WO2002028654A1 - Integrated vacuum degass and oxygen measurement - Google Patents

Integrated vacuum degass and oxygen measurement Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002028654A1
WO2002028654A1 PCT/US2001/031277 US0131277W WO0228654A1 WO 2002028654 A1 WO2002028654 A1 WO 2002028654A1 US 0131277 W US0131277 W US 0131277W WO 0228654 A1 WO0228654 A1 WO 0228654A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ink
oxygen
flow cell
measuring
oxygen level
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/031277
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2002028654A8 (en
Inventor
Bruce S. Jones
Stephen A. Anderson
Ronald E. Coutta
Original Assignee
Nu-Kote International, 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 Nu-Kote International, Inc. filed Critical Nu-Kote International, Inc.
Priority to AU2002213040A priority Critical patent/AU2002213040A1/en
Publication of WO2002028654A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002028654A1/en
Publication of WO2002028654A8 publication Critical patent/WO2002028654A8/en

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
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17506—Refilling of the cartridge
    • B41J2/17509—Whilst mounted in the printer
    • 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
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17566—Ink level or ink residue control
    • 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
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/19—Ink jet characterised by ink handling for removing air bubbles

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to the inkjet printing art for ejecting ink droplets on a recording medium, such as paper, and more particularly, to a method of degassing and measuring oxygen content of ink prior to being filled in an ink tank cartridge for use in an ink-jet type recording apparatus, such as a printer.
  • ink is supplied to a recording head from an ink tank constructed as a cartridge.
  • a benefit of using an ink cartridge serving is that ink does not smear due to the leakage of ink while refilling new ink or the like.
  • undesired air can easily enter the ink tank during the filling process which causes problems such as ink supply failure, print voids, and poor quality printing. Air trapped in the cartridge, as well as air entrained in the ink, contribute to reduced quality printing.
  • the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling ink filling to an ink tank in response to air content, or oxygen level, within the ink.
  • the invention relates to a method of degassing and measuring oxygen level in an inkjet type ink prior to filling an ink-jet tank with ink.
  • the method includes steps of placing the ink in an ink container under a vacuum to substantially eliminate air entrained within the ink.
  • the ink is circulated from the ink container into a flow cell having an oxygen probe which measures the oxygen content of the ink.
  • An oxygen meter is connected to the oxygen probe and sends an output signal to a logic controller that conducts a comparison of the measured oxygen content with a pre-determined level. If the oxygen content is above the predetermined level, the ink is re-cycled through the ink container and additional air is removed from the ink by a vacuum pump. The ink is cycled again to the flow cell to have the oxygen content measured again. If the oxygen content is at or below the predetermined level, the ink is cycled to the fill unit where an ink tank cartridge is filled.
  • the logic controller controls a diverter valve.
  • the ink is being circulated or cycled, it is diverted either to the flow cell or to a fill unit through the diverter valve in response to the comparison of the oxygen content with the pre-determined value.
  • the vacuum pump is also used to remove residual air after the ink filling process.
  • FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of degassing and measuring oxygen content in ink and controlling ink filling of an ink tank cartridge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 1 shows an apparatus and method of degassing ink, measuring oxygen content in ink, and controlling ink filling to an ink tank cartridge in response to the measured oxygen content .
  • ink is supplied to the system in an ink supply container 10 as shown in Figure 1.
  • the ink container contains approximately 22 liters of ink, although different size containers can be used without departing from the scope and intent of the present invention.
  • the ink container is connected via passage or line 11 to a commercially available vacuum pump 12.
  • the ink is placed under a vacuum by the vacuum pump that is higher than the vapor pressure of the ink.
  • the vacuum is applied to the ink to subject the ink to a negative pressure, preferably 27.5 in/Hg, to substantially eliminate excessive air within the ink prior to filling an ink tank cartridge .
  • the oxygen content of the ink is sampled continuously by circulating the ink through line 14 to a flow cell or mixing chamber 16.
  • An oxygen probe 18 associated with the flow cell has a tip which contacts the ink as it flows through the flow cell.
  • the probe is threadably secured into a sealed position with an O-ring seal 20 and is also connected to a digital oxygen meter 22.
  • the oxygen probe has a high accuracy (in parts per billion or ppb) .
  • the probe sends a signal to the oxygen meter and the meter, in turn, provides an output signal to a programmable logic controller (PLC) 24.
  • PLC programmable logic controller
  • the PLC interfaces with a fill unit
  • the PLC interacts with a diverter valve 40 through an output signal.
  • the diverter valve which in a preferred embodiment is a solenoid operated valve, is connected via passage 14 to the flow cell and ink container.
  • the diverter valve circulates the ink along one of two paths in response to the output signal from the PLC. If a desired oxygen level is reached, then the ink is directed to the fill unit for subsequent filling of an ink tank cartridge. On the other hand, if the oxygen level in the ink is above the desired oxygen level, the ink is recirculated back to the flow cell and oxygen probe to re- measure the oxygen level .
  • the ink then exits the flow cell and is conveyed to the ink container by metering pump 42.
  • the ink is cycled through the system until the pre-determined oxygen level is achieved as measured by the oxygen probe and oxygen meter. This level is determined by the probe and it is sent via the control signal line to a fill unit. Once the desired oxygen level is achieved, the ink is then circulated to the fill unit by the diverter valve .
  • the vacuum pump 12 is also connected directly to the fill unit via tube 50 to continue to serve as an additional post-vacuum source for air removal in the after- filling process. Once the degassed ink enters the fill unit, it is subsequently pressure filled into an ink tank cartridge to a desired amount or level .

