterns and whereby a random interference pattern of a desired type may be applied to said substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of maintaining the print time below a predetermined maximum value includes the step of selecting a print time such that no more than about one droplet per orifice is formed during such time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 1, further including the step of selecting a print cycle which comprises a print time on interval followed by a print time off interval such that the random interference pattern appears colored without any background coloration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of maintaining a print time below a predetermined maximum value includes the step of selecting a print time such that only about two droplets per orifice are formed during such time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 1, further including the step of selecting a print cycle which comprises a print time on interval followed by a print time off interval such that the random interference pattern deeply colored on a background having relatively light coloration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1, further including the step of: controlling the print cycle which comprises a print time on interval followed by a print time off interval to simulate a wood grain pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 6, further including the step of: controlling the frequency of the print time while maintaining the print time fixed below said predetermined maximum value to simulate a wood grain pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein said controlling the frequency step includes controllably varying the frequency of the print time to thereby simulate a knot hole.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 8, including the step of sweeping through a predetermined range of frequencies.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said fluid applicator includes an artificial tachometer signal generating means for generating signals having a selectable frequency of further including the steps of: generating artificial tachometer signals; and generating print time signals at a frequency corresponding to the frequency of such artificial tachometer signals, whereby said random interference patterns may be varied by varying the frequency of said artificial tachometer signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1, further including the step of: controlling the print cycle which comprises a print time on interval followed by a print time off interval to simulate a moire silk pattern.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1, further including the step of: controlling the print cycle which comprises a print time on interval followed by a print time off interval to simulate a falling water pattern.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein the controlling step includes the step of selecting a print time and a spacing time ST between print times to be approximately equal to the period of the stimulation frequency.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said fluid jet application includes means for generating images including indicia and further including the step of: generating an image which includes indicia; and superimposing a random interference pattern over such indicia.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1, further including the step of: purposefully varying the standing wave pattern to modify the currently generated random interference pattern.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, further including the step of: applying the random interference pattern to paneling material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, further including the step of applying the random interference pattern to ceiling tile.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, further including the step of: applying the random interference pattern to a door.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of applying artificial stimulation includes the step of controlling the frequency of the applied stimulation so that the generated standing wave pattern is such that the net acoustic power delivered at each orifice causes the droplet breakoff from each orifice to remain within the charge electrode region.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 1, further including the step of modifying the generated random interference pattern by varying the print cycle which comprises a print time on interval followed by a print time off interval while maintaining the print time below said predetermined maximum value.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1, further including the step of modifying the random interference pattern by controllably varying the substrate speed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
171 words
A substrate having a random interference pattern on at least one surface thereof, said interference pattern being applied to the substrate as it is moving using a fluid jet applicator having: a fluid plenum and associated orifice array; and means for selectively passing droplets onto the moving substrate only during controlled print times having a duration T, said substrate pattern being formed by the method of: applying artificial stimulation to said fluid plenum to purposefully generate standing waves within the fluid plenum to generate a droplet curtain such that a droplet emanating from a given orifice is not formed at the same time as droplets from neighboring orifices; and maintaining the print time T below a predetermined maximum value, said predetermined maximum value being selected so that a random interference pattern is applied by said selectively passing droplets of said droplet curtain onto said substrate, whereby said standing waves are purposefully utilized to generate said patterns, and whereby a random interference pattern of a desired type is applied to said substrate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
171 words
A substrate having a random interference pattern on at least one surface thereof, said interference pattern being applied to the substrate as it is moving using a fluid jet applicator having: a fluid plenum and associated orifice array; and means for selectively passing droplets onto the moving substrate only during controlled print times having a duration T, said substrate pattern being formed by the method of: applying artificial stimulation to said fluid plenum to purposefully generate standing waves within the fluid plenum to generate a droplet curtain such that a droplet emanating from a given orifice is not formed at the same time as droplets from neighboring orifices; and maintaining the print time T below a predetermined maximum value, said predetermined maximum value being selected so that a random interference pattern is applied by said selectively passing droplets of said droplet curtain onto said substrate, whereby said standing waves are purposefully utilized to generate said patterns, and whereby a random interference pattern of a desired type is applied to said substrate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
A substrate according to claim 22, wherein the step of maintaining a print time below a predetermined maximum value includes the step of selecting a print time such that only one droplet per orifice is formed during such time.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
