Ink-jet print head
View Patent ↗An ink-jet printer head has a plurality of print modules each having a tip formed with a respective nozzle orifice from ink droplets can be projected. A flexibly deformable mounting element has a plurality of seats each holding a respective one of the tips so that the element can be deformed to fit a substrate to be printed. The mounting element is readily deformable so that the print modules can be oriented to fit the substrate being printed.
1. An ink-jet printer head comprising:
a plurality of print modules each having a tip formed with a respective nozzle orifice and means for ejecting ink droplets from the respective orifice; and
a flexibly deformable mounting element having a plurality of seats each holding a respective one of the tips, whereby the element can be deformed to fit a substrate to be printed.
2. The ink-jet printer head defined in claim 1 , further comprising
an ink supply connected to all of the modules.
3. The ink-jet printer head defined in claim 2 wherein the ink supply holds inks of different colors and feeds different colors to different modules.
4. The ink-jet printer head defined in claim 1 wherein the mounting element is an elastomer.
5. The ink-jet printer head defined in claim 4 wherein the elastomer is rubber, silicone, or acrylic.
6. The ink-jet printer head defined in claim 1 wherein the mounting element includes a spring.
7. The ink-jet printer head defined in claim 6 wherein the spring is tubular and feeds ink to the print modules.
8. The ink-jet printer head defined in claim 1 wherein the mounting element is thermoplastically deformable.
9. The ink-jet printer head defined in claim 8 wherein the thermoplastic deformability of the material is reversible.
10. The ink-jet printer head defined in claim 1 wherein the mounting element is deformable into an annular shape.
11. The ink-jet printer head defined in claim 10 wherein the print orifices are all directed generally at a common point.
12. The ink-jet printer head defined in claim 1 wherein each module includes a respective individually controllable valve.
13. The ink-jet printer head defined in claim 1 wherein the print modules are releasably retained in the respective seats.
14. The ink-jet printer head defined in claim 1 wherein the elastomer is formed with passages through which ink is fed to the print modules.
15. An ink-jet printer head comprising:
an elastomeric plate formed with a row of identical throughgoing apertures, the plate being deformable into a shape with the row extending along an arc, a spiral, or a circle;
a plurality of identical print modules each having a tip complementary to and fitted snugly in a respective one of the apertures, each tip having at least one nozzle opening, each module having means for projecting ink droplets from the respective nozzle opening.
16. The ink-jet printer head defined in claim 15 wherein the plate has a thickness and the modules have large bodies from which the tips extends and each tip has a length substantially equal to the plate thickness such that, when the tips are fitted to the plate with the bodies bearing on a back face of the plate, front faces of the tips are flush with a front face of the plate.
17. The ink-jet printer head defined in claim 15 wherein the apertures are arrayed in a line and have a center-to-center spacing equal to more than a thickness of the bodies of the modules.