Abstract

A method of degassing and measuring oxygen level in an ink-jet type ink prior to filling an ink-jet tank with ink includes placing the ink under a vacuum to substantially eliminate air within the ink. The ink is circulated from an ink container (10) into a flow cell (16). The flow cell is connected to an oxygen probe (18) and an oxygen meter (22) for reading the oxygen level of the ink. The ink is diverted to the flow cell or to a fill unit through a diverter valve (40). When the oxygen content reaches a pre-determined level, the ink is cycled to the fill unit (30).

Description

"Integrated Vacuum Degass and Oxygen Measurement"
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
[0001] This application claims priority from Provisional Application No. 60/239,077 filed on October 6, 2000.
Background of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to the inkjet printing art for ejecting ink droplets on a recording medium, such as paper, and more particularly, to a method of degassing and measuring oxygen content of ink prior to being filled in an ink tank cartridge for use in an ink-jet type recording apparatus, such as a printer.
[0003] In a conventional recording apparatus, ink is supplied to a recording head from an ink tank constructed as a cartridge. A benefit of using an ink cartridge serving is that ink does not smear due to the leakage of ink while refilling new ink or the like. However, undesired air can easily enter the ink tank during the filling process which causes problems such as ink supply failure, print voids, and poor quality printing. Air trapped in the cartridge, as well as air entrained in the ink, contribute to reduced quality printing.
[0004] Current filling processes fill ink into ink cartridges regardless of the amount of air contained within the ink. It is considered desirable to remove excess entrained air from the inkjet ink before filling the cartridge. Accordingly, it is desirable to develop a new and improved method of degassing ink which would meet the above-stated needs and others and provide better, more advantageous overall results. Summary of the Invention
[0005] Generally speaking, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling ink filling to an ink tank in response to air content, or oxygen level, within the ink.
[0006] More particularly, the invention relates to a method of degassing and measuring oxygen level in an inkjet type ink prior to filling an ink-jet tank with ink. The method includes steps of placing the ink in an ink container under a vacuum to substantially eliminate air entrained within the ink. The ink is circulated from the ink container into a flow cell having an oxygen probe which measures the oxygen content of the ink. An oxygen meter is connected to the oxygen probe and sends an output signal to a logic controller that conducts a comparison of the measured oxygen content with a pre-determined level. If the oxygen content is above the predetermined level, the ink is re-cycled through the ink container and additional air is removed from the ink by a vacuum pump. The ink is cycled again to the flow cell to have the oxygen content measured again. If the oxygen content is at or below the predetermined level, the ink is cycled to the fill unit where an ink tank cartridge is filled.
[0007] The logic controller controls a diverter valve. Thus, while the ink is being circulated or cycled, it is diverted either to the flow cell or to a fill unit through the diverter valve in response to the comparison of the oxygen content with the pre-determined value.
[0008] The vacuum pump is also used to remove residual air after the ink filling process.
