Abstract: A droplet generator is provided that is particularly adapted for generating micro droplets of ink on demand in an inkjet print head having a plurality of nozzles. The droplet generator includes a droplet separator formed from the combination of a droplet assistor and a droplet initiator. The droplet assistor is coupled to ink in each of the nozzles and functions to lower the amount of energy necessary for an ink droplet to form and separate from an ink meniscus extending across the nozzle outlet. The droplet assistor may be, for example, a heater or surfactant supply mechanism for lowering the surface tension of the ink meniscus. Alternatively, the droplet assistor may be a mechanical oscillator such as a piezoelectric transducer that generates oscillations in the ink sufficient to periodically form convex ink menisci across the nozzle outlets, but insufficient to cause ink droplets to separate from the outlets.

Abstract: Self-cleaning printer having ultrasonics and method of assembling same for cleaning a print head surface and ink ejection orifices. The printer comprises a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Particulate matter may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the particulate matter from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer in communication with the fluid for generating ultrasonic vibrations causing pressure waves within the fluid. Presence of the pressure waves induces a hydrodynamic force in the fluid. This force acts against the particulate matter to clean the particulate matter from the surface and/or orifice.

Abstract: An ink jet printer with cleaning mechanism, and method of assembling same. The printer comprises a print head having a surface thereon surrounding a plurality of ink ejection orifices. The orifices are in communication with respective ones of a plurality of ink channels formed in the print head. A vacuum hood capable of sealingly surrounding at least one of the orifices has having a first passageway therethrough capable of being disposed in communication with the orifice for vacuuming contaminant from the ink channel by way of the orifice. A solvent delivering wiper is connected to the hood and has a second passageway therethrough alignable with the surface. The second passageway delivers a liquid solvent to the surface to flush contaminant from the surface. Contaminant residing on the surface is entrained in the solvent while the wiper flushes contaminant from the surface. A vacuum canopy is connected to the wiper and has a third passageway therethrough alignable with the surface.

Abstract: A method for treating a metallic oxide or metallic nitride ink jet printhead nozzle plate comprising stamping the front surface thereof with an anti-wetting agent using an elastomeric stamp.

Abstract: An ink jet nozzle plate is provided comprising an outer surface having a self-assembled monolayer thereon comprising a mixture of at least one hydrophobic compound and at least one ionic compound, which monolayer renders the outer surface non-wetting with respect to aqueous ink solutions. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the self-assembled monolayers comprises a mixture of hydrophobic alkyl thiols and charged alkyl thiols. An advantage of coatings in accordance with the invention is that they provide improved non-wetting characteristics after contact with ink.

Abstract: A droplet generator is provided that is particularly adapted for generating micro droplets of ink on demand in an inkjet printhead having a plurality of nozzles. The droplet generator includes a droplet separator formed from the combination of a droplet assistor and a droplet initiator. The droplet assistor is coupled to ink in each of the nozzles and functions to lower the amount of energy necessary for an ink droplet to form and separate from an ink meniscus extending across the nozzle outlet. The droplet assistor may be, for example, a heater or surfactant supply mechanism for lowering the surface tension of the ink meniscus. Alternatively, the droplet assistor may be a mechanical oscillator such as a piezoelectric transducer that generates oscillations in the ink sufficient to periodically form convex ink menisci across the nozzle outlets, but insufficient to cause ink droplets to separate from the outlets.

Abstract: An ink jet printer with cleaning mechanism, and method of assembling same. The printer comprises a print head having a surface thereon surrounding a plurality of ink ejection orifices. The orifices are in communication with respective ones of a plurality of ink channels formed in the print head. A vacuum hood capable of sealingly surrounding at least one of the orifices has having a first passageway therethrough capable of being disposed in communication with the orifice for vacuuming contaminant from the ink channel by way of the orifice. A solvent delivering wiper is connected to the hood and has a second passageway therethrough alignable with the surface. The second passageway delivers a liquid solvent to the surface to flush contaminant from the surface. Contaminant residing on the surface is entrained in the solvent while the wiper flushes contaminant from the surface. A vacuum canopy is connected to the wiper and has a third passageway therethrough alignable with the surface.

Abstract: An ink jet printer with wiper blade cleaning mechanism, and method of assembling the printer. The printer comprises a print head having a surface thereon surrounding a plurality of ink ejection orifices. The orifices are in communication with respective ones of a plurality of ink channels formed in the print head. A solvent delivering wiper has a first passageway therethrough alignable with the surface. The first passageway delivers a liquid solvent to the surface to flush contaminant from the surface. Contaminant residing on the surface is entrained in the solvent while the wiper flushes contaminant from the surface. The wiper also includes a plurality of wicking channels alignable with the surface and a second passageway in communication with the wicking channels. A vacuum pump is in communication with the second passageway for vacuuming the solvent and entrained contaminant from the surface, along the wicking channels and through the second passageway.

Abstract: A method for replenishing fouled coatings on a nozzle plate for an ink jet printhead, the nozzle plate comprising the following layers in the order recited: i) a first monomolecular layer of an organic material having first and second functional groups, the first functional group of the first monomolecular layer being bound to the surface of the nozzle plate, and the second functional group of the first monomolecular layer being bound to a second monomolecular layer, and ii) the second monomolecular layer of an organic material having first and second functional groups, the first functional group of the second monomolecular layer being bound to the second functional group of the first monomolecular layer, and the second functional group of the second monomolecular layer being an anti-wetting group, the second monomolecular layer having been fouled; the method comprising A) unbinding the first functional group of the fouled second monomolecular layer so that it is no longer bound to the second functional group

Abstract: Self-cleaning printer system with reverse fluid flow and rotating roller and method of assembling the printer system. The printer system comprises a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Contaminant may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes a rotatable roller disposed opposite the surface or orifice and defining a gap therebetween. Presence of the rotating roller accelerates the flow of fluid through the gap to induce a hydrodynamic shearing force in the fluid. This shearing force acts against the contaminant to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice.

