Patent ID: 6676249
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A continuous color ink jet print head for an electronic printing device, said continuous color ink jet print head comprising:a nozzle; a plurality of pressurized ink sources each having a fluid under pressure sufficient to eject a continuous flow of said fluid from said pressurized ink sources through said nozzle; a plurality of channels connected in fluid communication to said nozzle, each of said channels being connected in fluid communication to at least one of said plurality of pressurized ink sources; and a thermally activated microvalve disposed within each of said channels such that flow of fluid from each of said plurality of pressurized ink sources through said nozzle is controlled by said microvalve, said microvalve having an open position, wherein fluid is permitted to be continuously ejected from at least one of said plurality of pressurized ink sources through said nozzle when said microvalve is in said open position.