SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR LIQUID REPLENISHMENT FOR A PRINTING APPARATUS FOR DEPOSITING A LIQUID COMPOSITION ON A BACKPLANE

摘要

A liquid replenishment system for a printing apparatus that includes a dispensing nozzle and a supply reservoir is improved by a replenishment system having a volume control network responsive to a signal representative of the volume of liquid within the reservoir for generating a volume control signal. The volume control signal is applied to a pump operable to inject replenishment liquid from a replenishment source into the reservoir. The replenishment liquid is injected at a pressure at least substantially equal to the pressure in the reservoir and at a flow rate selectable in accordance with the volume control signal such that the volume of liquid in the reservoir is maintained at a predetermined reference level. A temperature control network for adjusting the temperature of the replenishment liquid to a temperature that lies within a predetermined range of the temperature of the liquid in the reservoir may also be provided.

主权项

1. In a printing apparatus for depositing a liquid on a surface, the printing apparatus including:
a dispensing nozzle; and a supply reservoir disposed in fluid communication with a dispensing nozzle, the reservoir being operable to hold a liquid at a predetermined pressure above atmospheric pressure for supply to the dispensing nozzle;the improvement comprising a liquid replenishment system itself comprising:
a receptacle for storing a replenishment liquid; a volume sensor operable to generate a signal representative of the volume of liquid within the reservoir; a volume control network operably associated with the volume sensor and responsive to the volume signal therefrom for generating a volume control signal; and a pump responsive to the volume control signal, the pump being operable to inject a replenishment liquid from the receptacle into the reservoir at a pressure at least substantially equal to the pressure in the reservoir and at a flow rate selectable in accordance with the volume control signal such that the volume of liquid in the reservoir is maintained at a predetermined reference level.