Importance

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Abstract

An ink jet printhead is disclosed which has a heater plate containing the heating elements and driving circuitry means monolithographically formed on one surface thereof and the ink flow directing channel structure is formed on the heater plate using a layer of patternable polymeric material which, in one embodiment, is exposed using a mask to define the channel pattern then developed and cured. After curing, the patterned channel structure is polished to provide a smooth coplanar surface and a cover plate with an aperture therein is aligned and bonded to the channel structure to complete the printhead. The aperture serves as both ink inlet and a portion of the ink reservoir. The channels are open at one end and serve as the droplet ejecting nozzles, while the other ends are closed and extend beneath the cover plate aperture to provide a baffled portion of the ink reservoir and prevent cross-talk between the ink channels. In another embodiment, the channels ends opposite the nozzles open into a common recess with the channels walls extending therein to function as baffles and prevent cross-talk.

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First Claim