Abstract: A temperature leveling system for thermally conditioning ink deposited onto a print media includes a non-contact cooling device for reducing temperatures of ink deposited onto a print media to a first average temperature. A leveler includes a thermal control for maintaining the leveler at a second temperature that is different than the first average temperature. The leveler is configured to bring the temperatures of the ink to within a predetermined range about the second temperature after the reduction in temperature at the non-contact cooling device. A heater is positioned to heat the ink and media to a third temperature after the leveler, the third temperature being greater than the second temperature.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an image receiving surface movably supported within the imaging device and at least one printhead having a plurality of ink jets, each ink jet being configured to eject drops of ink on the image receiving surface. At least one sensing electrode is positioned adjacent the image receiving surface that outputs capacitance signals indicative of a capacitance in a gap between the at least one sensing electrode and image receiving surface that are output to a controller.

Abstract: An image quality measuring method enables a biometric image to be evaluated to determine whether the biometric image data are adequate for identification processing. The method includes converting a biometric image to dimensionless image data, filtering the dimensionless image data with a band pass filter, identifying a plurality of portions in the filtered data as containing identification features, each portion in the plurality having an information measurement that indicates feature content greater than portions in the filtered data that are excluded from the plurality, and measuring clarity for the biometric image from the identified plurality of portions in the filtered data.

Abstract: A method improves transfer efficiency of ink images on an image receiving member that were formed with small ink drops. The method includes identifying image data that correspond to ink drops that have a mass less than a predetermined threshold and that fail to comingle with another ink drop ejected with reference to the image data, modifying the identified image data to generate ink drops that comingle with at least one other ink drop ejected with reference to the image data, generating firing signals for inkjet ejectors in a print head with reference to the image data and modified image data, and ejecting in response to the firing signals a plurality of ink drops from the inkjet ejectors for each identified image data to enable a coalesced ink drop to form on an image receiving surface that has a mass that is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead has been developed that includes an ink reservoir vent, which prevents ink from exiting the ink reservoir through the vent. The inkjet printhead includes a reservoir, an ink inlet, a vent opening, and a vent member. The reservoir contains a supply of ink and an air space above the supply of ink. The vent member extends from the vent opening and includes a first vent member opening positioned in an air space outside of the reservoir, a second vent member opening positioned in the air space above the supply of ink, and a vent channel configured to couple fluidly the first vent member opening to the second vent member opening. The second vent member opening is positioned within the reservoir to enable the second vent member opening to remain within the air space above the supply of ink regardless of a printhead orientation.

Abstract: A clamping fixture features a chuck provided with a locking mechanism for releasably locating a workpiece pallet. The locking mechanism comprises a plurality of clamping members which in the locked position are engineered to engage a clamping spigot connected to the workpiece pallet. Each clamping member, or alternatively an actuating member assigned to a clamping member, is provided with a feedthru bore which on correct locking and/or release of the corresponding clamping members is closed off at one end. The feedthru bores are connectable by a common connecting conduit to a compressed air source. In addition, at least one sensor is provided for sensing air flow in the connecting conduit by means of which it can detected whether the clamping members are correctly released or locked.

Abstract: A method for operating a web printing system enables web and roller changes arising from temperature changes to be identified and used to adjust operation of the reflex registration system. The method includes identifying a temperature change for at least one roller in a web printing system, identifying a temperature change for a web moving through the web printing system at one or more locations in the web printing system, modifying web velocity computations for a reflex registration system with reference to the identified temperature change for the at least one roller and the identified temperature change for the web, and operating printheads to eject ink onto the web at positions identified with reference to the modified web velocity computations.

Abstract: A method of operating a printer enables a controller in the printer to operate electrical motors for aligning printheads in the printer with greater accuracy. The method includes generating a test pattern on media with a plurality of printheads, identifying a first position for each printhead in the plurality of printheads from test pattern image data, operating an electrical motor operatively connected to one of the printheads to move the printhead in a first direction in the cross-process direction by a predetermined distance, generating a second test pattern on the media, identifying a second position for each printhead, comparing the second position of the printhead with the first position of the printhead to measure a distance moved by the printhead, identifying a first calibration parameter with reference to the predetermined distance and measured distance, and operating the electrical motor with reference to the first calibration parameter.

Abstract: A method of making a fluid sample collection card includes providing a support layer, forming an upper layer with a card stock, the upper layer including a sample window and a viewing window, supporting an absorbent layer with the support layer, and positioning the upper layer on the absorbent layer, wherein the upper layer is configured such that as a fluid is being absorbed by the first absorbent layer portion, presence of a portion of the fluid within the second absorbent layer portion indicates that a first volume of the fluid absorbed by the absorbent layer is a minimum necessary volume of the fluid sufficient to perform at least one test on at least one component in the fluid.

Abstract: A method compensates for changes in drop velocity of drops emitted by inkjets in a printhead of an ink jet imaging device. The method includes adjusting image data used to generate firing signals for an inkjet ejector in a printhead of an inkjet imaging device with an initial ink drop correction parameter, adjusting a portion of the adjusted image data with another ink drop correction parameter in response to the portion of the adjusted image data corresponding to a predetermined firing pattern mask, generating firing signals for the inkjet ejector from the adjusted image data, and transmitting the generated firing signals to the inkjet ejector in the printhead.

