Abstract: A printhead for an inkjet print cartridge capable of generating low drop weight ink drops is produced by reducing the dimensions of the firing chamber. A thinner orifice plate is needed to reliably achieve the lower drop weight ink drops. To overcome the material strength limitations of such a thinner orifice plate, an annealing step in the manufacture of the printhead is employed to modify the material properties of the orifice plate. This improved process improves the print quality of printers and aids in the production handling properties of the orifice plate. Orifice plates having a thickness in the range of 25 .mu.m to 40 .mu.m are being produced.

Abstract: The silicon fluid ejector of the present invention includes an electrostatically actuated micromachined positive displacement mechanism consisting of a piston, piston containment structure, piston retraction mechanism and an ejection orifice. These features provide for very low cost of production, high reliability and "on demand" drop size, modulation. The fluid ejector mechanism can be easily produced via monolithic batch fabrication based on the common production technique of surface micromachining.

Abstract: For control of static ink delivery pressure, a system and method make use of an outer chamber having a first outlet for delivery of ink to an ink printing mechanism, an inner chamber having a second outlet for delivery of ink to the outer chamber, and a pressure source that applies negative pressure to the outer chamber. The inner chamber maintains an internal negative pressure that is selected to control a level of the ink within the outer chamber relative to a height of the second outlet within the outer chamber. In particular, inner chamber maintains the ink level at a substantially constant level by replenishing the volume of ink within the outer chamber upon consumption. When ink is consumed by the ink printing mechanism, the inner chamber delivers a proportional volume of ink to the outer chamber that is sufficient to restore the ink to the desired level.

Abstract: The number of pulses N corresponding to the gradation level of a print dot is read out from a table and stored in a counter 63 (S1). The first pulse is applied to the heating elements for the duration T.sub.1 (S4) and is stopped for the duration T.sub.off (S6). The number of pulses N is read out and restored in the counter after the subtraction of 1 therefrom (S7). The second pulse is applied for the duration T.sub.2 (S9) and then interrupted for the duration T.sub.off (S11). The number of pulses N is read out and, after 1 subtracted therefrom, is restored (S12). If the number of pulses N read out is not zero, the step for the application of pulses for the duration T.sub.2 (S9) and subsequent steps are repeated. If the number of pulses N is zero, the application of pulses is terminated (S13).

Abstract: A print cartridge is described which has an ink recharge port and valve structure to enable the print cartridge reservoir to be recharged with ink. A slideable, generally cylindrical ink valve extends through the print cartridge body and into the ink bag. The valve has a male connector portion at its end external to the print cartridge body. The valve is open when pushed into the print cartridge body and closed when pulled away from the print cartridge body. An ink refill system containing a supply of ink has a slideable valve with a female connector portion which is engageable with the male connector portion of the print cartridge valve. To recharge the print cartridge ink reservoir, the end of the print cartridge valve is inserted into the end of the ink refill system valve to create both a mechanical coupling and a fluid tight coupling between the two valves. A further force pushing the print cartridge against the ink refill system causes both valves to be pushed inside their respective ink reservoirs.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ink, and ink jet recording method and apparatus using the ink which has excellent dispersion stability, discharge stability and recovery properties, and which can be kept in the weak alkali region even if it contains carbon black with low pH, which is generally considered to be difficult to handle and which can obtain a high-density image. The ink contains acid carbon black having a volatile content within the range 3.5 to 8% by weight, and a water-soluble resin having a weight average molecular weight within the range of 3,000 to 30,000, both of which are dissolved in an aqueous liquid medium, and a compound represented by the following formula (I), wherein the ratio by weight between the acid carbon black and the water-soluble resin is within the range of 3:1 to 10:1.R.sub.1 R.sub.2 NCONHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH (I)wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each is hydrogen or C.sub.n H.sub.2n OH, n is 2 or 3, with the proviso that R.sub.1 and R.sub.

Abstract: A thermal print head modulator (300) for generating modulation signals for printing a halftone dot (145) whose size corresponds to a data value (205) represented by a plurality of bits. The modulator (300) includes a programmable look-up table (235) containing modulation values (236) that are selectable by control circuitry (245). By storing modulation values (236) in a pre-determined pattern and selecting each value sequentially for comparison with each data value (205), the modulator (300) is compatible with both pulse count modulation and partial pulse modulation having any number of designated partial pulse bits in the data value (205).

