Abstract: Imaging sheets having a coating containing chromogenic material and a photosensitive composition, with at least the photosensitive composition encapsulated in rupturable microcapsules as an internal phase, are processed by free particle abrasion to rupture the microcapsules coating the surfaces of the imaging sheets by establishing relative motion between the imaging sheets and a body of free particles.

Abstract: Gray scale recording apparatus using an electro-optical light gate. The light gate comprises a series of side-by-side active electrode groups for controlling the recorded gray levels of corresponding side-by-side picture elements on a recording member. Each active electrode group comprises a plurality of switchable electrodes configured for at least partially encompassing a common interior point at successively greater distances.

Abstract: Images are formed on plain paper using imaging sheets having a coating containing a chromogenic material and a photosensitive composition with at least the photosensitive composition encapsulated in a layer of rupturable microcapsules as an internal phase by a process which comprises image-wise exposing the imaging sheet to actinic radiation, subjecting the microcapsules to a uniform rupturing force, placing the imaging sheet in contact with a sheet of plain paper with the layer of microcapsules adjacent the sheet of plain paper, the steps of subjecting the layer of microcapsules to the rupturing force and placing the imaging sheet in contact with the sheet of plain paper being conducted such that the chromogenic material is image-wise transferred to the sheet of plain paper, and applying a developer material to the surface of the sheet of plain paper to which the chromogenic material is transferred, the developer material thereupon reacting with the chromogenic material and producing a visible image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting imaging sheets including a layer of photohardenable microcapsules without discoloring along the cut edge wherein the line along which the sheet is to be cut is exposed to actinic radiation.

Abstract: Imaging sheets having a coating containing chromogenic material and a photosensitive composition, with at least the photosensitive composition encapsulated in rupturable microcapsules as an internal phase, are processed by free particle abrasion to rupture the microcapsules coating the surfaces of the imaging sheets by establishing relative motion between the imaging sheets and a body of free particles.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a charge plate (10) for an ink jet printing device which includes coating a relatively more difficult to deplate metal layer (24) on a relatively easier to deplate core wire (22), mounting a plurality of the coated wires (20) in spaced parallel relation on a nonconductive support plate (12) and attaching leads to the metal layer (24) and then deplating the core wire (22) to leave the coating to form charge tunnels in the charge plate defining cylindrical holes through which droplets of printing liquid can pass to be charged by the electrodes.

Abstract: A charge plate is provided having a plurality of alternately sandwiched conductive and nonconductive elements with an end portion of each conductive element forming a charge surface which is positioned to correspond to an orifice position in an ink jet printing head with adjacent conductive elements being separated by the nonconductive elements. In one embodiment the nonconductive elements extend beyond the end portions of the conductive elements between positions of adjacent orifices and can be provided with additional spacer members opposite the charging surface on the opposite side of each orifice to form a series of tunnels associated with the orifices. A preferred form of fabrication includes photo-fabricating a series of members of nonconductive elements with thin lead-like conductive portions which extend from the charge surface to a remote terminus area where they are connected to a control device for providing an electrical charge individually to the charging surfaces.

Abstract: An ink jet printing device is provided of the type having a manifold (10) forming a liquid reservoir (11) with means (12) for supplying the reservoir (11) with liquid under pressure, a flexible orifice plate (13) forming one side of the reservoir (11) and containing a plurality of orifices (14) disposed in at least one row through which the printing liquid is expelled, means (18) for stimulating the orifice plate (13) to cause traveling wave vibrations there along so as to induce formation of uniform filaments and droplets from the orifice plate (13), means (15) for electrically charging selective ones of the droplets coming from the orifices (14) and further means (16) for catching the selectively charged droplets.