Abstract: An ink jet fluid system includes a print head, defining a fluid reservoir, and further including at least one orifice communicating with the reservoir for generating a jet drop stream from the fluid flowing through the orifice. Inlet and outlet valves are connected to inlet and outlet openings of the print head, respectively, and a siphon line extending generally downward is connected to the outlet valve. A float valve, connected between the siphon line and the fluid supply system for the print head, vents the lower end of the siphon line to atmosphere to produce a sub-atmospheric fluid pressure within the print head after shutdown of the printer. The float valve includes a float which prevents air from entering the fluid supply through the valve. The float valve further is arranged so as to prevent ink within the valve from flowing out the vent opening.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus for printing addresses on documents being transported along an independently operated conveyor. The printing apparatus includes a control console, a printing arm telescopically received within the console, and an ink jet printing head mounted on a carriage which is vertically movable within the printing arm. A tachometer wheel is mounted on the printing carriage for contacting a document being transported past the printing head and generating a tachometer signal in response thereto. A programmed microprocessor generates printing control signals in synchronism with the tachometer signal.

Abstract: A document illumination system adapted for use in a jet drop copier or duplicator. A pair of focussing reflectors collect illumination from two parallel line source illuminators and direct the collected illumination toward a pair of scanning mirrors. The scanning mirrors, together with a pair of side mirrors, direct narrow beams of illumination toward a common illuminated strip on the face of a document positioned on a flat document support member. The scanning mirrors are scanned in synchronism to move the illuminated strip back and forth along the face of the document, and the reflectors are concomitantly moved in synchronism to maintain an image of the illumination sources in one dimensional focus at the surface of the document. All motion of the scanning mirrors and the reflectors is produced by a single drive motor, which drives a set of interspersed timing belts to produce uniform rotary motion of the input shafts for four conjugate cam arrangements.

Abstract: a jet drop printer includes a reservoir means defining an ink receiving manifold and an orifice means defining a plurality of orifices communicating with the manifold. A plurality of continuously flowing ink streams emerge from the orifices as ink is applied to the manifold under pressure. A drop control means control the trajectories of drops which break off from the streams such that drops are selectively deposited upon a print medium. A support plate supports the reservoir means and the orifice means and is held by a support structure. Piezoelectric transducers are also supported by the support plate and vibrate at a frequency near the natural frequency of the streams, thus causing drops of uniform size and spacing to break off from the streams. A reaction mass is supported by the support plate and is positioned relative to the transducers, the reservoir means and the orifice means such that a vibrational nodal plane passes through the support plate.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus for printing addresses on documents being transported along an independently operated conveyor. The printing apparatus includes a control console, a printing arm telescopically received within the console, and an ink jet printing head mounted on a carriage which is vertically movable within the printing arm. A tachometer wheel is mounted on the printing carriage for contacting a document being transported past the printing head and generating a tachometer signal in response thereto. A programmed microprocessor generates printing control signals in synchronism with the tachometer signal.

Abstract: .[.a.]. .Iadd.A .Iaddend.jet drop printer includes a reservoir means defining an ink receiving manifold and an orifice means defining a plurality of orifices communicating with the manifold. A plurality of continuously flowing ink streams emerge from the orifices as ink is applied to the manifold under pressure. A drop control means control the trajectories of drops which break off from the streams such that drops are selectively deposited upon a print medium. A support plate supports the reservoir means and the orifice means and is held by a support structure. Piezoelectric transducers are also supported by the support plate and vibrate at a frequency near the natural frequency of the streams, thus causing drops of uniform size and spacing to break off from the streams. A reaction mass is supported by the support plate and is positioned relative to the transducers, the reservoir means and the orifice means such that a vibrational nodal plane passes through the support plate.