EP0017113A1 - Method and apparatus for recording information - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for producing a large number of liquid threads and drops for recording information on a moving data carrier (9), wherein a homogeneous liquid film (5) is generated on a run-off surface (1), the film into free-falling liquid threads (6) and the threads are broken down into drops (7) and the drops not required for the information are separated out and collected.

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for generating a plurality of liquid threads and drops for recording information on a moving data carrier.

• Es sind Scan-Verfahren, die Bildelemente entstehen wie beim Fernsehen zeitlich hintereinander und nicht parallel wie bei der integralen Photographie.

A variety of methods and devices are known which use colored liquids and colored liquid jets to record information on data carriers. These liquid spraying methods differ from the conventional methods of information or image recording methods such as photography or electrophotography in two ways:

• They are scanning processes, the image elements occur in succession like in television and not in parallel as in integral photography.

The dye is applied in principle to any support which at most has a very cheap coating; the image does not require subsequent processing.

The advantages and the possibilities as well as the embodiments of such liquid spraying processes are e.g. described in detail in a plenary lecture by the international congress for reprography and and information 1975 (pages 184 to 199).

In most cases, the liquid spray process (fluid jet process) divides the liquids into small quantities in order to create the smallest information units. These smallest information units are usually produced by generating a liquid jet that is as fine as possible, which is then divided into individual drops that follow one another in time and space. This drop formation usually occurs spontaneously in the air, but can also be done by targeted mechanical modulation of the beam. Such methods are described by A. Mänsson (Electric Control of Fluid Jets, Report 1/1972, Department of electrical measurements, Lund Institute of Technic, Sweden 1972).

A single jet of liquid naturally only results in one trace of information and is therefore required a considerable amount of time to put larger information fields on a data carrier. To generate the information, technical aids for deflecting the liquid jet or the data carrier must be used.

The information is generated as described in numerous publications (such as in the 4th International Congress for Photography and Information 1975, pages 184 - 199 and in Melliand Textile Reports 58, 1977, page 160), generally by separating the undesired smallest pieces of information, the Drops. A number of methods are known for this.

The electrical charging of the beam at the drop formation point by influenza and the subsequent deflection of the drops in an electrical field is widespread and frequently used. In this case, either the charging of the drops must be modulated according to the information or, if the drops are evenly charged, the deflecting electric field, so that the deflected drops which are not required for the information do not get onto the data carrier, but are fed to a catcher. However, arrangements are also conceivable in which the undeflected drop is intercepted.

Arrangements are also known in which the droplets are separated out according to the information by blowing off the droplets with air nozzles or by a mechanical aperture control. (J.Eibl, Melliand Textilberichte 57 (1976) page 409 and P.Burnett, Carpet & Ruy Industrie 7 (1974) page 26).

It is also possible to use liquids with magnetizable particles as data generators. The information-based separation takes place in a magnetic field after the drops have been magnetized beforehand.

These processes are described in the published patent applications DE-OS 2 340 120, DE-OS 26 19 103, DE-OS 26 19 103 and DE-OS 26 28 153 and in US Pat. No. 3,510,878.

In the same way, it is also possible to use dielectric liquids which contain electrically permanently charged, mostly coloring pigments, such as those e.g. be used in electrophotographic processes with liquid toner. No charging electrode is then required, but the information-based separation can be carried out in appropriately controlled deflection electrodes.

In a similar manner, photoconductive liquids or liquids with embedded photoconductor particles can also be used. Electric charges are preferably charged homogeneously by corona discharge. The unloading or reloading is done by exposure. The separation according to information is done by a constant electrical deflection field.

Likewise, the imagewise loading of liquid drops with the help of electrical charges generated and accelerated by corona discharge is possible. In this and the previous method, the loading is not dependent on the drop formation point.

These processes are described in detail in Melliand Textile Reports 58 (1977), page 160 ff.

If only a single jet of liquid is used, these processes are relatively slow and accordingly expensive. Arrangements have therefore been proposed which generate a large number of parallel liquid jets next to one another or in certain patterns simultaneously. This multiple arrangement is described, for example, in U.S. Patents 3,577,198 and U.S. Patent 3,560,641.

With these arrangements, the time required is reduced and the transport effort for the information carrier via the data carrier is simpler. However, the technical effort for the simultaneous generation of many parallel beams is growing considerably and is not affordable in terms of cost. The susceptibility to failure of a large number of nozzles due to clogging is very great.

