Abstract: A shaping apparatus includes: a movement processing unit that heats a droplet such that a temperature of the droplet on a peripheral side in a horizontal direction becomes higher than that on a center side in the horizontal direction and move the droplet by moving a heating area; and a shaping unit that performs shaping by partially changing the droplet into a solid in a predetermined shaping area.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a recording unit that performs recording on a medium; a medium discharging section that discharges the medium on which recording has been performed; a medium receiving section that receives the medium discharged by the medium discharging section; a face-down discharge path that guides, to the medium discharge section, the recorded medium with a recorded side thereof facing downward; a document movement path that is provided at an upper part of a housing constituting an outer casing of the recording apparatus and along which a document moves; and a reading unit provided in the document movement path to read the document. The medium receiving section also serves as a support tray that supports the document to be inserted into the document movement path or the document exiting from the document movement path.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a coating device for coating components with a coating agent, in particular for painting motor vehicle body components with a paint, with a printhead for applying the coating agent to the component, and with a coating agent supply for supplying the printhead with the coating agent to be applied, wherein the coating agent flows from the coating agent supply to the printhead at a specific coating agent pressure and a specific flow rate. The disclosure provides that the coating supply will control the coating agent pressure and/or the flow rate of the coating agent. Furthermore, the disclosure includes an associated operating method.

Abstract: A light-emitting component includes a substrate, a light-emitting element, a thyristor, and a light-transmission reduction layer. The light-emitting element is disposed on the substrate. The thyristor causes the light-emitting element to emit light or causes an amount of light emitted by the light-emitting element to increase, upon entering an on-state. The light-transmission reduction layer is disposed between the light-emitting element and the thyristor such that the light-emitting element and the thyristor are stacked, and suppresses light emitted by the thyristor from passing therethrough.

Abstract: A valve comprises an orifice plate (1) having one or more orifices (4) through which a fluid may flow, and one or more piezo-electric elements (2). Each element (2) has a face positioned to contact the orifice plate at an orifice. Each element has a first state in which it abuts the plate to prevent flow of fluid through the associated orifice and a second state in which the face is spaced from the plate to allow flow through the associated orifice. A controller (50) selectively applies a first voltage to an elements to cause it to adopt the first state and applies a second voltage to the one or more elements to cause the elements to adopt the second state.

Abstract: A manifold is disclosed for introducing gas into a gap between a print head and an intermediate transfer member (ITM) of an indirect inkjet printing system. The manifold has a first gas flow path terminating in a first discharge mouth for delivering a continuous low speed gas stream and a second separate gas flow path terminating in a second discharge mouth, vertically spaced from the first discharge mouth, for intermittently delivering into the gap a high speed gas stream.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to various embodiments of an hermetically-sealed gas enclosure assembly and system that can be readily transportable and assemblable and provide for maintaining a minimum inert gas volume and maximal access to various devices and apparatuses enclosed therein. Various embodiments of an hermetically-sealed gas enclosure assembly and system of the present teachings can have a gas enclosure assembly constructed in a fashion that minimizes the internal volume of a gas enclosure assembly, and at the same time optimizes the working space to accommodate a variety of footprints of various OLED printing systems. Various embodiments of a gas enclosure assembly so constructed additionally provide ready access to the interior of a gas enclosure assembly from the exterior during processing and readily access to the interior for maintenance, while minimizing downtime.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new control method for controlling the printing of a binary continuous inkjet printer provided with a printhead (20) with a set of deflection electrodes (8a, 8b; 9a, 9b) shared by all of the nozzles of the head, at least one pair of electrodes (8, 9) supplied in phase opposition relative to each other, and actuators (6) to which pulses are sent to form a distance Lbr from the plane of the nozzles (11), from the break of a jet discharged by a nozzle (3) in communication with a stimulation chamber (2) to which said actuator is mechanically coupled, drops not able to be electrically charged or jet segment subjected to the electrostatic influence of the deflection electrodes. According to the invention, the pulses are controlled so as to minimize the total electrical charge taken on by the ink jet segments inside a volume of influence of the electrodes.

