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WO1999065685A2 - Procede et appareil pour systeme d'impression a jet d'encre - Google Patents

Procede et appareil pour systeme d'impression a jet d'encre Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999065685A2
WO1999065685A2 PCT/US1999/013576 US9913576W WO9965685A2 WO 1999065685 A2 WO1999065685 A2 WO 1999065685A2 US 9913576 W US9913576 W US 9913576W WO 9965685 A2 WO9965685 A2 WO 9965685A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ink
carriage
ink jet
recited
printing device
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US1999/013576
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO1999065685A3 (fr
Inventor
Miles Busby
Michael Bailey
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Source Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Source Technologies Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Source Technologies Inc filed Critical Source Technologies Inc
Priority to AU46872/99A priority Critical patent/AU4687299A/en
Publication of WO1999065685A2 publication Critical patent/WO1999065685A2/fr
Publication of WO1999065685A3 publication Critical patent/WO1999065685A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04581—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits controlling heads based on piezoelectric elements

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process and apparatus for printing images which may be read by magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) devices, and more particularly, to a system that allows for MICR printing utilizing a piezo electric ink jet printer.
  • MICR magnetic ink character recognition
  • MICR magnetic ink character recognition
  • MICR printing produces characters that can be reliably read, however, these methods are relatively sophisticated and expensive.
  • a lot of MICR printing is currently performed using offset presses, laser printers, and impact printers.
  • the offset press process generally involves large, expensive, complicated machinery and magnetic inks/pastes that may be difficult to handle. This type of machinery is used mainly by businesses whose main concern is printing large volumes of materials, as opposed to businesses where MICR printing is a secondary or internal concern.
  • MICR printing with laser printers is relatively expensive as the laser printer itself is very costly.
  • using magnetic toners is expensive as printing with laser toner cartridges is already one of the more costly methods of printing, while the specialized magnetic toners add even more cost.
  • Impact printers with magnetic printer ribbons are also costly and are not as efficient and reliable as other methods because they rely on mechanical parts to perform the printing. Thus, a low cost, unsophisticated, yet practical and reliable way to perform MICR printing is desired.
  • thermal ink jet printer uses thermal energy pulses to produce a bubble in an ink filled channel. When the bubble collapses, ink in the channel forms a droplet and is expelled from the channel toward a recording medium.
  • Inkjet technology in general is attractive because it is relatively inexpensive compared with offset printing and laser printing. Inkjet technology, however, has never been commercially successful for MICR printing as far as can be determined.
  • One of the basic problems is that in order to form a character that can hold the required magnetic field, a large mass of magnetic particles is required in the ink solution. Additionally, the increased mass of magnetic particles results in a higher viscosity ink solution. The larger mass of particles and resulting higher viscosity solution combine to make it difficult for ink jet printers to form and expel droplets. Also, different types of ink jet heads, such as the thermal printer head, are not able to be used successfully with the higher viscosity inks that are required to form reliable MICR characters.
  • the viscosity of magnetic ink that one patent purportedly claims can be jetted through a thermal magnetic ink jet printer is on the order of 0.04 poise (P) or less, which equals 4 centipoise (cP) or less.
  • Poise is a unit of dynamic viscosity of a fluid in which there is a tangential force of 1 dyne per square centimeter resisting the flow of two parallel fluid layers past each other when their differential velocity is 1 centimeter per second per centimeter of separation. No such thermal ink jet printer, however, has ever been seen commercially.
  • an embodiment of the present invention introduces an ink jet printing device that includes a movable carriage and an ink jet print head disposed on the carriage, wherein the print head comprises a piezo electric element capable of jetting magnetic ink having a viscosity of more than 4 centipoise (cP), preferably at least 6 cP, onto a recording medium to facilitate scanning by MICR equipment.
  • an ink jet printer system of the present invention includes the above ink jet printing device and further includes a computer in communication with the carriage to perform a print monitor function to insure the magnetic materials remain suspended by monitoring the movement of the carriage and initiating a predetermined carriage movement after sensing a predetermined idle time.
  • the present invention also provides a method for agitating an ink reservoir in an ink jet printer system to insure the magnetic materials in the ink contained within the reservoir remain suspended, wherein the method includes at least providing a movable carriage, disposing the ink reservoir on the carriage, sensing a predetermined idle time of the carriage, and moving the carriage upon sensing the predetermined idle time. Accordingly, MICR printing can be performed effectively and economically without any drawbacks often associated with the aforementioned prior art.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with portions removed for clarity, of a typical ink jet printer of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a cut-away side view of the ink jet printer of Fig. 1 ; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an ink jet printer system that includes an ink jet printing device connected to a computer for performing a print monitor function.
  • an ink jet printing system for magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) printing comprises a print head advantageously utilizing a piezo electric element for generating ink droplets.
  • the piezo electric ink jet head successfully jets solvent-based ink comprising magnetic materials (magnetic ink) onto a recording medium to facilitate scanning by MICR equipment.
  • the ink is delivered to the print head from an ink supply reservoir.
  • the ink jet printing system of the present invention facilitates efficient delivery of the magnetic ink to the piezo electric print head by agitating the ink supply, which advantageously keeps the magnetic materials in solution.
  • the ink jet printing system comprises an ink supply reservoir formed to enhance the ability of the system to keep the magnetic materials in suspension.
  • the ink supply reservoir is advantageously keyed to the carriage to ensure secure mounting.
  • an ink jet printer system 10 utilized in the present invention comprises an ink jet print head 12 and ink supply reservoir 14 removably mounted to a carriage 16.
  • Carriage 16 translates on guide rails 18 from one end of housing 20 to the other.
  • Carriage 16 is adjacent to and moves parallel to rotatable wheels 22 that feed recording medium 24, such as paper, into printer system 10.