Abstract: A method for forming an image in which image data defined of three original colors for forming a full color image is written in a mass of three kind of liquid crystal cells by beam light and the image is read by irradiating each liquid crystal cell with light corresponding to each of three original colors and printed out, the method including the steps of writing the image data into each liquid crystal cell by scanning beam light in a primary scanning direction and moving in a secondary scanning direction the three kind of liquid crystal cells arranged in the secondary scanning direction, and reading the image data by irradiating the liquid crystal cell with light of original colors while moving the mass of the liquid crystal cells in a direction opposite to that at the time of image writing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for lateral registration of image exposures on photoreceptive belts subject to lateral deviation from linear travel. In one embodiment, a plurality of Raster Output Scanner (ROS) imagers in a digital color printer are positioned so as to form successive images on the surface of the belt. A plurality of split cell photodetectors are positioned beneath the belt, one each associated with each of the ROS imagers. An aperture is formed in the belt in a non-image area, but in alignment with the detectors. Scan lines from each ROS unit are periodically visible through the aperture and illuminate the photodetector. The outputs from each of the photodetector photosites are compared and lateral belt movement errors thereby identified. Appropriate correction signals are generated to maintain the correct lateral registration.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus records information by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording medium. The ink jet recording apparatus has a recording head; driving circuits, measuring circuit, and a judging unit. The recording head has ejection outlets and ink liquid passages connecting to the ejection outlets respectively, an electro-thermal converting element being disposed in each of the ink liquid passages, for generating thermal energy for ejecting the ink droplets. The driving circuits drive the electro-thermal converting element to generate the thermal energy enough to eject the ink droplet. The measuring circuit individually measures a resistance value of the electro-thermal converting element when the driving circuits drive the electro-thermal converting element. The judging unit judges presence of an abnormal state in the ink liquid passage according to the resistance value.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for printing label information in the form of graphics and/or characters on a disc-shaped information carrier (such as a CD). The label information is prepared by a data-processing system and transferred to a printer for processing. The printer then prints the label information directly on the information carrier.

Abstract: A printing module for an ink-printing system, interchangeably attached in a holder, consists of an ink storage container with an ink-printing head arranged on it. The ink storage container contains a housing with an assembly surface for an ink-printing head, as well as an ink collection region directly adjacent to the assembly surface. The ink collection region is covered over a large area with a filter element made from woven plastic fabric. Furthermore, a storage element made of a micro-channeled, ink absorbing and releasing material is arranged in the housing, which is in direct contact with the filter element over a large area.

Abstract: A thin film thermal ink jet printhead having a compound ink feed slot that includes a trench in the top surface of a silicon substrate and a plurality of slots extending from the bottom surface of the silicon substrate to the trench. A plurality of patterned thin film layers are disposed on the top surface of the silicon substrate apart from the trench, and a patterned ink barrier layer is disposed over the plurality of patterned thin film layers. The patterned ink barrier layer includes an opening generally in alignment with the elongated trench, and a plurality of openings that form ink containing chambers which are adjacent to the trench and in communication with the opening that is generally in alignment with the elongated trench. Ink is conveyed from outside the substrate through the slots and trench, and into the ink containing chambers.

Abstract: Provided is an information memory medium comprising a recording layer containing a polymeric liquid crystal having a ferroelectric chiral smectic phase, wherein said polymeric liquid crystal comprises a polymeric liquid crystal having a temperature region, in which its electric-field response time changes by the factor of not less than 200 times, within a temperature range of the ferroelectric chiral smectic phase on the side of higher temperatures than its glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A test pattern including an aperture image and a line image including a plurality of parallel lines, forming a measurement graticule, overlapping the aperture image, permits determination of dimensions for correction of alignment of image centerlines by inspection rather than complex measurement with stationary optical instruments. Since the line pattern preferably includes a plurality of parallel lines of predetermined width and separated by a predetermined spacing, the line image can be made to overlie the aperture image without obscuring features of the aperture image which are significant to determination of the alignment correction dimension.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting ink flow through the printhead of an inkjet pen includes sensing the temperature of the printhead substrate as the inkjet pen prints a test pattern into the printer spittoon. The method includes printing a test pattern and storing data representing the temperature of the printhead. The method includes summing the change in temperature of the printhead between an initial point and points at intervals during the printing of a test pattern to provide a thermal history of the printhead. Ink flow is determined from the rate of temperature change during the printing of a test pattern, and from the change in thermal history of the printhead among test patterns.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus using a recording medium including a scattering-mode light-modulation member which takes an opaque state in response to a heat and takes a transparent state in response to an electric field. The apparatus comprises a heater and an electrode device which are disposed in opposed relation to the recording medium. The heater preheats the recording medium in accordance with a control signal from an external device and the electrode device applies an electric field to the recording medium after the heating, thereby completely erasing an image previously recorded in the recording medium. After the erasure, the recording medium is heated by a thermal head in accordance with an information signal from an external device so as to form a new image in the recording medium.