When generating very fine liquid jets, the liquids must therefore be filtered, since the jet is generated by appropriately fine nozzles takes place, which easily clog in the presence of solid particles or deflect the jet from the parallel direction if an incrustation has formed on a nozzle edge.

These methods are therefore not suitable for the use of substantive colors or pigments in the liquids. Furthermore, the liquid must not have too high a viscosity, since otherwise it can only be pressed through the fine nozzles under very high pressure or too little liquid reaches the data carrier.

It is the object of the invention to find a method and a device which can generate a large number of liquid jets of any width economically and without jets and which can be applied to a data carrier according to information and which allow any liquids to be used.

According to the invention the object was achieved in that the recording liquid for generating the liquid threads emerges from at least one inlet slot in the upper part of an inclined cascade drainage surface, the liquid runs off as a film over the discharge surface and is homogenized to form a film, the homogeneous liquid film in the lower region of the whole The width of the cascade drainage area is broken down into liquid threads, the liquid threads are broken down into drops and the drops fall parallel to one another in free fall downwards, the drops which are not desired according to the information are separated out and fed to a catcher and the drops required for the information hit a data carrier, the data carrier being moved under the falling drop curtain.

• 1. Strahldurchmesser durch Variieren der auf die Ablauffläche aufgegebenen Flüssigkeitsmenge
• 2. Strahlanzahl/cm durch Ausbildung der Ablauffläche
• 3. Viskosität da keine Düsen vorhanden sind kann die Viskosität in weiten Grenzen frei gewählt werden
• 4. Möglichkeit der Einlagerung vor Feststoffpartikeln (Pigmente) das Fehlen von Düsen erlaubt eine freie Wahl der Aufzeichnungsflüssigkeit in ihrer Struktur
• 5. Dosierung die Dosierung kann kontinuierlich durch Aufgabe von mehr oder weniger Aufzeichnungsflüssigkeit auf die Ablauffläche verändert werden.

The solution to the problem according to the invention creates a beam generation method which, in its variety of usability, far exceeds all previously known methods. Above all, this method according to the invention allows the properties of the recording liquid to be varied over a wide range. The method allows the following properties of the recording liquid to be changed

• 1. Jet diameter by varying the amount of liquid applied to the drain surface
• 2. Number of beams / cm by forming the drainage surface
• 3. Viscosity since there are no nozzles, the viscosity can be freely selected within wide limits
• 4. Possibility of storage in front of solid particles (pigments) the absence of nozzles allows a free choice of the recording liquid in its structure
• 5. Dosage The dosage can be changed continuously by applying more or less recording liquid to the drain surface.

Drainage cascades for liquids are described in the pouring technique (for example in DE-AS 19 28 025 and DE _- AS 19 28 031) in widths of up to two meters, so that in principle it is also possible for the process according to the invention up to 2 meters Width and also run above. The method makes it possible for the first time to present a multiple jet generation method which can be controlled with little effort and greatest variability across most of the technically occurring widths for coating and printing.

The invention also includes a device for carrying out the method, wherein at least one inlet slot running transversely to the outlet surface with a distributor pipe therein for uniformly discharging a recording liquid is arranged at the upper end of an inclined outlet surface and devices for splitting the homogeneous liquid film in the lower region of the inclined outlet surface in liquid threads and other devices for the separation of the individual liquid threads into drops are provided. For separation and for Devices for collecting the drops which are not desired for information recording are provided between the drain edge and the data carrier, and the data carrier can be moved essentially horizontally by a transport device perpendicular to the drain edge of the drain surface.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the inclined drainage surface is provided in the upper region with a plurality of inlet slots for different recording liquids.

In addition to the advantages brought about by the new method, the device according to the invention shows further considerable variation possibilities for liquid jet recording. It is known from casting technology to adjust the inclination of the cascade drainage surface (US Pat. No. 3,289,632) in order to vary the flow rate. It is also known to choose the falling speed of the drops until they strike the data carrier by choosing the distance of the trailing edge from the data carrier (DE-AS 19 28 031), as a result of which desired properties of the image on the data carrier can also be selected.

According to the invention, the cascade can not only consist of one drain slot, but of several. The liquids emerging from the slots are then superimposed on one another on the drainage surface as liquid films in a laminar flow, without mixing. Only when drops form then inevitably follows a mixing of the individual cascade films. If you let liquids of different colors run out of the cascade slots, you can produce any color mixture depending on the dosage using metering pumps.

