Patent ID: 8690292
Filing Date: 2014-04-08
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling condensation in an inkjet printer having a plurality of inkjet printheads arranged to direct droplets of an ink having a carrier fluid toward a receiver that is moved past the inkjet printheads by a receiver transport system with the ink emitting a vaporized carrier fluid during and after printing and a barrier between the inkjet printheads; the method comprising: supplying a cross-module airflow between the barrier and the receiver to remove at least some of the vaporized carrier fluid; using a plurality of caps with each cap positioned about one of the inkjet printheads and extending from a support surface toward a receiver to create higher resistance flow areas between the cap and the receiver having a higher resistance to the flow of air across the support surface and caps; and, wherein the caps each have at least one opening through which ink drops can pass to the receiver through the higher resistance flow area and wherein the caps are separated to create lower resistance air flow channels between the caps through which the air flow can flow past the support structure and caps without creating variations in the travel paths of the ink droplets that are sufficient to form an observable artifact in the print; and causing the caps to have surfaces confronting the higher resistance flow areas with a surface energy that is less than 32 ergs per squared centimeter and confronting the lower resistance flow channels with a surface energy that is greater than 40 ergs per squared centimeter to impede condensation of vaporized carrier fluid on the caps in the higher resistance airflow areas.