The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 10, 2001
Filed:
Jan. 24, 1997
Takashi Aihara, Chiba, JP;
Tohru Naganuma, Kanagawa, JP;
Makoto Ando, Tokyo, JP;
Kenji Okamoto, Tokyo, JP;
Koichiro Kishima, Kanagawa, JP;
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A printing apparatus having a printing head that prevents ink, diluent, and a mixed solution thereof from adhering to and spreading about a portion of the printing head around a nozzle. The printing apparatus has an enhanced ability to reproduce a gradation of concentration, thereby making it possible to form a recorded image of high resolution. The printing head has a first nozzle, which discharges a discharge medium, and a second nozzle, which discharges a metering medium. The orifices of the first and second nozzles are adjacent to each other in a nozzle outlet face of the printing head. A groove, a hydrophilic portion, or an insular projection is formed between the first and second nozzles to control the spread of ink, diluent, and a mixed solution thereof around the nozzles. The hydrophilic portion may be made by a non-processed portion of the outlet face of the printing head, and a portion other than the nonprocessed portion may be made a hydrophobic portion. Several variations of the groove, hydrophilic portion, and insular projection are disclosed.