Patent ID: 6997538
Filing Date: 2006-02-14
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An inkjet printer for printing on a print medium, the inkjet printer comprising: a printhead having a front face with a plurality of columns of ink orifices formed therein through which ink drops are ejected into a print zone between the printhead and the print medium during printing, wherein a number of ink orifices within each column of ink orifices is greater than a number of the columns of ink orifices, and wherein the printhead is adapted to traverse the print medium in a direction substantially perpendicular to the columns of ink orifices during printing; and an air current disruption system including a flow duct having an outlet portion extended into a space between a portion of the front face of the printhead having the columns of ink orifices formed therein and the print medium, the air current disruption system directing a stream of gas through the flow duct and through the print zone across the front face of the printhead substantially perpendicular to the columns of ink orifices in one of a printing direction and a direction opposite the printing direction as the ink drops are ejected during printing, wherein a speed of the stream of gas through the print zone is approximately 2.0 meters/second or less, and wherein the stream of gas disrupts air currents acting on the ink drops during printing to prevent print defects caused by the air currents.