Abstract: A system for printing three-dimensional semiconductor products. The system includes printheads for printing various so as to create a three-dimensional structure including cavities, and a robot for incorporating semiconductor objects into the cavities created during the printing process. The robot incorporates the semiconductor objects into the cavities during printing of the three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a support table, a printing head, and a cleaner. The support table rotates around an axis. The printing head faces the support table. The cleaner includes a web coming into contact with the support table.

Abstract: The present invention relates to (A) a water dispersion for ink-jet printing including particles of a waster-insoluble crosslinked polymer which contain a colorant, and a water-insoluble organic compound, wherein the water-insoluble crosslinked polymer is (1) a polymer produced by crosslinking a water-insoluble polymer with a crosslinking agent; (2) a polymer produced by crosslinking 100 parts by weight of the water-insoluble polymer with 0.5 to 9.5 parts by weight of the crosslinking agent; or (3) a polymer having a weight-average segment molecular weight of from 1,400 to 20,000 as calculated from [(weigh-average molecular weight of the water-insoluble polymer)/(number of molar equivalents of the crosslinking agent to be reacted with 1 mol of the water-insoluble polymer+1)]; (B) an ink for ink-jet printing containing the above water dispersion which is excellent in gloss and storage stability; and (C) particles of the water-insoluble crosslinked polymer.

Abstract: A printing system and method form one of more pretreatment compositions on a medium.

Abstract: An ink composition includes (A) at least one polymerizable compound selected from the group consisting of a monofunctional radically polymerizable monomer having an aliphatic cyclic structure, an N-vinyllactam, and an aromatic monofunctional radically polymerizable monomer, (B) a radical polymerization initiator, (C) a pigment, and (D) a graft copolymer having a repeating unit represented by the formula below in a graft chain: wherein R denotes a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, X denotes a single bond, —O—, —CO—, —COO—, —CONR1—, —OCO—, or a phenylene group, R1 denotes a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group, L denotes a single bond or a divalent linking group, Z denotes —NR2R3, R2 and R3 independently denote a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or an aralkyl group, and R2 and R3 may be bonded to each other to form a ring.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for printing on specialty media are disclosed. The methods comprise the steps of providing a fixing fluid, providing a dye- or pigment-based ink-jet ink containing an effective amount of a polyvinyl(alcohol-acetate) species, jetting the fixing fluid onto the specialty media forming a coated substrate, and jetting the ink-jet ink onto the coated substrate. Additionally, a gelled printed image on a substrate is disclosed comprising a fixing fluid containing a fixing agent and an aqueous ink-jet ink containing a polyvinyl(alcohol-acetate) species. In both the method and with respect to the image, the polyvinyl(alcohol-acetate) species used can be a known species, or one of a number of new graft copolymers containing a polyvinyl(alcohol-acetate) polymer as one of the constituents of the copolymer.

Abstract: A discharge method is provided to discharge a liquid containing a functional material from a plurality of nozzles of a droplet discharge head to a plurality of film formation regions of a discharge medium in synchronization with a relative movement of the discharge medium and the droplet discharge head. The discharge method includes performing a first discharge step in which the liquid is discharged from a plurality of nozzles in a nozzle row so that the liquid is not discharged simultaneously from adjacent nozzles positioned over the film formation regions, and performing a second discharge step in which the liquid is discharged from a plurality of nozzles in the nozzle row in a different combination from the nozzles used in the first discharging step so that the liquid is not discharged simultaneously from adjacent nozzles positioned over the film formation regions.

Abstract: An ink composition containing at least a polymerizable composition, a pigment, and a polymer represented by General Formula (1): where R1 represents an (m+n)-valent organic linking group, R2 represents a single bond or divalent organic linking group; A1 represents a monovalent organic group having a pigment adsorption structure that contains at least one selected from organic pigment structure, heterocyclic structure, acidic group, group having a basic nitrogen atom, urea group, urethane group, group having a coordinating oxygen atom, hydrocarbon group having 4 or more carbon atoms, alkoxysilyl group, epoxy group, isocyanate group, and hydroxyl group; the n groups A1 and bonds or groups R2 may independently be the same or different; “m” is 1 to 8, “n” is 2 to 9, and m+n is 3 to 10; P1 represents a polymer skeleton; and the m skeletons P1 may be the same or different.

