Abstract: A method for forming an ink tank for an inkjet printhead, the method includes providing a housing including a back wall, a side wall extending from the back wall, and an ink supply port for providing ink to the inkjet printhead; providing a convex-shaped flexible wall including a peripheral bonding region; inserting a first capillary member into the housing, the first capillary member including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; inserting a spring into the housing such that a first portion of the spring contacts the back wall; affixing the peripheral bonding region of the flexible wall to an edge of the side wall of the housing to form a reservoir for holding ink; removing air from the reservoir such that the flexible wall is drawn toward the back wall; and adding liquid ink to the reservoir such that the liquid ink contacts the first surface of the first capillary member and such that air from outside the housing contacts the second surface of the first capillary member.

Abstract: A method of filling an ink tank with ink for use with a printer, the method includes the steps of providing or obtaining an ink tank which ink tank includes both an ink supply port and an ink fill port that are enclosed within a rim that extends outwardly from the ink tank; providing an ink fill tube connected to a source of ink; connecting the ink fill tube to the ink fill port; flowing ink from the source of ink through the ink fill tube to the ink tank; removing excess air from the ink tank; and withdrawing the ink fill tube from the ink fill port.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of removing carrier from an article are provided. The apparatus includes a heater positioned to direct heat toward an article travel path. The heat has an emission spectrum with a peak emission wavelength and the carrier having an absorption spectrum with a peak absorption wavelength. The peak emission wavelength of the heat substantially corresponds to the peak absorption wavelength of the carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of treating a recording element are provided. The apparatus includes a carrier removal station adapted to remove a predetermined percentage of carrier present in the recording element. A converting station is positioned downstream from the carrier removal station and is adapted to increase a durability characteristic of the recording element. A controller is electrically connected to at least one of the carrier removal station and the converting station so that an operating parameter of at least one of the carrier removal station and the converting station is individually adjustable.

Abstract: A method of converting a recording element is provided. The method includes providing an imaged recording element having a convertible layer, the convertible layer comprising polymeric particles and a polymeric binder, the polymeric particles having a glass transition temperature Tg1, and the polymeric binder having a glass transition temperature Tg2; heating the convertible layer to a temperature Tp, Tp being greater than Tg1 and Tg2; and converting the heated convertible layer of the recording element by advancing the recording element through a pair of rollers, the first roller of the pair of rollers being maintained at a first temperature T1 and the second roller of the pair of rollers being maintained at a second temperature T2, T1 and T2 being less than Tp, the convertible layer of the recording element becoming a converted layer after advancing through the pair of rollers, wherein the converted layer has an exit temperature Tf, Tf being less than Tp.

Abstract: A recording element printing and treating system and method are provided. The system includes a printhead for dispensing a liquid comprising a carrier onto a recording element. A carrier removal station positioned downstream from the printhead removes a predetermined percentage of carrier present in the recording element. A converting station positioned downstream from the carrier removal station increases a durability characteristic of the recording element. In one embodiment, printing, carrier removal, and converting are accomplished in a single unit. In an alternative embodiment, printing is accomplished in a stand alone unit while carrier removal and converting are accomplished in a second stand alone unit. In this alternative embodiment, transfer of the recording element can be accomplished automatically using a mechanical device or manually by a system user.

Abstract: For an inkjet printer system having an internal paper supply roll (32) and a printhead carriage (38) for printing images on paper (18) from the paper supply roll (32), a paper handling system (24) for producing variable sized printed paper (18) is disclosed. The paper handling system (24) comprises a rotary drum (26) having a tube-shaped outer surface (30) with a plurality of cutter notches (50) predisposed at predetermined locations. The paper handling system (24) further comprises a paper feeder (48), a lead edge clamp (44) and a retractable cutting blade (42). Utilizing motorized means, the rotary drum (26) is first caused to rotate the paper (18) to a printing position. At the completion of printing, the rotary drum (26) is then caused to rotate the paper (18) to a cutting position.

Abstract: Apparatus for color printing on a re-inkable belt, the re-inkable belt being moveable along an endless path and trained about a transport roller and including an ink transfer layer where an ink can be transferred to a moveable receiver and the moveable receiver moves into ink transfer relationship with the re-inkable belt at a nip position for transferring ink imagewise from the re-inkable belt to the receiver. The depleted ink is replenished and the re-inkable belt is arranged so that ink will be diffused into the ink transfer surface, and tension is adjustedly applied at two spaced locations to the transport roller and including two spaced steering actuators which, when actuated, apply tension to opposite positions on the transport roller, a sensor for determining the position of the re-inkable belt, and a computer coupled to the sensor for selectively actuating the steering actuators so as to apply tension to the transport roller which compensates for lateral distortion of the re-inkable belt.

Abstract: A microfluidic printing apparatus comprising at least one ink reservoir; a structure defining a plurality of chambers arranged so that the chambers form an array with each chamber being arranged to form an ink pixel; a plurality of microchannels connecting the reservoir to a chamber; and a plurality of microfluidic pumps each being associated with a single microchannel for supplying ink from an ink reservoir through a microchannel for delivery to a particular chamber. The apparatus provides relative movement between the microchannels and the structure so that the arrays can be effective in two positions; a blocking position for preventing the flow of ink from the microchannel to the chamber, and a printing position for aligning the chambers with the microchannels for permitting the flow of ink from microchannels into associated chambers to regulate the ink flow into the chambers.

