Abstract: An ink jet print head is provided and includes a top body portion, an intermediate body portion having an upper side and a lower side, a plurality of ink channels disposed in a common plane along the upper side, each of said channels having at least one orifice for projecting ink towards a substrate, the, upper side of the intermediate body portion located adjacent the top body portion, a main body portion located adjacent the lower side of the intermediate body portion; and an ink heater made of a thermistor material, the ink heater having a substantially planar configuration and is located between the lower side of the intermediate body portion and the main body portion, and extends in a plane parallel to the plane of the channels and adjacent thereto. In the preferred embodiment, the ink heater is designed to compensate for an ink jet print head having certain channels which dissipate heat at a higher rate than other ink channels.

Abstract: A mount (9) is disclosed for mounting an ink jet printhead (11) in position to imprint indicia on a surface (7) of an object (5) conveyed along a path (3) past the printhead. The mount comprises a support (21) and a slide (53) carried by the support. The slide has a slide body (55) connected to the support, a slide member (57) movable relative to the slide body along a slide axis (SA) between an extended position (as shown in FIG. 1) and a retracted position (not shown), and means for resiliently biasing the slide member relative to the slide body toward its extended position. Means (43) is provided for carrying the slide relative to the support such that the slide axis (SA) may be adjusted relative to the support so as to position the slide axis so as to either be perpendicular to the direction of movement of the object conveyed along the path or to be angled (as shown in FIG. 3) toward the object approaching the printhead at an oblique angle.

Abstract: A laser module with integral cooling is disclosed. The module is intended for coupling to a fiber optic cable for various applications. The module is generally cylindrical and has a laser diode array mounted centrally therein. A cooling channel is in thermal relation with the array either directly or via a diamond substrate. A fiber optic coupler mates with the portion of the housing carrying the array and carries a lens subassembly. During assembly, the coupler is positioned to accurately focus the output of the array into a beam suitable for transmission to the fiber optic cable. Coolant is coupled to the channel with a removable coupling manifold or similar arrangement which may also carry electrical contacts for energizing the array.

Abstract: Resonator sensors namely piezoelectric benders are used for sensing fluid viscosity and density. The benders are inserted into a liquid to be monitored. An input voltage is applied to the bender causing it to vibrate in the liquid at a resonant frequency. Output voltage amplitude or frequency are monitored to determine changes in viscosity and density, respectively. The device may be used as a liquid level sensor and to control alteration of the viscosity of the fluid as, for example, by connection with a supply of ink or solvent in an ink jet printing device.

Abstract: Modified iron-containing pigment particles modified with an encapsulant comprising an alkylphenol and lecithin having an HLB value from about 10 to about 15. The modified iron oxide pigments made using the encapsulant exhibit enhanced dispersibility in solvents over a wide range of polarity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a jet ink composition suitable for printing on substrates such as plastics messages having abrasion resistance, the composition comprising an organic solvent, a colorant, a cellulose nitrate resin, and a rosin resin. For example, the messages printed on untreated low density polyethylene and polypropylene substrates have improved rub resistance and scratch resistance. The present invention further provides a method for printing abrasion resistant messages on a surface comprising projecting a stream of droplets of the jet ink composition to the surface, controlling the direction of the stream so that the droplets are caused to form the desired printed messages, and allowing the messages to dry.

Abstract: An ink and solvent supply consists of a dual-chambered container. The lower chamber is provided with make-up solvent, while the upper chamber is provided with ink concentrate. When solvent is required, it is removed directly from the lower chamber. When fresh ink is required, vacuum is applied to the upper chamber causing solvent to pass from the lower chamber to the upper chamber via a conduit, to dilute the ink concentrate to form fresh ink which is then provided to the printing system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a newspaper printing ink that has rub off resistance; is fast drying on the paper; does not mist or dry on the press; offers excellent printability, high color strength, good water balance, and sharp half tone reproduction; and is relatively inexpensive. The present invention provides an ink concentrate suitable for preparing the printing ink, the ink concentrate comprising a colorant having a particle size of from about 0.01 .mu.m to about 25 .mu.m, a hydrocarbon resin, and a binder resin selected from the group consisting of a polyamide-oil polymer and a polyester-oil polymer. The present invention further provides a printing ink comprising a colorant having a particle size of from about 0.01 .mu.m to about 25 .mu.m, a vegetable oil, a polyamide-oil polymer, and a styrene-acrylic copolymer. The present invention further provides a printing ink comprising a naphthenic oil, a colorant having a particle size of from about 0.01 .mu.m to about 25 .mu.

Abstract: An anti-clogging nozzle system for a continuous jet ink jet printer is disclosed. A printing nozzle has both an ink inlet and an ink outlet permitting constant ink flow behind the nozzle orifice during printing. A pressure sensor monitors the ink flow and signals clogs to an automatic unclogging system. The unclogging system includes a control circuit to initiate an unclogging operating cycle when necessary. One of two unclogging modes is employed, both of which require the control system to operate an unclogging valve to vary pressure in the ink return line.