Abstract: A single phase aqueous composition suitable for thermal inkjet printing comprises a mixture of curable materials including at least two curable oligomers; and one or more co-solvents for the curable materials.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including: a head; a conveying member having a support face and configured to convey a recording medium in a conveying direction; a first wiper extending in a direction intersecting the conveying direction; a second wiper extending at least in the conveying direction; a first-wiping driving portion configured to drive the first wiper and the conveying member to perform a first wiping operation; and a second-wiping driving portion configured to drive the second wiper and the conveying member to perform a second wiping operation; and a controller; wherein the controller controls the first-wiping driving portion and the second-wiping driving portion to perform a first cleaning operation including the first wiping operation and the second wiping operation; and wherein the controller controls the second-wiping driving portion such that the second wiper wipes foreign materials remaining on the support face when the first wiper is released from the support face in the first wiping operat

Abstract: Disclosed is an ink jet printing device including an ink jet print head and a print region surface toward which ink is jetted from the ink jet print head, wherein a height distance between the ink jet print head and the print region surface is adjustable. The ink jet printing device is thus a dual printing device capable of printing both regular height and raised height images such as Braille.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by conveying the recording medium in a direction orthogonal to a scanning direction of a carriage having a recording head includes a first detecting unit mounted on the carriage and configured to detect the recording medium; a second detecting unit placed upstream from the first detecting unit in the direction that the recording medium is conveyed and configured to detect the recording medium; and a control unit configured to control operations of the image forming apparatus based on a detection result from the first detecting unit or the second detecting unit.

Abstract: There is provided an ink for recording, which contains: a coloring agent; a water-dispersible resin; a wetting agent; a surfactant; and water, wherein a total solid content of the coloring agent and the water-dispersible resin is 10% by mass to 30% with respect to a total mass of the ink, a ratio B/C is 0.1 to 1.6 where B is a solid content of the coloring agent in the ink, and C is a solid content of the water-dispersible resin in the ink, a viscosity of the ink is 5 mPa·s to 20 mPa·s at 25° C., and a surface tension of the ink is 35 mN/m or less.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: a recording portion; a conveying member having a surface opposed to the recording portion and which conveys the recording medium in a conveying direction; a wiper having an end portion which is contactable with the surface of the conveying member and which removes a foreign matter on the surface of the conveying member; and a wiping operation executing portion which executes a wiping operation in which at least one of the wiper and the conveying member is driven such that, after the end portion of the wiper distant from the surface of the conveying member comes into contact with a clean area of the surface of the conveying member, the end portion of the wiper reaches outside of the clean area.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a nozzle plate including a plurality of nozzle holes may include the step of forming a plurality of through-holes extending through a plate member in a thickness direction of the plate member. The manufacturing method may also include the step of forming a water repellant film in a region of one surface of the plate member where apertures of the through-holes are not positioned. The manufacturing method may further include the step of pressing individual regions on the one surface of the plate member, the individual regions respectively including the apertures of the through holes, to separate at least portions of the water repellant film formed in the individual regions from the water repellant film formed on the one surface.

Abstract: An automated cosmetic applicator uses wide-angle cameras, a high-resolution camera, and a differential lighting process to capture images of a body. Software analyzes these images to identify large and small features of the subject and to use these features as landmarks to create in computer memory a corresponding map that is highly accurate and data rich with pixel-level data about the subject's color, light value and texture characteristics. The rich images may be used for tracking the device on the skin, for making accurate corrections to skin, for simulating possible cosmetic enhancements and selecting a desired correction, and for use in other applications such as video games and animations.

Abstract: A method for making a flexographic printing master includes the steps of providing a flexographic printing support: applying image-wise on the flexographic printing support subsequent layers of radiation curable liquid by an inkjet printing device whereby one or more applied layers are immobilized using a curing device before one or more subsequent layers are applied, such that a relief with a top hat profile is obtained; and grinding the relief so that the height DT of a top hat segment is reduced. An imaging apparatus includes structure to perform the above method.

