US4940995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Removal of dissolved gas from ink in an ink jet system
Assignee: Fujifilm Dimatix Inc
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Filing: 1988-11-18
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Granted: 1990-07-10
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Expires: 2008-11-18
Abstract
Abstract In the particular embodiment of a device for removing dissolved gas from ink described in the specification, an elongated ink path leading to an ink jet head is formed between two permeable fluorine-containing membranes. The membranes are backed by air plenums which contain support members to hold the membranes in position. Reduced pressure is applied to the plenums to extract dissolved gas from the ink in the ink path without accumulating scum on the membrane surfaces. Increased pressure can also be applied to the plenums to eject ink from the ink jet head for purging. Within the ink jet head, ink is circulated convectively from the orifice to the deaerating path even when the jet is not jetting ink.
Inventors
- 👤 Nathan P. Hine
- 👤 Robert L. Wells, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:57
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D15/00; G01D15/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A device for removing dissolved gas from ink containing dissolved gas and low-molecular-weight components in an ink jet system while preventing formation of scum comprising a gas-permeable, ink-impermeable fluorine-containing membrane which is permeable to dissolved gas in adjacent ink layer but impermeable to low-molecular-weight components of the ink which tend to form scum on the membrane, means for applying ink containing dissolved gas and low-molecular weight components to one side of the fluorine-containing membrane, and means for applying a reduced gas pressure to the other side of the membrane to cause gas to dissolved in ink to be extracted from the ink through the fluorine-containing membrane while preventing passage of low-molecular-weight ink components.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A device for removing dissolved gas from ink containing dissolved gas and low-molecular-weight components in an ink jet system while preventing formation of scum comprising a gas-permeable, ink-impermeable fluorine-containing membrane which is permeable to dissolved gas in adjacent ink layer but impermeable to low-molecular-weight components of the ink which tend to form scum on the membrane, means for applying ink containing dissolved gas and low-molecular weight components to one side of the fluorine-containing membrane, and means for applying a reduced gas pressure to the other side of the membrane to cause gas to dissolved in ink to be extracted from the ink through the fluorine-containing membrane while preventing passage of low-molecular-weight ink components.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the membrane thickness is within the range from about 0.0005 inch to about 0.050 inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the fluorine-containing membrane comprises a fluorosilicone material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 3 wherein the membrane thickness is within the range from about 0.003 inch to about 0.012 inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the fluorine-containing membrane comprises a fluorocarbon material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 5 wherein the membrane thickness is in the range from about 0.0005 to about 0.003 inch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the means for applying reduced gas pressure to the other side of the membrane comprises a vacuum plenum.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for removing dissolved gas from ink containing dissolved gas and low-molecular-weight components in an ink jet system while preventing formation of scum comprising providing a fluorine-containing gas-permeable, ink-impermeable membrane which is permeable to dissolved air in an adjacent ink layer but impermeable to low-molecular-weight components of ink in the layer, applying ink containing dissolved gas and low-molecular-weight components to one side of the fluorine-containing membrane, and applying reduced gas pressure to the other side of the fluorine-containing membrane to extract dissolved gas from the ink while preventing passage of low-molecular-weight ink components.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for removing dissolved gas from ink containing dissolved gas and low-molecular-weight components in an ink jet system while preventing formation of scum comprising providing a fluorine-containing gas-permeable, ink-impermeable membrane which is permeable to dissolved air in an adjacent ink layer but impermeable to low-molecular-weight components of ink in the layer, applying ink containing dissolved gas and low-molecular-weight components to one side of the fluorine-containing membrane, and applying reduced gas pressure to the other side of the fluorine-containing membrane to extract dissolved gas from the ink while preventing passage of low-molecular-weight ink components.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein the fluorine-containing membrane comprises a fluorosilicone material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein the fluorine-containing membrane comprises a fluorocarbon material.
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) | 1993-07-09 | 1994-01-08 | 1994-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-09 | 1998-01-08 | 1998-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-09 | 2002-01-08 | 2002-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |