Ink jet printer

摘要

A continuous ink jet printer including an ink tank for holding ink, an ink nozzle in fluid communication with the ink tank for ejecting ink droplets, and a gutter for receiving, through an ink-receiving inlet thereof, ink droplets which are not used for printing. A gutter flow path starts at the ink-receiving inlet for ink that has entered the gutter through the ink-receiving inlet, and provides fluid communication to the ink tank. A return line is in fluid communication with the print head for conveying air to enter the gutter flow path. A makeup tank is in vapor communication with the ink tank to allow air to be conveyed from the ink tank to the makeup tank. A condenser is in fluid communication with the makeup tank and the return line for condensing solvent.

主权项

1. A continuous ink jet printer comprising a fluid system comprising:
an ink tank for holding ink; a print head; an ink nozzle disposed in the print head and in fluid communication with the ink tank for ejecting ink droplets; a gutter disposed in the print head for receiving, through an ink-receiving inlet thereof, ink droplets which are not used for printing; a gutter flow path starting at the ink-receiving inlet, for ink that has entered the gutter through the ink-receiving inlet, and providing fluid communication to the ink tank; a makeup tank in vapor communication with the ink tank to allow air to be conveyed from the ink tank to the makeup tank; a return line in fluid communication between the makeup tank and the print head for conveying air from the makeup tank to the print head and into the gutter flow path; and a condenser in fluid communication with the makeup tank and the return line, the condenser disposed between the makeup tank and the return line, the condenser adapted to receive exhaust from the makeup tank and condense solvent from the exhaust, the condensed solvent flowing into the makeup tank.