Abstract: A computer-controlled system determines attributes of a frexel, an area of human skin, and applies a modifying agent (RMA) at the pixel level, typically to make the skin appear more youthful and so more attractive. The system scans the frexel, identifies unattractive attributes, and applies the RMA, typically with an inkjet printer. The identified attributes relate to reflectance and may refer to features such as irregular-looking light and dark spots, age-spots, scars, and bruises. Identified attributes may also relate to the surface topology of the skin, for more precisely enhancing surface irregularities such as bumps and wrinkles. Feature mapping may be used, for example to make cheeks appear pinker and cheekbones more prominent. The RMA can be applied in agreement with identified patterns, such as adding red to a red frexel, or in opposition, such as adding green or blue to a red frexel, according to idealized models of attractiveness.

Abstract: A convertible printer usable with either a flexible media or rigid media is disclosed.

Abstract: An ink composition of the present invention is disclosed, which contains (i) a sensitizing dye represented by the following Formula (I); (ii) at least one polymerization initiator selected from the group consisting of ?-aminoketones and acyl phosphine oxides; and (iii) an ethylenically unsaturated bond-containing polymerizable compound. In Formula (I), X represents O, S or NR; n represents an integer of 0 or 1; R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an acyl group; R1 to R8 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent; R1 and R2, R2 and R3, and R3 and R4 may be connected to each other to form a ring; and R5 or R6 may be connected to R7 or R8 to form an aliphatic ring but not to form an aromatic ring.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording ink which contains at least a pigment, a dispersant, a water-soluble solvent, a wetting agent and water, wherein the pigment contains at least one of diketopyrrolopyrrole red pigment and phthalocyanine green pigment in order to obtain a recording ink and ink set which excel in discharge stability with no head clogging during printing and can obtain high quality images with good color tone on the regular paper as well as on an exclusive recording paper; and ink cartridge, ink record, inkjet recording apparatus and inkjet recording method which utilize the recording ink and ink set respectively.

Abstract: Described are new custom postage printing stocks, coating compositions, processes for preparing and utilizing these and resulting postage products. Disclosed ink formulations comprise: invisible fluorescent dye and/or pigment (preferably red-fluorescent dye), which is fluorescent in the range of 580 to 640 nm when illuminated with light at 254 nm; water-soluble binder; substrate penetrant, fluorescence stabilizer; substrate anticurl agent and water. The inks, when coated on substrates and dried, can improve the quality and color of images printed as compared to images printed without the aid of the invention.

Abstract: An image forming device includes a pump which supplies a recording fluid contained in a first container to a second container via a tube, and a control unit configured to perform rotation of a roller disposed in the pump to press the tube and feed the recording fluid in the tube. When a negative pressure in the second container is not formed by performing a first backward rotation of the roller by a predetermined amount, the control unit performs a forward rotation of the roller and performs a second backward rotation of the roller after an end of the forward rotation.

Abstract: Compositions for use in ink jet printing onto a substrate comprising a water based dispersion including metallic nanoparticles and appropriate stabilizers. Also disclosed are methods for the production of said compositions and methods for their use in ink jet printing onto suitable substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid composition that, while maintaining good color developing properties and gloss, can realize good cleaning operation without staying of the liquid composition in a cleaning cap. The liquid composition is adapted for use with an ink composition for deposition on a recording medium and comprises a modified polyallylamine, a water soluble organic solvent, and water and is free from any colorant. The liquid composition and an ink composition each are deposited onto a recording medium to perform recording. A polymer comprising a recurring unit represented by formula (I) is used as the modified polyallylamine.

Abstract: A printer includes a hollow body. The body houses an ink ejection printhead coupled to circuitry. In addition, the body bears a user interface. A foldable cover is pivotally mounted to the body to protectively cover the user interface. A print media feed mechanism includes a single motor driving rollers. The feed mechanism is configured to both grip an endmost sheet of print media from a print media stack and feed print media past the ink ejection printhead during printing. The operation of the feed mechanism is conditional upon the driven direction of the motor.

Abstract: The invention provides an ink which comprises: a metal oxide precursor, a stress reliever, and a solvent.