Abstract: A method and droplet selection device are provided for a continuous printer for selectively deflecting a droplet from a predetermined printing trajectory. In particular, a droplet selection device is provided for a continuous printer, comprising a droplet ejection system arranged to generate a continuous stream of droplets from a first fluid jetted out of an outlet channel; and a jet system arranged to generate a second jet for colliding the jet into the stream of droplets. The jet system comprises a deflector to selectively deflect the second jet into the continuous stream of droplets, so as to selectively deflect the droplets from a predefined printing trajectory.

Abstract: A liquid containing chamber that supplies liquid to a liquid ejecting apparatus includes a first liquid container that is capable of containing the liquid and has a vertically long shape in a mounted position when mounted in the liquid ejecting apparatus, a first projection provided in the first liquid container and a first stirring member supported by the first projection, wherein when the first liquid container in the mounted position is divided into an upper container which is located above the first projection and a lower container which is located below the upper container, the lower container contains the liquid and the upper container contains the liquid and a predetermined amount of air.

Abstract: A voltage is applied between first and second deflecting electrodes from a deflecting voltage controller, whereby an electric field is formed between the first and second deflecting electrodes in a direction perpendicular to electrode surfaces. An electric line of force is generated from a direction perpendicular to the electrode surface of the first deflecting electrode and made perpendicularly incident on the electrode surface of the second deflecting electrode. Since the first and second deflecting electrodes are parallel to each other, a plurality of parallel electric lines of force are formed perpendicularly to the electrode surfaces of the first and second deflecting electrodes. Droplets after passing charged electrodes fly in a region where this deflecting electric field is formed, whereby charged droplets are deflected in a direction in which the charged droplets approach the second electrode having opposite charging polarity. The charged droplets form a printing pattern.

Abstract: A printing control method of a multi-nozzle binary continuous ink jet printer wherein drops of a first category and drops of a second category are formed by jet breaking The flowpaths followed by the drops of the first and second categories are differentiated. For printing a black pixel followed by a white pixel, a drop of the first category and a drop of the second category are formed. The cumulative formation time drops of the first and second categories is equal to or higher than the running time of one pixel.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet system and method has a stimulation device producing a modulation in a liquid jet having a wavelength ? and causing a first liquid droplet to break off from the liquid jet and travel along a path and causing a second liquid droplet to break off from the liquid jet and travel along the path. The first liquid droplet has a first break off length and the second liquid droplet has a second break off length longer than the first break off length. The first break off length and the second break off length have a difference of at least one wavelength ? in response to stimulation pulses.

Abstract: The light-emitting chip includes: a substrate; plural light-emitting thyristors each having a pnpn structure formed of a first stacked-semiconductor layer in which at least 4 semiconductor layers having different conductivity types and including the substrate are stacked on the substrate; a lower wiring that is formed of a second stacked-semiconductor layer in which at least 3 semiconductor layers having different conductivity types and including the substrate are stacked on the substrate, and that has a semiconductor layer between the substrate and an uppermost semiconductor layer of the second stacked-semiconductor layer, the semiconductor layer having a fixed potential so that any one of p-n junctions between the substrate and the uppermost semiconductor layer is reversely biased with respect to potentials respectively applied to the substrate and the uppermost semiconductor layer; and an upper wiring provided on the lower wiring so as to intersect with the lower wiring through an isolation layer.

Abstract: A liquid jet printing apparatus is provided having a nozzle for emitting a stream of liquid droplets toward a substrate, a charging section for providing an electrical charge to liquid droplets and a pair of electrically conductive deflection plates for creating an electrical field capable of deflecting the liquid droplets to a desired location on the substrate, wherein a resistor is provided between a power source and the electrical field to limit current from the power source during electrical arcing between the deflection plates, thereby minimizing disruption to the electrical field and minimizing electromagnetic pulses.

Abstract: An ink includes a volatile organic solvent and a UV curable ink. The ink has a viscosity greater than or equal to 3 mPa·sec and less than or equal to 18 mPa·sec (at 25° C.). The UV curable ink has a viscosity of greater than or equal to 20 mPa·sec (at 25° C.). The UV curable ink comprises a pigment, an ultraviolet curable resin curable by an ultraviolet light, and a photopolymerization initiator.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head including: a head main body that has a nozzle opening for ejecting liquid, a rectifying plate that is disposed in a position away from the liquid ejecting surface on which the nozzle opening is opened and has an opening disposed in an area facing the nozzle opening, and an air stream generating unit that generates an air stream between the liquid ejecting surface and the rectifying plate along the surface direction of the liquid ejecting surface.