A substrate according to claim 22, further including the step of selecting a print cycle which comprises a print time on interval followed by a print time off interval such that the random interference pattern appears dark without any background coloration.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
A substrate according to claim 22, further including the step of selecting a print cycle which comprises a print time on interval followed by a print time off interval such that the random interference pattern appears dark on a background having some light coloration.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
A substrate according to claim 22, further including the step of: controlling the print cycle which comprises a print time on interval followed by a print time off interval to simulate a wood grain pattern.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
A substrate according to claim 22, further including the step of: controlling the frequency of the print time while maintaining the print time fixed below said predetermined maximum value to simulate a wood grain pattern.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
A substrate according to claim 27, wherein said controlling the frequency step includes controllably varying the frequency of the print time to simulate a knot hole.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
79 words
A substrate according to claim 22, wherein said fluid application includes an artificial tachometer signal generating means for generating signals having a selectable frequency and further including the step of generating artificial signals; and further including the steps of: generating artificial tachometer signals, and generating print time signals at a frequency in response corresponding to the frequency of such artificial tachometer signals whereby said random interference pattern may be varied by varying the frequency of said artificial tachometer signals.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
A substrate according to claim 22, further including the step of: controlling the print cycle which comprises a print time of interval followed by a print time off interval to simulate moire silk.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
A substrate according to claim 22, further including the step of: controlling the print cycle which comprising a print time on interval followed by a print time off interval to simulate a falling water pattern.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
A substrate according to claim 31, wherein the controlling step includes the step of selecting a print time and a spacing time ST between print times to be approximately equal to the period of the stimulation frequency.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
A substrate according to claim 22, further including the step of generating an image including indicia; and superimposing a random interference pattern over such indicia.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
A substrate according to claim 22, further including the step of: purposefully varying the standing wave pattern to modify the currently generated random interference pattern.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
12 words
A substrate according to claim 22, wherein the substrate is paneling material.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
A substrate according to claim 22, wherein the substrate is a ceiling tile.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
A substrate according to claim 22, wherein the substrate is a door.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
12 words
A substrate according to claim 22, wherein the substrate is a fabric.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
46 words
A substrate according to claim 22, further including the step of modifying the generated random interference pattern by varying the print cycle which comprises a print time on interval followed by a print time off interval while maintaining the print time below said predetermined maximum vale.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
A substrate according to claim 22, further including the step of modifying the random interference pattern by controllably varying the substrate speed.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
148 words
A fluid jet applicator for applying random interference patterns to a moving substrate comprising: a fluid plenum and an associated orifice array; means for selectively passing droplets onto the moving substrate only during controlled print times having a duration T; means for applying artificial stimulation to said fluid plenum to purposefully generate standing waves within the fluid plenum to generate a droplet curtain such that a droplet emanating from a given orifice is not formed at the same time as droplets from neighboring orifices; and maintaining the print time T below a predetermined maximum value, said predetermined maximum value being selected so that a random interference pattern is applied by said selectively passing droplets of said droplet curtain onto said substrate, whereby said standing waves are purposefully utilized to generate said patterns and whereby a random interference pattern of a desired type may be applied to said substrate.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
148 words
A fluid jet applicator for applying random interference patterns to a moving substrate comprising: a fluid plenum and an associated orifice array; means for selectively passing droplets onto the moving substrate only during controlled print times having a duration T; means for applying artificial stimulation to said fluid plenum to purposefully generate standing waves within the fluid plenum to generate a droplet curtain such that a droplet emanating from a given orifice is not formed at the same time as droplets from neighboring orifices; and maintaining the print time T below a predetermined maximum value, said predetermined maximum value being selected so that a random interference pattern is applied by said selectively passing droplets of said droplet curtain onto said substrate, whereby said standing waves are purposefully utilized to generate said patterns and whereby a random interference pattern of a desired type may be applied to said substrate.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
42 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 41, wherein said means for maintaining the print time below a predetermined maximum value includes means for selecting a print time such that no more than one droplet per orifice is formed during such time.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
42 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 41, further including means for selecting a print cycle which comprises a print time on interval followed by a print time off interval such that the random interference pattern appears dark without any background coloration.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
40 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 41, wherein the means for maintaining a print time below a predetermined maximum value includes means for selecting a print time such that only two droplets per orifice are formed during such time.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
45 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 41, further including means for selecting a print cycle which comprises a print time on interval followed by a print time off interval such that the random interference pattern appears dark on a background having some light coloration.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