Abstract: Apparatus for printing on a moveable receiver images corresponding to a digital image includes a re-inkable belt which includes a polymer support layer and an ink transfer layer having a plurality of colored patches provided over the polymer support layer wherein ink can be transferred to and from the ink transfer layer, the polymer support layer including heating elements disposed in the colored patches in the re-inkable belt which, when a potential is applied to them, heats their corresponding patch the ink transferable layer to facilitate ink transfer. The apparatus selectively applies potential to the heating elements in the re-inkable belt at an image transfer system and causes the moveable receiver to move into proximate contact with the re-inkable belt at an image transfer position.

Abstract: A microfluidic printing apparatus including at least one ink reservoir; a structure defining a plurality of chambers arranged so that the chambers form an array with each chamber being arranged to form an ink pixel; a plurality of microchannels connecting the reservoir to a chamber; a plurality of microfluidic pumps each being associated with a single microchannel for supplying ink from an ink reservoir through a microchannel for delivery to a particular chamber; and a structure for controlling the starting times of the microfluidic pumps and the time of separation of the receiver from the ink chambers so that the correct amount of ink is delivered from each chamber to each pixel on the receiver.

Abstract: A microfluidic display apparatus responsive to an image file for displaying a plurality of colored pixel, having at least one color for each pixel includes at least one fluid display chamber for displaying a color; a microchannel connected to the display chamber and including a first colored fluid which, when such fluid is moved to the display chamber, displays the first color as a pixel and a second colored fluid which, when moved to the display chamber, displays the second color as a pixel; and microfluidic pumps for each microchannel. A computer controls the microfluidic pumps in response to a particular pixel of the image file for selectively controlling the flow of fluid to the chamber for selectively displaying either the first or second colors or a fraction of each color thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for replenishing dye from a re-inkable belt after such apparatus has transferred dye to form an image in response to image signals on a moveable receiver includes a re-inkable belt moveable along an endless path and having a plurality of separated ink patches each one being adapted to receive and transfer a different colorant and a re-inking turret having a plurality of rollers each one of has different transferable colorant and corresponds to a particular ink patch. The receiver is moved into proximate contact with the ink patches at a nip position.

Abstract: Printing apparatus for radiation thermal transfer of colorant from a donor to a receiver, including a flash tube for emitting high intensity radiation; a polarizer for receiving high intensity radiation from the flash tube and polarizing such radiation; and liquid crystal cells disposed to receive polarized radiation from the polarizer. Electrodes modulate the liquid crystal cells so that they change the polarization of the radiation passing through them. A second polarizer receives radiation from the liquid crystal cells and is arranged to pass different intensities of radiation depending on their polarization. The colorant donor and the receiver are positioned in colorant transfer relationship with the second polarizer at a colorant transfer position so that radiation which passes through the second polarizer illuminates the colorant donor so that colorant is transferred to the receiver.

Abstract: A printer for transferring colorant from a donor web to a receiver web, includes a rotatable platen roller and a printhead having an energy transfer portion engaging the donor web and pressing the donor web into engagement with the receiver web and the receiver web into the surface of the rotatable platen roller to form a nip so that as the rotatable platen rotates, both the receiver web and the donor web are translated. Applied energy to the printhead is transferred from the energy transfer portion of the printhead to the donor web to transfer colorant to the receiver web at the nip. The movement of the receiver web is sensed for controlling the rotation of the rotatable platen roller and energy application.

Abstract: Apparatus for thermal color printing on a moveable receiver including a re-inkable web having at least one colorant; the moveable receiver being in contact with the re-inkable web at a nip position. The apparatus heats the moveable receiver at a position proximate to the nip of the re-inkable web and the moveable receiver so that the moveable receiver maintains sufficient heat to cause colorant to transfer from the re-inkable web to the moveable receiver. Colorant is applied to the re-inkable web after the re-inkable web has delivered colorant to the moveable receiver.

Abstract: A microfluidic printing apparatus includes at least one ink reservoir; a moveable plate having a plurality of delivery chambers in an array each for forming an ink pixel, and a plurality of microchannels connecting the reservoir to a delivery chamber; and a plurality of microfluidic pumps each being associated with a single microchannel for supplying ink to particular delivery chambers. The moveable plate moves between different positions for permitting the delivery chambers for sequentially delivering ink from an associated microchannel into its associated delivery chamber to control the amount of ink delivered to each delivery chamber; and a computer for controlling the microfluidic pumps and the movement of the moveable shutter plate for causing the correct amount of ink to be conveyed into each delivery chamber.

Abstract: A microfluidic printing apparatus for printing ink pixels on a receiver including at least one ink reservoir; a moveable plate having a plurality of delivery chambers in an array each for forming an ink pixel, and a plurality of microchannels connecting the reservoir to a delivery chamber; and a plurality of microfluidic pumps each being associated with a single microchannel for supplying ink to particular delivery chambers.

Abstract: A microfluidic printing apparatus including at least one ink reservoir; a moveable front plate of transparent material having a structure including a plurality of chambers arranged so that the chambers form an array which can be viewed by an observer, each such chamber being arranged to form an ink pixel; a plurality of microchannels connecting the reservoir to a chamber; a plurality of microfluidic pumps each being associated with a single microchannel for supplying ink from an ink reservoir through a microchannel for delivery to a particular chamber for viewing; apparatus for moving the front plate to a printing or ink disposal position; and apparatus for transferring the ink from the fill side of the chambers to a receiver when the front plate is in the printing position.

Abstract: A microfluidic printing apparatus for printing ink pixels on a receiver includes at least one ink reservoir and plurality of microchannels each connected to the ink reservoir. The apparatus further includes a plurality of chambers associated with at least one microchannel which includes a resilient material which, in an ink delivery position, permits ink to be delivered from the microchannel to a chamber and in an ink printing position blocks the flow of ink from the microchannel to the chamber and reduces the size of the chamber to expel ink for printing on the receiver.