Abstract: Provided an intermediate transfer member for use in an image forming method including: (1) applying a liquid for reducing fluidity of ink onto the intermediate transfer member; (2) forming an image by applying the ink onto the intermediate transfer member on which the liquid for reducing the fluidity of the ink is applied; and (3) transferring the image onto a recording medium, the intermediate transfer member including: a base; and an elastic layer formed on the base, the elastic layer including: a stack of a first layer being an outer layer and having a plurality of protrusions formed on a surface thereof; and a second layer located below the first layer, an elastic modulus (E1) [MPa] of the first layer and an elastic modulus (E2) [MPa] of the second layer satisfying a relationship of (E1?E2)?5 [MPa].

Abstract: A sacrificial coating composition for an image transfer member in an aqueous ink imaging system. The sacrificial coating composition includes a latex having polymer particles dispersed in a continuous liquid phase; at least one hygroscopic material; at least one surfactant; and water.

Abstract: A printing process is disclosed which comprises directing droplets of an ink onto an intermediate transfer member to form an ink image, the ink including an organic polymeric resin and a coloring agent in an aqueous carrier, and the transfer member having a hydrophobic outer surface so that each ink droplet in the ink image spreads on impinging upon the intermediate transfer member to form an ink film. The ink is dried while the ink image is being transported by the intermediate transfer member by evaporating the aqueous carrier from the ink image to leave a residue film of resin and coloring agent. The residue film is then transferred to a substrate.

Abstract: There is provided an intermediate transfer member used in an image forming method including applying a treatment liquid onto an intermediate transfer member, forming an intermediate image by applying an ink onto the intermediate transfer member coated with the treatment liquid so as to form dots having an average diameter of R, and transferring the intermediate image to a recording medium. The intermediate transfer member includes a surface having recessed portions therein. The surface of the intermediate transfer member has a projected area S1 and an actual surface area S2 satisfying the relationship 1.1?S2/S1?5.

Abstract: An apparatus detects inoperative inkjets during printing. The apparatus operates the printhead or printheads in the printer to form test pattern on a thermal substrate. The heat of the materials used to form the test pattern increase the optical density of the areas where the materials land. The area where the test pattern is formed is imaged and the image data are analyzed to identify inoperative inkjets.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes an adhesive belt having adhesion to peelably affix a recording medium, a liquid ejection unit configured to eject a liquid for forming an image onto a recording medium supported by the adhesive belt from a nozzle array, and a peeling liquid adhesion unit configured to adhere a peeling liquid onto the recording medium.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a sacrificial coating composition for an image transfer member in an aqueous ink imaging system. The coating composition is made from ingredients comprising: a latex comprising polymer particles dispersed in a continuous liquid phase; at least one hygroscopic material; at least one oil-in-water emulsion; and at least one surfactant.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member containing a thermally conductive nanofiller dispersed in a polymer base, a method of forming the intermediate transfer member, and a method of printing an image to a substrate using the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: An apparatus detects inoperative inkjets during printing. The apparatus operates the printhead or printheads in the printer to form test pattern on a thermal substrate. The heat of the materials used to form the test pattern increase the optical density of the areas where the materials land. The area where the test pattern is formed is imaged and the image data are analyzed to identify inoperative inkjets.

Abstract: A coating composition for an image transfer member in an aqueous ink imaging system. The coating composition includes at least one hydrophilic polymer, at least one hygroscopic material, at least one oil-in-water emulsion and at least one surfactant.

Abstract: A maintenance unit mounted in a removable manner in a liquid ejector that ejects liquid. The maintenance unit includes an elongated maintenance member, which is used to perform maintenance on the liquid ejector, and a memory, which is configured to store information related to the maintenance member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a recording method, including: sequentially attaching a first reaction liquid, a first ink containing a color material, a second reaction liquid, and a second ink containing a color material to a non-absorptive recording medium or a low-absorptive recording medium in a superimposed manner, wherein the first reaction liquid contains a coagulant for coagulating or thickening a component of the first ink, and wherein the second reaction liquid contains a coagulant for coagulating or thickening a component of the second ink.

