Abstract: A system controls application of heat with a melt plate to an ink stick in a solid ink imaging device. The system includes a melt plate, a heater configured to heat the melt plate to a temperature sufficient to melt solid ink, a feed channel configured to direct solid ink sticks towards the melt plate to enable a leading edge of a solid ink stick to be melted by the heated melt plate, and a controller configured to separate the heater and the leading edge of the ink stick by a distance that arrest melting of the ink stick.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing assembly has a fluid reservoir, a reservoir structure having at least one opening corresponding to a location of at least one fluid chamber in the reservoir structure, and a compliant film arranged to seal the opening and flex in response to pressure fluctuations in the fluid chamber. A system has a fluid supply, a fluid dispensing assembly having a fluid reservoir to receive fluid from the fluid supply, the fluid dispensing assembly having a reservoir structure with at least one opening corresponding to at least one fluid chamber, and a compliant film arranged to cover the opening such that a side of the film contacts fluid in the chamber and a side opposite the side contacting the fluid contacts air and is arranged to allow the film to flex.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus is provided with a one-way valve to enable a single conduit to supply ink to an ink reservoir and withdraw purged ink from a receptacle into the ink reservoir. A bi-directional pump is operated in both directions in an alternating manner to withdraw ink from the receptacle when supplying the ink reservoir with ink.

Abstract: An aperture plate including a first layer having a first emissivity; a second layer having a second emissivity disposed over the first layer; wherein the first emissivity is higher than the second emissivity; and optionally, at least one additional layer disposed over the second layer. A method for preparing an aperture plate including providing a first layer having a first emissivity; disposing a second layer having a second emissivity over the first layer; wherein the first emissivity is higher than the second emissivity; optionally, disposing at least one additional layer over the second layer; and forming at least one aperture, wherein aperture formation can be before or after disposing the second layer over the first layer.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing assembly having a fluid dispensing subassembly to deliver fluid to a substrate, an external manifold to supply fluid having a first wall arranged adjacent to the fluid dispensing subassembly, and a compliant wall attached to a second wall arranged opposite the first wall, the compliant wall to confine the fluid to chambers in the manifold and to provide compliance for acoustic attenuation. A fluid dispensing assembly having an external manifold having at least one opening in a back side opposite a fluid dispensing subassembly side, the fluid dispensing subassembly side being in contact with fluid, and a compliant wall adhered to the external manifold on the back side.

Abstract: A thermal insulating blanket is disclosed, comprising a plurality of film layers, at least two of which are separated by a conductive barrier, where the film layers are made of a film coated on at least one side with a heat reflective material and where the conductive barrier material is a network having solid portions and a plurality of open voids. In an embodiment, the conductive barrier is heat bonded between each film layer, forming a flexible, cuttable laminate.

Abstract: A system has been developed that controls application of heat with a melt plate to an ink stick in a solid ink imaging device. The system includes a melt plate, a heater configured to heat the melt plate to a temperature sufficient to melt solid ink, a heat transfer unit configured to cool the melt plate to arrest the melting of the solid ink within a predetermined time, and a controller configured to actuate the heat transfer unit to selectively cool the melt plate in response to reaching a heater power off phase.

Abstract: A system controls application of heat with a melt plate to an ink stick in a solid ink imaging device. The system includes a melt plate, a heater configured to heat the melt plate to a temperature sufficient to melt solid ink, a feed channel configured to direct solid ink sticks towards the melt plate to enable a leading edge of a solid ink stick to be melted by the heated melt plate, and a controller configured to separate the heater and the leading edge of the ink stick by a distance that arrest melting of the ink stick.

