Abstract: A laser marker system for marking indicia onto a substrate includes an exit lens having a focal length and a single laser source. The surface of the substrate to be marked is positioned generally at the focal plane of the lens. The single laser source is arranged so that its energy output beams are oriented in a generally parallel relationship. The single laser source includes segmented reflecting means for generating a plurality of output energy beams to create a column of spots on the substrate with a higher resolution. The segmented reflecting means is comprised of a back-reflecting mirror which is formed of a plurality of different mirror segments. A device is provided for moving each of the plurality of different mirror segments between a lasing position and a non-lasing position to vary the number of output energy beams and thus the number of spots on the substrate.

Abstract: Mechanism for guiding a continuous length elongated member, such as an insulated wire, past a non-contact print head includes pairs of guide rollers operative to guide the elongated member in a generally constant orientation past the print head without smudging indicia printed at periodic positions along the member. In one embodiment, pairs of guide rollers are disposed upstream and downstream from the print head and include one-way bearings to prevent rearward movement of the elongated member without contacting the printed indicia. In another embodiment, a pair of cylindrical rollers are disposed downstream of the print head and urge the elongated member against a reference plate so as to maintain the member in desired orientation as it passes the print head without smudging the printed indicia.

Abstract: A hot melt ink composition for use in continuous ink jet printing comprising an electrolyte, an electrolyte-solvating and dissociating compound and an image-forming agent, said ink being solid at about 25.degree. C., said ink liquefying at a temperature between 75.degree. C. and 175.degree. C., and said ink in the liquid stage having a conductivity of greater than about 100 microsiemens/cm.

Abstract: A UV curable, etch-resistant ink composition for ink jet printing of variable information on printed circuit boards and for printing the circuit boards themselves comprising a resin formulation having at least two acrylate components, one of which is an acrylate having a pendant carboxyl group and one of which is an acrylated epoxy monomer or dimer, a photoinitiator and an organic carrier. Also, methods for printing variable information on printed circuit boards and for printing the circuit boards themselves utilizing a UV curable, etch-resistant ink composition.

Abstract: Laser marker apparatus for marking indicia onto a substrate includes an exit lens having a focal length, a plurality of lasers, a plurality of turning mirrors, and at least one directing mirror. The surface of the substrate to be marked is positioned generally at the focal plane of the lens. The plurality of lasers is arranged so that their energy output beams are oriented in a generally parallel relationship. The plurality of turning mirrors are positioned along the beam path of each respective laser and are oriented to reflect the output beams at predetermined angles. The directing mirrors redirect the output beams to form a column of spaced apart spots on the substrate. One of the directing mirrors is then moved in a first direction so as to form another column of spots on the substrate. Movement in another direction forms a third column of spots on the substrate. The columns are interleaved to create a composite column of higher resolution for marking Alpha-numeric characters.

Abstract: Laser marker apparatus for marking indicia onto a substrate includes an exit lens having a focal length, a plurality of lasers, a plurality of turning mirrors, and at least one directing mirror. The surface of the substrate to be marked is positioned generally at the focal plane of the lens. The plurality of lasers is arranged so that their energy output beams are oriented in a generally parallel relationship. The plurality of turning mirrors are positioned along the beam path of each respective laser and are oriented to reflect the output beams at predetermined angles. The directing mirrors redirect the output beams to form a column of spaced apart spots on the substrate. One of the directing mirrors is then moved in a first direction so as to form another column of spots on the substrate. Movement in another direction forms a third column of spots on the substrate. The columns are interleaved to create a composite column of higher resolution for marking Alpha-numeric characters.

Abstract: A base for operative association with an operating mechanism sensitive to horizontal vibration, such as an ink jet printer, supports a horizontal document feeder plate and associated drive operative to advance documents in sequential fashion from a stack toward the operating mechanism. A drive linkage interconnects a rotatable drive shaft to the feeder plate to effect horizontal reciprocating movement thereof. A counterweight is associated with the drive so as to substantially offset or nullify horizontal inertia forces imparted to the base by the feeder plate whereby to minimize horizontal vibration of the base. In an embodiment utilized for intermittent feeding of documents to the operating mechanism, a balance arm and associated counterweight cooperate with the feeder plate to offset horizontal inertia forces imparted to the base, and also minimize start-up torque required to initiate reciprocating movement of the feeder plate after stoppage.

Abstract: A drive control system automatically maintains nozzle drive voltage within a proper range. The control system monitors the state of the "intermediate satellites" positioned between ink drops used for printing. When these satellites are neither forwared nor backward merging, a first cardinal point designated C(L) is identified. A second cardinal point, C(H), is determined when the drop breakoff point stops decreasing, relative to said nozzle, with increasing nozzle drive voltage. From the two cardinal values, a desired operating range for a particular ink can be computed and the control system automatically set. The computed value is essentially independent of temperature.

