Abstract: The possibility that narrow, high aspect ratio particles will pass through a rock screen of a print head is reduced by minimizing the number of times the particles interact with the rock screen. Each interaction is an opportunity for the particle to be positioned in an orientation such that it may pass through the rock screen. The reduction in particles passing through the rock screen is achieved by positioning a particle trap adjacent to the rock screen perimeter to collect debris that sloughs off the rock screen.

Abstract: In some aspects of the present application, an inkjet printing device is disclosed that can comprises an enclosed module configured to store ink and provide a path for ink flow; and an annular structure surrounding the path for ink flow, wherein the annular structure comprises a first polymer structure; a void structure arranged to surround the first polymer structure; and a second polymer structure arranged to surround the void structure.

Abstract: The possibility that narrow, high aspect ratio particles will pass through a rock screen of a print head is reduced by minimizing the number of times the particles interact with the rock screen. Each interaction is an opportunity for the particle to be positioned in an orientation such that it may pass through the rock screen. The reduction in particles passing through the rock screen is achieved by positioning a particle trap adjacent to the rock screen perimeter to collect debris that sloughs off the rock screen.

Abstract: A printhead for printing ink includes a particulate filter manufactured from a polymer sheet such as a polyimide sheet. Filter openings within the particulate filter can be formed using a mask and a laser beam to ablate exposed portions of the polymer sheet. Embodiments of the present teachings can result in the formation smaller filter openings at a smaller pitch within the polymer sheet than, for example, stainless steel particulate filters, and thus more openings which cover a larger percentage of the filter surface for a given filter size, which can result in a reduction of fluid pressure within the printhead. Thus smaller filter openings for improved filtering of smaller particulates can be formed while maintaining a sufficient ink flow at a sufficiently low pressure within the printhead during operation.

Abstract: A method and structure for depriming an ink jet printhead. To deprime ink from a printhead at a location between a nozzle (aperture) and a particulate filter (rock screen), a force (pressure) is applied to the ink. The pressure can either be a positive pressure applied to the nozzle from the outside of the aperture plate or a negative pressure (vacuum) applied at a location upstream from the particulate filter. Because openings within the particulate filter are each smaller than the nozzle, there exists a force which is sufficient to move a meniscus of the ink from the nozzle back to the particulate filter, but which is insufficient to move the meniscus beyond the particulate filter, for example due to a surface tension of the meniscus of the ink.

Abstract: A printhead having a circulation device to create a directed flow of ink and a separator to divert particulate matter, which can be present in the ink, to a location where the particulate matter falls out of the directed flow. The circulation device can include a heater configured to provide the directed flow of ink and the separator can include a divider to provide a location for particulate matter to be separated and screened from the ink and a bin to catch particulate matter falling from the ink during circulation.

Abstract: A chip used for dispensing a fluid such as ink provides ink-dispensing ejectors having an ink cavity over a supporting substrate, and further provides a heater for heating the ink in the cavity. The heater can be interposed between the substrate and the ink cavity to provide direct heating of ink as it is being dispensed. Various embodiments further comprise the use of the heater structure as a temperature probe to measure the temperature of the ink in the ink cavity. Other embodiments provide a chip having both a temperature probe and a heater as separate structures interposed between the ink cavity and the substrate. Further described is a temperature probe and/or heater which traverses a majority of a width of a substrate, and surrounds each drop ejector on at least two sides.

Abstract: Systems and methods of ejecting ink drops from an inkjet printer are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a printhead with one or more actuators with associated nozzles and membranes. A voltage waveform can be applied to the actuators to fill the actuators with a volume of ink and eject the ink through the nozzles as ink drops. The voltage waveform can have associated pre-fill voltage to fill the actuator with ink and a firing voltage to eject the ink. The actuator membranes can have multi-height dimples to protect the membranes from contacting electrodes and reduce the electric field.

Abstract: A mixing method is disclosed. The mixing method includes providing a drop generating device including a first drop ejector, a second drop ejector and a collector. The mixing method also includes ejecting a plurality of drops of a first reactant from the first drop ejector and ejecting a plurality of drops of a second reactant from the second drop ejector and collecting the drops with the collector.

Abstract: A nozzle plate for an inkjet printhead, the nozzle plate including a nozzle through which ink is ejected, the nozzle optimally positioned in the nozzle plate. The nozzle plate further including at least one priming hole, the priming hole distinct from and of a smaller diameter than the nozzle, the priming holes positioned at selected locations of the nozzle plate to purge air from the ink jet print head.

