Abstract: A nozzle plate includes a body and an insert formed of polymeric material. Each nozzle has an inlet, an outlet, and a bore extending between the inlet and the outlet and formed through the polymeric material of the insert located within an aperture formed in a body of the nozzle plate.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead is formed by a multistage process: Grooves are formed on the base of a block of piezoelectronic material, and a conductor applied thereto. Conducting tracks are deposited on a substrate with matching spacing, such that the base and piezoelectric material can be joined giving a desired electrical connection. Channels are cut into the top of teh piezoelectric block to intersect with the grooves, forming ink chambers, and these are provided with electrodes in electrical contact with the tracks.

Abstract: A droplet deposition apparatus includes an elongate chamber having a nozzle through which in operation droplets of liquid are ejected from the chamber for deposition, means for varying the pressure of liquid in the chamber by varying the volume thereof to effect ejection of the droplets and means for causing a flow of liquid in the chamber in addition to that necessary to replenish the ejected droplets, the flow passing across the nozzle to clean it.

Abstract: A filter assembly for ink for a printer includes at least one pair of supported filter elements which are in stacked arrangement and includes a filter housing. The filter assembly is adapted for conveying the ink through the filter elements so that the ink flow through both filter elements is either into or out of the volume between the filter elements.

Abstract: Droplet deposition apparatus comprises at least one droplet ejection unit (302, 304) comprising a plurality of fluid channels disposed side by side in a row, actuator means, and a plurality of nozzles, said actuator means being actuable to eject a droplet of fluid from a fluid channel through a respective nozzle; a support member (300) for said at least one droplet ejection unit; a first conduit (320) extending along said row and to one side of both said support member and said at least one droplet ejection unit for conveying droplet fluid to each of the fluid channels of said at least one droplet ejection unit; and a second conduit (330) extending along said row and to the other side of both said support member and said at least one droplet ejection unit for receiving droplet fluid from each of the fluid channels of said at least one droplet ejection unit.

Abstract: An ink supply system for supplying ink to a printhead comprises at least one ink manifold comprising a plurality of outlets for supplying ink from the manifold to the printhead, and at least one valve for selectively closing at least one of the outlets in order to increase the pressure of the ink supply from an open outlet to the printhead.

Abstract: Droplet deposition apparatus comprising an elongated chamber having a nozzle through which in operation droplets of liquid are ejected from the chamber for deposition, means for varying the pressure of liquid in the chamber by varying the volume thereof to effect ejection of said droplets and means for causing a flow of liquid in the chamber in addition to that necessary to replenish the ejected droplets, the flow passing across said nozzle to clean it.

Abstract: A filter assembly for ink for a printer is described, which includes at least one pair of supported filter elements which are in stacked arrangement, a filter housing, and means contained within the filter housing for conveying the ink through the filter elements so that the ink flow through both filter elements is either into or out of the volume between the filter elements.

Abstract: An ink supply system for supplying ink to a printhead comprises at least one ink manifold comprising a plurality of outlets for supplying ink from the manifold to the printhead, and at least one valve for selectively closing at least one of the outlets in order to increase the pressure of the ink supply from an open outlet to the printhead.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead has a body of PZT bonded to a base plate. Channels cut in the PZT form ink chambers which are actuated by applying voltages to electrodes on surfaces of the chambers. The base plate also carries IC's which contain the drive circuitry for actuating the ink chambers. To ensure reliable electrical interconnection between the chamber electrodes and the IC's, the electrodes and conducting tracks on the base plate are formed in a single step by depositing a conductive layer over both the PZT body and the base plate. The necessary pattern of electrodes and tracks can be achieved by masking or by selective material of conductive material.