Abstract: An ink quantity detecting device includes a plurality of ink chambers for containing inks, displacement members each provided for a corresponding one of the ink chambers and capable of being displaced in accordance with a quantity of a corresponding ink, a coupling member for coupling a plurality of displacement members, and a detecting unit for detecting displacement of at least one of the displacement members or the coupling member. The coupling member can be displaced in accordance with a quantity of at least one ink.

Abstract: Disclosed is a recording sheet which comprises (a) a base sheet; (b) a cationic sulfur compound selected from the group consisting of sulfonium compounds, thiazolium compounds, benzothiazolium compounds, and mixtures thereof; (c) an optional binder; and (d) an optional pigment.

Abstract: A recovery process for an ink jet recording head of a recording apparatus and a device for performing the recovery process are disclosed. The ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head with a plurality of discharge ports and a liquid chamber common to the discharge ports. The liquid chamber is supplied with ink through an ink supply path from an ink tank. The recovery device includes a device for introducing air into the liquid chamber of the recording head, a cap unit for covering the discharge ports of the recording head, and a pumping device for applying suction to the cap unit to suck the introduced air and ink through the discharge ports.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus uses a recording head to eject ink and has a sensor for detecting the ambient temperature of the head. A heating element in the head controls the temperature of the ink, while a counter counts a print waiting period. A table for determining drive information for the heating element in accordance with an output of the temperature detecting means is also provided. A controller, responsive to this table, controls the internal heating operation effected in the print waiting period after the end and before the start of a printing operation within a predetermined period, and controls a duty heating operation effected periodically when the predetermined period is exceeded.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes a nozzle plate formed of a polymer material that has been photoablated or photo-etched to form inkjet nozzles. The polymer material preferably is a plastic such as teflon, polyimide, polymethylmethacrylate, polyethyleneterephthalate or mixtures thereof. The nozzle plate also has formed in it a plurality of vaporization chambers. The inkjet nozzles are preferably formed in a flexible strip of polymer film by masked laser radiation, where the mask is physically spaced from the polymer film. Heater resistors may be formed on the nozzle plate within each of the vaporization chambers.

Abstract: In one of the preferred embodiments, an inkjet printhead includes a nozzle member formed of a polymer material that has been laser-ablated to form tapered inkjet orifices. The nozzle member is then mounted to a substrate containing heating elements, each heating element being associated with a single orifice. In a preferred method, the orifices are formed by Excimer laser ablation.In other aspects of the invention, vaporization chambers as well as ink channels, providing fluid communication between an ink reservoir and the orifices, are also formed by Excimer laser ablation.

Abstract: A liquid-discharge recording apparatus includes a recording head, an emission signal generator, and a heating signal generator. The recording head includes electrothermal energy converting elements for generating energy used to emit liquid in response to an emission signal from an emission signal generated by the emission signal generator. The heating signal generator generates an electrical signal applied to the electrothermal energy converting elements of sufficient level for heating the liquid, without discharging, during a first heating mode when power is supplied to the apparatus and for generating an electrical signal during a second heating mode, subsequent to the first heating mode, when recording begins after an interruption in power supply. In addition, a controller is provided for controlling a heater such that the heater is deactivated when the discharge opening of the recording head is capped. A liquid-discharge recording method is applied to the liquid-discharge recording apparatus.

Abstract: An automatic system for cleaning a thermal inkjet printhead. A thermal inkjet cartridge and service station are provided within a printer unit. The service station is directly beneath the cartridge when it is not printing. Attached to the service station is a printhead wiper unit consisting of a single member or, in the alternative, dual members positioned against each other to form a capillary pathway therebetween. The cartridge includes a compartment having an opening therethrough and an absorbent member impregnated with cleaning solution When the cartridge is not printing, the wiper unit is aligned with the compartment containing the absorbent member and is in contact therewith.

Abstract: A support containing iron as a major constituent is plasma-treated in an Ar-gas atmosphere containing carbon gas, to form a region on the main surface of the support. This region contains carbon at a high concentration. A plasma is generated in an Si- and N-containing gas atmosphere, to form an SiN ceramic layer on the main surface. The ceramic layer is placed contact with a rich carbon region on the surface of the support. The ceramic layer is firmly adhered to the support, by means of this region.