Up to 6-fold cascades, i.e. with 6 outlet slots, have become known in the pouring technique. With such a system it is possible to produce a 6-fold color mixture. This allows you to achieve an extraordinarily large color variability that matches that of the best color prints.

Since the dosages can be changed while the cascade is running, strip-like color changes of any kind can be produced in the simplest way during the watering.

If these color mixing and dosing options are combined with the options for separating drops to be discussed, apart from the stripe-like color patterns, any desired geometric or pictorial patterns that are variable over the width can also be applied. This is particularly interesting for wallpaper and textile printing.

According to the invention, the splitting of the homogeneous liquid film into liquid threads in the lower Area of the drainage surface in different ways.

In an advantageous embodiment, notches are incorporated in the lower region of the drain surface. The homogeneous. Film is separated into individual parallel liquid threads by the grooves.

In another embodiment, baffles are placed in a comb-like manner in the lower region of the inclined drainage surface, which divide the homogeneous flow into liquid threads.

A special embodiment is characterized in that the comb-like guide plates are incorporated into the drainage surface and the comb teeth are curved upwards. The recording liquid film is divided by the comb teeth and flows between them as individual threads in front of the run-off surface.

In a special embodiment, the guide plate incorporated into the drainage surface is also bent upward and provided at the lowest point with drainage holes which cause the liquid film to be separated into threads.

It has been found that the homogeneous liquid film can be split into liquid threads by providing hydrophobic and hydrophilic areas.

If the hydrophobic areas are applied in a wedge shape parallel to the drainage area in the lower area and widen in the drainage direction, they narrow the hydrophilic area in which the liquid threads form.

In the case of an aqueous ink or liquid, it withdraws from the hydrophobic areas and only flows in the hydrophilic areas, so that the desired liquid threads are formed.

Finally, it was found that it is also possible to split the homogeneous liquid film into threads using a gas jet with a distributor tube. Here, gas jets, e.g. Air jets are blown onto the trailing edge so that the liquid film splits into individual threads. Instead of the constantly supplied air, this effect can also be achieved in that a standing sound or ultrasonic wave field is generated and applied transversely to the discharge direction for the pneumatic decomposition of the homogeneous liquid film.

Of course, the effect according to the invention can also be achieved by combining the measures described above.

The breakdown of the individual liquid threads produced into drops can be generated in the device according to the invention in that in the lower loading Rich elements of the drainage surface are attached, which generate periodic vibrations.

An important step in handling information recording is the decay of the beam into individual drops. For the technology of information recording, it is advantageous if all the beams disintegrate into drops at the same time after the beam generation and it is generally also advantageous if all the drops have the same volume. It has also proven to be technically advantageous if the beam decays into drops as close as possible to the point of origin, this point can e.g. with increased viscosity or a correspondingly low surface tension, be very far from the point of origin of the jet.

It has therefore already proven advantageous in the nozzle arrangements to let the jet disintegrate into corresponding drops using mechanical modulation transmitted to the jet.

The method has also proven to be useful in the arrangement according to the invention in that the lowermost part of the drainage surface is made thin and elements are placed in contact below it which are capable of periodic vibrations, such as e.g. Piezo vibrator.

In another embodiment of the device according to the invention, sound waves are provided for the separation of the individual liquid threads into drops, which sets periodic vibrations in the air surrounding the drainage surface and, in particular, in the edge at which the jet formation takes place. This is achieved, for example, by having loudspeakers of appropriate frequency and power installed nearby (Fig. 6).

Surprisingly, all known methods and devices for eliminating the drops not required for information recording can be used for the method and the device according to the invention.

Such is the widespread electrical charging of the beam at the drop formation point through influence and deflection in an electrical field. Either the charging of the drop of liquid must be modulated according to the information or the deflecting electric field. The deflected drops do not get onto the recording medium. However, arrangements are also conceivable where the undeflected drop is intercepted.

It is also possible to use an arrangement in which air nozzles are arranged to separate out the drops not required for information recording. Mechanical aperture controls can also be used instead of the air nozzles.

It is also possible to use liquids with magnetizable particles in the device according to the invention. The information-based separation takes place in a magnetic field. These liquids are interesting because, as already mentioned, it has been possible in recent years to produce magnetizable fine particles in a wide variety of colors, so that the information recording could be deposited on the information carrier using this method, both optically and magnetically.

