Printheads and systems using printheads

Abstract

A printing apparatus comprises a jetting assembly including a plurality of nozzles for ejecting droplets on a substrate; an enclosure defining a print zone within which the jetting assembly prints on the substrate, the enclosure including an inlet for introducing a material associated with controlling an environment of the enclosure.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a jetting assembly including a plurality of nozzles for ejecting droplets on a substrate;   an enclosure defining a print zone within which the jetting assembly prints on the substrate, the enclosure including an inlet for introducing a material associated with controlling an environment of the enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the material is vaporized water 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the material is dry air. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the dry air has a pre-determined temperature. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the material is alcohol. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the material is MEK. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the material is a sanitizing agent. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the material is adapted to suppress bacterial growth. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the material is compatible with the droplets. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor placed within the enclosure. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the sensor is configured to provide a signal that is used to regulate the environment within the enclosure. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure further includes an outlet for removing the material associated with controlling the environment of the enclosure. 
     
     
         13 . A method of printing comprising:
 providing an enclosure defining a print zone, the enclosure including an inlet for introducing a material associated with controlling an environment of the enclosure;   positioning a jetting assembly including a plurality of nozzles for ejecting droplets on a substrate within the print zone; and   introducing a material associated with controlling the environment of the enclosure through the inlet.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the material is vaporized water. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the material is dry air. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the dry air has a pre-determined temperature. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the material is alcohol. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the material is MEK. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the material is a sanitizing agent. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the material is adapted to suppress bacterial growth. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising selecting the material associated with controlling the environment of the enclosure to be based on the characteristics of the droplets. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising placing a sensor within the enclosure. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising configuring the sensor to provide a signal that is used to regulate the environment within the enclosure. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the enclosure further includes an outlet for removing the material associated with the controlling the environment of the enclosure.