37 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 41, further including means for selecting a print cycle which comprises to a print time on interval followed by a print time off interval to simulate a wood grain pattern.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
35 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 46, further including means for controlling the frequency of the print time while maintaining the print time below said predetermined maximum value to simulate a wood grain pattern.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 47, wherein said means controlling the frequency includes means for controllably varying the frequency of the print time to thereby simulate a knot hole.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 41, including means for sweeping through a predetermined range of frequencies.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
63 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 41, wherein said fluid applicator further includes an artificial tachometer signal generating means for generating signal having a selectable frequency and means for generating print time signals at a frequency corresponding to the frequency of said artificial tachometer signals whereby said random interference patterns may be varied by varying the frequency of said artificial tachometer signals.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
36 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 41, further including means for selecting a print cycle which comprises a print time of interval followed by a print time off interval to simulate a moire silk pattern.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
36 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 41, further including means for selecting a print cycle which comprises a print time on interval followed by a print time off interval to simulate a falling water pattern.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
38 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 52, wherein said means for controlling includes means for selecting a print time and a spacing time ST between print times to be approximately equal to the period of stimulation frequency.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
33 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 41, wherein said fluid jet applicator further includes means for generating images including indicia and means for superimposing a random interference pattern over such an image.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
29 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 41, further including the step of: means for purposefully varying the standing wave pattern to modify the currently generated random interference pattern.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
20 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 41, further including means for applying the random interference pattern to paneling material.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
20 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 41, further including means for applying the random interference pattern to ceiling tile.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
23 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 41, further including the step of: means for applying the random interference pattern to a door.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
54 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 41, wherein said means for applying artificial stimulation includes means for controlling the frequency of the applied stimulation so that the generated standing wave pattern is such that the net acoustic power delivered at each orifice causes the droplet breakoff to remain within the charge electrode region.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
47 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 41, further including means for modifying the generated random interference pattern by varying the print cycle which comprises a print time on interval followed by a print time off interval while maintaining the print time below said predetermined maximum value.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
23 words
A fluid jet applicator according to claim 41, further including means for modifying the random interference pattern by controllably varying the substrate speed.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of operating a fluid jet applicator having a fluid plenum and an array of orifices, and means for applying fluid from said fluid plenum through said orifices to a moving substrate, said applying means including means for selectively passing droplets onto the moving substrate only during print times having a duration T, said method comprising the steps of: controlling the fluid jet applicator to apply a simulated wood grain pattern to said substrate including applying artificial stimulation to said fluid plenum to purposefully generate standing waves within the fluid plenum; and maintaining the print time T below a predetermined maximum value, whereby a wood grain pattern is applied to said substrate.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of operating a fluid jet applicator having a fluid plenum and an array of orifices, and means for applying fluid from said fluid plenum through said orifices to a moving substrate, said applying means including means for selectively passing droplets onto the moving substrate only during print times having a duration T, said method comprising the steps of: controlling the fluid jet applicator to apply a simulated wood grain pattern to said substrate including applying artificial stimulation to said fluid plenum to purposefully generate standing waves within the fluid plenum; and maintaining the print time T below a predetermined maximum value, whereby a wood grain pattern is applied to said substrate.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of operating a fluid jet applicator having a fluid plenum and an array of orifices, and means for applying fluid from said fluid plenum through said orifices to a moving substrate, said applying means including means for selectively passing droplets onto the moving substrate only during print times having a duration T, said method comprising the steps of: controlling the fluid jet applicator to apply a simulated moire silk pattern to said substrate including applying artificial stimulation to said fluid plenum to purposefully generate standing waves within the fluid plenum; and maintaining the print time T below a predetermined maximum value, whereby a moire silk pattern is applied to said substrate.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of operating a fluid jet applicator having a fluid plenum and an array of orifices, and means for applying fluid from said fluid plenum through said orifices to a moving substrate, said applying means including means for selectively passing droplets onto the moving substrate only during print times having a duration T, said method comprising the steps of: controlling the fluid jet applicator to apply a simulated moire silk pattern to said substrate including applying artificial stimulation to said fluid plenum to purposefully generate standing waves within the fluid plenum; and maintaining the print time T below a predetermined maximum value, whereby a moire silk pattern is applied to said substrate.
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-17 | 1997-01-16 | 1997-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-17 | 2001-01-16 | 2001-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |