FAST DRYING INK JET INK COMPOSITIONS FOR CAPPING INK JET PRINTER NOZZLES

摘要

Methods and apparatus are provided for preventing clogging in impulse ink j et printers. It has been found in accordance with the invention that ink cloggi ng during quiescent periods can be prevented by providing an ink that has the property of forming a barrier of higher viscosity ink where the ink contacts the ambient air. As a result, the viscous barrier shields the remaining ink from the effects of air exposure during th e quiescent period. Thereafter, the barrier is removed by a series of sub-pulses that re- homogenize the viscosity barrier and clear the nozzle.