[0009] Still other aspects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0010] The invention may take form in certain components and structures, a preferred embodiment of which will be illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein: [0011] FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of degassing and measuring oxygen content in ink and controlling ink filling of an ink tank cartridge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
[0012] Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same, Figure 1 shows an apparatus and method of degassing ink, measuring oxygen content in ink, and controlling ink filling to an ink tank cartridge in response to the measured oxygen content .
[0013] More particularly, ink is supplied to the system in an ink supply container 10 as shown in Figure 1. Here, the ink container contains approximately 22 liters of ink, although different size containers can be used without departing from the scope and intent of the present invention. The ink container is connected via passage or line 11 to a commercially available vacuum pump 12. The ink is placed under a vacuum by the vacuum pump that is higher than the vapor pressure of the ink. The vacuum is applied to the ink to subject the ink to a negative pressure, preferably 27.5 in/Hg, to substantially eliminate excessive air within the ink prior to filling an ink tank cartridge .
[0014] While the vacuum is applied to the ink, the oxygen content of the ink is sampled continuously by circulating the ink through line 14 to a flow cell or mixing chamber 16. An oxygen probe 18 associated with the flow cell has a tip which contacts the ink as it flows through the flow cell. The probe is threadably secured into a sealed position with an O-ring seal 20 and is also connected to a digital oxygen meter 22. The oxygen probe has a high accuracy (in parts per billion or ppb) . The probe sends a signal to the oxygen meter and the meter, in turn, provides an output signal to a programmable logic controller (PLC) 24. The PLC interfaces with a fill unit
30 to control ink filling in response to oxygen content as measured at the flow cell . [0015] The PLC interacts with a diverter valve 40 through an output signal. The diverter valve, which in a preferred embodiment is a solenoid operated valve, is connected via passage 14 to the flow cell and ink container. The diverter valve circulates the ink along one of two paths in response to the output signal from the PLC. If a desired oxygen level is reached, then the ink is directed to the fill unit for subsequent filling of an ink tank cartridge. On the other hand, if the oxygen level in the ink is above the desired oxygen level, the ink is recirculated back to the flow cell and oxygen probe to re- measure the oxygen level . The ink then exits the flow cell and is conveyed to the ink container by metering pump 42.
[0016] The ink is cycled through the system until the pre-determined oxygen level is achieved as measured by the oxygen probe and oxygen meter. This level is determined by the probe and it is sent via the control signal line to a fill unit. Once the desired oxygen level is achieved, the ink is then circulated to the fill unit by the diverter valve .
[0017] The vacuum pump 12 is also connected directly to the fill unit via tube 50 to continue to serve as an additional post-vacuum source for air removal in the after- filling process. Once the degassed ink enters the fill unit, it is subsequently pressure filled into an ink tank cartridge to a desired amount or level .
[0018] The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. Obviously, alterations and modifications will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It should be noted that variations on the system of degassing and measuring oxygen content of ink-jet ink would fall within the scope and intent of the present invention. The specification is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Claims