  • recording medium 24 such as paper
  • a piezo electric ink jet print head beneficially allows solvent- based inks with suspended magnetic materials or pigments to be efficiently jetted onto the recording medium to form images that may be read by MICR equipment.
  • Conventional ink jet heads such as thermal heads, purportedly are only able to jet ink having a viscosity of less than about 4 centipoise (cP).
  • the piezo electric ink jet head unexpectedly allows the successful jetting of ink having a viscosity of up to about 19 cP.
  • the piezo electric head advantageously allows the magnetic ink to comprise a larger mass of magnetic particles.
  • the images formed with this higher viscosity ink are able to better sustain a stronger magnetic field that increases the recognition of the images by MICR equipment.
  • the piezo electric print head generates ink droplets by positioning a piezo crystal in the print head. Magnetic ink in a channel within the print head is broken up into droplets by a controllable vibration of the piezo crystal. The droplets are expelled from the channel and onto the recording medium to form an image.
  • the image is typically in the pattern of industry recognizable E13B and CMC7 fonts to facilitate recognition by MICR equipment.
  • a suitable example of a piezo electric print head includes the PIEZO JET ® 64 ink jet print head manufactured by Xaar Limited.
  • a suitable printer that may be modified for use in the ink jet printer system of the present invention includes commercially-available printers such as the ADDMASTERTM K60 printer
  • the magnetic materials in the solvent-based ink generally comprise ferrous materials, such as iron oxide particles.
  • ferrous materials such as iron oxide particles.
  • an ink viscosity of about 6 cP or more is required to obtain the level of magnetic material necessary for MICR reading.
  • prior art ink jet heads such as the thermal head, are ineffective at jetting such high viscosity inks.
  • the present ink jet printer system enables reliable ink jet MICR printing by utilizing a piezo electric print head.
  • the present invention is able to utilize ink having a viscosity in the range of up to about 19 cP, more preferably about 4 - 19 cP, even more preferably about 6 - 10 cP, and most preferably 8 - 10 cP.
  • MICR printing can now be performed effectively and economically with the present invention.
  • the present invention synergistically combines the motion of the carriage with a print monitor function to insure the magnetic materials in the ink remain suspended.
  • One problem with inks having high viscosity is that the heavier materials in the ink tend to settle to the bottom of their reservoir and clump together or attach to each other. This problem is particularly true in pigmented inks with large pigment particles.
  • the ink reservoirs for pigmented inks are typically located away from or off-board the print head, as opposed to being directly adjacent to the print head as in some ink jet applications, because pigmented inks are typically used in large format print heads that require a large amount of ink.
  • the off-board reservoirs for pigmented inks thus are typically agitated mechanically, such as through a shaking mechanism, or through an ultrasonic device to keep the heavy particles from settling.
  • the settling and clumping together of the particles causes the printer to clog up. Additionally, the settling of the heavy particles may cause the printer to print with ink that contains less than the desired amount of particles.
  • the synergistic combination of the carriage motion and the print monitor function of the present invention maintains the heavy magnetic particles in suspension.
  • the ink reservoir of the present invention is preferably mounted adjacent to the print head, and preferably contains from about 10 cc to 50 cc of magnetic ink.
  • the normal motion of the print head during printing helps to keep the magnetic materials suspended in the ink solution.
  • the print monitor function monitors the motion of the print head and determines when extra movement is required to keep the magnetic materials in suspension. When the print monitor determines that extra movement is required, then it is able to control the carriage movement to agitate the magnetic materials in the magnetic ink.
  • the print monitor function is performed by a computer 30 that is electronically connected to the ink jet printer system 10.
  • Computer 30 has memory 32 and processor 34 for respectively storing and performing operations on electrical signals representing data and software programs. Suitable examples of computer 30 include personal computers, processors, microprocessors, hard- wired processors or controllers such as a programmable logic unit, servers, mainframe computers, and computer workstations. Further, computer 30 may be a separate component or integral with ink jet printer system 10, such as a processor or controller mounted within the printer. In particular, computer 30 includes monitoring software and/or hardware 36 for monitoring the movement of the printer carriage and initiating a predetermined carriage movement to shake up the ink after a predetermined idle time. For example, the print monitor function tracks when the printer has been idle.
  • the print monitor function automatically instructs the carriage carrying the print head and ink reservoir to move a predetermined length in a predetermined agitation time for a predetermined number of strokes to shake up the ink and insure the magnetic particles are in suspension.
  • the predetermined idle time may be as long as about 10 - 15 minutes, after which the carriage may be moved over about a 2 - 3 inch length in about 1 - 5 seconds for up to about 10 - 12 strokes.
  • the predetermined idle time, the length and timing of the carriage movement, and the number of strokes may vary depending on the characteristics of the ink being utilized.
  • the print monitor function and agitation of the ink may not be required for some inks.
  • the present invention advantageously monitors the movement of the print head and ink reservoir and imparts energy to the magnetic ink to insure the magnetic materials are kept in full suspension.
  • magnetic ink reservoir 14 preferably comprises a cartridge that keys into carriage 16 and fluidly connects to print head 12.
  • the cartridge is formed with a special keyed portion that matches with a keyed portion on carriage 16.
  • the keying of the cartridge to carriage 16 insures proper positioning of the cartridge for the proper functioning of the system.
  • the keying also insures that the outlet from ink reservoir 14 is properly connected to the inlet to the ink channel in print head 12.
  • the cartridge may be injected molded plastic with a interior cavity holding a plastic bag that contains the ink.
  • the interior cavity of the cartridge is advantageously formed to enhance the suspension of magnetic materials in the ink.
  • the interior cavity may have a substantially a long, shallow, concave bottom portion that facilitates the dispersion of magnetic materials in the ink.
  • the shallow depth of the cartridge of the present invention does not allow the magnetic materials to separate as far from the rest of the ink solution. Because of the reduced separation between the ink solution and the magnetic materials, the present invention allows for higher viscosity magnetic inks to be used in ink jet printing of MICR readable images.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Abstract