Abstract: A cylindrical drum is rotatable about a drum axis for supporting a print medium during printing. A print head has a plurality of printing elements for printing image elements of a predetermined color at a predetermined image-element printing rate. The drum is rotated about the drum axis at a predetermined speed such that alternate image-element locations are addressed by each printing element during each rotation of the drum at the predetermined printing rate. The drum rotates two revolutions at each print-head location along the axis, and all image-element locations are addressed.

Abstract: A novel, nozzle member for an inkjet print cartridge and method of forming the nozzle member are disclosed. In this method, the nozzles or orifices are formed in a flexible polymer tape by Excimer laser ablation. In one embodiment, a substrate containing heating elements is mounted on the back of the nozzle member. Conductors for providing electrical signals to the substrate are located inside the flexible polymer tape and end at a via overlying an associated electrode on the substrate. The via electrically connects the conductors to the associated electrode.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes an ink jet recording head having plural ejection outlets and thermal energy generating elements provided for the respective ejection outlets; a signal supplying device for supplying a recording signal to said recording head; a detector for detecting a state relating to heat, on the basis of the recording signal supplied from the signal supplying device; and a controller, responsive to the detector, for actuating the thermal energy generating element. The apparatus maintains the viscosity of the ink in the recording head lower than a critical ejection viscosity.

Abstract: A row-interleaved printing method for use in phase change ink jet printers which minimizes appearance abnormalities when printing solid geometric shapes; minimizes the horizontal "banding-effect" caused by cross-talk between ink jets when all jets are activated; and minimize the "seaming effect" caused by paper step mechanisms when different velocity profiles are used during printing.

Abstract: An ink sensing system for a vector plotter in which a pen is adapted to be raised and lowered from a drawing media surface along a system axis. An optical detection system is provided which has a focal point on the system axis and below the media surface when the pen is in its lowered position and at the media surface when the pen is in its raised position. The optical detection system includes a source of illumination and a detector system to determine the degree of reflectance from the media surface to indicate the presence or absence of ink on the media surface. In a particular embodiment the optical detection system is moveable and the movement of the optical detection system is coupled to the movement of the pen. Furthermore, the focal point of the optical detection system coincides substantially with the last point of contact of the pen with the media surface when the pen is in the raised position.

Abstract: In a printhead according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, a polymer tape having orifices formed therein and containing conductive traces is provided with one or more windows exposing ends of the conductive traces. A separate substrate contains heating elements and electrodes. A conventional, commercially available automatic inner lead bonder is then used to automatically align the orifices to the heating elements. The automatic alignment of the orifices and heating elements also inherently aligns the electrodes on the substrate with the exposed ends of the traces. The wire bonder is then used to bond the traces to the associated substrate electrodes through the window.

Abstract: A multilayer identity card exhibits an outer color layer of a first color and an inner color layer of a second color to allow for identity cards and the like to be written on in several colors. While the outer color layer absorbs virtually no laser beam light used for writing, the second, inner color layers absorbs the laser light. This causes the material of the second color layer to be thermally broken down during the writing operation, i.e. vaporized, sublimated, exposed to a chemical or physical reaction, so that the formation of pressure and resulting eruption blasts the first layer into particles. This makes the second color layer visible. Instead of the second color layer one can also provide a transparent layer of varnish having suitable properties in order to expose a multicolor security print, for example, below this transparent layer of varnish.

Abstract: A method is used for recovering misdischarge of liquid in an on-demand type liquid jet recording apparatus. The apparatus comprises a recording head having a discharge port for discharging liquid, a liquid path communicating with the discharge port and energy generating means provided in response to the liquid path so as to generate energy utilized for discharging liquid, and exhausting means for exhausting liquid in the liquid path. Drive of the energy generating means is performed in synchronism with drive of the exhaust means at least in a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A hot melt ink comprising, a eutectic composition and an image-forming agent, wherein the melting point of the eutectic composition is from about 80.degree. C. to about 130.degree. C. and the compounds present in the eutectic compositions have melting points of at least about 100.degree. C. Also disclosed is a method for ink jet printing comprising:(a) providing a thermally reversible hot melt ink which is a solid at ambient temperature and a liquid at temperatures between about 80.degree. C.-130.degree. C., said ink comprising:(i) a eutectic composition; and(ii) an image-forming composition;(b) elevating the temperature of said eutectic composition to between about 90.degree. C. and about 140.degree. C., to cause said ink to form a liquid solution or suspension of said image-forming composition;(c) jetting said ink onto a substrate in the form of images;(d) allowing said ink to crystallize upon cooling on said substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques are disclosed for aligning the operation of the ink jet printhead cartridges of a multiple printhead ink jet swath printer that includes a print carriage that is movable along a horizontal carriage scan axis, (b) first and second ink jet printhead cartridges supported by the movable carriage for printing onto a print media that is selectively movable along a vertical media scan axis, and (c) an optical sensor supported by the movable carriage. Alignment of the operation of the printheads along the media scan axis is performed by determining with the optical sensor the relative positions of horizontal test line segments printed by selected nozzles of the printhead cartridges.

