MULTI-APPLICATION INK JET PRINTING SYSTEM

• US 20090153612A1
• Filed: 12/12/2007
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Regan, Michael T.
• Application Number:
  US11/954,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20090153612A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/21
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/02 generating a continuous ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/175 Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of inkjet printing comprising providing a printhead, providing a controller for the printhead, providing a base ink formulation stream, introducing at least one first enhancer into the base ink stream to form a combined ink stream, adjusting the printhead setpoints and printing the combined ink onto a first substrate.

Claims

1. A method of inkjet printing comprising providing a printhead, providing a controller for the printhead, providing a base ink formulation stream, introducing at least one first enhancer into the base ink stream to form a combined enhanced ink stream, adjusting the printhead set points to the enhanced combined ink stream, and printing the combined ink onto a first substrate.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising ceasing delivery of the first enhancer and substituting at least one second enhancer to form a second combined ink stream, adjusting the printhead set points, and printing the second combined ink onto a second substrate.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising ceasing delivery of the at least a second enhancer, substituting at least one third enhancer, bringing the combined stream to the printhead, adjusting the printhead set points, and printing onto a third substrate.

4. A method of claim 1 further comprising introducing a second enhancer into the ink stream, adjusting the printhead set points, and printing onto a fourth substrate.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one first enhancer comprises a colorant.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one enhancer enhances the ink'"'"'s performance on a glossy lithographic receiver.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one enhancer improves the density of the ink on plain paper.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one enhancer improves the image durability of the image on a substrate.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one enhancer improves the ink'"'"'s adherence to polymer substrates.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one enhancer improves the ink'"'"'s adherence to polypropylene substrates.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein a second substrate and a second enhancer are substituted for the first substrate and the at least one first enhancer, such that a preferred ink for printing on a second substrate is formed.

12. An apparatus for inkjet printing comprising an inkjet printhead, an inkjet delivery system wherein the inkjet delivery system comprises a base ink supply source, at least one enhancer supply source and a means to bring a stream of base ink from the base ink supply source, and means to bring at least one enhancer into the base ink to form a job specific ink.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising means to transport a substrate to said printhead for printing.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said at least one enhancer supply source comprises at least three different enhancer supply sources.

15. An apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a controller to control the blending of the base ink and said at least one enhancer.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising means to change the printhead set points to match inks created by the addition of at least one enhancer.