Abstract: An air knife assembly is disclosed for removing water and soapy lubricants from an area of a bottle or can which is to be labeled or coded using drop marking equipment. The air knife is positioned at the correct pitch, roll and yaw angles to remove water from a desired area only, avoiding damage to labels which have been applied but not yet bonded to the bottle or can. The dewatering ensures accurate marking of the product.

Abstract: An element for a drop on demand ink jet printer employing a lever seal in a housing to control the frequency and quantity of ink delivered to a printing material such as paper.

Abstract: An improved ink composition suitable for ink jet printing, wherein the improvement comprises the addition of a sufficient quantity of a secondary amine selected from the group consisting of diethyl amine, dipropyl amine, diisopropyl amine, and dibutyl amine to inhibit corrosion of metal placed in contact with said ink composition, without adversely affecting the printing characteristics of said ink. Also a method for reducing the corrosiveness of an ink composition suitable for ink jet printing, wherein the ink composition is normally corrosive to metal, comprising adding to said ink composition a sufficient quantity of such a secondary amine.

Abstract: An ink jet nozzle having more than one fluid resonance in the frequency range of interest is achieved through multi-chamber construction techniques. If the dual resonances are sufficiently close together in frequency, a robust printing region is obtained relatively immune to variations in temperature, drive voltage and ink composition.

Abstract: An ink jet chamber communicates with an ink reservoir through an opening in a diaphragm plate. The chamber also includes a nozzle through which ink may be ejected on demand. A mass, such as a ball, is reciprocally driven into the diaphragm plate. The ball, upon striking the diaphragm, closes the chamber opening, pressurizing the ink in the chamber to eject a droplet from the nozzle. The ball is driven by a printer driver wire to which it may be attached. Large arrays may be constructed.

Abstract: A unitary pump, regulator valve/pulsation dampener, and interconnecting passageways is provided. The regulator valve/pulsation dampener includes a flexible member disposed in a chamber arranged between the fluid input and fluid output. The diaphragm flexes as a function of the pressure in the chamber to control the opening and closing of a bypass valve member and, in addition, damps out both high and low frequency pulsations generated in the ink by the pump. When the pressure in the system increases beyond a predetermined limit the valve member is opened to divert some of the fluid flow into a bypass passageway until the pressure falls below the predetermined limit. The pressure limit in the system can be varied by adjusting the external pressure applied to the flexible member using an adjustment screw and compression spring.

Abstract: An ink composition for use in ink jet printing to print images on a vinyl substrate which contains vinyl polymers and plasticizers, the composition being formulated to include a resin component having a pendant amino group, a dye, and a carrier. The composition can be applied to vinyl substrates without fading with time, due to degradation of the printed images by plasticizers present in the vinyl substrate.

Abstract: A non-pigmented ink suitable for use in ink jet printing is disclosed. The ink comprises a resin component, hollow microspheres, and a suitable carrier vehicle. The hollow microspheres contain a central void region filled with a liquid capable of diffusing through the walls of said microspheres and have an inside diameter from about 0.1 to about 0.5 micron and an outside diameter from about 0.4 to about 1 micron.

Abstract: A drop deflection device suitable for use in a drop marking system employs an electret. Electrically conductive marking drops such as inks are given an electrical charge. The drops pass between a pair of deflections plates at least one of which is formed by an electret (a dielectric material which has been subjected to corona discharge to create a relatively permanent electrically charged material body). Depending upon the presence or absence of a charge on a particular drop, it will be deflected by the field between the plates on to a substrate for marking. If uncharged, the drops continue to a collection device which returns them to the ink reservoir.

Abstract: An ink composition for use in ink jet printing to print images on a vinyl substrate which contains vinyl polymers and plasticizers, the composition being formulated to include a resin component having a pendant amino group, a dye, and a carrier. The composition can be applied to vinyl substrates without fading with time, due to degradation of the printed images by plasticizers present in the vinyl substrate.

Abstract: The thermochromic jet ink compositions of the present invention undergo color changes in response to changes in thermal environment. Additionally, the inks comprise a combination of solvent, dyes and other essential ingredients which make them suitable for ink jet printing, or printing which is effected without contact between the printing device and the substrate on which the printed characters are deposited. The present invention provides thermochromic ink compositions with enhanced thermal specificity. Moreover, these inks are capable of indicating that the substrate has been exposed to such a specific thermal environment for at least a specified minimal period of time. The color change so effected is irreversible and does not require steam or moisture to leach out selected components of the composition thereby providing a more rapid and distinct color change. The most notable use of the present invention is to indicate completion of pasteurization or sterilization of the substrate or its contents.

Abstract: Variations in laser output power are compensated for by increasing the on time of weaker output lasers relative to the more powerful lasers. To avoid nonlinearities where the object to be marked is a moving substrate, the on time pulses which control the lasers are centered about a single time reference point. Additionally, for high printing rates a pre-ionization technique is disclosed which is utilized to enable a laser to fire more quickly than would otherwise be possible. Pre-ionization may be used for every dot to be printed or only when a laser has not been fired during the previous printing "stroke" depending upon the stroke rate.