Method for printing
First Claim
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1. A method for printing comprising:
- providing an ink delivery system including a first tank including a fill sensor;
a second tank including a fill sensor, wherein the first tank is in fluid communication with the second tank;
a pump configured to pump ink supplied from the first tank to the second tank;
a third tank including a fill sensor; and
a plurality of flow-through print heads, each of the plurality of print heads in direct fluid communication with each of the second tank and the third tank by conduit or passageway, wherein the third tank is in fluid communication with the first tank, the second tank is in fluid communication with the third tank; and
providing a pressure differential across the plurality of print heads to cause unjetted ink to flow through the print heads and into the third tank;
wherein the flow of ink is controlled or adjusted to maintain a substantially constant meniscus pressure at the plurality of print heads.
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Abstract
A method of printing including providing an ink delivery system including a print head in fluid communication between a first tank and a second tank; and providing a pressure differential across the print head to cause ink to flow from the print head. With embodiments of the method, ink can be controllably dispensed from the print head at substantially the same velocity irrespective of the orientation of the print head with respect to the direction of the force of gravity.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for printing comprising:
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providing an ink delivery system including a first tank including a fill sensor;
a second tank including a fill sensor, wherein the first tank is in fluid communication with the second tank;
a pump configured to pump ink supplied from the first tank to the second tank;
a third tank including a fill sensor; and
a plurality of flow-through print heads, each of the plurality of print heads in direct fluid communication with each of the second tank and the third tank by conduit or passageway, wherein the third tank is in fluid communication with the first tank, the second tank is in fluid communication with the third tank; andproviding a pressure differential across the plurality of print heads to cause unjetted ink to flow through the print heads and into the third tank; wherein the flow of ink is controlled or adjusted to maintain a substantially constant meniscus pressure at the plurality of print heads. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification