Marconi Data Systems Limited

Videojet Technologies Inc.

George Murad

Frank Eremity

George W Arway

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a pressure damping ink filter for use with an ink jet printer. The pressure damping ink filter includes at least one flow control member and a filter. The flow control member, in combination with any pressure damping provided by the thickness of the filter medium and the ink volume capacity of the filter housing, may substantially reduce, if not eliminate, pressure fluctuations in the ink stream that are generated by a high frequency electric pump. The flow control member may be a fixed or variable input restrictor and a fixed or variable output restrictor. The input restrictor and/or output restrictor may also be located inside or outside of the filter housing. Further, the input and output restrictors may be molded as part of the filter housing or the filter itself.

Pressure damping ink filter

A circulation system for mixing ink jet ink includes a container, a pump, and first and second tubes. The container has a bottom surface and a top portion opposing the bottom surface. The pump has an inlet port and an outlet port. The first tube has first and second ends. The first end of the first tube is connected to the inlet port of the pump, and the second end of the first tube includes a plurality of openings in close proximity to the bottom surface of the container. The second tube has first and second ends. The first end of the second tube is connected to the outlet port of the pump, and the second end of the second tube has an opening disposed in the top portion. A method for mixing ink jet ink includes circulating pigment particles from a bottom surface of a container to a top portion of the container. The circulation provides sufficient agitation to maintain the pigment particles suspended in the ink and to prevent agglomeration of pigment particles.

Ink circulation system

A clean-in-place system for use in an ink jet printhead has a compartment and an end plate with a slot therein to permit ink drops to be projected from the compartment onto a substrate to be marked. For cleaning purposes, a shutter is disposed adjacent the slot to seal it. Thereafter, the pump floods the compartment with ink solvent from a solvent reservoir. The solvent may be agitated by air or a mechanical device. Thereafter, a drain line is used to remove the solvent from the compartment. The pneumatic shutter is reopened after the solvent is withdrawn to enhance the drying of the components. The shutter may consist of an inflatable member and a pump for supplying compressed air to the inflatable member to inflate and deflate it.

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Bartlett, IL, United States of America

George Murad