Abstract: A head unit 103 for use in a droplet ejection apparatus is provided with a plurality of droplet ejection heads for ejecting some kinds of liquid materials each having a predetermined color onto a base in the form of droplets. Each of the droplet ejection heads includes at least one nozzle array constituted from a plurality of nozzles linearly aligned. The some kinds of liquid materials are adapted to be ejected through the plurality of nozzles of the plurality of droplet ejection heads in the form of droplets. The plurality of droplet ejection heads include at least two sets of two adjacent droplet ejection heads which are arranged in a consecutive manner in a first direction parallel to each of the nozzle arrays.

Abstract: In some examples, a printing system including a rotating platen having an axis of rotation and configured to support a substrate, and a printhead configured to eject drops in a direction parallel with the axis of rotation onto the substrate supported by the rotating platen.

Abstract: an image printing device comprises a transfer roller configured to transfer a printing medium in a transfer direction, a first sensor configured to detect a rotation amount of the transfer roller, a carriage mounted with a printhead. The image printing device further comprises a second sensor mounted to the carriage and configured to detect the printing medium. The image printing device further comprises a reference member disposed at a position opposing to the second sensor and a drive transmission mechanism configured to move the reference member in conjunction with a rotation of the transfer roller. The image printing device determines a position of an origin of the transfer roller based on detection results of the first sensor and the second sensor.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ink jet ink composition comprising an aqueous medium and at least two different polymers, a first polymer and a second polymer, having a weight average acid number of 70 to 200. In one embodiment the ink is substantially colorless.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a yellow ink for inkjet printing and, in particular, to a yellow ink comprising a combination of specific yellow colorants, namely Acid Yellow 79 and either one or both of Direct Yellow 169 and Acid Orange 33. The present invention further pertains to an ink set comprising this yellow ink. The ink and ink set are particularly advantageous for printing on plain and photo glossy paper.

Abstract: An applicator head is provided for a reflectance modifying agent (RMA) applicator is moved across the skin by means of a floating ring having dispersed raised contact points to maintain a proper distance from the surface to be treated, reduce the influence of outside light during scanning, and limit smudging during deposition. During an application session, software on the computer uses a camera to sense aspects of color and texture on human features, calculates cosmetic enhancements, and uses the printer head to apply RMA precisely to the features to create those enhancements. Skin landmarks are used for registration. The head uses differential lighting by providing a sequence of directional lighting, with some exposures left dark to adjust for ambient light leakage. The exposures are co-synchronized in stacks, where each stack is a grouping of data about a particular instant of time during the scanning.

Abstract: A drum maintenance system for use in an imaging device includes a reservoir having a supply of release agent. An applicator is configured to receive release agent from the reservoir and to apply the release agent to an imaging surface of an imaging device. A metering blade is positioned to meter the release agent on the imaging surface applied by the applicator. The metering blade is arranged in doctor mode with respect to the imaging surface and includes a tip positioned adjacent the imaging surface. The tip has a square portion positioned proximate the imaging surface and a beveled portion opposite the imaging surface.

Abstract: A drum maintenance system for use in an imaging device includes a reservoir having a supply of release agent, and an applicator configured to receive release agent from the reservoir and to apply the release agent to an intermediate imaging surface of an imaging device. A first metering blade is positioned in wiper mode at a first position adjacent the intermediate imaging surface and configured to meter the release agent on the intermediate imaging surface applied by the applicator. A second metering blade is positioned in wiper mode at a second position adjacent the intermediate imaging surface.

Abstract: There is provided an eccentricity amount estimation device, including: a rotation body provided with plural detected portions disposed along the rotation direction at predetermined rotation angle intervals, each of the plural detected portions being formed such that from an outer peripheral end towards an inner peripheral end a width of the detected portion at a position at the peripheral inside is the same as or greater than the width at a position at the peripheral outside; a generating section that generates a pulse signal according to passing of each of the plural detected portions accompanying rotation of the rotation body; and an estimation section that estimates a physical quantity corresponding to an eccentricity amount of the rotation body, based on a high level side pulse width and a low level side pulse width within one period of the pulse signal generated by the generating section.