Abstract: A method of printing an image with a continuous inkjet printer system employing a jetting module including a nozzle in fluid communication with a liquid ink source and a catcher including a liquid drop contact face; wherein the liquid ink is an aqueous inkjet black ink comprising a black colorant and at least one surfactant selected to provide a 10-ms dynamic surface tension of less than 54 mN/m. Full color images may be printed by further employing at least second, third and fourth jetting modules and yellow, magenta and cyan inks each also comprising a surfactant selected to provide a 10-ms dynamic surface tension of less than 54 mN/m for each ink. The ink compositions provide for fluid properties on the drop catcher face that minimize printing defects that can occur during drop deflection during the printing of high dynamic range images at high speed.

Abstract: For printing, the principle of the continuous deflected jet is used: a device discharges a continuous stream of a liquid, which is deflected by an electric field created by a plurality of deflecting electrodes and directed toward a gutter. The printing of drops is performed by fragmenting the continuous jet into a segment formed opposite a shield electrode upstream of the deflecting electrode, so that the segment is not deflected and can be directed toward a substrate. The deflection electrodes are separated by an insulator and a variable potential is applied to each electrode; the potential for the entire set of electrodes cancels out such that the jet is not charged.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a nozzle, a charging electrode, a deflecting electrode, a storage device, and an authentication device. The nozzle atomizes a supplied ink into ink particles by exciting and ejecting the supplied ink. The charging electrode electrically charges the ink particles. The deflecting electrode forms an electric field that deflects the ink particles electrically charged. The storage device storing therein a program(s) that implements a predetermined printing function(s). The predetermined printing function(s) becomes executable upon connection of an authentication key to the authentication device.

Abstract: The main object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a pattern formed body by the electric field jet method, capable of stabilizing the discharge amount and the discharge direction of a liquid. The present invention achieves the object by providing a method for manufacturing a pattern formed body characterized in that a pattern is formed on a substrate by: discharging a liquid from a discharge orifice by applying a voltage between a first electrode, disposed in the vicinity of the discharge orifice of a nozzle of a discharge head, and a second electrode, disposed in between the discharge orifice and the substrate, having an opening for discharge; and adhering the liquid onto the substrate by passing through the opening for discharge of the second electrode.

Abstract: A continuous liquid printing system gas flow device includes a gas flow duct structure including a first wall and a second wall. The first wall and the second wall are positioned spaced apart and opposite each other to form an opening. The first wall is contoured such that a distance between the first wall and the second wall varies when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the opening.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet printhead includes a jetting module, a fluid system, and a controller. The jetting module includes an array of nozzles. The fluid system includes a liquid source and a pressure control device. The liquid source includes a liquid and is connected in fluid communication with the jetting module. The controller is in electrical communication with the pressure control device of the fluid system and is configured to provide a first signal to the pressure control device to cause the liquid to be ejected as liquid streams through the nozzles of the array at a first pressure sufficient to create a stream of print-selectable drops. The controller is configured to provide a second signal to the pressure control device to cause the liquid to be ejected as liquid streams through the nozzles of the array at a second pressure with the second pressure being less than the first pressure. The controller is configured to provide the first signal to the pressure control device after a period of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing and deflecting ink drops in a continuous ink-jet printer in which a continuous cohesive ink jet exits from a nozzle of a pressure chamber, and in which at least one acoustic pulse (140, 142, 142a) strikes the cohesive ink jet (9) transversely to the propagation direction, and one segment of the ink jet (9) upon which the acoustic pulse (140, 142, 142a) acts is separated from the cohesive ink jet (9) and deflected from its original propagation direction (100), the separated segment forming an ink drop (11) during its travel due to cohesion forces.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid supply adapted to feed a stream of liquid through the supply channel, a liquid return channel adapted to receive liquid from the supply channel, a liquid dispensing outlet opening, and a diverter member selectively movable into the supply channel to divert droplets to the dispensing outlet opening. The liquid flows from the liquid supply channel to the liquid return channel by Coanda effect when not diverted. The motion of the diverter member is substantially orthogonal to and opposes the direction of liquid flow, so that energy associated with moving the diverter member imparts no energy to the diverted droplets. The energy associated with moving the diverter member is less than 100 nJ per pL droplet volume. In some embodiments, the energy associated with moving the diverter member is less than 10 nJ per pL droplet volume.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid supply adapted to feed a stream of liquid through the supply channel, a liquid return channel adapted to receive liquid from the supply channel, a liquid dispensing outlet opening, and a diverter member forming at least a portion of a wall of the liquid supply channel, said diverter member being selectively movable to form a convex surface along which liquid remains attached, thereby to divert droplets from the supply channel through the dispensing outlet opening. The motion of the diverter member is substantially orthogonal to the direction of liquid flow, so that energy associated with moving the diverter member imparts no energy to the diverted droplets. The energy associated with moving the diverter member is less than 100 nJ per pL droplet volume.

