Eastman-Kodak Company

Douglas E Schultz

Robert J Simon

Michael S Hanchak

Charles D Rike

Mikhail Fishkin

David Louis Jeanmaire

David John Nelson

Joseph E Yokajty

John C Brazas

Kevin P Egan

Russell Alan Bechler

Seth C Clark

William H Sommerville, Iii

A printhead having a drop generator for creating print and non-print drops and a drop deflector for causing the trajectories of the print drops and the non-print drops to diverge includes a liquid extraction channel for removing liquid from the gas flow duct; the liquid extraction channel having an entrance which opens off from the gas flow duct; an outlet; a catcher for collecting the non-print drops wherein the catcher has an ink return channel; at least one via connecting the ink return channel to the liquid extraction channel; and wherein a portion of the liquid passing through the ink return channel of the catcher flows through the at least one via into the liquid extraction channel and from the liquid extraction channel out the outlet.

Printhead for generating print and non-print drops

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 printer includes a plurality of jetting modules each including a first alignment feature, a plurality of nozzles through which fluid may be jetted and fluid and electrical connections; a printhead frame having a plurality of jetting-module receiving receptacles each of which receives one of the jetting modules, each receiving receptacle having a second alignment feature corresponding to the first alignment feature of a jetting module: a jetting module installation device having a pocket for receiving a jetting module, wherein the jetting module installation device includes a latch mechanism that, in a first position, is latched to the printhead frame securing the jetting module in a jetting module receiving receptacle with the first alignment feature engaging a corresponding second alignment feature of the printhead frame; the latch mechanism that, in a second position, is unlatched from the printhead frame so that the jetting module is not secured in the jetting module receiving receptacle; and wherein the jetting module installation device includes a coupling frame having fluid and electrical connections that correspond to the fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module, and the installation device includes a mechanism move the coupling frame relative to the jetting module to cause the fluid and electrical connections of the coupling frame to mate to the fluid and electrical connections of the jetting module.

Jetting module install mechanism

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.

Continuous printhead contoured gas flow device

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.

Growing community of inventors

Dayton, OH, United States of America

Douglas E Schultz