APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUS LIQUID PRINTING

摘要

A continuous liquid printing apparatus and method includes a nozzle assembly moving along a linear path in forward and reverse directions. A feed tube formed in a loop has one end terminating at the nozzle assembly, and the loop is maintained in a fixed orientation relative to the nozzle assembly during printing operation of the nozzle assembly. The nozzle assembly may be one of a multitude of nozzle assemblies located within a printhead.

主权项

1. A printing apparatus comprising:
a nozzle assembly having an inlet and an exit, cross section of the nozzle assembly is perpendicular to fluid flow direction within the nozzle assembly, the cross section periphery having a first point and a second point, the first and second points being diametrically opposed with a line connecting the first and second points being parallel to linear travel of the nozzle assembly during print operation; a feed tube formed in at least a first loop, distal end of the feed tube is connected to the inlet of the nozzle assembly, wherein the loop is defined on a plane having a vector normal to the plane, wherein the vector normal to the plane is parallel to the line connecting the first and second points; and a connector to maintain position of the feed tube relative to the nozzle assembly.