Abstract: It is aimed to provide a printing device capable of sequentially perform printing on recording medium and the like. As a solution thereto, a printing device 100 according to the present invention includes an ink jet head 1, a ring-shaped transfer belt 2 that transfers ink onto a medium 12, an ultraviolet irradiator 4 that cures the ink at a degree that is not completely cured, a driving roller 8 that rotationally drives the transfer belt 2, a transparent roller 9 and a transfer roller 10 that transfer the ink onto the medium 12, and an ultraviolet irradiator 5 that cures the ink.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a plasma processing unit that processes a surface of a processing object by using plasma; a recording unit that forms a first-color image on the surface of the processing object by inkjet recording, the surface being plasma-processed by the plasma processing unit, and forms a second-color image to be superimposed on the first-color image by the inkjet recording; and an adjusting unit that adjusts a plasma energy amount that is to be applied to the processing object according to the second-color image.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to an indirect printing apparatus. The indirect printing apparatus comprises an intermediate transfer member comprising a substrate and a surface layer disposed over the substrate. The surface layer comprises a fluoroelastomer-aminosilane grafted polymer and infrared absorptive filler materials. The indirect printing apparatus also comprises a coating mechanism for forming a sacrificial coating onto the intermediate transfer member and a drying station for drying the sacrificial coating. At least one ink jet nozzle is positioned proximate the intermediate transfer member and configured for jetting ink droplets onto the sacrificial coating formed on the intermediate transfer member. An ink processing station comprises a radiation source for at least partially drying the ink on the sacrificial coating formed on the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: An image recording method includes applying a reaction liquid onto an intermediate transfer member, applying an ink onto the reaction liquid on the intermediate transfer member, forming an intermediate image by applying a liquid composition containing a water-soluble polymer onto the reaction liquid and the ink on the intermediate transfer member, and transferring the intermediate image by bringing the intermediate image on the intermediate transfer member into contact with a recording medium and separating the intermediate image from the intermediate transfer member with the contact with the recording medium maintained. The intermediate image to be brought into contact with the recording medium has a temperature Tc higher than or equal to the glass transition temperature of the water-soluble polymer, and the intermediate image to be separated from the intermediate transfer member has a temperature Tr lower than the glass transition temperature of the water-soluble polymer.

Abstract: A digital printer is configured to form with marking material a solid background and a negative image of features to be formed with a liquid ink. The liquid ink is applied to the solid background and negative image of the features to be formed with the liquid ink with an applicator that contacts the surface on which the solid background and features are located. An absorbent member is moved into contact with the solid background and the features formed with the liquid ink to remove the liquid ink from the solid background, while leaving the liquid ink in the features.

Abstract: The invention provides ways of appropriately performing image transfer printing. A printing apparatus for performing image transfer printing is provided that includes: a transfer belt provided as a transfer image forming member on which a transfer image is created; an inkjet head that creates the transfer image on the transfer belt; a counter heater provided as a heating member that heats the transfer belt; a transfer roller provided as a transfer member that transfers the transfer image to a medium; and a strong UV irradiator provided as an image fixing unit that fixes to the medium the image transferred to the medium. The inkjet head ejects ink droplets of an ink containing a solvent that is removed by heating with the counter heater. The ink has a viscosity of 50 mPa·sec or more after the solvent is removed by heating with the counter heater.

Abstract: An indirect printing process comprises providing an inkjet printing apparatus comprising an intermediate transfer member. A wet sacrificial coating composition is deposited onto the intermediate transfer member. The wet sacrificial coating composition is made from ingredients comprising: a waxy starch; at least one hygroscopic material; at least one surfactant; and a liquid carrier. The wet sacrificial coating composition is dried to form a dry sacrificial coating. Droplets of ink are ejected in an imagewise pattern onto the dry sacrificial coating. The ink is at least partially dried to form a substantially dry ink pattern. Both the substantially dry ink pattern and the sacrificial coating are transferred from the intermediate transfer member to a final substrate. At least one cross-linking agent is applied to cross-link the sacrificial coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substance(s) deposition control device for an offset printing system comprising at least one offset plate intended to receive at least one substance so as to transfer the substance or substances onto a substrate, at least one means for the controlled deposition of at least one substance, the deposition means comprising at least one head unit spraying at least one wetting solution and at least one head unit spraying at least one colored substance, at least one means for cleaning the offset plate. The covering of the offset plate comprises a mesh structure defined by a plurality of hydrophilic and lipophilic individual surfaces capable of receiving a controlled deposition of substance(s), each of these hydrophilic and lipophilic individual surfaces being separated from its direct neighbors by at least one hydrophobic and lipophobic peripheral surface. The invention also relates to a printing system incorporating the device and to a printing process implementing the device.

Abstract: An intermediate transfer member containing a blend of materials including a base polymer and a stimulus-responsive additive, an intermediate transfer member containing a first layer including a base polymer and a second layer grafted onto the first layer and including a stimulus-responsive additive, and a method of printing an image to a substrate.

Abstract: A coating composition for an image transfer member in an aqueous ink imaging system is disclosed that comprises a hydrophilic composition and a surfactant. The hydrophilic composition can be a starch-based composition.