Abstract: A printhead including a jetstack configured to include a multi-plane filter laminate. The multi-plane filter laminate includes a first rock screen subassembly and a second rock screen subassembly. Each subassembly is configured to include an upstream pocket layer, a downstream pocket layer aligned with the upstream pocket layer, and a rock screen plate sandwiched between the upstream and downstream pocket layers, the rock screen plate configured with through holes over an entire exposed surface area thereof. A portion of the rock screen plate of the first subassembly is configured to overlay the rock screen plate of the second subassembly.

Abstract: A system and method to provide pressure to de-prime a printhead. An image forming device comprises an ink reservoir that contains ink and provides the ink to a printhead. When a fault condition is detected that indicates a likelihood of a solidifying of the ink, the printhead is de-primed by applying pressure to the printhead to purge the ink from the printhead. The fault condition comprises any of a loss of power, a power-down process, or a printhead temperature being less than or equal to a threshold temperature.

Abstract: A chip used for dispensing a fluid such as ink provides ink-dispensing ejectors having an ink cavity over a supporting substrate, and further provides a heater for heating the ink in the cavity. The heater can be interposed between the substrate and the ink cavity to provide direct heating of ink as it is being dispensed. Various embodiments further comprise the use of the heater structure as a temperature probe to measure the temperature of the ink in the ink cavity. Other embodiments provides a chip having both a temperature probe and a heater as separate structures interposed between the ink cavity and the substrate. Further described is a temperature probe and/or heater which traverses a majority of a width of a substrate, and surrounds each drop ejector on at least two sides.

Abstract: A chip used for dispensing a fluid such as ink provides ink-dispensing ejectors having an ink cavity over a supporting substrate, and further provides a heater for heating the ink in the cavity. The heater can be interposed between the substrate and the ink cavity to provide direct heating of ink as it is being dispensed. Various embodiments further comprise the use of the heater structure as a temperature probe to measure the temperature of the ink in the ink cavity. Other embodiments provides a chip having both a temperature probe and a heater as separate structures interposed between the ink cavity and the substrate. Further described is a temperature probe and/or heater which traverses a majority of a width of a substrate, and surrounds each drop ejector on at least two sides.

Abstract: An ink jet print head includes an ink chamber defined by an electrostatically actuated membrane and a nozzle plate opposing the membrane. The nozzle plate includes a nozzle hole and a group of priming holes, the priming holes configured to maintain a substantially ink free surface on the nozzle plate during a freeze thaw cycle of ink in the ink chamber. A method for accommodating expansion and contraction of ink during a freeze thaw cycle of ink in an ink chamber is also provided. The method includes providing a group of priming holes in a nozzle plate of the ink chamber, the group of priming holes maintaining a substantially ink free surface on the nozzle plate during the freeze thaw cycle.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide materials, systems and methods for ink jet printhead, wherein a low-adhesion coating can be applied to at least one surface portion of an ink chamber within the printhead to reduce or eliminate actuator membrane damage during ink freeze/thaw cycles.

Abstract: A nozzle plate for an inkjet printhead, the nozzle plate including a nozzle through which ink is ejected, the nozzle optimally positioned in the nozzle plate. The nozzle plate further including at least one priming hole, the priming hole distinct from and of a smaller diameter than the nozzle, the priming holes positioned at selected locations of the nozzle plate to purge air from the ink jet print head.

Abstract: The present application is directed to electrostatic actuators, and methods of making electrostatic actuators. In one embodiment, an electrostatic actuator of the present application comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode is positioned in proximity to the first electrode so as to provide a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode is capable of being deflected toward the second electrode. A dielectric structure comprising a dielectric landing post is positioned in the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode, the dielectric structure extending over a greater surface of the gap than the landing post. The landing post protrudes out into the gap so as to limit the minimum contact spacing between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: Systems and methods of ejecting ink drops from an inkjet printer are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a printhead with one or more actuators with associated nozzles and membranes A voltage waveform can be applied to the actuators to fill the actuators with a volume of ink and eject the ink through the nozzles as ink drops. The voltage waveform can have associated pre-fill voltage to fill the actuator with ink and a firing voltage to eject the ink. The actuator membranes can have multi-height dimples to protect the membranes from contacting electrodes and reduce the electric field.

Abstract: An image forming device comprises an ink reservoir that contains a reservoir ink. The ink reservoir is arranged to provide the reservoir ink to an included print element by means of an included ink supply channel. A print element ink thus is supplied to the print element. When a fault condition is detected that indicates a likelihood of a freezing of the print element ink, the print element is de-primed by forcing the print element ink to evacuate, discharge, withdraw or flow from the print element by means of the ink supply channel. The fault condition comprises any of a loss of power, a power-down process or a print element temperature being less than or equal to a threshold value.