Abstract: Disclosed are jet ink compositions suitable for producing marks on objects that are invisible to the unaided eye and are visible only when excited by an exciting radiation comprising a solvent, a fluorescent colorant, a binder resin, and a plasticizer having a vapor pressure of about 15 mm Hg or less at 240.degree. C. Examples of suitable binder resins include an acrylic resin, a toluenesulfonamide resin, and a sulfonamide-formaldehyde resin. An example of a suitable plasticizer is o-butyl benzyl phthalate. The marks are blush resistant when exposed to water at 150.degree. F. and above for 5 minutes. Also disclosed is an improved method of identifying objects, the improvement comprising providing a blush resistant identifying mark using the inventive jet ink compositions. A system for identifying objects with a blush resistant identification mark is also disclosed.

Abstract: A jet ink composition for use with textiles which comprises a pigment dispersed with an ethyl cellulose resin, a silicone resin, a phenolic resin, and at least one non-aqueous solvent in which the pigment dispersion, silicone resin, and phenolic resin are dissolved. The printed images formed therefrom are readable even when applied to darkly-dyed textiles.

Abstract: A latent image printing process by applying to a substrate a latent image ink composition containing zinc bromide with an ink jet printer. Subsequently, the latent image is activated to render it visible, by application of an activator.

Abstract: An ink composition suitable for ink jet printing operations comprising an aqueous resin dispersion and an aqueous colorant where said ink composition is substantially free of volatile organic compounds. Compositions are provided that form printed images that, without curing, are solvent-washable with isopropanol, ethanol, water, and mixtures thereof, and are retortable, without curing. Ink jet compositions capable of forming colored images capable of being washed with isopropanol, ethanol, water, and mixtures thereof, after curing, are also provided. Finally, ink jet inks capable of withstanding washing with strong organic solvents, such as methylethylketone and methanol, after curing, are also provided.

Abstract: A surface derivatizing agent is allowed to contact an aqueous slurry of transition metal-containing pigment particles to increase the hydrophobicity of the surface of such particles. The modified pigment particles disperse easily in a wide variety of organic solvents, and provide stable, dispersions having a small mean pigment particle size and narrow particle size distribution.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aqueous jet ink composition suitable for printing scratch and rub resistant identifying marks on substrates such as paper, glass, metal, or plastic substrates comprising water, a colorant, a binder resin, and a wax. An example of the colorant is carbon black. An example of the binder resin is a styrene-acrylic copolymer. An example of a suitable wax is a polyethylene or a polytetrafluoroethylene wax. The jet ink composition may further contain organic solvents, defoamers, conductivity agents, and biocides. Also disclosed are a process for preparing the jet ink composition and a process for producing identifying marks on the substrates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately determining and setting the optimal nozzle drive voltage for an ink jet printer. The current carried by charged test drops is monitored by a sensing electrode and ammeter while the nozzle drive voltage is slowly varied between minimum and maximum points. A plot of drop current versus nozzle drive voltage provides an accurate determination of the good printing window for the particular nozzle under the operating conditions presented. This arrangement can be used for calibrating a new nozzle in an existing printer or for calibrating a new ink or font to ensure that operation will occur within the desired print window.

Abstract: A surface coordinating agent is allowed to contact an aqueous slurry of transition metal-containing pigment particles to increase the hydrophilicity of the surface of such particles. The modified pigment particles disperse easily in a wide variety of solvents, and provide stable, dispersions having a small mean pigment particle size and narrow particle size distribution.

Abstract: A method for preparing modified pigment particles including contacting an aqueous slurry of metallo, mono and bi-dentate ligand pigment particles with a surface derivatizing agent having one or more phenolic moieties, a 1, 3-diketo moiety or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method for making magnetic ink compositions is disclosed. The magnetic particles used in the ink are prepared from an aqueous slurry. A surface derivatizing agent is added to the slurry to render the magnetic pigment particles hydrophobic. The particles then sink to the bottom of the slurry, and the bulk water is then removed. After air drying, dry magnetic pigment particles are provided. The particles will be hydrophobic, and thus will have superior resistance to water as compared to previously known magnetic pigment particles. Magnetic ink compositions are formulated from the magnetic particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides jet ink compositions suitable for producing security markings on documents and other articles for subsequent identification. The jet ink composition comprises a fluorescent colorant, an ink carrier, and optionally one or more binder resins. The markings are invisible to the unaided eye and are visible only when excited by ultraviolet light. The colorant comprises a rare earth metal and a chelating ligand, is excitable by ultraviolet light having a wavelength of from about 275 nm to about 400 nm, and fluoresces at a wavelength of from about 550 nm to about 700 nm, with the proviso that when the rare earth metal is europium, dysprosium, or terbium, the chelating ligand is not dibenzoylmethane. The present invention further provides a method of identifying objects comprising providing a security marking as described above, exciting the marking and reading the fluorescent emission.