Abstract: A method is provided to reliably form shot drops on all of a plurality of pixel areas. The method comprises a step of forming a plurality of shot drops by ejecting droplets from a plurality of nozzles of a drawing apparatus to a plurality of pixel areas on a substrate. The step of forming the plurality of shot drops includes a step of forming additional shot drops near predetermined ones of the plurality of shot drops.

Abstract: A fully curable jettable composition having a viscosity less than 30 cps at a temperature within the range of 15° C.-180° C. comprising (i) at least one low viscosity reactive resin; (ii) at least one higher viscosity resin having a viscosity greater than twice that of the low viscosity resin and a functionality of greater than or equal to 2; (iii) at least one curable toughener, (iv) at least one initiator for the polymerization of the resins, and (v) at least one stabilizer for delaying the curing of the resins of the composition. The composition can be jetted from piezo electric printing heads under the control of a computer program to form a multi-layered article, for example, a three dimensional article, in which the adjacent droplets merge and are cured homogeneously together.

Abstract: Provided is an aqueous ink with high storage stability and scratch resistance at such a high level that the coloring material of an image is not scraped off even when lightly touched with a sharp product. The aqueous ink includes a water-insoluble coloring material and plural polymers. The plural polymers include a polymer A which relatively contributes to dispersion of the water-insoluble coloring material and a polymer B which does not relatively contribute to the dispersion of the water-insoluble coloring material compared to the polymer A. The polymer A includes a block copolymer having an acid value of 120 mgKOH/g to 180 mgKOH/g and having an ethylene oxide group as a nonionic group. The polymer B has an acid value of 150 mgKOH/g or less and a hydrogen bond parameter (?h) of the polymer obtained by solubility parameters of monomers constituting the polymer of 1.0 cal0.5/cm1.5 or more and 3.2 cal0.5/cm1.5 or less.

Abstract: A liquid droplet ejecting head includes a nozzle unit having a nozzle capable of ejecting liquid droplets and a pressure generating passage communicating with the nozzle. A driving unit includes a nozzle unit mounting portion and an actuator. The nozzle unit is detachably mounted on the nozzle unit mounting portion, and the actuator changes an inner volume of the pressure generating passage of the nozzle unit in order to eject the liquid droplets from the nozzle of the nozzle unit mounted on the nozzle unit mounting portion.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus records a plurality of measuring patterns on a recording medium. Each measuring pattern is constituted by dots spaced from one another on the recording medium, or by dots contacting one another, forming lines spaced from one another on the recording medium. Further, the measuring patterns have gravity centers are almost identical in position on the recording medium. Hence, the relative record shifts of the measuring patterns recorded by recording element arrays, respectively, can be decreased.

Abstract: A method for simulating, fabricating, or duplicating an oil painting is provided. The oil painting digital image information is acquired by scanning or capturing an oil painting surface image, and/or digitally simulating or rendering an oil painting surface image. A white paint is daubed on a base layer. A stereoscopic oil relief model, forming a stereoscopic oil relief layer, is acquired by topographically scanning the oil painting surface in three dimensions, and simulated or duplicated onto the base layer with a white or colorless transparent composite material. An image receiving layer is daubed on the stereoscopic oil relief layer. The oil image information, forming a printed oil painting surface image, is output and printed onto the image receiving layer with an inkjet printer. A transparent resin layer is daubed on the printed oil painting surface image, protecting the printed oil painting surface image with stereoscopic oil relief layer.

Abstract: A liquid cartridge has a container main body detachably mounted to a cartridge mounting section of a liquid consuming apparatus. The container main body includes a case main body having a liquid reservoir and a cover that covers one side of the case main body; a board mounting section provided on an outer side of the container main body, for mounting a circuit board having an information storage element, the board mounting section having a pair of board fixing bosses to be fitted in the mounting holes of the circuit board to locate the circuit board, and four guide walls provided on the peripheral four sides of the circuit board located by the pair of board fixing bosses. The three guide walls of the four guide walls that constitute the board mounting section form a substantially U-shaped opening that is open to the cover on the outer side of the case main body, and the other guide wall is at a rim of the cover.

