Abstract: There is a print head connector assembly for a printer, the print head connector assembly providing at least one continuous fluid and/or electrical connection between a first port and a second port, the at least one continuous connection being provided by at least one conduit.

Abstract: There is provided a charge electrode for charging ink droplets for continuous ink jet printing. The charge electrode has a generally cylindrical main body defining a generally cylindrical passage for the ink droplets, said passage extending along a travel axis that represents, in use, the position of an ink jet in ingress to the electrode and a direction of travel of the ink droplets once these have detached from the ink jet. The charge electrode comprises two distinct axially disposed regions: a first region for charging the droplets as required; and, a second region for screening the charged droplets from any electric fields which could undesirably affect the trajectory of the ink jet and/or the droplets. The second region may fully surround at least a portion of the travel axis. The invention therefore provides improved screening for the ink jet and/or the droplets. This may in turn enable better control of the charge applied to the charged droplets, and/or of their travel trajectory.

Abstract: A cartridge for storing and dispensing liquid for use with an inkjet printer includes a reservoir for storage of the liquid and an outlet for dispensing the liquid. The reservoir has a reinforcing structure and maintains a predetermined separation. The reinforcing structure separates an internal space of the reservoir into a first and second chamber. The reinforcing structure provides a fluid communication path between the chambers. The reinforcing structure has first and second portions of wall that partially defining the first and second chambers. The reinforcing structure has a wall partially defining the fluid communication path. The first and second portions of the wall have an arcuate profile. The first and second chambers have respective first and second widths. The fluid communication path has a third width which is less than the first or second widths.

Abstract: There is provided a charge electrode for charging ink droplets for continuous ink jet printing. The charge electrode has a generally cylindrical main body defining a generally cylindrical passage for the ink droplets, said passage extending along a travel axis that represents, in use, the position of an ink jet in ingress to the electrode and a direction of travel of the ink droplets once these have detached from the ink jet. The charge electrode comprises two distinct axially disposed regions: a first region for charging the droplets as required; and, a second region for screening the charged droplets from any electric fields which could undesirably affect the trajectory of the ink jet and/or the droplets. The second region may fully surround at least a portion of the travel axis. The invention therefore provides improved screening for the ink jet and/or the droplets. This may in turn enable better control of the charge applied to the charged droplets, and/or of their travel trajectory.

Abstract: A continuous ink jet print head, including: a droplet generator (32, 32?, 32?) for generating ink droplets (64); a charging electrode (22, 22?, 22?) having a passageway (74, 74?, 74?) through which the ink droplets travel to receive a charge; a deflection electrode (60, 60?, 60?) for deflecting the charged ink droplets; a gutter (50, 50?, 50?, 50??) having a gutter entrance (52, 52?, 52?, 52??); wherein the passageway is aligned with the gutter entrance through which uncharged droplets enter; and a mounting deck (10, 10?, 10?) configured to secure the gutter entrance into a fixed, nonadjustable gutter entrance position (56, 56?, 56?, 56??) and to secure the charging electrode into a fixed, nonadjustable charging electrode position (24, 24?, 24?) relative to the gutter entrance.

Abstract: A cartridge for storing and dispensing liquid for use with an inkjet printer includes a reservoir for storage of the liquid and an outlet for dispensing the liquid. The reservoir has a reinforcing structure and maintains a predetermined separation. The reinforcing structure separates an internal space of the reservoir into a first and second chamber. The reinforcing structure provides a fluid communication path between the chambers. The reinforcing structure has first and second portions of wall that partially defining the first and second chambers. The reinforcing structure has a wall partially defining the fluid communication path. The first and second portions of the wall have an arcuate profile. The first and second chambers have respective first and second widths. The fluid communication path has a third width which is less than the first or second widths.