Abstract: An apparatus for bonding two substrates includes a first roller, a second roller that forms a nip with the first roller, a substrate transport configured to move the first substrate and a second substrate through the nip simultaneously, and a controller. The controller operates the substrate transport to move the first substrate and the second substrate through the nip simultaneously, with a pattern of a hydrophobic material on a first side of the first substrate engaging a first side of the second substrate. The first substrate engages the first roller, which has a higher temperature than the second roller, and the hydrophobic material penetrates the first and second substrates to bond the substrates together.

Abstract: The invention is intended to produce a high-quality print image in a simple fashion. As a solution, there is provided a printing method for transferring an applied ink on a transfer medium 1 to a printing target 5. The method includes a first applying step of forming an image layer 2 on the transfer medium 1; a first curing step of curing the image layer 2; a second applying step of forming an adhesive layer 4 on the image layer 2; a second curing step of curing the adhesive layer 4 to such an extent as to maintain the adhesiveness of the adhesive layer 4; a transfer step of transferring the image layer 2 to the printing target 15; and a third curing step of further curing the adhesive layer 4.

Abstract: An ink transfer element for a printing apparatus, the ink transfer element comprising a surface for transferring ink applied thereto to at least one further ink transfer element, wherein the surface is configured to, when an ink comprising pigment particles and a liquid vehicle is applied to the surface, at least partly separate the liquid vehicle from the pigment particles, through the surface. The ink transfer element further relates to printing apparatus and a method of printing.

Abstract: There is described a transfer member or blanket for use in aqueous ink jet printer. The transfer member includes a non-woven polymer fiber matrix and a polymer dispersed throughout the non-woven polymer fiber matrix. The polymer fiber matrix has a first surface energy and the polymer has a second surface energy. The difference between the first surface energy and the second surface energy is from about 30 mJ/m2 to about 5 mJ/m2.

Abstract: An image transfer medium for transferring an ink image onto a substrate is provided on its surface with a layer of particles that include an aggregation treatment agent capable of crashing out colorants, latex and/or resin in the liquid ink. A method for transferring an ink image includes providing an image transfer medium; applying a layer of particles to the image transfer medium, the particles including an aggregation treatment agent capable of crashing out colorants, latex and/or resin in liquid ink; applying liquid ink drops to the image transfer medium; initiating crashing of the colorant, latex and/or resin in the ink drops upon contact with the particles; and upon a sufficient amount of aggregation and drying, contacting a second substrate to the image transfer medium to transfer the ink from the transfer medium to the second substrate.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide coating compositions having pseudo-fluorine surface and methods for processing and using the coating compositions. The coating composition can include, for example, a plurality of fluorine-containing resin fillers and a plurality of nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes (CNTs)) dispersed in a polymer matrix that contains, e.g., one or more cross-linked polymers. The fluorine-containing resin fillers can provide a pseudo-fluorine surface for a low surface energy of the coating composition. The nanotubes can be dispersed in the polymer matrix to provide an improved mechanical robustness of the coating composition. The coating composition can be coated on a member surface, wherein the coated member can be, for example, a fuser member, a fixing member, a pressure roller, or a release agent donor member, used in an electrostatographic printing device or process.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a nip condition in a printer is provided. The method includes printing a print area with a uniform density of marking material on a substrate; moving the substrate along a process direction into a spreading position in a nip while the nip is in an open position; stopping movement of the substrate along the process direction while the substrate is in the nip in the open position; closing the nip where the nip exerts pressure on a spread portion of the print area and the substrate such that the spread portion is visibly different from a remainder of the print area outside of the spread portion; opening the nip; moving the substrate away from the spreading position and out of the nip; and analyzing the spread portion relative to the remainder of the print area to determine characteristics of the nip condition.

Abstract: A release agent applicator displaying decreased and consistent surface resistivity, and a method of making same. The release agent applicator includes an foam delivery surface having an ionic layer such that the surface resistivity of the delivery surface is reduced, thereby decreasing the chances of static charge accumulation on the roller that may interfere with high quality printing.

Abstract: A conveyance device 20 of an inkjet printer 1 has a discharge roller 46 disposed on the downstream side of the printing position A in the forward conveyance direction, and a paper jam detector 83 disposed on the downstream side of the discharge roller 46. The paper jam detector 83 includes a driven roller 84, driven pressure roller 85, and an encoder 86 that detects the angle of rotation of the driven roller 84 . The driven roller 84 turns following movement of the continuous paper 2 passing between the driven roller 84 and driven pressure roller 85. The control unit 90 of the inkjet printer 1 detects occurrence of a paper jam based on the difference between the angle of rotation of the driven roller 84 and a reference angle of rotation when the conveyance motor 60 continues driving after the continuous paper has passed through the conveyance path 21.