Abstract: A polymer compound comprising a residue of a compound of the following formula (1): (wherein, a ring C1, ring C2 and ring C3 represent each independently an aromatic hydrocarbon ring or hetero ring. A1 represents a di-valent group containing one or more atoms selected from a boron atom, carbon atom, nitrogen atom, oxygen atom, phosphorus atom, sulfur atom and selenium atom. R1 represents an alkyl group, alkoxy group, alkylthio group, aryl group, aryloxy group, arylthio group, arylalkyl group, arylalkyloxy group, arylalkylthio group, alkenyl group, alkynyl group, di-substituted amino group, tri-substituted silyl group, acyl group, acyloxy group, imine residue, amide group, acid imide group, mono-valent heterocyclic group, substituted carboxyl group, heteroaryloxy group or heteroarylthio group, or is connected to an atom adjacent to an atom on the ring C3 to which R1 is connected, to form a ring.).

Abstract: An ink composition for a color filter includes about 100 parts by weight of a pigment dispersion, about 7 parts by weight to about 65 parts by weight of a thermosetting resin having hydroxyl group at a side chain of the thermosetting resin, about 0.015 part by weight to about 1.5 parts by weight of a thermal initiator, about 0.8 part by weight to about 15 parts by weight of an epoxy-based resin containing fluorine, and about 15 parts by weight to about 165 parts by weight of a solvent. A color filter substrate is manufactured using the ink composition for color filter. The ink composition for the color filter improves straightness of ink jetting through an ink-jetting nozzle and prevents the ink composition from spreading to neighboring pixels.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resin molded article includes: a fluorination step of carrying out fluorination processing using a gas containing fluorine so as to form a lyophobic layer on at least a portion of a face of a base material made of resin; a protective member formation step of forming a protective member on the portion of the face of the base material where the lyophobic layer has been formed; a lyophobic layer removal step of, on the face of the base material where the protective member has not been formed, removing the lyophobic layer formed and simultaneously carrying out lyophilic processing; and a protective member removal step of removing the protective member.

Abstract: A printer system is provided for developing a three dimensional (3D) printed structure. The system includes a plurality of spaced apart sets of printing devices. A conveyor system is arranged to serially convey a print medium in register with each set so that printed voxels from each successive set can form successive layers of the 3D printed structure upon the print medium. A placement mechanism is configured to place an object upon layers of the 3D printed structure.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a recording head for discharging an ink droplet onto a recording medium in a print operation; a maintenance operation unit performing a primary maintenance operation on the recording head after a predetermined time following completion of the print operation; a standing time calculation unit calculating a standing time between a completion time of a secondary maintenance operation performed in the predetermined time and an end time of the predetermined time; an intensity comparing unit comparing an intensity of the primary maintenance operation and an intensity of the secondary maintenance operation; and a selection unit selecting a type of the primary maintenance operation based on the standing time when the intensity of the secondary maintenance operation is greater than the intensity of the primary maintenance operation.

Abstract: A method of enabling entry of data into a computer system via a printed form is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing the printed form, the form containing human-readable information and machine-readable coded data, the coded data being indicative of an identity of the form and of a plurality of locations on the form; (ii) operatively positioning a sensing device relative to the form; (iii) sensing at least some of the coded data; (iv) generating indicating data using the sensed coded data, the indicating data being indicative of the identity of the form and the position of the sensing device relative to the form; and (v) sending the indicating data to a computer system, thereby enabling the computer system to identify the data for entry. The coded data comprises an ink composition containing an IR-absorbing dye and a singlet oxygen quencher.

Abstract: A touch panel for a 5-line touch screen or a capacitive touch screen, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. More particularly, a touch panel in which an equipotential forming electrode may be formed in a simple closed-loop pattern in order to reduce a screen dead zone and expand an active region by eliminating the linearity distortion of equipotential lines in around the equipotential forming electrode of the touch panel, and also may be applicable to a touch screen of a small device such as a mobile phone, and may reduce a process error rate and improve a productivity and electrical requirements such as terminal resistance and the like, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The equipotential forming electrode may be patterned using a much more conductive material than a material of a transparent conductive film. The equipotential forming electrode may form a closed loop in a linear pattern, a square-zigzagged pattern, a triangular saw pattern, or a wave pattern.