Recirculation system for recirculating print heads

Abstract

An ink recirculation system for recirculating printheads includes a housing with two chambers, a series of pressure sensors, a vacuum generator and a pressure generator The container has two entrances for transmitting signals towards the pressure sensors, a first feed connection to the printhead, a second flow connection to the printhead, a third ink feed connection, a fourth connection for returning the ink to the main tank and means for connecting and supporting the vacuum generator and the pressure generator.

Claims

1. A system for recirculating ink that flows through recirculating printheads, comprising: a housing with a container (12) that defines an interior; a first chamber (1) and a second chamber (2), each being housed in the interior of the container (12); a series of pressure sensors connected to the container (12); a vacuum generator (5) and a pressure generator (6) connected to the container (12); and wherein the container (12) is constructed with two entrances for transmitting signals towards the pressure sensors, a first printhead feed connection, a second return connection to the printhead, a third ink feed connection, a fourth connection for returning the ink to the main tank and means for connecting and supporting the vacuum generator and pressure generator; and wherein the container (12) houses a removable tank in communication with the feed, pressure and vacuum generator connections, wherein the removable tank is formed with an interior that includes first and second ink-storage chambers (1) and (2), and wherein the container also includes two pumps for interchanging the ink from one chamber to another in accordance with the applied pressure.

2. The ink recirculation system for recirculating printheads, according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the chambers, the first ink-storage chamber (1) and the second ink-storage chamber (2) have design that prevents turbulences of the liquid from moving at high speeds and becoming altered.

3. The ink recirculation system for recirculating printheads, according to claim 1, characterized in that the system also has means for controlling the temperature of the fluid.

4. The ink recirculation system for recirculating printheads, according to claim 3, characterized in that the temperature control means consist of a thermal blanket that envelopes the container (12) and maintains a temperature, and the connection tubes to and from the printhead (9) and (10) are sheathed in a sleeve that ensures the ink is at a controlled temperature.

5. The ink recirculation system for recirculating printheads, according to claim 4, characterized in that the vacuum generator and pressure generator are actuated by means of corresponding pumps.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) In order to complement the description being made and with the aim of helping to better understand the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of a practical embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is provided as an integral part of said description wherein the following has been represented in an illustrative and non-limiting manner:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the object of the invention wherein the different elements that form part of the system can be observed.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(3) In light of the FIGURES, a preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is described below.

(4) FIG. 1 shows a housing or casing or container (12) in whose interior a first chamber (1) and a second chamber (2) are disposed, not having a preferred location inside the housing.

(5) The container (12) comprises a first feed connection (9) to the printhead and also has a second return connection (10) from the printhead. The upper part comprises a third connection (11) for feeding the ink and a fourth connection (8) for returning the ink to the main tank.

(6) There are two entrances (4) defined on the container (12) wherethrough the signals pass to the pressure sensors (3).

(7) The system has a vacuum generator (5) and a pressure generator (6), both mounted on a container (12) such that they are joined to the container (12), each of which comprise a pump for generating a vacuum or generating pressure.

(8) Two bores (7) have been made in the container of the necessary size to allow the fixation and installation of external level sensors that prevent the sensors from coming into contact with the ink, thereby avoiding complex cleaning tasks.

(9) The system has two pumps for interchanging the fluid from one chamber to another in accordance with the pressures applied.

(10) When changing colour or performing maintenance, the tank needs to be cleaned in depth, an activity that requires a large amount of time; therefore and with the object of reducing times when there is a change in colour or cleaning must be performed, the tank that comprises the first (1) and second chambers (2) is removable from the casing or container (12).

(11) The generators and sensors are screwed to the casing or container (12), which would house the disposable tank in its interior, to which the feed and connections of the pressure and vacuum generators are screwed, thereby avoiding having to perform cleaning.

(12) Complementarily, the entire casing or container (12) would be enveloped in a thermal blanket that would act like a flexible sleeve that envelopes it and, at the same time, is an electrical resistor that maintains the temperature. This allows us to heat the tank to a temperature between 40° C. and 60° C., keeping it uniform.

(13) The reason for seeking to maintain the temperature is to be able to use thermoplastic inks (TPS) in solid form and that it becomes fluid when the temperature increases.

(14) The connection tubes to and from the printhead (9) and (10) are also sheathed in a sleeve that ensures that the ink is always at a very controlled temperature, since otherwise the ink would undergo substantial changes in viscosity because the ink is liquid at 60° C. but semi-solid at 40° C.

(15) Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, in addition to the manner in which to put it into practice, it is hereby stated that, in its essence, it may be put into practice in other embodiments that differ in detail from that indicated by way of example, and to which the protection equally applies, provided that its main principle is not altered, changed or modified.