Abstract: A method and droplet selection device are provided for a continuous printer for selectively deflecting a droplet from a predetermined printing trajectory. In particular, a droplet selection device is provided for a continuous printer, comprising a droplet ejection system arranged to generate a continuous stream of droplets from a first fluid jetted out of an outlet channel; and a jet system arranged to generate a second jet for colliding the jet into the stream of droplets. The jet system comprises a deflector to selectively deflect the second jet into the continuous stream of droplets, so as to selectively deflect the droplets from a predefined printing trajectory.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus that is capable of setting a proper deflection amount for deflecting an ink discharge direction even when the distance between the ink discharge surface and the ink landing surface of print paper varies and method of using same. The liquid discharge apparatus includes a head in which a plurality of nozzle-incorporated ink discharge sections are arrayed, discharge direction deflection means for deflecting the discharge direction of an ink discharged from a nozzle of each ink discharge section in the direction of ink discharge section arrangement, distance detection means for detecting the distance between the ink discharge surface of the head and the ink landing surface of print paper, and discharge deflection amount determination means for determining the ink discharge deflection amount (discharge angle) to be provided by the discharge direction deflection means in accordance with the results of detection by the distance detection means.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus that is capable of setting a proper deflection amount for deflecting an ink discharge direction even when the distance between the ink discharge surface and the ink landing surface of print paper varies and method of using same. The liquid discharge apparatus includes a head in which a plurality of nozzle-incorporated ink discharge sections are arrayed, discharge direction deflection means for deflecting the discharge direction of an ink discharged from a nozzle of each ink discharge section in the direction of ink discharge section arrangement, distance detection means for detecting the distance between the ink discharge surface of the head and the ink landing surface of print paper and discharge deflection amount determination means for determining the ink discharge deflection amount (discharge angle) to be provided by the discharge direction deflection means in accordance with the results of detection by the distance detection means.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus that is capable of setting a proper deflection amount for deflecting an ink discharge direction even when the distance between the ink discharge surface and the ink landing surface of print paper varies and method of using same. The liquid discharge apparatus includes a head in which a plurality of nozzle-incorporated ink discharge sections are arrayed, discharge direction deflection means for deflecting the discharge direction of an ink discharged from a nozzle of each ink discharge section in the direction of ink discharge section arrangement, distance detection means for detecting the distance between the ink discharge surface of the head and the ink landing surface of print paper, and discharge deflection amount determination means for determining the ink discharge deflection amount (discharge angle) to be provided by the discharge direction deflection means in accordance with the results of detection by the distance detection means.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a liquid ejection head has at least one ejection hole, and a conveyor moves a recording medium relative to the ejection head. A deflector deflects liquid droplets ejected from the ejection hole in a direction including at least a component of a direction substantially parallel to relative conveyance direction of the recording medium. A deflection angle setter sets two or more deflection angles such that when dots mutually adjacent in the direction substantially parallel to the relative conveyance direction of the medium are formed in an overlapping fashion, directions of flight of droplets ejected consecutively are deflected such that their directions of flight become different from each other. Droplet landing time differential between the first droplet and the second droplet becomes equal to or greater than quasi-fixing time period from a landing time of the first liquid droplet until the first liquid droplet becomes quasi-fixed.

Abstract: An inkjet apparatus and method are provided. The inkjet printing apparatus includes a dual row of ink orifices in an integral inkjet printhead. The method provides ink streams with more nozzles per inch in the widthwise direction on a paper without alignment problems and without the need to utilize very small droplets of ink.

