Abstract: Each ink stick of a set of ink sticks for a phase change ink jet printer has formed on the top of the ink stick a three dimensional visually recognizable symbol. At least a portion of the visually recognizable symbol on each of the ink sticks is different, so that the printer user can distinguish which ink stick is intended for each of the ink feed channels of the ink jet printer.

Abstract: A method of printing using an ink jet printer includes the steps of: defining at least one scan line with a plurality of pixel locations spaced apart at a predetermined print resolution; scanning a printhead across the scan line at a first velocity; printing on the scan line at selected pixel locations at the first scan velocity; scanning the printhead across the scan line at a second scan velocity which is different from the first scan velocity; and printing on the scan line at selected pixel locations at the second scan velocity.

Abstract: A remaining-liquid-amount apparatus for displaying an amount of conductive liquid (ink) remaining in a container includes electrode units which are arranged along a direction in which the liquid level falls when the amount of liquid in the container decreases and which conduct current when the electrode units are in contact with the liquid, a voltage source (pulse generator) which applies a voltage to the electrode units, a liquid detector (DFFs) which detects the presence/absence of the liquid at positions of the electrode units on the basis of whether or not the electrode units conduct current when the voltage is applied by the voltage source, and a remaining-liquid-amount display unit (LEDs) which displays, in steps, the amount of liquid remaining in the container on the basis of the detection result of the presence/absence of the liquid at positions of the electrode units obtained by the liquid detector.

Abstract: Representative embodiments provide for a controller for use with a capacitive mat, the controller configured to selectively electrically energize a first node of the capacitive mat in response to an input. The controller is further configured to wait for a first predetermined period of time, and to electrically energize a second node of the capacitive mat after the first predetermined period time. A method of the present invention provides for controlling a capacitive mat, the method including receiving an input, (and electrically energizing a first node of the capacitive mat at a first predetermined potential. The method also includes waiting for a first predetermined period of time, and electrically energizing a second node of the capacitive mat after the first predetermined period of time.) This repeats the scenario stated in lines 5–7. The abstract only mentions one of the three methods.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ink-jet printing onto an intermediate drum in a helical pattern while correcting for image skew and aliasing. A plurality of ink-jet print heads place an image on an intermediate drum, impervious to ink, in a helical patter. To compensate for helical printing, the image is altered by nozzle placement and image manipulation to correct for skewing errors, and thereafter, the nozzle timing is adjusted to correct for aliasing. The plurality of print heads move parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum while the drum is simultaneously rotating, causing the image to be placed in a helical pattern. Once the entire image is placed on the drum, paper is rolled against the drum under pressure and the image is transferred thereto.

Abstract: An image forming process provides an excellent ink fixation effect for high speed, low energy consumption printing. Two-valued or multi-valued gradation expression of a picture element, or the smallest output unit, is realized by controlling the number of liquid droplets impacting on a recording medium for each dot formed on the recording medium. The liquid droplets are subjected to physical or chemical modification so as to be fixed to the recording medium. The present invention is also directed to an image forming apparatus, an ink for liquid droplet recording and a liquid droplet ejection and projection method that can use the image forming process.

Abstract: A printing device is provided which includes ink-dispensing structure which carries a printhead with a leading edge, and which moves in a printing sweep downstream across a printzone, a fairing structure, and a mounting structure which supports the fairing structure for movement with the printhead downstream from the leading edge of the printhead in a position configured to reduce aerodynamic turbulence associated with the leading edge of the printhead during movement of the printhead downstream across the printzone.

Abstract: An ink-jet head comprises a passage unit with an ink passage formed therein and a branching passage unit, and is constructed by laminating the passage unit and the branching passage unit with each other. The ink passage extends from a common ink chamber for supplying ink to a pressure chamber toward a nozzle. The branching passage unit includes an ink branching passage for branching ink from an ink introduction port to ink outlet ports. The outlet ports leads out ink into the passage unit. Inlet ports for introducing ink into the common ink chamber are formed on a surface of the passage unit. Ink outlet ports in the branching passage unit are disposed so as to face the inlet ports. Filters for removing foreign matters mixed in ink are formed in the ink branching passage within the branching passage unit.

Abstract: A printer has an inkjet printhead assembly including a carrier. An ink supply assembly is mounted on the carrier and defines a plurality of printhead chip receiving formations that are each dimensioned to engage a printhead chip and a plurality of ink supply conduits that terminate at the formations to supply ink to printhead chips engaged with the formations. A plurality of inkjet printhead chips is engaged with respective said formations to receive the ink via passages defined by the printhead chips in fluid communication with respective ink supply conduits. A rotary platen assembly is mounted on the carrier. The rotary platen assembly includes a platen body that is mounted on a shaft and defines a platen surface for supporting sheets of a print medium as the printhead chips carry out a printing operation on the sheets. The shaft is rotatable to bring the platen surface into and out of alignment with the printhead chips.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of adjusting a head gap in an inkjet printer includes a carrier ascent/descent unit to rotate a carrier shaft having ends of which are in an eccentric cam shape to ascend and descend the carrier. The apparatus also includes a clutch unit to transfer a driving force of the paper supply roller driving unit to the carrier shaft by the carrier in order to rotate the carrier ascent/descent unit upon the adjustment of the head gap, and a control unit to store an adjusted head gap state and to adjust a head gap position required based on the stored head gap state. Accordingly, the present invention may automatically adjust the head gap according to a thickness of a sheet of paper to be printed on by using a driving force of a carrier driving unit and the driving force of the paper supply roller driving unit without using an extra driving motor and head gap sensor.