The device according to the invention presents considerably less difficulties than the known recording methods with nozzles, since there are no disturbances due to nozzle blockages.

The same also applies to devices which provide dielectric liquids and deflection electrodes for separating the drops not required for information recording, or which use a corotron for pulsed homogeneous charging over the discharge surface and for recharging or discharging an exposure device and a deflection capacitor for sorting out photoconductive recording liquids . In these processes, the loading is not dependent on the drop formation points.

Surprisingly, the method and the device according to the invention show a multitude of possible combinations that have not previously been possible in any beam generation process or device. These properties make it possible of extensive adaptation to all technical requirements.

The method according to the invention, in which the smallest information units, the drops, are deposited on a carrier in accordance with a predetermined desired information and become readable, is not limited to optical legibility, but can also be used for magnetic or electronic readability and scanning.

An effect according to the invention can also be achieved by a combination of the measures described above.

The invention is described below with reference to the drawings.

• Figur 1 eine schematische Darstellung der Vorrichtung
• Figur 2 die Erzeugung der Flüssigkeitsfäden mit Kerbrillen
• Figur 3 die Erzeugung der Flüssigkeitsfäden mit einem aufgesetzten Leitkamm
• Figur 4 die Erzeugung der Flüssigkeitsfäden mit einem gekrümmten Leitkamm
• Figur 5 die Erzeugung der Flüssigkeitsfäden mit Ablauflöchern
• Figur 6 die Erzeugung der Flüssigkeitsfäden mit hydrophoben und hydrophilen Bereichen
• Figur 7 die Erzeugung der Flüssigkeitsfäden mit Gasstrahler und Verteilerrohr
• Figur 8 die Überführung der Flüssigkeitsfäden in Tropfen mittels Schwingelementen
• Figur 9 die Überführung der Flüssigkeitsfäden in Tropfen mittels Schallgeber
• Figur 10 die Ausscheidung nicht erwünschter Tropfen durch elektrische Ladungen
• Figur 11 die Ausscheidung nicht erwünschter Tropfen durch Luftstrahl
• Figur 12 die Ausscheidung nicht erwünschter Tropfen durch ein Magnetfeld
• Figur 13 die Ausscheidung nicht erwünschter Tropfen durch einen Ablenkkondensator
• Figur 14 die Ausscheidung nicht erwünschter Tropfen durch Lichteinwirkung

It shows:

• Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the device
• Figure 2 shows the generation of the liquid threads with Kerbrillen
• Figure 3 shows the generation of the liquid threads with an attached guide comb
• Figure 4 shows the production of the liquid threads with a curved guide comb
• Figure 5 shows the generation of the liquid threads with drain holes
• 6 shows the production of the liquid threads with hydrophobic and hydrophilic areas
• Figure 7 shows the generation of the liquid threads with a gas jet and manifold
• 8 shows the transfer of the liquid threads into drops by means of vibrating elements
• 9 shows the transfer of the liquid threads into drops by means of a sound generator
• Figure 10 shows the elimination of unwanted drops by electrical charges
• Figure 11 the separation of unwanted drops by air jet
• Figure 12 shows the removal of unwanted drops by a magnetic field
• 13 shows the removal of undesired drops by a deflection condenser
• FIG. 14 the elimination of undesired drops by exposure to light

The invention is shown schematically in FIG. 1. It consists of a combination of an inventive modified cascade, and partially known devices 18, 19 for forming drops 7 from liquid jets 6 and deflection units and their devices 20-30, as well as recording media or data media 9 transported by rollers 10.

One or more recording liquids 4 are introduced laterally into the outlet cascade by means of a distributor pipe 3 and emerge evenly and calmly through one or more inlet slots 2 onto the inclined outlet surface 1. When sliding down, the liquid 4 forms a homogeneous liquid film or -films 5, which move or move in laminar flow to the leading edge 8. In the case of several different recording liquids 4, these are superimposed in exactly separate layers without any mixing.

In the area of the trailing edge 8, devices 11-17 are provided which split the homogeneous liquid film 5 moving at the same speed and the same thickness into liquid threads 6. These facilities will be described later. These liquid threads 6 are split into drops 7 by means 18, 19, these means 18, 19 causing the drops 7 to arise simultaneously from the threads 6 over the entire width of the trailing edge 8.

