Composite Ejector Patents (Class 347/63)
  • Patent number: 8152279
    Abstract: An ink jet printing head substrate has a high adhesion between an electrode layer and a nozzle formation member and the corrosion or electrolysis, for example, of an electrode due to the contact between the electrode and ink can be reduced. The ink jet printing head includes an electrode layer for supplying power to a heat-generating portion that is provided on a substrate and that generates thermal energy for ejecting ink; and a resin layer provided on the electrode layer via a nickel-containing layer. The electrode layer includes precious metal as a main component. The nickel-containing layer consists of a gold-nickel alloy containing nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sadayoshi Sakuma, Hirokazu Komuro, Satoshi Ibe, Takuya Hatsui
  • Publication number: 20120075386
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head comprises: a liquid discharge head substrate including an element row in which a plurality of energy generating elements for generating thermal energy for use in discharging liquid are arranged; and a discharge port member corresponding to each of the plurality of energy generating elements, the discharge port members including a plurality of walls in contact with the liquid discharge head substrate to form a plurality of liquid chambers for storing liquid and a plurality of discharge ports which communicate with each of the plurality of the liquid chambers to discharge liquid with the thermal energy generated by the energy generating element; and a plurality of heat dissipating members corresponding to each of the plurality of the liquid chambers and having a first portion exposed to the liquid chamber and a second portion exposed to the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoshi Ibe, Hiroto Komiyama, Toshiaki Kurosu, Kouji Hasegawa, Koji Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20120056942
    Abstract: An ejection nozzle arrangement is provided having a fluid chamber, an arm extending through an aperture in the chamber, and a dynamic structure cantilevered from the chamber adjacent the aperture. The arm is connected to the dynamic structure at a point distal from the aperture such that thermal expansion of the dynamic structure moves the arm upwards in the chamber to eject fluid from the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20120056943
    Abstract: A fluid-ejection printhead die includes a fluid-ejection firing element and an electrochemical cell. The fluid-ejection firing element is to cause droplets of fluid to be ejected from the fluid-ejection printhead die. The electrochemical cell is to measure an electrical property of the fluid. The fluid-ejection firing element and the electrochemical cell are both part of the fluid-ejection printhead die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Nielsen, Sadiq Bengali, Greg Scott Long, Joshua M. Yu
  • Patent number: 8123330
    Abstract: In an ink jet head using a thermal energy for ejecting ink, this invention aims to reliably and uniformly remove kogations deposited on a heat application portion in contact with the ink. To realize this objective, the upper protective layer is arranged in an area including the heat application portion so that it can be electrically connected to serve as an electrode which causes an electrochemical reaction with the ink. The upper protective layer is formed of a material containing a metal which is dissolved by the electrochemical reaction and which does not form, on heating, an oxide film which hinders the dissolution. With this arrangement, a reliable electrochemical reaction can be produced to dissolve a surface layer of the upper protective layer, thereby removing kogations on the heat application portion reliably and uniformly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Sakai, Ichiro Saito, Teruo Ozaki, Sakai Yokoyama, Takahiro Matsui, Takuya Hatsui, Kazuaki Shibata
  • Patent number: 8114289
    Abstract: A microfiltration apparatus and method for separating cells, such as circulating tumor cells, from a sample using a microfiltration device having a top porous membrane and a bottom porous membrane. The porous membranes are formed from parylene and assembled using microfabrication techniques. The porous membranes are arranged so that the pores in the top membrane are offset from the pores in the bottom membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern California
    Inventors: Siyang Zheng, Richard Cote, Henry Lin, Bo Lu, Yu-Chong Tai
  • Patent number: 8104875
    Abstract: A liquid jet recording head includes a substrate on which are formed recording elements that generate energy for ejecting liquid, and a flow passage forming member that is in contact with the substrate and in which are formed ejection ports that eject liquid and flow passages that supply liquid to the ejection ports. The flow passage forming member has a groove formed along the longitudinal direction of the flow passage forming member, and each end of the groove is located nearer to the middle in the width direction of the flow passage forming member than the other part of the groove is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushuiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shingo Nagata
  • Patent number: 8104858
    Abstract: An inkjet head may comprise an ejection port which ejects ink and an ink flow path which supplies the ink to the ejection port. The inkjet head may also comprise an ejection actuator which supplies ejection energy to the ink in the ink flow path. The ejection energy may cause the ink to be ejected from the ejection port. The inkjet head may also comprise a wall portion. The wall portion may be located at a position farther from the ejection port along the ink flow path with respect to a position at which the ejection energy is supplied. The wall portion may define an inner wall surface of the ink flow path. The wall portion may deform to decrease a cross section of the ink flow path in a direction orthogonal to an ink-flow direction as a temperature of the ink in the ink flow path increases. The wall portion may deform to increase a cross section of the ink flow path in a direction orthogonal to an ink-flow direction as the temperature of the ink in the ink flow path decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahito Kato, Manabu Hibi
  • Publication number: 20120019602
    Abstract: A printing nozzle arrangement is provided having an electrical current source, a fluid chamber having a fluid inlet and fluid ejection port, a heating element within the chamber electrically connected to the electrical current source, and a microprocessor. The heating element is configured such that electrical current applied by the electrical current source at a predetermined energy level causes resistive heating and ejection of the fluid from the fluid ejection port. The microprocessor is configured to test for faulty operation of the heating element by causing application of electrical current for a predetermined duration which does not result in fluid ejection. When faulty operation is determined, the microprocessor is configured to cause application of electrical current at an energy level significantly greater than the predetermined energy level in an attempt to clear fluid blockages associated with the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20120007924