Abstract: A continuous ink jet print head, including: a droplet generator (32, 32?, 32?) for generating ink droplets (64); a charging electrode (22, 22?, 22?) having a passageway (74, 74?, 74?) through which the ink droplets travel to receive a charge; a deflection electrode (60, 60?, 60?) for deflecting the charged ink droplets; a gutter (50, 50?, 50?, 50??) having a gutter entrance (52, 52?, 52?, 52??); wherein the passageway is aligned with the gutter entrance through which uncharged droplets enter; and a mounting deck (10, 10?, 10?) configured to secure the gutter entrance into a fixed, nonadjustable gutter entrance position (56, 56?, 56?, 56??) and to secure the charging electrode into a fixed, nonadjustable charging electrode position (24, 24?, 24?) relative to the gutter entrance.

Abstract: A continuous ink jet print head (10), including: an ink droplet generator (116) configured to emit an ink droplet (158) along an undeflected droplet flight path (30); a charge electrode (118) configured to impart a charge to the ink droplet; deflector plates (120A, 120B) adjacent the undeflected droplet flight path, downstream from the charge electrode, and configured to deflect the ink droplet to a deflected droplet flight path that lies within a range of deflected flight paths bounded by at least deflected droplet flight path and a most deflected droplet flight path; a gutter (122) configured to receive an ink droplet traveling along the undeflected droplet flight path; and an ink buildup sensor (102) configured to detect an accumulation of ink (140) relative to a droplet flight path disposed within the range of deflected flight paths.

Abstract: An inkjet printer cabinet for use in a hygienic environment includes a housing formed by a base, a top and one or more walls extending between the base and the top. The housing defines an interior configured for receipt of components of an inkjet printer. The housing defines one or more apertures, each aperture providing access to at least one of the components via the aperture. The housing incorporates one or more features adapted to reduce at least one of the accumulation of unwanted matter on a surface of the housing and the accumulation of unwanted matter within the interior of the housing.

Abstract: An ink droplet generation module for a print head assembly for a continuous ink jet printer, the printer having an ink supply system, a control system and a power supply system. The ink droplet generation module includes a supporting plate, an ink droplet generator, a charge electrode assembly, deflector plates, a phase measurement assembly, and a gutter tube, all attached to the supporting plate.

Abstract: A fluid container for an ink jet printer includes a collapsible reservoir, a cap, and an electronic storage device. The collapsible reservoir is for containing a printing fluid and includes walls enclosing an internal space having a variable volume for storage and dispensing of a liquid. The cap for attachment to the reservoir includes a port for connection to the printer. The port is adapted to prevent air from entering the internal space from outside the reservoir as liquid is dispensed. An electronic storage device is configured to store data relating to the contents of the container. At least one electrical contact is associated with the electronic storage device and provided on a substrate.

Abstract: A print head assembly for a continuous ink jet printer has an ink heater module, including a valve assembly, which can be independently attached to or detached from the print head assembly. The print head assembly may also have an ink droplet generator module which is independently replaceable and may have other independently replaceable modules. Fluid pathways for in and solvent in the modules are preferably in the form of manifolds having fluid conduits defined between opposing faces of members of the modules. The modular print head assembly is easily repaired and maintained and the number of connectors prone to fluid leakage is minimized by the manifolds.

Abstract: A print head assembly includes a print head and a print head cover disposed around the print head. The print head cover includes a face and a print opening disposed in the face. The print opening disposed adjacent an ejection point of the print head. A perforated area is disposed on the face.

Abstract: A continuous ink jet printer comprises a gutter for collecting ink droplets not used in printing. Pumping apparatus draws ink from the gutter and control apparatus is configured to vary the level of pumping by the pumping apparatus depending on the temperature or other parameter of the ink. As the temperature of the ink increases the level of pumping is reduced. The pumping apparatus may comprise two venturi pumps connected in parallel each having its throat connected to the gutter.

Abstract: A continuous ink jet printer comprises a gutter for collecting ink droplets not used in printing. Pumping apparatus draws ink from the gutter and control apparatus is configured to vary the level of pumping by the pumping apparatus depending on the temperature or other parameter of the ink. As the temperature of the ink increases the level of pumping is reduced. The pumping apparatus may comprise two venturi pumps connected in parallel each having its throat connected to the gutter.