Eastman-kodak Company

Edwin A Mycek

Larry L Lapa

John R Debesis

Jeffrey I Hirsh

Ravi Sharma

Todd Russell Griffin

Yung-Rai R Lee

Robert J Green, Jr

A system and method for the fabrication of a fluid, gas and/or vacuum flow system ( ) having a laminate gasket manifold ( ) containing a plurality of bi-directional fluid-flow channels ( ) therein. Initially, a photoimagable polyimide dry film resist layer ( ) is applied to one or more stiffening elements ( ) in order to form laminate sub-layers ( ). The resist is then patterned to form a plurality of openings therein. Selectively, the laminate sub-layers are etched to form alignment apertures ( ) therein. The resist-coated sub-layers ( ) are then stacked such that the alignment apertures ( ) therein are aligned to each other, respectively, to form bi-directional fluid-flow channels ( ). Heat and pressure are then applied to the stack of laminate sub-layers ( ) at 70-75 degrees C. in a vacuum laminator for 10 to 30 seconds. Additional parts, such as a silicon aperture structure ( ) and a substrate, or mounting block ( ), are bonded to the laminate gasket manifold ( ) via a die bonder at 160 degrees C. for approximately five minutes. If such additional parts are added, forming a system ( ), then the system ( ) is cured via a post bake at 160 degrees C. for one hour utilizing a static pressure, such as a dead weight, in order to press all parts together. Thus, the post bake results in a complete cross-link of the bonding material ( ), and may be applied to the laminate gasket manifold ( ) should additional parts not be added.

Laminate and gasket manifold for ink jet delivery systems and similar devices

A self-cleaning ink jet printer with cleaning mechanism and method of cleaning the ink jet 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 canopy is constructed from alternating stacked layers of polyimide and stainless steel sheets with internal geometries, one on top of each other, thus creating internal fluidic passageways. The canopy is connected to a manifold body and has a passageway alignable with the surface. Contaminant residing on the surface is entrained in the solvent when a wiper blade loosens contaminant from the surface. Per an applied vacuum, the canopy vacuums the solvent and entrained contaminant from the surface.

Ink jet printer with cleaning mechanism using laminated polyimide structure and method cleaning an ink jet printer

An improved diaphragm ( ) for drop on demand ink jet print heads and method for manufacturing the same. The present diaphragm ( ) includes a support element ( ) defining at least a portion of a chamber ( ) for holding ink, the support element ( ) defining an opening ( ) adjacent to the chamber ( ), and the diaphragm ( ) being electroformed on a surface ( ) of the support element ( ) around the opening ( ) at least substantially covering the opening ( ) and enclosing the chamber ( ). The diaphragm ( ) preferably has a central region ( ) disposed generally centrally over the opening ( ) and a bellows ( ) surrounds the central region ( ). The central region ( ) of the electroformed diaphragm ( ) is disposed in contact with a piezoelectric transducer ( ) for effecting reciprocal movement of the diaphragm ( ) for alternately contracting and expanding the volume of the ink holding chamber ( ), producing uniform pressure or acoustic waves through ink contained in the chamber ( ) whereby ink menisci in nozzles of a print head in communication with the chamber ( ) are uniformly oscillated.

Electroformed metal diaphragm

Laminate and gasket manfold for ink jet delivery systems and similar devices

An inkjet printer nozzle plate having a non-wetting surface of uniform thickness and an orifice wall of tapered contour, and method of making the nozzle plate. In the method a metal masking layer is deposited on a glass substrate, the masking layer having an opening therethrough for passage of light only through the opening. Next, a negative photoresist layer is deposited on the masking layer, the negative photoresist layer being capable of photochemically reacting with the light. A light source passes light through the substrate, so that the light also passes only through the opening in the form of a tapered light cone. This tapered light cone will define the tapered contour of a nozzle plate orifice wall to be formed. The negative photoresist layer photochemically reacts with the light only in the light cone to define a light-exposed region of hardened negative photoresist. The negative photoresist layer is thereafter developed to remove negative photoresist surrounding the light-exposed region, so as to define a column of negative photoresist extending into the opening. A layer of non-wetting material is then electroless deposited on the masking layer. A nozzle plate material is now electrodeposited on the non-wetting layer. Next, the column is removed by a solvent and the nozzle plate material having the non-wetting layer adhering thereto is released from the masking layer. In this manner, the nozzle plate having the non-wetting layer of uniform thickness and the orifice wall of tapered contour is made.

Method for forming a nozzle plate having a non-wetting surface of uniform thickness and an orifice wall of tapered contour, and nozzle plate

A mandrel for forming an inkjet printer nozzle plate having a non-wetting surface of uniform thickness and an orifice wall of tapered contour, and method of making the mandrel. A metal masking layer is deposited on a glass substrate, the masking layer having an opening therethrough for passage of light only through the opening. Next, a negative photoresist layer is deposited on the masking layer, the negative photoresist layer being capable of photochemically reacting with the light. A light source passes light through the substrate, so that the light also passes only through the opening in the form of a tapered light cone. This tapered light cone will define the tapered contour of a nozzle plate orifice wall to be formed. The negative photoresist layer photochemically reacts with the light only in the light cone to define a light-exposed region of hardened negative photoresist. The negative photoresist layer is thereafter developed to remove negative photoresist surrounding the light-exposed region, so as to define a column of negative photoresist extending into the opening. A layer of non-wetting material is then electroless deposited on the masking layer. A nozzle plate material is now electrodeposited on the non-wetting layer. Next, the column is removed by a solvent and the nozzle plate material having the non-wetting layer adhering thereto is released from the masking layer. In this manner, the nozzle plate having the non-wetting layer of uniform thickness and the orifice wall of tapered contour is made.

Mandrel for forming a nozzle plate having a non-wetting surface of uniform thickness and an orifice wall of tapered contour, and method of making the mandrel

A metallic sheet (10) is laminated between a pair of photoresist layers (26, 30) having different properties which permit one photoresist (26) to be stripped from the metallic sheet, substantially without effecting the other photoresist (30). A thin gauge blank or article (56) is photo-chemically machined from the lamination and the photoresist (26) is stripped from one side, leaving the other photoresist (30) to provide electrical insulation on just one side of the article.

Growing community of inventors

Scottsville, NY, United States of America

Edwin A Mycek