Patent ID: 7144102

Claim:
A method for controlling ink migration onto a catcher of an ink jet print station from a catch condition using a low surface tension ink, wherein an ink jet print station includes a drop generator that has an orifice structure with orifices for forming a jet array and that is connected to an ink reservoir, a charge device for charging recycle drops from the jet array, a catcher with a catcher flow pan, and an eyelid with an eyelid actuator for sealably engaging the eyelid against the catcher and catcher flow pan, and wherein the method comprises the steps successively of: a. bringing the ink jet print station, using the low surface tension ink, into the catch condition with the eyelid sealably engaging against the catcher and the catcher flow pan; b. using the eyelid actuator to unseal the eyelid from against the catcher and the catcher flow pan, which forms a gap between the catcher flow pan, the catcher and the eyelid that lowers the concentration of ink solvent vapors in the vicinity of the catcher to thereby suppress a Marangoni Effect; and c. then operating the ink jet print station with the eyelid unsealed to suppress migration of the low surface tension ink onto the catcher during a standby mode.