Abstract: A self-cleaning ink jet printer with oscillating septum and ultrasonics and method of assembling the printer. The printer has a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Contaminant may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes an oscillatable septum disposed opposite the surface or orifice for defining a gap therebetween. Presence of the septum accelerates the flow of fluid through the gap to induce a hydrodynamic shearing force in the fluid. This shearing force acts against the contaminant to “sweep” the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice.

Abstract: An ink jet printer having an ink jet head and defining a structure having a device including a structure defining a plurality of orifices for ejecting ink droplets includes defining an ink cleaning cavity spaced from the printing position for receiving cleaning fluid; a roller disposed in the cleaning cavity and partially submerged in the cleaning fluid and spaced from the structure is rotated so that the fluid coats the roller and is carried by surface tension around the roller; and the structure is brought into proximity with the cleaning roller so that the orifices are cleaned by the cleaning fluid carried on the roller and delivered through the cleaning cavity to the structure.

Abstract: A self-cleaning printer system (400) with a cleaning liquid supply and a wiper blade assembly (32) includes a print head (16) defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection nozzle (25). The print head (16) also has a surface (15) thereon surrounding all the nozzles (25). The wiper blade assembly (32) is disposed relative to the surface (15) and/or nozzles (25) for directing a flow of cleaning liquid along the surface (15) and/or across the nozzles (25) and to direct sliding contact of a wiper blade (195) to clean a contaminant from the surface (15) and/or nozzles (15). The wiper blade assembly (32) is configured to introduce the cleaning liquid to the print head surface (15) to facilitate and augment cleaning by the wiper blade (190). In addition, the wiper blade (190) is combined with channels for delivery of the cleaning liquid and vacuum suction to remove cleaning liquid (250 and 260, respectively).

Abstract: A droplet generator is provided that is particularly adapted for generating micro droplets of ink on demand in an inkjet printhead having a plurality of nozzles. The droplet generator includes a droplet separator formed from the combination of a droplet assistor and a droplet initiator. The droplet assistor is coupled to ink in each of the nozzles and functions to lower the amount of energy necessary for an ink droplet to form and separate from an ink meniscus extending across the nozzle outlet. The droplet assistor may be, for example, a heater or surfactant supply mechanism for lowering the surface tension of the ink meniscus. Alternatively, the droplet assistor may be a mechanical oscillator such as a piezoelectric transducer that generates oscillations in the ink sufficient to periodically form convex ink menisci across the nozzle outlets, but insufficient to cause ink droplets to separate from the outlets.

Abstract: An ink jet printer with cleaning mechanism having a wiper blade and transducer, and method of assembling same. The printer comprises a print head having a surface thereon surrounding a plurality of ink ejection orifices. The orifices are in communication with respective ones of a plurality of ink channels formed in the print head. A cleaning liquid delivering wiper is provided as a means to a clean print head. Further, sonic or ultrasonic transducer is provided to energize the wiper and the cleaning liquid flowing through solvent delivering channels in wiper. Contaminant residing on the surface is entrained in the cleaning liquid while the wiper flushes contaminant from the surface. Cleaning liquid and contaminant is transported away through a number of devices; return passageways internal to the wiper in combination with wicking channels, return passageways provided in a canopy, and return passageways provided in a trailing hood.

Abstract: Multi-fluidic cleaning for an ink jet print head (10) and a method for assembling the same. The print head (10) has a surface (14) defining at least one orifice (16) therethrough, the at least one orifice (16) being susceptible to being obstructed by contaminants. A cleaning assembly (22) of the invention is disposed proximate the surface (14) for directing a flow of fluid along the surface (14) and across the at least one orifice (16) to clean contaminants from the surface (14) and the at least one orifice (16). The cleaning assembly (22) includes a cup (24) sealingly surrounding the at least one orifice (16), the cup (24) defining a cavity (26) therein.

Abstract: A method for cleaning an ink jet print head nozzle plate having an anti-wetting layer formed thereon, wherein an aqueous solution of a metal salt of a taurine surfactant is applied to the nozzle plate and then removed.

Abstract: The present invention is a photographic element which includes a support, at least one silver halide emulsion superposed on a front side of the support and an outermost backing layer superposed on a backside of the support. The outermost backing layer is composed of a hydrophobic binder and a hydrophilic binder wherein the backing layer has an advancing water contact angle of 70 or greater and a receding water contact angle of at least 40 less than the advancing water contact angle.

Abstract: Self-cleaning printer system with reverse fluid flow and method of assembling the printer system. The printer system comprises a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Contaminant may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes a septum disposed opposite the surface or orifice for defining a gap therebetween. Presence of the septum accelerates the flow of fluid through the gap to induce a hydrodynamic shearing force in the fluid. This shearing force acts against the contaminant to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice.

Abstract: Self-cleaning printer with reverse fluid flow and ultrasonics and method of assembling the printer. The printer comprises a print head defining a plurality of ink channels therein, each ink channel terminating in an ink ejection orifice. The print head also has a surface thereon surrounding all the orifices. Contaminant may reside on the surface and also may completely or partially obstruct the orifice. Therefore, a cleaning assembly is disposed relative to the surface and/or orifice for directing a flow of fluid along the surface and/or across the orifice to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice. The cleaning assembly includes a septum disposed opposite the surface or orifice for defining a gap therebetween. Presence of the septum accelerates the flow of fluid through the gap to induce a hydrodynamic shearing force in the fluid. This shearing force acts against the contaminant to clean the contaminant from the surface and/or orifice.