Eastman-kodak Company

Charles D Rike

Michael S Hanchak

Robert J Simon

Mikhail Fishkin

Michael Joseph Piatt

John Charles Brazas, Jr

David F Tunmore

Randy Lee Fagerquist

James D McCann

John C Brazas

Allan M Waugh

Douglas E Schultz

Scott F Roberts

Michael Frank Baumer

Bruce A Bowling

James E Harrison, Jr

David A Huliba

Brian George Morris

Chang-Fang Hsu

Kenneth J West

Jay D Frazier

Seth C Clark

John Charles Brazas

A method of fabricating a charging device for an inkjet printing system includes providing a charging device body having at least one conductive trace passing through the interior of the charging device body connecting between a charging face of the charging device body and an interconnection region remote from the charging face. A portion of the at least one conductive trace is exposed on the charging face. A vapor deposition process is used to deposit a conductive base layer through a shadow mask onto the charging face, wherein the deposited conductive base layer contacts the exposed portion of at least one conductive trace. One or more conductive metallic layers are plated onto the deposited conductive base layer to form a charging electrode.

Method for fabricating a charging device

A modular inkjet printhead assembly including a plurality of printhead modules mounted on alternating sides of a central rail assembly. The rail assembly includes a beam and a rod attached to a side of the beam. The printhead modules include a jetting module having an array of nozzles, a first alignment tab having a first alignment datum and a second alignment datum, a second alignment tab having a third alignment datum and a fourth alignment datum, a rotational alignment feature including a fifth alignment datum, and a cross-track alignment feature including a sixth alignment datum. Portions of the alignment tabs of the jetting module are adapted to fit within corresponding notches in the beam. A jetting module clamping mechanism and a jetting module cross-track force mechanism apply forces to the jetting module that causes each alignment datum to engage with corresponding alignment features on the rail assembly.

Modular printhead assembly with common center rail

An inkjet printhead assembly includes a rail assembly and a removable jetting module. The rail assembly includes a beam and a rod attached to the beam. A printhead module includes the jetting module and a mounting assembly. The jetting module includes an array of nozzles, a first alignment tab having a first alignment datum and a second alignment datum, a second alignment tab having a third alignment datum and a fourth alignment datum, a rotational alignment feature including a fifth alignment datum, and a cross-track alignment feature including a sixth alignment datum. The mounting assembly includes a similar set of alignment features. Portions of the alignment tabs of the jetting module and the mounting assembly are adapted to fit within corresponding notches in the beam and engage with the rod. A jetting module clamping mechanism applies a force to the jetting module causing it to engage with the rail assembly.

Printhead assembly with removable jetting module

A catcher () for collecting ink from non-printed drops and returning the ink to a fluid reservoir (), the catcher includes a flow channel () having a plurality of branches (); a structure to split a portion of each branch into two parallel sections to permit fluid to pass through either section; and wherein the flow of the two parallel sections () merge into a single flow downstream of the structure.

Catcher for collecting ink from non-printed drops

A printhead includes a jetting module that forms drops, a catcher, and a deflection mechanism that deflects some of the drops toward the catcher. A moveable sealing mechanism has a first position in contact with the catcher and a second position removed from the catcher that permits drops to travel past the catcher. The moveable sealing mechanism includes a first portion that is fixed to the printhead and translates the sealing mechanism relative to the catcher, and a second portion that is removably fixed to the first portion and cooperates with the catcher to form a seal when the sealing mechanism is in the first position. A removal tool for use with the printhead includes a shaft, a magnet affixed to the shaft, and a spacer affixed to the shaft. The spacer includes a valley that is aligned with the at least one magnet.

Serviceable printhead sealing mechanism

A jetting module is provided for installation in a printhead including mounting features, fluid and electrical connections, and at least a portion of a drop deflection mechanism. The jetting module includes a nozzle plate, mounting features, and fluid and electrical connections. The mounting features of the jetting module are configured to engage the mounting features of the printhead. The fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module correspond to the fluid and electrical connections of the printhead. The fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module are located relative to the mounting features of the jetting module such that a force applied to couple the fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module and the fluid and electrical connections of the printhead provides force to maintain contact between the mounting features of the jetting module and the mounting features of the printhead.

Field replaceable jetting module

A printhead includes a liquid manifold. A filter is in fluid communication with the liquid manifold. A nozzle plate includes a length and an array of nozzles extending along the length of the nozzle plate. A liquid chamber is positioned between the nozzle plate and the filter. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the array of nozzles and the filter and includes a width that is substantially perpendicular to the length of the nozzle plate. The liquid chamber includes a structure that is spaced apart from the nozzle plate and in contact with the filter. The structure spans the width of the liquid chamber and includes a plurality of flow through channels. A liquid source provides a liquid through the manifold, the filter, the liquid chamber under pressure sufficient to jet individual streams of the liquid from the array of nozzles.

Liquid chamber reinforcement in contact with filter

A printhead includes a liquid manifold. A filter is in fluid communication with the liquid manifold. A nozzle plate includes a length and an array of nozzles extending along the length of the nozzle plate. A liquid chamber is positioned between the nozzle plate and the filter. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the array of nozzles and the filter and includes a width that is substantially perpendicular to the length of the nozzle plate. The liquid chamber includes a structure that is spaced apart from the nozzle plate and spaced apart from the filter. The structure spans the width of the liquid chamber. A liquid source provides a liquid through the manifold, the filter, the liquid chamber under pressure sufficient to jet individual streams of the liquid from the array of nozzles.

Printhead including reinforced liquid chamber

An alignment component includes first and second members and locating elements. The first member includes at least one surface. The second member includes first and second through holes positioned relative to each other. The second member is affixed with the first member such that first and second pockets are formed. The first and second pockets have a wall corresponding to a wall of the first or second through holes. The first and second pockets have a base corresponding to a surface of the one or more surfaces of the first member. The locating elements include first and second locating elements positioned with an interference fit in the first and second pockets. A wall and a base of the first and second pockets define first and second components of position, respectively, of the first locating element relative to the second locating element.

Alignment assembly for use with a printhead

A printhead includes a printhead module and frame, and an alignment assembly including a base plate, locator plate, first set of locating elements, and coupling member. The locator plate, including through holes, is affixed with the base plate such that pockets are formed having a wall corresponding to a wall of one of the through holes and a base corresponding to a surface of the base plate. The first set of locating elements is positioned with an interference fit in one of the pockets. The walls of the pockets define positions of the first set of locating elements in a plane of the locator plate surface. The bases of the pockets define positions of the first set of locating elements in a direction normal to the base plate surface. The coupling member includes a second set of locating elements that contact the first set of locating elements.

Printhead including alignment assembly

A mechanism for aligning the jetting module in a continuous inkjet printhead and for making fluid and electrical connections to the jetting module without compromising the alignment is disclosed. A mechanism to aid in installing the jetting module is also disclosed.

Jetting module installation and alignment apparatus

A catcher design is provided wherein vacuum channels are added to both sides of the catcher to remove ink from the face of the catcher and from the eyelid seal. An additional fluid port on the catcher allows the additional vacuum channels to maintain an increased level of vacuum. A restriction on the catcher line balances the fluid flow between the catcher and the additional vacuum channels. A scoop can be machined into the catch pan to remove fluid from below the catcher face. A manifold can be used to maintain a vacuum source for the catcher throat and the additional channels, while pulling the unprinted ink back to the fluid system. Finally, a wider eyelid seal can allow purge fluid used during shutdown to clear the channels.

Growing community of inventors

Lebanon, OH, United States of America

Charles D Rike