Abstract: A printhead reservoir assembly has at least one reservoir to hold ink. The assembly includes an outlet plate having siphon vents to allow air to exit an ink path, a manifold plate having at least one manifold to channel ink and manifold outlets to corresponding to the siphon vents, a jet stack having an array of jets to transfer ink out of the printhead reservoir assembly to a printing substrate and jet stack outlets corresponding to the siphon vents, and a circuit board between the jet stack and the manifold plate to operate the jet stack, the circuit board having outlets corresponding to the siphon vents.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing assembly having a fluid dispensing subassembly to deliver fluid to a substrate, an external manifold to supply fluid having a first wall arranged adjacent to the fluid dispensing subassembly, and a compliant wall attached to a second wall arranged opposite the first wall, the compliant wall to confine the fluid to chambers in the manifold and to provide compliance for acoustic attenuation. A fluid dispensing assembly having an external manifold having at least one opening in a back side opposite a fluid dispensing subassembly side, the fluid dispensing subassembly side being in contact with fluid, and a compliant wall adhered to the external manifold on the back side.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing assembly has a fluid reservoir, a reservoir structure having at least one opening corresponding to a location of at least one fluid chamber in the reservoir structure, and a compliant film arranged to seal the opening and flex in response to pressure fluctuations in the fluid chamber. A system has a fluid supply, a fluid dispensing assembly having a fluid reservoir to receive fluid from the fluid supply, the fluid dispensing assembly having a reservoir structure with at least one opening corresponding to at least one fluid chamber, and a compliant film arranged to cover the opening such that a side of the film contacts fluid in the chamber and a side opposite the side contacting the fluid contacts air and is arranged to allow the film to flex.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for use in an inkjet imaging device comprises a wiper filament carriage; a wiper filament; and a filament tensioning system supported by the wiper filament carriage. The filament tensioning system is operably coupled to opposing ends of the wiper filament and configured to tension the wiper filament to form a substantially straight line therebetween.

Abstract: A printhead reservoir assembly has at least one reservoir to hold ink. The assembly includes an outlet plate having siphon vents to allow air to exit an ink path, a manifold plate having at least one manifold to channel ink and manifold outlets to corresponding to the siphon vents, a jet stack having an array of jets to transfer ink out of the printhead reservoir assembly to a printing substrate and jet stack outlets corresponding to the siphon vents, and a circuit board between the jet stack and the manifold plate to operate the jet stack, the circuit board having outlets corresponding to the siphon vents. A printhead reservoir has an ink input port, an ink reservoir to hold ink received through the ink input port, an ink channel to pipe ink to the jets, and an air vent at the top of the channels to vent the air bubbles from the jet ink path when pressure is applied. The air vents have channels separate from the jetting fluid path that exit the jet stack.

Abstract: A printhead reservoir includes at least one ink reservoir to hold ink and at least one umbilical to deliver ink to the ink reservoir under pressure. A filter resides between the umbilical and the ink reservoir having meniscus strength sufficient enough to prevent the reservoir from draining when the pressure is removed or if a pressure is applied downstream of the filter. The filter may reside above the ink reservoir to further reduce the ink drain back. The reservoir may also include a weir plate to allow the filter to reside below the ink level.

Abstract: A printhead reservoir has an input ink port and a chamber to receive ink from an ink source through the input ink port. The reservoir also has a filter in a path between the input ink port and the chamber. A printhead includes a reservoir having an input ink port, a chamber to receive ink from an ink source through the input port and a filter in a path between the input port and the storage plate. The printhead also includes an array of jets to draw ink from the chamber and control circuitry to control the jets so as to selectively output ink through the jets onto a substrate. A reservoir has a filter to receive ink, a vented chamber to collect ink received from the filter and at least one jet to receive ink from the vented chamber. The vented chamber is between the ink filter and the fluid path to the jets in order to remove the filter portion of the pressure drop to the jets.

Abstract: A system for maintaining alignment between a print head (18) and a transfer surface (34) of a drum assembly (38) includes a first contacting member (78, 80) carried by the print head. A first receiving member (82, 84) is carried by the drum assembly. A drive mechanism (20) translates the print head relative to the transfer surface. During translation of the print head relative to the transfer surface, the first contacting member maintains a sliding contact with the first receiving member.

Abstract: A valve for a printing apparatus that uses liquid ink includes a valve seat, a valve stop and a valve member interposed between the valve seat and the valve stop.

Abstract: A print head reservoir includes a plate having first and second sides and a passage extending through said plate. The plate defines an angled channel in communication with the passage and an outlet region.

Abstract: A print head reservoir for use in an ink jet printer includes a body, an ink bucket, and a filter. The body defines an ink cavity. The cavity includes a cavity inlet, a cavity outlet and a vent positioned above the cavity inlet for bleeding air from the ink cavity. The ink bucket attaches to the body. The ink bucket communicates with the cavity via the cavity inlet. The filter is disposed in the cavity dividing the cavity into an upstream filter cavity and a downstream filter cavity.

Abstract: A drive system (20) for driving a driven member (18), such as a print head of an offset printing system includes a motor (170) and a pivotable linkage (180) which allows relative pivoting between the driven member and the drive system. The pivotable linkage is operatively connected with the motor for advancing the driven member.