The threads 6 and drops 7 move side by side parallel to the trailing edge 8 in free fall vertically downwards and pass a deflection unit 20 - 30 to be described later and their devices 20 - 30 which hold the drops 7 which, on the basis of the information for recording on the data carrier 9 are not desirable in a catcher 23. The drops 7 required for the information on the data carrier 9 are not deflected and fall onto the data carrier 9, which is carried out continuously or discontinuously by transport devices 10 under the drop curtain. This facility is called the jet cascade.

The homogeneous liquid film 5 can be divided in various ways.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which notches 11 are incorporated in the lower region of the drainage surface 1, which split the homogeneous liquid film 5 into liquid threads 6 before it falls on the moving data carrier 9. The number of widths and depths of the kerf glasses 11 depends on the desired liquid thread type and can be freely selected.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment, in which a guide comb 12 is placed on the lower area of the drainage surface 1, which divides the homogeneous liquid film 5 into individual liquid threads 6, which in turn then split into liquid drops 7 without additional measures in the free fall.

In FIG. 4, a comb-like guide plate 13 is let into the drainage surface 1 and the comb teeth are bent up. The homogeneous liquid film 5 separates between the comb teeth into liquid threads 6, which then fall onto the data carrier 9 in free fall.

It is also possible, as shown in FIG. 5, to bend a sheet of metal worked into the drainage surface 1, as in FIG. 4, and this. at the lowest Place to be provided with a plurality of bores 14 through which the homogeneous liquid film 5 flows out as liquid threads 6.

In the case of hydrophilic liquids, for example aqueous inks or liquids, the drainage area 1 in the lower area, as shown in FIG. 6, can be provided with narrow, parallel hydrophobic areas 15 which widen in the drainage direction. The homogeneous liquid film withdraws from the hydrophobic areas as a result of its surface tension and then only flows in the hydrophilic areas 16. The desired liquid threads 6 thus arise.

FIG. 7 shows a further possibility for splitting the homogeneous liquid film into threads 6. Gas, for example air, is supplied via a distributor pipe 1 in the lower region of the outlet surface 1, jet nozzles 17. When the air flows out of the nozzles 17 against the film 5, the film 5 is disturbed and breaks down into individual liquid threads 6, which fall as drops of liquid onto the data carrier 9 in free fall.

A standing sound field or ultrasound field, which is applied transversely to the direction of the discharge in the lower region of the discharge surface 1 or below the discharge edge 8, also acts in the same way.

The effect according to the invention can also be achieved by combining these measures.

An important step in handling information recording is the decay of the beam into individual drops, as already mentioned. For the technology of information recording, it is advantageous if all the beams disintegrate into drops at the same time after the beam generation and it is generally also advantageous if all the drops have the same volume. It has also proven to be technically advantageous if the beam decays into drops as close as possible to the point of origin, this point can e.g. with increased viscosity or a correspondingly low surface tension, be very far from the point of origin of the jet.

It has therefore already proven to be advantageous in the nozzle arrangements described earlier to have the jet decay into corresponding drops using mechanical modulation transmitted to the jet.

FIG. 8 shows a jet cascade in which the homogeneous liquid film 5 is split into liquid threads 6 on the lower part of the drainage surface 1 by notches 11 and by hydrophobic areas 15. In the area of the run-off edge 8, elements 18 are brought into contact from below under the run-off area 1, which is thin in this area, and are capable of periodic vibrations, for example Piezo oscillator 18. It is advantageous to adjust the frequency of the oscillations of the oscillating elements 18 so that it can be adapted to the type of recording liquid and the sequence of drops. Due to the vibrations, the liquid threads 6 formed on the trailing edge 1 are simultaneously broken down into liquid drops 7 in the rhythm of the oscillation, which drop parallel and next to one another in free fall vertically downwards.

The same result can also be achieved with a sound generator 19, for example a loudspeaker with a corresponding frequency and power, as shown in FIG. 9. The sound generator 19 sets the air surrounding the jet cascade and in particular the air at the trailing edge 8 at which the liquid threads 6 arise in periodic oscillations, so that the threads 7 are simultaneously divided into drops 7 over the entire width of the jet cascade.