Abstract: A printer eliminating an installation space on a desk or a floor. A printer has a hook and a housing. The hook is provided on the housing and is locked to a display panel to attach the printer to the display panel. The printer can be installed by making use of a space at a rear surface of the display panel, and a printed sheet can be discharged in the same side as the surface of a display. The printer thus provides easy observation of the printed sheet and easy handling.

Abstract: A certified proofing method is disclosed that includes receiving a printable sheet and automatically detecting at least one feature of at least one component of a proofing process bearing on its quality. The method also includes automatically evaluating at least one result of the step of detecting, printing print data on the printable sheet, and generating a certification notice for the printable sheet in response to a positive electromagnetic result signal from the step of evaluating.

Abstract: A tray-access door device is provided that includes a body having first and second ends. Preferably, an access door is connected at or about the first end of the body and a tray is connected at or about the second end of the body. In an operational configuration, the tray at least partially covers an access opening formed between the access door and the tray. In a closed configuration, the tray at least partially covers the access opening, and the access door at least partially covers the tray.

Abstract: There is provided an ink jet head including a first drive element which is provided in correspondence with each ink jet nozzle and which has a thin film resistor for ejecting ink droplets from each ink jet nozzle and a thin film conductive electrode for feeding electricity to the thin film resistor, a second drive element which is formed in a vicinity of the first drive element and which vibrates ink in each ink jet nozzle corresponding to the first drive element for changing a meniscus position and a drive signal control device which controls at least one of a drive signal given to the first drive element and a drive signal given to the second drive element so that the ink droplets can be ejected at a desired meniscus position of the ink in each ink jet nozzle. There is also provided an ink jet printer using the ink jet head. The size of ink droplets can be made uniform, whereby a high-quality image can be recorded.

Abstract: A printing device is provided, wherein the printing device includes a printing fluid reservoir configured to hold a volume of a printing fluid, a print head assembly configured to transfer the printing fluid to a printing medium, a conduit fluidically connecting the printing fluid reservoir and the print head assembly, and a printing fluid detector. The printing fluid detector includes first and second electrodes configured to be in contact with the printing fluid, and is configured to distinguish printing fluid from printing fluid froth by taking an impedance measurement across the first and second electrodes and comparing the impedance measurement to a froth threshold impedance value that is calibrated to a measured printing fluid temperature.

Abstract: A replaceable ink reservoir for a printing system using pigmented ink. The ink reservoir includes a containment vessel, a body of reservoir material disposed in the vessel, a fluid interconnect opening formed in the vessel, and a screen disposed in the containment vessel and across the interconnect opening. The screen has a pore size small enough to prevent air passage at operational pressures and large enough to allow colorant particles dispersed in the ink carrier fluid to pass therethrough.

Abstract: An image heating device for heating an image formed on a recording material is provided which has a heating member; an excitation coil for generating a magnetic field to induce an eddy current in the heating member; a temperature detecting member for detecting a temperature of the heating member, the temperature detecting member being arranged at a position in opposition to a heat generation area of the heating member; and an insulating holder that holds the temperature detecting member.

Abstract: An inkjet printer provided with a dispensing device for dispensing ink pellets of substantially identical shape, said dispensing device including a duct for transporting the ink pellets from an upstream location to a downstream ink pellet separating unit, a first boundary means causing the ink pellets to form as a single layer in the duct, the layer disposed at a small angle relative to the horizontal plane, and a second boundary means causing the ink pellets form in a single row in the direction of flow in the duct directly preceding the separating unit, the row having a length such that it extends over at least two ink pellets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing an ink-jet recording sheet including a support and a colorant receiving layer disposed on the surface of the support, and an ink-jet recording sheet prepared by the method. The method including: coating a coating solution including inorganic fine particles, a water-soluble resin and a boron compound on the surface of the support to form a coated layer; and cross-linking and hardening the coated layer to form a colorant receiving layer. The cross-linking and hardening is performed by applying a solution containing a metal compound and having a pH of 8 or higher to the coated layer or a coated film at one of: (1) simultaneous as coating the coating solution; (2) during drying of the coated layer and before the coated layer shows a falling rate of drying; or (3) after the coated layer is dried to form the coated film.

Abstract: There is disclosed a solid semiconductor element which very efficiently detects information about a liquid and bidirectionally exchanges the information with the outside. The solid semiconductor element is disposed in a liquid container, and includes at least energy converting unit, information acquiring unit, and information communicating unit. The energy converting unit converts an electromotive force from the outside to a power, and operates the information acquiring unit and information communicating unit. The information acquiring unit acquires the information about the liquid in which the solid semiconductor element is disposed from the liquid, and the information communicating unit transmits the information acquired by the information acquiring unit to the outside.