Abstract: A printing system includes a liquid drop ejector, a fluid passage, and a fluid flow source. The liquid drop ejector is operable to form liquid drops having a plurality of volumes moving along a first path. The fluid passage includes a wall. A source of acoustic energy is associated with the wall. A fluid flow source is associated with the passage and is configured to provide a fluid flow through the passage. Interaction of the fluid flow and the liquid drops causes liquids drops having one of the plurality of volumes to begin moving along a second path.

Abstract: For printing, the principle of the continuous deflected jet is used: a device discharges a continuous stream of a liquid, which is deflected by an electric field created by a plurality of deflecting electrodes and directed toward a gutter. The printing of drops is performed by fragmenting the continuous jet into a segment formed opposite a shield electrode upstream of the deflecting electrode, so that the segment is not deflected and can be directed toward a substrate. The deflection electrodes are separated by an insulator and a variable potential is applied to each electrode; the potential for the entire set of electrodes cancels out such that the jet is not charged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing and deflecting ink drops in a continuous ink-jet printer in which a continuous cohesive ink jet exits from a nozzle of a pressure chamber, and in which at least one acoustic pulse (140, 142, 142a) strikes the cohesive ink jet (9) transversely to the propagation direction, and one segment of the ink jet (9) upon which the acoustic pulse (140, 142, 142a) acts is separated from the cohesive ink jet (9) and deflected from its original propagation direction (100), the separated segment forming an ink drop (11) during its travel due to cohesion forces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming high-speed water droplets takes advantage on a synergy of features disclosed by the present invention including a low Weber number in a chamber in which a liquid stream breaks up into droplets; a reduced break up distance for forming the water droplets by introducing turbulence into the liquid source, thereby providing a unit or tool that is of practical size; accomplishing the generation of high-speed water droplets without using a complex driver; reducing the liquid's surface tension thereby facilitating the creating of near spherical droplets; and maintaining the droplets in form until they strike the surface of a workpiece.

Abstract: An acoustic inkjet printing apparatus focusing acoustic waves generated by transducers and ejecting droplets of a printing liquid from a surface thereof by means of a sound pressure of the acoustic wave, the acoustic inkjet printing apparatus comprising: a printing liquid containing chamber containing the printing liquid; a piezoelectric element including a main transducer and at least one sub transducer located on at least one side of the main transducer, and generating the acoustic wave by receiving a signal; and an acoustic focusing member focusing the acoustic wave generated by the piezoelectric element near the surface of the printing liquid, thereby ejecting the droplets of the printing liquid, the acoustic inkjet printing apparatus being capable of switching between a first ejection mode in which the droplets are ejected in a first direction perpendicular to a liquid surface in the printing liquid containing chamber and a second ejection mode in which the droplets are ejected at an angle to the first d

Abstract: A twin-nozzle print head for a continuous inkjet deflection printer comprises an ink drop generator assembly having two inkjet ejection nozzles, each of the nozzles having an ejection axis. Charge electrodes, deflection electrodes deflecting charged drops and a single ink drop recovery gutter for both nozzles are also provided. The ejection axes of nozzles converge at a point located on an axis of a single inlet orifice of the single recovery gutter in the vicinity of this orifice or upstream of this gutter. A printer equipped with this head prints swathes of large width with good juncture.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for maintaining a predetermined ejected ink drop volume in a continuous inkjet printer is provided. An ink parameter, for example, temperature, velocity, flow rate, viscosity, is monitored. A time period between activation control signals provided to an ink drop forming mechanism is varied in response to a change in the ink parameter. The apparatus includes an ink parameter monitoring device which provides an input signal to a controller. The controller varies the time period between activation control signals provided to the ink drop forming mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for printing an image is provided. The apparatus includes a droplet forming mechanism adapted to form a succession of droplets having a first volume travelling along a path and a droplet having at least one other volume travelling along the path. A droplet deflector system applies force to the droplets travelling along the path. The force is applied in a direction such that the droplets having the first volume separate from the droplet having the at least one other volume.

Abstract: In a printing head of a printer with deviated continuous jet, one of the electrodes (2) for deviating the ink drops is provided in a downstream part with a longitudinal slit (12) presenting a plane of symmetry relative to a plane containing the axis of the ink jet. Thus the inter-electrode spacing can be reduced and the voltage present between the electrodes (2, 3) can be lowered without reducing the deflection efficiency.