Abstract: An ink-jet method and apparatus employing an ink comprising a dye and a liquid medium for dissolving or dispersing a dye, wherein the liquid medium comprises an alkyl alcohol having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, in which at least one of the hydrogen atoms is substituted by a halogen atom.

Abstract: A color ink-jet printer having a heating blower system for evaporating ink carriers from the print medium after ink-jet printing. A preheat drive roller engages the medium and draws it to a print zone. The drive roller is heated and preheats the medium before it reaches the print zone. At the print zone, a print heater heats the underside of the medium via radiant and convective heat transfer through an opening pattern formed in a print zone heater screen. The amount of heat energy is variable, depending on the type of the print medium. A crossflow fan at the exit side of the print zone direct an airflow at the print zone in order to cause turbulence at the medium surface being printed and further accelerate evaporation of the ink carriers from the medium. An exhaust fan and duct system exhausts air and ink carrier vapor away from the print zone and out of the printer housing.

Abstract: A liquid jet recording apparatus has a full-line type recording head with discharge ports across a recording medium, a liquid path communicating with the discharge ports and having a thermal energy generating member for generating energy utilized to discharge recording liquid, a common liquid chamber for storing liquid to be supplied to the liquid path, the energy generating member, liquid path and common liquid chamber being disposed on one side of a substrate, and a storing tank for storing the recording liquid to be supplied to the recording head. Another liquid chamber is disposed on the other side of the substrate and is independent of the common liquid chamber. A temperature sensor detects the temperature of the recording head and recording liquid is circulated in the chamber when the temperature of the recording head exceeds a predetermined limit. A fan supplies cooling air in response to the circulation of recording liquid.

Abstract: A simple chart recorder is described of the type which includes a strip of pressure-markable chart paper, which includes two pressure marking styluses that create traces that can be readily distinguished from one another. Each stylus has a horizontal inner portion (80, FIG. 2 ) that extends largely parallel to chart paper movement and a vertical outer portion (88), with the first stylus having an inner portion lying above the second stylus and having an outer portion lying further downpath than the second stylus. One of the styluses includes a blue pencil lead (92) whose point creates a pressure-marked trace part (116, FIG. 3 ) as well as blue lines (120, 122) on opposite sides of the trace part. Another stylus includes a wheel (180, FIG. 6) with a plurality of points spaced about its periphery to produce a multipoint trace (172). Another stylus includes two closely-spaced tips (200, 202, FIG. 7 ) that form a doubleline trace (208). Another stylus has a tip with a large radius of curvature (R1, FIG.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for scanning a receiving medium. The apparatus comprises a motor-driven lead screw which is used to advance a print head relative to a receiving medium supported on a rotatable drum. In order to overcome the problem of banding in an image produced by the apparatus as a result of a sinusoidal pitch error of the lead screw, the pitch error of the lead screw is broken up into a random pitch error. In another embodiment, the pitch error frequency is shifted to a higher frequency which is less sensitive to the human eye.

Abstract: In a liquid-type developing apparatus of this invention, a developing head has a hollow portion having a slit-shaped opening having as a longitudinal direction a direction perpendicular to the convey direction of a recording sheet, and a partitioning wall for dividing the hollow portion into developing liquid flow-in and flow-out chambers and having a top portion located at the slit-shaped opening. A plurality of projecting portions and a plurality of recessed portions for constituting a developing portion are formed on the top portion of the partitioning wall. The plurality of projecting portions and recessed portions are alternately disposed at a predetermined pitch to form stripes in the longitudinal direction of the slit-shaped opening. The direction of the stripes is set to be oblique to the convey direction of the recording sheet.

Abstract: A recovery method, for an ink jet recording apparatus having a recording head for recording by discharging the ink with bubbles formed by thermal energy applied to a heat acting area and an energy supplying device for providing the thermal energy, includes a compulsory recovery mode in which more than 10.sup.3 predischarges are performed by supplying energy exceeding 1.48 times the minimum energy Eo necessary for producing the bubbles.

