Abstract: An ink stick for a phase change ink jet printer has a guide element formed in one portion of the ink stick body (such as the lower portion) for engaging a feed channel guide rail in a feed channel of a solid ink feed system of the printer. The guide element is substantially offset from the lateral center of gravity of the ink stick body. The guide element engages a feed channel guide rail in the printer. The feed channel guide rail is substantially narrower than the width of the feed channel. A second guide element is formed on the opposite side of the lateral center of gravity of the ink stick body. The second guide element engages a second feed channel guide rail in the feed channel.

Abstract: An organic insulating coating formed on a substrate is composed of two layers of a first parylene coating and a second parylene coating. Heat treatment is performed to at least the first parylene coating after being formed, at a temperature below 125° C. for two hours. Then the second parylene coating is formed on the first parylene coating. Occurrence of pinholes is thus prevented at least in one of the two layers of the organic coatings, with the result that insulating properties of the coatings are improved.

Abstract: Aerosol emissions within an inkjet printer are reduced. A printhead of the inkjet printer is fired using a first set of firing conditions when firing conditions are critical for printing performance. When firing conditions are not critical for printing performance, the printhead is fired using a second set of firing conditions. The second set of firing conditions is optimized to provide reduction of aerosol jets.

Abstract: A thermal inkjet actuator for use in an inkjet printer assembly includes heat conduction means arranged to realize a predetermined negative pressure profile to facilitate droplet formation. In a preferred embodiment the heat conduction means comprises a thin layer of very high thermally conductive material such as Aluminium located in the middle of a non-heat conductive passive bend layer. The overall cool-down speed of the actuator, and hence the speed with which the passive bend layer returns to its quiescent position can be controlled by controlling the proximity of the heat conductive layer to the actuator's heater during fabrication.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical drive mechanism is provided, comprising at least two elongate drive members and associated coupling structures coupled to a working member. The drive members each incorporate an electrical circuit in electrical contact with drive circuitry provided on a substrate, for receiving an electrical signal therefrom, and have a fixed end anchored to the substrate and a free end displaceable relative to the substrate on receipt of the electrical signal from the drive circuitry. The coupling structures are each fast with the free end of an associated drive member so as to be displaceable therewith. The working member is fast with and interposed between the coupling structures so as to be displaceable therewith. The drive members and associated coupling structures are configured so that the displacement of the free ends of the drive members is translated into substantially rectilinear movement of the working member.

Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes a vibration plate 26, a common electrode 27 formed on the vibration plate 26, a piezoelectric element 29 formed on the common electrode 27, a crystal control layer 28 formed on the piezoelectric element 29, a separate electrode 33 formed on the crystal control layer 28, and an electrode line 34 formed on the piezoelectric element 29. The crystal control layer 28 is formed in the displacement region. The crystalline structure of a piezoelectric element 29a in the displacement region is a perovskite structure, and that of a piezoelectric element 29b in the wiring region is a pyrochlore structure.

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: The present invention discloses an ink printing method including the steps of: a) providing an ink printer that is responsive to digital data signals; b) loading said printer with an image-recording element including a support having thereon at least one image-receiving layer comprising polymeric particles in a polymeric binder, wherein said polymeric particle is stabilized by a hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide dispersant; c) loading said printer with an ink composition; and d) printing on said image-recording element using said ink composition in response to said digital data signals.

Abstract: A composition for forming a piezoelectric containing a dispersoid obtained from metallic compound, wherein the content of hafnium in the composition is 3,000 ppm or less.

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: In operating an inkjet printing mechanism, media passes through a printzone including a support apparatus supporting the media thereat. When passing through the printzone, print imaging is applied by application of ink from an ink dispensing element and onto a surface of the media. The method includes directing an airflow at the media surface, the airflow including a first directional component away from the printzone and a second directional component onto the media surface thereby urging the media against the support apparatus.

Abstract: A chamber formation plate has a first face formed with a plurality of recesses arranged in a first direction at a fixed pitch such that each of the recesses is communicated with, via a through hole, a second face which is an opposite face of the first face. The chamber formation plate is comprised of nickel. A sealing plate is joined to the first face of the chamber formation plate so as to seal the recesses to form a plurality of pressure generating chambers. A metallic nozzle plate is formed with a plurality of nozzles, and joined to the second face of the chamber formation plate such that each of the nozzles is communicated with associated one of the pressure generating chamber via the through hole. A ratio of a grain size of a crystal of the nickel with respect to a thickness of a partition wall defined between each adjacent ones of the recesses is 60% or less.

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: Methods and articles used to degass liquids in a drop ejection device are disclosed. For example, a drop ejection device having a flow path in which fluid is pressurized for ejecting a drop from a nozzle opening, and a deaerator including a fluid reservoir region, a vacuum region, and a partition between the fluid reservoir region and the vacuum region, the partition including a wetting layer and a non-wetting layer and one or more channels extending through the wetting and non-wetting layers, wherein the wetting layer is exposed to the fluid reservoir region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid discharge head and a method for manufacturing such a head, in which a discharging speed of a liquid droplet can be increased, a discharging amount of the liquid droplet can be stabilized and discharging efficiency of the liquid droplet can be enhanced.

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: This invention provides a printhead capable of decreasing the ON resistance value without increasing the heater board size in order to downsize the heater board, an image printing apparatus using the printhead, and a control method therefor. In the printhead, heater resistors are series-connected to normal MOS transistors in each group on a heat board. The pitch of the heater resistors and the pitch of the normal MOS transistors are designed equal to each other in order to shorten the connection line. One high-breakdown-voltage MOS transistor is arranged in each group, and the pitch is designed to a length corresponding to the product of the pitch of the heater resistors and the number x of heater resistors. The high-breakdown-voltage MOS transistor has a higher ON resistance value per unit area than that of the normal MOS transistor. However, the area of the high-breakdown-voltage MOS transistor is larger by x times than that of the normal MOS transistor.

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.