Abstract: There is described a transfer member or blanket for use in aqueous ink jet printer. The transfer member includes a surface layer that includes an elastomeric matrix having copper particles and carbon nanotubes dispersed therein. The weight percent of the copper particles in the surface layer is from about 1 weight percent to about 30 percent. The weight percent of the carbon nanotubes is from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent.

Abstract: An image recording method includes applying a reaction liquid containing a first polymer particle onto an intermediate transfer member, forming an intermediate image by applying an ink containing a second polymer particle onto the intermediate transfer member to which the reaction liquid has been applied, and transferring the intermediate image to a recording medium while heating the intermediate image. The first polymer particle softens at temperature T1 and the second polymer particle softens at temperature T2. The transferring is performed so that the surface temperature Ta of the recording medium and the surface temperature Tb of the intermediate transfer member satisfy: (1) Tb<Ta, (2) T2<Ta, and (3) Tb<T1, and so that the elastic modulus Ea of the intermediate image at the temperature Ta and the elastic modulus Eb of the intermediate image at the temperature Tb satisfy 1.5<Eb/Ea.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to control apparatus and methods for a printing system, for example, comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM). Some embodiments relate to regulation of a velocity and/or tension and/or length of the ITM. Some embodiments relate to regulation of deposition of ink on the moving ITM. Some embodiments regulate to apparatus configured to alert a user of one or more events related to operation of the ITM.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and apparatus for ink jet printing. The method includes providing a wetting enhancement coating on a transfer member. The wetting enhancement coating includes water; non-water soluble binders selected from the group consisting of acrylic polymers, styrene acrylic polymers, vinyl-acrylic polymers, vinyl acetate ethylene; and a surfactant. The wetting enhancement coating is dried to form a film having a surface energy greater than 25 mJ/m2. Ink droplets are ejected onto the film to form an ink image on the film. The ink image is dried and the ink image and film are transferred to a recording medium.

Abstract: A coating composition for an image transfer member in an aqueous ink imaging system is disclosed that comprises a hydrophilic composition and a surfactant. The hydrophilic composition can be a polyvinyl acetate-based composition.

Abstract: An indirect printing apparatus can include an intermediate transfer member, at least one jetting nozzle of a printhead positioned proximate the intermediate transfer member for jetting sacrificial coating composition droplets imagewise onto the intermediate transfer member, a drying station, at least one ink jet nozzle positioned proximate the intermediate transfer member, an ink processing station, and a substrate transfer mechanism. The drying station can be configured for drying the sacrificial coating composition to form a sacrificial coating pattern on the intermediate transfer member. The at least one ink jet nozzle can be configured for jetting ink droplets onto the sacrificial coating formed on the intermediate transfer member. The ink processing station can be configured to at least partially dry the ink on the sacrificial coating formed on the intermediate transfer member. The substrate transfer mechanism can be configured for moving a substrate into contact with the intermediate transfer member.

Abstract: An inkjet printer applies a layer of a hydrophilic composition, which includes a liquid carrier and an absorption agent, to an image receiving surface of an indirect image receiving member. A dryer in the printer removes a portion of the liquid carrier from the layer of hydrophilic composition to form a dried layer of an absorption agent on the image receiving surface and an aqueous ink image is formed on the dried layer. The aqueous ink image and at least a portion of the dried layer are transferred to a surface of a print medium as the aqueous ink image and print medium move through a transfix nip formed between the indirect image receiving member and a transfix member.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging member having a surface, a development component that is not in physical contact with the imaging member, and a power source for generating an electric field between the imaging member surface and the development component. An ink is electrohydrodynamically transferred from the development component to the imaging member surface when the electric field is generated.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a recorded matter including applying a first ink including a volatile first liquid to an intermediate transfer medium; applying a second ink including a coloring agent, a thermoplastic resin and a volatile second liquid using an ink jet method to locations of the intermediate transfer medium where the first ink is applied; heating the surface of the intermediate transfer medium where the second ink is applied from the opposite surface side and volatilizing at least a part of the second liquid; transferring the second ink heated of the surface of the intermediate transfer medium onto the recording medium; and heating the second ink transferred to the recording medium of the surface of the intermediate transfer medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a color filter and a manufacturing method thereof. A transparent dyeable material is coated on a roller, and then imprint onto a patterned mold. A part of the transparent dyeable material is retained on the roller, and then imprinted onto a substrate by the roller and forms a black matrix (BM) layer through a dyeing process and a curing process in sequence. The other part of the transparent dyeable material is transferred onto the patterned mold for forming a plurality of softened color resist layers by the dyeing process, and then forms a plurality of color resist layers by a curing process after transferring the softened color resist layers onto the substrate having the BM layer.