Abstract: A method for printing ink droplets that strike print media substantially perpendicularly, including the steps of: emitting a first drop having a first volume and a second drop having a second volume as a stream of ink from a plurality of nozzle bores formed in a printhead; moving either the first or second drop into a perpendicular strike position relative to the print media; separating either the first drop or the second drop along different droplet paths; capturing either the first drop or the second drop with an ink gutter; and striking the print media with either the first drop or the second drop substantially perpendicular to the print media.

Abstract: A method for printing ink droplets that strike print media substantially perpendicularly, including the steps of: emitting a first drop having a first volume and a second drop having a second volume as a stream of ink from a plurality of nozzle bores formed in a printhead; moving either the first or second drop into a perpendicular strike position relative to the print media; separating either the first drop or the second drop along different droplet paths; capturing either the first drop or the second drop with an ink gutter; and striking the print media with either the first drop or the second drop substantially perpendicular to the print media.

Abstract: An inkjet carriage for holding an inkjet pen includes an airflow reducing member configured and positioned to at least partially block airflow between an inkjet ejection nozzle of a pen on the carriage and an object to be printed upon during carriage movement.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet printer in which a continuous ink stream is deflected at the printhead nozzle bore without the need for charged deflection plates or tunnels. The printhead includes a primary ink delivery channel which delivers a primary flow of pressurized ink through an ink staging chamber to the nozzle bore to create an undeflected ink stream from the printhead. A secondary ink delivery channel adjacent to the primary channel is controlled by a thermally actuated valve to selectively create a lateral flow of pressurized ink into the primary flow thereby causing the emitted ink stream to deflect in a direction opposite to the direction from which the secondary ink stream impinges the primary ink stream in the ink staging chamber.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, an ink droplet forming mechanism for use in an ink jet printer system includes an ink discharge nozzle for discharging a printing ink; at least two heating elements activatable individually to heat a printing ink at the nozzle to form an ink droplet; and a controller connected individually to each heating element for activating at least two heating elements so that should one heating element fail at least one other will heat a printing ink at said nozzle to form an ink droplet.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for maintaining a predetermined ejected ink drop volume in a continuous inkjet printer is provided. An ink parameter, for example, temperature, velocity, flow rate, viscosity, is monitored. A time period between activation control signals provided to an ink drop forming mechanism is varied in response to a change in the ink parameter. The apparatus includes an ink parameter monitoring device which provides an input signal to a controller. The controller varies the time period between activation control signals provided to the ink drop forming mechanism.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly (50) for an inkjet printer having a printhead (10) with a plurality of nozzles (24) and data path and control electronics circuitry (56) operably coupled with the printhead (10) for providing image data that control the flow of ink through the nozzles (24). The nozzles (24) are arranged in sections with at least two heater elements, an upper heater (28a) and a lower heater (28b), predisposed about each nozzle (24), the heater elements configured to actuate a nozzle (24) for printing. The data path and control electronics circuitry (56) comprises a plurality of shift registers (100, 102) configured to drive the nozzles, causing them to deliver ink in the direction of a receiver media, such as paper. Interconnections (54) between the data path and control electronics circuitry (56) and printhead (10) include DATA, CLOCK, LATCH and ENABLE lines which are used to operate the printhead (10) and, in turn, the nozzles (24) via the shift register stages (100, 102).

Abstract: A continuous stream ink jet printer is provided having an ink droplet forming mechanism for ejecting a stream of ink droplets having a selected one of at least two different volumes toward a print medium, a droplet deflector for producing a flow of gas that interacts with the ink droplet stream to separate droplets having different volumes, and a gas flow conditioner for preconditioning the gas flow produced by the deflector with a solvent vapor. The provision of a solvent vapor in the gas flow prevents or at least reduces changes in ink viscosity which could otherwise interfere with the recycling and filtering of ink droplets captured by the gutter of the printer.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling ink in a continuous inkjet printer in which a continuous stream of ink is emitted from a nozzle bore, including a reservoir containing pressurized ink; a rigid nozzle element defining an ink staging chamber and defining a nozzle bore in communication with the ink staging chamber arranged so as to establish a continuous flow of ink in a ink stream; ink delivery structure intermediate the reservoir and the ink staging chamber for communicating ink between the reservoir and defining first and second spaced ink delivery channels; and heat responsive bimorph flexible elements disposed in the first and second spaced ink delivery channels to control the flow of ink to the nozzle and thereby change the direction of ink from the nozzle.