Abstract: A method forms apertures in a polymer aperture plate configured for use in a piezoelectric print head. The method includes bonding a polymer aperture plate to an outlet plate configured with outlets, and aligning a laser with the outlets in the outlet plate to ablate apertures in the polymer aperture plate that are aligned with the outlets.

Abstract: A solid printer includes a solid ink container that expels solid ink units in predetermined amounts for delivery to a melting device within the printer. The solid ink container includes a housing in which solid ink pellets are stored, an opening in the housing through which solid ink units are expelled, a first moveable member located within the housing proximate to the opening, the first moveable member being configured to move solid ink units through the opening, and a second moveable member located within the housing, the second moveable member being configured to move solid ink pellets to the first moveable member to enable the first moveable member to expel solid ink pellets through the opening in the housing.

Abstract: A handling manipulator assembly comprises a vertical extending main support (2) arranged on a rotary plate (3). Arranged on the main support (2) is a vertically travelling vertical carriage (9) to which a horizontal extension arm (12) is secured. Mounted on the horizontal extension arm (12) is an articulated arm (14) provided at the end with a manipulator gripper (18). Such a handling manipulator assembly (1) is suitable to advantage to feed/remove tools or workpieces to/from a machine tool provided with a front portal.

Abstract: A solid ink printer selectively enables solid ink sticks to be inserted into an insertion port. The solid ink printer includes a plurality of feed channels, each feed channel terminating at a melting device that heats solid ink sticks to a melting temperature at one end of the feed channel, an insertion port operatively connected to another end of each of the plurality of feed channels, the insertion port being configured with an opening through which solid ink sticks are inserted for movement through one of the feed channels operatively connected to the insertion port, a member positioned proximate the opening in the insertion port, an actuator operatively connected to the member and configured to move the member with respect to the opening of the insertion port, and a controller operatively connected to the actuator, the controller being configured to detect at least one event and operate the actuator to move the member to block solid ink sticks from entering through the opening of the insertion port.

Abstract: A drip bib has been configured for use with a printhead of an imaging device that facilitates removal of purged ink from a printhead. The drip bib includes a plate having a front face, a rear face, an upper edge, and a lower edge, and at least one elongated recess on the rear face of the plate and positioned along the upper edge of the plate, the at least one elongated recess enabling the front face of the plate to be recessed with respect to the faceplate of the printhead to which the drip bib is mounted.

Abstract: A solid phase change ink melter assembly in a phase change ink image producing machine having an array of a plurality of spaced apart fins, the array defining a top face for receiving the solid pieces of phase change ink, a bottom face for discharging melted ink, and opposite melter surfaces for melting the solid pieces in contact therewith. The assembly further includes a number of heat transfer devices extending through and in heat transfer contact with the plurality of fins, the heat transfer devices including a heating element for heating the device. The bottom edge of the fins defines a plurality of apexes which serve as drip points for molten phase change ink.

Abstract: A shoulder brace comprises a girdle, at least one tether connected to the girdle, and an arm band connected to the at least one tether. In one embodiment, the girdle includes at least one pad holder in the form of a pocket. The at least one tether is fastened at one end to the girdle. The opposite end of the tether is fastened to an arm band. The arm band of the brace may be provided as part of a separate flexible strip of material or may be integral with the opposite end of the tether. The arm band is fashioned to wrap around the arm of an athlete. With the tether secured to both the girdle and the arm band, the range of movement of the athlete's arm and shoulder is restricted.

Abstract: A prosthesis assembly for use with a scapula is disclosed. The prosthesis assembly includes a glenoid bearing support and a bearing. The glenoid bearing support includes a glenoid vault-occupying portion configured to occupy at least a portion of a glenoid vault of the scapula, the glenoid-vault occupying portion having a first coupling component. The glenoid bearing support further includes a glenoid rim replacement portion attached to the glenoid vault-occupying portion. The bearing defines a bearing surface and has a second coupling component configured to cooperate with the first coupling component to couple the bearing to the glenoid vault-occupying portion. The glenoid vault-occupying portion defines a bearing-side end portion and an opposite-side end portion. The glenoid rim replacement portion projects outwardly from the bearing-side end portion of the glenoid vault-occupying portion. The glenoid bearing support defines a bone graft receptacle.

Abstract: A printing system performs full printhead assembly width duplex printing operations on both sides of a continuous web of print media. The printing system includes an entrance roller configured to receive a print media and to direct the print media in a first direction or a second direction, an intermediate roller configured to receive the print media after the entrance roller directs the print media in the first direction, and to direct the print media in a third direction substantially opposite to the first direction, and an exit roller. An inverter apparatus inverts the print media after the entrance roller directs the print media in the first direction and before the exit roller receives the print media.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a quiet mode management system in which a control system of an imaging device selectively reduces print speed based on print job attributes such as job size, repetitions and media in use.