Mist reduction for ink jet printers

Abstract

The present assembly is an ink jet printer of the continuous stream type for printing an image on a recording surface having a nozzle or orifice from which an electrically conductive ink stream is expelled by pressure along a predetermined path toward a recording surface apparatus to selectively deflect or interrupt portions of the ink stream such that the portions deflected or interrupt are prevented from reaching the area of the recording surface or which said image is printed, an ink mist shield positioned proximate to the recording surface, the mist shield being maintained at a first potential, apparatus for charging the recording surface to a second potential substantially different from the first potential whereby ink which impinges the recording surface is charged thereby and particles of the impinging ink which rebound from the recording surface are impelled toward the mist shield by the field resulting from the difference between the first and second potential. The present method, for use in a continuous stream ink jet printer for printing an image on a recording surface having a nozzle or orifice and a recording surface, and a mist shield positioned proximate to the recording surface, is the steps of expelling by pressure a continuous stream of electrically conductive ink from the nozzle toward the recording surface, selectively deflecting or interrupt portions of the ink stream, applying an electrical charge to the recording surface, such that an electrical field exists between said mist shield and said recording surface whereby particles of the ink stream which rebound upon impact with the recording surface are urged toward the mist shield.