Patent ID: 6079821
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
Apparatus for controlling ink in a continuous ink jet printer in which a continuous stream of ink is emitted from a nozzle; said apparatus comprising:an ink delivery channel;a source of pressurized ink communicating with the ink delivery channel;a nozzle bore which opens into the ink delivery channel to establish a continuous flow of ink in a stream, the nozzle bore defining a nozzle bore perimeter; anda heater which causes the stream to break up into a plurality of droplets at a position spaced from the nozzle bore, said heater having a selectively-actuated section associated with only a portion of the nozzle bore perimeter, whereby actuation of the selectively-actuated section of the heater produces an asymmetric application of heat to the stream to control direction of the stream between a print direction and a non-print direction.