Method and apparatus for printing of magnetic inks
First Claim
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1. A method of operating an inkjet printer comprising:
- moving a print medium through a print zone in a process direction;
ejecting a plurality of drops of a magnetic ink from a plurality of inkjet_ nozzles in the print zone onto a surface of the print medium;
moving the print medium past an electromagnet located in the process direction from the plurality of inkjet nozzles in the print zone;
applying a magnetic field with an orientation that is substantially parallel to the process direction to the plurality of drops of the magnetic ink on the surface of the print medium with the electromagnet to increase a viscosity of the magnetic ink on the print medium in a direction that is perpendicular to the process direction extending into the print medium;
activating the electromagnet with a controller prior to moving the print medium past the electromagnet; and
deactivating the electromagnet with the controller after applying the magnetic field to the plurality of drops of the magnetic ink on the surface of the print medium.
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Abstract
A method of printing with a magnetic ink includes ejecting a plurality of magnetic ink drops onto a print medium in a print zone and applying a magnetic field to the ink drops on the print medium. The magnetic field increases a viscosity of the magnetic ink drops and reduces or eliminates absorption of the magnetic ink into a porous print medium such as paper.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of operating an inkjet printer comprising:
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moving a print medium through a print zone in a process direction; ejecting a plurality of drops of a magnetic ink from a plurality of inkjet_ nozzles in the print zone onto a surface of the print medium; moving the print medium past an electromagnet located in the process direction from the plurality of inkjet nozzles in the print zone; applying a magnetic field with an orientation that is substantially parallel to the process direction to the plurality of drops of the magnetic ink on the surface of the print medium with the electromagnet to increase a viscosity of the magnetic ink on the print medium in a direction that is perpendicular to the process direction extending into the print medium; activating the electromagnet with a controller prior to moving the print medium past the electromagnet; and deactivating the electromagnet with the controller after applying the magnetic field to the plurality of drops of the magnetic ink on the surface of the print medium. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A printing apparatus comprising:
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a media path configured to move a print medium through a print zone in a in a process direction; a plurality of inkjet nozzles in the print zone configured to eject a plurality of drops of a magnetic ink onto a surface of the print medium; an electromagnet located in the process direction from the plurality of inkjet nozzles in print zone and configured to apply a magnetic field with an orientation that is substantially parallel to the process direction to the plurality of drops of the magnetic ink on the surface of the print medium to increase a viscosity of the magnetic ink in a direction that is perpendicular to the process direction extending into the print medium; and a controller operatively connected to the electromagnet, the controller being configured to; activate the electromagnet with the controller prior to the print medium moving past the electromagnet; and deactivate the electromagnet with the controller after the plurality of drops of the magnetic ink on the surface of the print medium move past the electromagnet. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification