Abstract: Disclosed is a method/apparatus to determine any one of a plurality of parameters: shape, area, chemical composition, diameter, color, number, thickness, width, length, absorptivity, reflectivity, transmittivity, dielectric constant, raman scattering profile, fluorescence, surface tension, roughness, profile, density, position and orientation. Also use of a plurality of energy beams as source energy: charged and neutral particle beams, gamma-, X-, micro-, optical and acoustic waves. The described apparatus determines the mean and standard deviation of a plurality of diameters of wool fibers, and includes a He-Ne laser (101), and a pinhole (102) which produce an expanding laser beam which passes through cell (105). Beam splitter (103) is operatively disposed to pinhole (102) and laser (101) to direct a portion of the laser beam to reference detector (109) which is electrically connected to processor (110) via line (111).

Abstract: Liquid dye deposited on the pile of a carpet tile can be fixed by inserting an array of heated pins into the pile. The pins, mounted on a block, penetrate the tufts of the pile which have liquid dye thereon but do not penetrate the backing of the carpet tile. A heating element to raise the pins to the fixation temperature of from 90.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. is clamped to or located within the block. Preferably, both the block and the pins are made of metal (not necessarily the same metal).

Abstract: Electrostatic deflection of portions of a liquid stream is used to generate lengths of liquid (called "slugs" of liquid) for use in jet printing apparatus. The liquid stream is projected along a path alongside a linear or arcuate array of electrodes. When a voltage signal is applied sequentially to each electrode of the array at a rate which corresponds to the velocity of liquid of the stream past the electrodes, a portion of the liquid is deflected out of the path of the stream and towards the array. Either the deflected portion or the undeflected stream is intercepted before it reaches a surface which is to be printed. The slugs of liquid may break up naturally into droplets before the interception of the deflected portion or the undeflected stream, or after the interception has occurred. High resolution printing with high volumes of liquid is possible using this invention.

Abstract: A printing head for generating slugs of liquid comprising: (a) a liquid stream generating section adapted to receive liquid under pressure and having an orifice for producing a coherent, continuous stream of the liquid; (b) an electrode supporting section on which is mounted an electrode, the electrode being positioned adjacent to the trajectory of the liquid stream and extending in the direction of flow of the liquid stream; and (c) a collector section, comprising an impingement region which is inclined towards the axis of the liquid stream when the liquid stream impinges thereon and a run-off region which is inclined away from the axis of the liquid stream at the point where the liquid stream impinges upon the impingement region.

Abstract: To permit accurate adjustment of the direction of projection of droplets from a droplet generating head of a jet printer, the jet body is mounted for rotational movement in a cradle formed on, or on an arm member extending from, a support body. Charging electrodes can also be mounted on, or on an arm member extending from, the support body. The support body can be mounted on a shaft in the jet printer. Arrays of droplet generating heads can be formed by supporting a plurality of heads on a single shaft, or by constructing a plurality of support bodies from a single block of electrically insulating material.