Abstract: A method of reproduction in a discrete reproduction system where the available colors are arranged in equally perceptible steps. Because in a discrete reproduction system only a limited set of points can be produced from the gamut of colors, the present method selects the color variables describing the set of points such that the difference between colors is equiperceptible. Preferably, a numerical approximation to the Munsell book of color is used to determine the hue, saturation, and luminance of the colors used in the reproduction system.The preferred embodiment is a gray scale printer where the preceived contrast between levels of gray is uniform--i.e. equiperceptible. To achieve equiperceptible gray scale requires that the increments in print density be nonuniform. To determine the desired print density to achieve an equiperceptible gray scale, the print density is determined using a numerical approximation of the Munsell value coordinates.

Abstract: Multiple part documents in which each part has common non-variable information and variable information are produced at high speed with a minimum amount of equipment. Utilizing either sequential press technology or large diameter plates, the multiple parts of the document are sequentially printed on a single web with the non-variable information. The variable information is sequentially printed on the same web in a procedure distinct from the printing of the non-variable information, typically utilizing a single ion deposition printer for each face of the web. The parts are separated and intelligently gathered and then the parts are sealed together to form a document, along one edge, by applying glue, or pressure seal adhesive. After sealing the documents may be rotated and delivered to a carrier web. Alternatively, an outer wrapper or envelope, variably imaged by another ion deposition print engine, may be provided around the multiple part documents after sealing.

Abstract: A method for controlling the boldness of printing via control of the number of ink droplets ejected from a drop on demand ink jet apparatus for producing each ink dot upon a recording medium, the apparatus including at least one transducer operable for producing a pressure disturbance within an associated ink chamber for ejecting an ink droplet from an associated orifice the method comprising the steps of operating the transducer in an iterative manner for selectively producing a predetermined plurality of successively equal or higher or lower amplitude pressure disturbances within the ink chamber, or some combination thereof, for causing a predetermined plurality of successively equal or higher or lower velocity ink droplets, or some combination thereof, to be ejected from the orifice of the ink jet apparatus, within a time period permitting the ink droplets to either merge in flight or upon striking a recording medium, thereby controlling the size of the "ink spot" so printed upon the recording medium.

Abstract: A metal film high in reflectivity and excellent in adhesion to a synthetic resin substrate even in the case where the metal film is sufficiently thin, is formed on a surface of the substrate by sputtering a metal target through an inert gas ion beam drawn out of an ion source in a vacuum vessel. An aluminum film coated matter formed by coating a surface of a synthetic resin substrate with an aluminum film, is characterized in that the aluminum film contains aluminum crystals at a portion in the film at a depth of not more than 600 .ANG. from a film surface thereof which contacts with the substrate. The aluminum crystals has a relation in which a crystal axis <111> perpendicular to a (111) plane is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the film surface. Also, the aluminum crystals exhibits a diffraction X-ray spectrum of a (111) plane when measured by X-ray diffraction according to a diffractometer method under the following conditions: target: Cu, X-ray type: K.alpha.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to refillable ink cartridges for computer controlled ink jet printers and more specifically to apparatus for refilling collapsible ink bags which are maintained at sub-atmospheric pressure within such equipment. A mass of porous capillary material disposed in an ink supply passageway provides a capillary valve which prevents flow of ink when one side of the valve is unwetted.

Abstract: An ink jet head cartridge include an ink container and a porous material contained in the container for retaining the ink. A process for filling the ink container includes the steps of supplying ink in a quantity greater than that which the porous material can retain through a first port and removing through a second port at least a quantity of ink which the porous material cannot retain. The process can also be performed through a single port. At least one of the ports can also be used for communicating with a recording head portion of the cartridge.

Abstract: A thermal dye transfer process, and intermediate receiver used therein, for obtaining a color image which is used to represent a printed color image obtained from a printing press comprising (a) imagewise-heating by means of a laser a dye-donor element in contact with a polymeric dye image-receiving layer of an intermediate dye-receiving element, thereby transferring a dye image to the dye image-receiving layer, the intermediate dye-receiving element comprising the dye image-receiving layer and a layer substantially opaque to light at the wavelength the laser is operated at, (b) adhering the dyed polymeric dye image-receiving layer to a final receiver element, and (c) separating the opaque layer from the dyed image-receiving layer. Preferably, the opaque layer is reflective, and most preferably specularly reflective.