In the liquid spraying method and also in the jet cascade according to the invention, an information template is queried (scanned) optically, electrically or also magnetically for the information content, the individual information is optoelectrically converted when optically queried, then amplified and fed to the deflection unit as an electrical impulse per information. Of course, intermediate storage on a data carrier (tape, punched tape, etc.) is also possible, so that the In Formation transfer on the jet cascade is possible as often and repeatable at any time.

With the information supplied as electrical impulses to the beam cascade, the drops which are not required to record information are generally eliminated. If the drops required for the information are separated out, a negative image arises from a positive image, which may also be desirable.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the drop deflection for the jet cascade. The homogeneous liquid film 5 runs off the drainage surface 1 as described as liquid threads 6 and falls through a charging electrode 20. An electrical charge is influenced in the drop formation point 21. When the drops 7 fall further, they reach an electrical deflection field 22 which, according to the information, is electrically charged and thus drops the drops 7 required for the information fall freely onto the data carrier 9 and deflects the drops 7 not required so that they are collected in a catcher 23 are and as recording liquid 4, if necessary after regeneration, the feed slot 2 of the jet cascade again. In another embodiment, however, the charge can also be modulated according to information by means of influence and the deflecting electric field 22 can be kept constant. Arrangements are also conceivable in which the undeflected drops 7 are caught and the deflected drops 7 are deposited on the data carrier 9.

FIG. 11 shows an arrangement in which the information controls an air nozzle 24 in such a way that the drops 7 that are not required are blown off into an interceptor 23 by an air jet. Instead of the air nozzle, an electromechanically controlled screen can also be used to separate out the drops or to discharge a continuous air jet (not shown).

When using liquids with magnetic particles, a magnetic field can be used instead of an electric field in order to separate out the undesired drops. Figure 12 shows such an arrangement. The liquid film 5 with magnetized particles (pigments) leaves the jet cascade, the liquid drops 7 falling freely past a magnetic head 25. The now magnetized drops 7 then fall through a longitudinal magnetic field 26 in which the undesired drops 7 are fed to a collector 23. The device can work in such a way that, on the one hand, there is a constant magnetization by the magnetic head 25 and the longitudinal magnetic field causes a deflection in accordance with the information or, on the other hand, that the magnetic head 25 produces a magnetization in accordance with the information the drop 7 occurs and the magnetic longitudinal field 26 is kept constant.

If the recording liquid 4 consists of a dielectric liquid which contains electrically permanently charged coloring pigments, such as are used, for example, in the electrophotographic processes which work with liquid toners (see, for example, electrophotography, RUSchaffert, The Focal Press, London / New York (1965) Chapter 2.M) no charging electrode is required, as shown in Figure 13. The permanently charged liquid film is split into threads 6 and drops 7 and falls through deflection electrodes 27 which are charged according to the information. Depending on the charge of the deflection electrodes 27, the drops are fed to the collector 23 or the data carrier 9.

FIG. 14 shows a method for photoconductive liquids or for liquids with embedded photoconductor particles. The flowing liquid film 5 is already pulsed homogeneously on the discharge surface 1 with an electrical charge by coronary discharge by means of Corotron 28. After the formation of the drops 7, they drop past an exposure device 29 which is controlled according to information, the latter consisting of a light source 32, an optical system 31 and an image 33 with the In leading through the beam path formations exist. The light beam emerging from the exposure device 29 causes the liquid drop 7 to be recharged or discharged. The separation of the undesired drops 7 corresponding to the information in FIG. 33 takes place in a deflection capacitor 30 in which there is a constant electrical deflection field. Likewise, the imagewise loading of liquid drops 7 with the aid of electrical charges generated and accelerated by coronary discharge is possible. In these methods, the loading is not dependent on the drop formation point 21.

• 1 drainage surface
• 2 inlet slot
• 3 manifold
• 4 recording liquid
• 5 homogeneous liquid film
• 6 liquid threads
• 7 drops of liquid
• 8 drain edge
• 9 data carriers
• 10 transport device
• 11 notch glasses
• 12 guide plates placed like a comb
• 13 baffles curved
• 14 drain holes
• 15 hydrophobic areas
• 16 hydrophilic areas
• 17 gas jets with manifold
• 18 vibrating elements
• 19 sound sources
• 20 charging electrode
• 21 drop formation point
• 22 deflection field
• 23 interceptors
• 24 air jets
• 25 magnetic head
• 26 Longitudinal magnetic field
• 27 deflection electrodes
• 28 Corotron
• 29 exposure device
• 30 deflection capacitor
• 31 Optics for exposure device
• 32 light source
• 33 picture