Having thus described the preferred embodiment, the invention is now claimed to be:
1. A method of degassing and measuring oxygen level in ink-jet type ink prior to filling an ink-jet tank, comprising the steps of : placing the ink under a vacuum to eliminate excessive air within the ink; measuring oxygen content of the ink via an oxygen probe; cycling the ink to the probe until a predetermined oxygen level is measured; circulating the ink to a fill unit once the predetermined oxygen level is reached; and, filling the fill unit with the ink.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of placing the ink under a vacuum includes connecting an ink container to a vacuum pump.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of measuring the oxygen content of the ink includes flowing the ink through a flow cell which is connected to the oxygen probe.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of cycling the ink includes pumping the ink from the flow cell to an ink container.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of measuring the oxygen level further comprises the step of measuring the oxygen level with an oxygen meter in connection with the oxygen probe.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of sending an output from the oxygen meter to a logic controller.
7. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of diverting the ink to the flow cell or the fill unit via a valve.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of applying a vacuum to the fill unit to remove residual air from the ink.
9. A method of measuring oxygen level in degassed ink prior to filling an ink-jet tank, comprising the steps of: directing ink through a flow cell; measuring oxygen content of the ink in the flow cell via an oxygen probe and meter; cycling the ink through the flow cell until a predetermined oxygen level is measured; and, circulating the ink to a fill unit once the predetermined oxygen level is reached.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of : sending an output from the oxygen meter to a logic controller.
11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of : diverting the ink to the flow cell or the fill unit.
12. An apparatus for controlling an ink filling system for an inkjet tank in response to a oxygen level in the ink comprising: a container for holding the ink; a vacuum source for subjecting the ink in the container to a vacuum and removing entrained air from the ink; a sensor for measuring oxygen content of the ink via an oxygen probe; a diverter valve for selectively directing the ink to one of (i) a filling system if a desired oxygen content is attained and (ii) cycling the ink to the container until a predetermined oxygen level is measured.
PCT/US2001/031277 2000-10-06 2001-10-05 Integrated vacuum degass and oxygen measurement WO2002028654A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002213040A AU2002213040A1 (en) 2000-10-06 2001-10-05 Integrated vacuum degass and oxygen measurement

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US23907700P 2000-10-06 2000-10-06
US60/239,077 2000-10-06

Publications (2)

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WO2002028654A1 true WO2002028654A1 (en) 2002-04-11
WO2002028654A8 WO2002028654A8 (en) 2002-10-10

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004028818A1 (en) * 2002-09-13 2004-04-08 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method for enzyme mediated removal of gas from inks, and reduced gas inks
WO2006029236A1 (en) * 2004-09-07 2006-03-16 Fujifilm Dimatix, Inc. Fluid drop ejection system capable of removing dissolved gas from fluid
EP2301756A1 (en) * 2009-09-29 2011-03-30 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Ink refilling device
CN112020433A (en) * 2018-07-13 2020-12-01 惠普发展公司，有限责任合伙企业 Printing material reservoir

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4340895A (en) * 1980-10-14 1982-07-20 Xerox Corporation Degassing ink supply apparatus for ink jet printer
JPS58191167A (en) * 1982-05-06 1983-11-08 Ricoh Co Ltd Ink jet recording apparatus
US4460904A (en) * 1982-11-05 1984-07-17 Xerox Corporation Ink jet ink handling system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4340895A (en) * 1980-10-14 1982-07-20 Xerox Corporation Degassing ink supply apparatus for ink jet printer
JPS58191167A (en) * 1982-05-06 1983-11-08 Ricoh Co Ltd Ink jet recording apparatus
US4460904A (en) * 1982-11-05 1984-07-17 Xerox Corporation Ink jet ink handling system

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004028818A1 (en) * 2002-09-13 2004-04-08 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method for enzyme mediated removal of gas from inks, and reduced gas inks
WO2006029236A1 (en) * 2004-09-07 2006-03-16 Fujifilm Dimatix, Inc. Fluid drop ejection system capable of removing dissolved gas from fluid
US7344230B2 (en) 2004-09-07 2008-03-18 Fujifilm Dimatix, Inc. Fluid drop ejection system capable of removing dissolved gas from fluid
EP2301756A1 (en) * 2009-09-29 2011-03-30 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Ink refilling device
CN102029799A (en) * 2009-09-29 2011-04-27 兄弟工业株式会社 Printing ink filling apparatus
US8444242B2 (en) 2009-09-29 2013-05-21 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Ink refilling device
CN112020433A (en) * 2018-07-13 2020-12-01 惠普发展公司，有限责任合伙企业 Printing material reservoir
US11305525B2 (en) 2018-07-13 2022-04-19 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Print substance reservoirs

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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WO2002028654A8 (en) 2002-10-10

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