Procédé et appareil pour un système d'impression (10) à jet d'encre destiné à imprimer de manière efficace et économique des images pour la reconnaissance magnétique des caractères. Ledit système comporte un chariot mobile (14) et une tête d'impression (12) à jet d'encre placée sur le chariot et dotée d'un élément piézo-électrique adapté pour projeter de l'encre magnétique sur un support d'enregistrement. L'encre magnétique possède de préférence une viscosité supérieure à 4 centipoises et idéalement d'au moins 6 centipoises. En outre, un ordinateur (30) peut être en communication avec le chariot pour effectuer une fonction de contrôle d'imprimante. Le procédé permettant d'effectuer cette fonction comporte le contrôle du mouvement du chariot et le déclenchement d'un mouvement prédéterminé du chariot après détection d'un temps mort prédéterminé dudit chariot.
PCT/US1999/013576 1998-06-16 1999-06-16 Procede et appareil pour systeme d'impression a jet d'encre Ceased WO1999065685A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU46872/99A AU4687299A (en) 1998-06-16 1999-06-16 Method and apparatus for an ink jet printer system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US8949798P 1998-06-16 1998-06-16
US60/089,497 1998-06-16

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999065685A2 true WO1999065685A2 (fr) 1999-12-23
WO1999065685A3 WO1999065685A3 (fr) 2000-04-06

Family

ID=22217977

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1999/013576 Ceased WO1999065685A2 (fr) 1998-06-16 1999-06-16 Procede et appareil pour systeme d'impression a jet d'encre

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU4687299A (fr)
WO (1) WO1999065685A2 (fr)

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1129356B (it) * 1980-10-31 1986-06-04 Olivetti Ing C Spa Dispositivo di stampa a getto selettivo di inchiostro
DE2704735C2 (de) * 1977-02-04 1982-08-05 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Auslaufsicherer Tintenvorratsbehälter
US4475113A (en) * 1981-06-18 1984-10-02 International Business Machines Drop-on-demand method and apparatus using converging nozzles and high viscosity fluids
JPS60232962A (ja) * 1984-05-04 1985-11-19 Canon Inc 液体噴射記録装置
JPS61272161A (ja) * 1985-05-28 1986-12-02 Nec Corp バブル磁気インクジエツト
DE3880598T2 (de) * 1987-09-11 1993-12-23 Dataproducts Corp Vorrichtung für die akustische Mikroströmung in einem Tintenstrahlgerät.
JP3163628B2 (ja) * 1990-11-02 2001-05-08 セイコーエプソン株式会社 インクジェットプリント装置におけるインクの再分散方法及びインクカートリッジ
JPH05338195A (ja) * 1992-06-05 1993-12-21 Seiko Epson Corp インクジェット記録装置
JP3417434B2 (ja) * 1995-01-05 2003-06-16 セイコーエプソン株式会社 インクジェットプリンタ用インクカートリッジ
KR100186618B1 (ko) * 1996-09-16 1999-05-15 삼성전자주식회사 피그먼트 잉크의 농도 균일화방법

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4687299A (en) 2000-01-05
WO1999065685A3 (fr) 2000-04-06

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