公开(公告)号：US09085161B2

公开(公告)日：2015-07-21

申请号：US13913293

申请日：2013-06-07

Applicant: ELECTRONICS FOR IMAGING, INC.

Inventor： Daniel F. Gloster ,  Paul Andrew Edwards ,  Lianhui Cong ,  Michael R. Quint

IPC: B41J2/19 ,  B41J2/17

CPC classification number: B41J2/1707 ,  B41J2/175 ,  B41J2/18 ,  B41J2/19

Abstract: Enhanced printing systems, structures, and processes provide ultrasonication of ink, such as to degas the ink, and/or to maintain the size of particles within the ink. At least one ultrasonic module, such as comprising any of an ultrasonic probe or an ultrasonic bath, is located within an ink delivery system. Ink is delivered to the ultrasonic module, and ultrasonic energy is applied to the ink, such as at a sufficient level and duration to degas the ink, and/or to reduce the size of particles within the ink. In some embodiments, the particles may be agglomerates, wherein the applied energy is configured to reduce the size of the agglomerates to a size that can be jetted through the print head. In other embodiments, the particles may be metallic particles, wherein the applied energy is configured to create smaller metallic particles that can be jetted with the ink through the print head.

Abstract translation: 增强的印刷系统，结构和工艺提供油墨的超声波处理，例如使油墨脱气和/或维持颗粒在油墨中的尺寸。 至少一个超声波模块，例如包括任何超声波探头或超声波浴，位于墨水输送系统内。 油墨被传送到超声波模块，并且超声能量被施加到油墨，例如足够的水平和持续时间以使油墨脱气，和/或减小油墨内颗粒的尺寸。 在一些实施例中，颗粒可以是附聚物，其中所施加的能量被配置为将附聚物的尺寸减小到可以通过打印头喷射的尺寸。 在其它实施例中，颗粒可以是金属颗粒，其中所施加的能量被配置为产生可以通过打印头用墨水喷射的较小的金属颗粒。