Abstract: Image formation device having: an image formation drum (50) for rotationally conveying a recording medium while holding the recording medium; a supply means (22) for supplying the recording medium (P) to the drum; a recording head (71) for forming an image on the recording medium on the drum; and a conveyance mechanism (80) for receiving the recording medium from the drum at a reception position (m2) on the downstream side in a conveyance direction from the recording head and distributing the recording medium to a paper discharge path or an inversion path. The conveyance mechanism returns the recording medium to the drum at a return position (m9) on the downstream side in the conveyance direction from the reception position (m2) after the front and back surfaces thereof are inverted, and a drum heating means (94) for heating the surface drum is provided between the reception position and the return position.

Abstract: An imager apparatus useful for a digital lithographic printing system includes imaging roll configured to be heated to a first temperature. The imager apparatus may include one or more heating elements for heating the imaging roll to the first temperature within one revolution. The imaging roll may be about the same width as an imaging plate in a cross-process direction, the imaging plate and the imaging roll being configurable for forming an imaging nip in a digital lithographic ink printing system. The imager apparatus may include a solution ejecting mechanism such as a printhead for ejecting fountain solution or water at ambient temperature onto a surface of the imaging roll according digital image data.

Abstract: An inkjet printer is configured to apply a coating material to an imaging surface before an ink image is formed on the surface. At least one optical sensor generates image data of the coating on the imaging surface and identifies a thickness of the coating material. Components of the coating material applicator can be adjusted to keep the thickness of the coating material within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An image recording method includes a liquid composition-applying step in which a liquid composition is applied onto an intermediate transfer body, an intermediate-image-forming step in which an ink containing a colorant is applied onto the intermediate transfer body to form an intermediate image, and a transferring step in which the intermediate image is heated to a transfer temperature Tt and transferred onto a recording medium. The liquid composition includes first polymer particles. The ink includes second polymer particles. In the transferring step, Tg2<Tt<Tg1, where Tg1 denotes a glass transition point of the first polymer particles and Tg2 denotes a glass transition point of the second polymer particles.

Abstract: A module is configured to selectively apply release agent to a web having a sequence of printed imaged formed thereon by a printer. The module includes a plurality of dispensers arranged in a cross-process direction across the imaged web. The module detects positions of areas in the printed images and determines whether the amount of ink in the areas meet or exceed a predetermined density threshold. If an area meets or exceeds the threshold, a controller operates a dispenser to apply release agent to the area on the web as the area passes the dispenser. The controller operates the dispensers with reference to image data of the surface of the web.

Abstract: Device to reproduce images or graphical patterns in general on large surfaces, comprising at least a printing system (14) mobile in at least one direction with respect to a support frame (12)>> an optical viewing system (100) associated with the support frame (12) and able to recognize the position of the portion of image already executed, and to recognize possible reference signs affixed in the step when said portion of image was executed, in order to allow the correct positioning of the device so as to execute the adjacent portion of image that has to be executed next.

Abstract: An ink jet ink composition for sublimation transfer includes dye A and a dye B, in which the dye A is a disperse dye which has a molecular weight of 380 or less and an anthraquinone skeleton having a water-soluble group in a molecule, the dye B is a disperse dye which has a molecular weight of 400 or greater, and in the ink jet ink composition for sublimation transfer, dye solubility of the dye A is greater than dye solubility of the dye B.

Abstract: An inkjet printer and method therefore including a detector to monitor a quantity of release agent applied to a spreader drum. The inkjet printer includes a drum maintenance unit which applies the release agent to the spreader drum with a metering device, such as a metering blade, and determines a flow rate of unused or excess release agent returned to a release agent sump. The determined flow rate of release agent provides a determination of the quantity of release agent applied to the spreader drum. Upon the determination that too little release agent has been applied, at least one function of the inkjet printer is disabled to stop the flow of release agent and to facilitate maintenance if necessary.

Abstract: An ink comprising a first reactive latex having a first crosslinkable functional group and a second reactive latex a second crosslinkable functional group, wherein the first reactive latex can react with the second reactive latex to form a cross-linked polymer matrix when in contact with each other, wherein the first reactive latex and the second reactive latex are not in contact with each other, which is suitable for use in an indirect printing method, and a method of printing using the ink.