Claims (16)

1) Method for generating multiple liquid threads and liquid drops for recording information on a data carrier, characterized in that a) the recording liquid (4) for generating the liquid threads (6) emerges from at least one inlet slot (2) in the upper part of an inclined cascade outlet surface (1), b) the liquid (4) runs off as a film over the drainage surface (1) and is homogenized to form a film (5), c) the homogeneous liquid film (5) is broken down into liquid threads (6) in the lower region of the entire width of the cascade drainage surface (1), d) the liquid threads (6) are broken down into drops (7), e) the drops (7) fall vertically downwards parallel to one another in free fall, f) the drops (7) which are not desired according to the information are removed and fed to a collector (23), g) and the drops (7) required for the information hit a data carrier (9), the data carrier (9) being moved under the falling drop curtain. 2) Device for performing the method according to claim 1 for generating a plurality of liquid jets and liquid drops for recording information on a moving data carrier, characterized in that at the upper end of an inclined drain surface (1) at least one feed slot (2) extending transversely to the drain direction with a distribution pipe (3) located therein for the uniform exit of a recording liquid (4) that means (11 to 17) for splitting the homogeneous liquid film (5) into liquid threads (6) are present in the lower region of the inclined drainage surface (1) that further devices (18, 19) for breaking down the individual liquid threads (6) into drops (7) are provided, that devices (20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27) for separating and collecting the not for the information recording desired drops (7) are provided between the drain edge (8) and the data carrier (9) and that a transport device Sealing (10) is provided with which the data carrier (9) can be moved essentially horizontally perpendicular to the drain edge (8) of the drain surface (1). 3) Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the drainage surface (1) is provided in the upper region with a plurality of inlet slots (2) for different recording liquids (4). 4) Device according to claim 2 and 3, characterized in that in the lower region of the inclined drainage surface (1) notches (11) for splitting the homogeneous liquid film (5) are incorporated into liquid threads (6). 5) Device according to claim 2 and 3, characterized in that comb-like guide plates (12) are placed in the lower region of the inclined drainage surface (1). 6) Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the comb-like guide plates (13) in the drainage surface (1) and are curved upwards. 7) Device according to claim 2 and 3, characterized in that in the lower region of the inclined drainage surface (1) a baffle is let in, which is curved upwards and provided with a plurality of drain holes (14). 8) Device according to claim 2 and 3, characterized in that in the lower area of the drainage surface (1) in the drainage direction for splitting the homogeneous liquid film (5) into liquid threads (6) hydrophobic (15) and hydrophilic (16) areas are provided. 9) Device according to claim 2 and 3, characterized in that a gas jet (17) with a distributor tube is provided for splitting the homogeneous liquid film (5) into liquid threads (6). 10) Device according to claims 2 to 9, characterized in that 'that for the disassembly of the individual liquid threads produced (6). In the drop (7) below the drainage surface (1) in the lower area there are elements (18) which generate periodic vibrations. 11) Device according to claims 2 to 9, characterized in that for the separation of the individual liquid threads (6) into drops (7) sound sources (19) are provided which cause the air at the trailing edge (8) to periodically vibrate. 12) Device according to claims 2 to 11, characterized in that for separating the drops (7) not required for the information recording in the vicinity of the drop formation points (21) charging electrodes (20) for charging the drops (7) by influence and perpendicularly below electric fields (22) for deflecting the drops (7) are arranged. 13) Device according to claims 2 to 11, characterized in that air nozzles (24) which can be controlled according to the information are arranged in order to separate out the drops (7) not required for the information recording. 14) Device according to claims 2 to 11, characterized in that magnetic heads (25) and below magnetic longitudinal fields (26) are arranged in magnetizable recording liquids (4) for separating the drops (7) not required for information recording. 15) Device according to claims 2 to 11, characterized in that with dielectric recording liquids (4) for separating the drops not required for information recording (7) according to the image information (28) controlled deflection electrodes (27) are provided. 16) Device according to claims 2 to 11, characterized in that in the case of photoconductive recording liquids (4) for separating the drops (7) not required for information recording, a corotron (28) for pulsed homogeneous charging is arranged above the drainage surface (1) and an exposure device (29) for reloading or discharging and a deflection capacitor (30) are arranged between the trailing edge (8) and the data carrier (9) for the discharge.

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