    Abstract: A printhead for an inkjet printer is disclosed. The printhead has ink nozzles formed on a print face of the printhead. Each ink nozzle has an ink chamber with an ink ejection port and an ink inlet port. A paddle device is arranged inside each chamber. Each ink nozzle further has a bi-layer thermal actuator coil with a fee end connected to the paddle device. Heating of the thermal actuator coil displaces the paddle device, causing ejection of an ink droplet through the ink ejection port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8087759
    Abstract: The impact accuracy of ejected droplets, the quality of printed images, and print speed can be improved in a print head having an ink channel for which the width thereof in a direction orthogonal to an ink supply direction in which ink is supplied from an ink supply port to a pressure chamber is smaller than that of a pressure chamber. In the print head, the center of a heater along the ink supply direction is offset from the center of the pressure chamber along the ink supply direction, toward the side of the pressure chamber far from the ink supply port in the ink supply direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Oikawa, Keiji Tomizawa, Mikiya Umeyama, Toru Yamane, Yuichiro Akama, Chiaki Muraoka, Tomotsugu Kuroda, Shingo Nagata, Satoshi Kudo
  • Publication number: 20110316935
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head including: a flow channel unit including a nozzle plate, and a flow-channel-containing substrate, the nozzle plate and the flow-channel-containing substrate being laminated, a head case formed with a common liquid flow channel configured to supply the liquid to the reservoir and joined to the flow-channel-containing substrate on the side opposite from the nozzle plate; a heater configured to heat the nozzle plate; a head cover heated by the heater and formed with a bottom surface portion opposing the nozzle plate on the side opposite from the head case, wherein a distal end of the head cover comes into abutment with a portion between an area of the nozzle plate corresponding to the reservoir and an area formed with the nozzle row, and a void is formed between the area of the nozzle plate corresponding to the reservoir and the head cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Sato, Hiroyuki Hagiwara, Haruhisa Uezawa
  • Publication number: 20110316936
    Abstract: A sulfonated dye salt of formula (II): wherein M is Ga(A1); A1 is an axial ligand selected from the group consisting of: —OH and halogen; and Z1+, Z2+, Z3+ and Z4+ are independently selected from the group consisting of: H and an ammonium cation including 3 or more hydroxyl groups. At least one of Z1+, Z2+, Z3+ and Z4+ is the ammonium cation. Such salts exhibit reduced kogation in thermal bubble-forming inkjet printheads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Simone Charlotte Vonwiller, Sutharsiny Indusegaram, Graciel Gonzaga, Damon Donald Ridley, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8083325
    Abstract: A liquid ejection recording head includes an element substrate having plural ejection energy generating elements, an ejection outlet array of plural ejection outlets, and bubble generation chambers. The element substrate includes a first liquid supply port provided along an arrangement direction of the ejection outlets, and plural second ink supply ports disposed between a lateral end of the substrate and the chambers. Each bubble generation chamber communicates with the first and second liquid supply ports through first and second liquid supply passages, respectively. The element substrate has a thermal resistance against heat flowing from the ejection energy generating elements along a direction perpendicular to the array direction and parallel to a surface of the substrate. The thermal resistance, per unit length with respect to the array direction, at both end portions of the array is larger than that at a central portion of the ejection outlet array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Inoue, Ken Tsuchii, Masataka Sakurai, Akiko Saito
  • Patent number: 8083324
    Abstract: Inkjet printheads and methods of manufacturing the inkjet printhead are disclosed. The inkjet printhead may include a glue layer disposed between the substrate and a chamber layer. The glue layer may contain a crosslink inhibitor that inhibits cross linkage of a photosensitive resin during an exposing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myong-Jong Kwon, Sung-Joon Park, Jin-Wook Lee
  • Patent number: 8079663
    Abstract: A printhead having at least first and second rows of print nozzles. Each nozzle has first circuitry of a first type arranged asymmetrically to second circuitry of a second type. The respective positions of the first and second circuitry of each nozzle of the first row are arranged mirrored with respect to the first and second circuitry of each nozzle of the second row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Mark Jackson Pulver, Michael John Webb, John Robert Sheahan, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Patent number: 8079672
    Abstract: A heater stack includes first strata configured to support and form a fluid heater element responsive to repetitive electrical activation and deactivation to produce repetitive cycles of fluid ejection from an ejection chamber above the heater element and second strata overlying the first strata and contiguous with the ejection chamber to protect the heater element. The first strata includes a substrate with a cavity formed either in or above the substrate, a heater substrata overlying the cavity and substrate, and a decomposed layer of material between the substrate and heater substrata and processed to provide the cavity substantially empty of the layer of material such that the cavity provides a means which, during repetitive electrical activation, enables the heater element to transfer heat energy into the fluid in the ejection chamber for producing ejection of fluid therefrom substantially without transferring heat energy into the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Yimin Guan, Burton Lee Joyner, II
  • Patent number: 8070264
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating micro-fluid ejection heads and micro-fluid ejection heads are provided herein, such as those that use non-conventional substrates. One such micro-fluid ejection head includes a substrate having first and second glass layers disposed adjacent to a surface thereof and a plurality of fluid ejection actuators disposed adjacent to the second glass layer. The first glass layer is thicker than the second glass layer and the second glass layer has a surface roughness of no greater than about 75 ? Ra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wilson Cornell, Michael John Dixon, Curtis Ray Droege, Elios Klemo, Bryan Dale McKinley
  • Patent number: 8061807
    Abstract: Provided is an inkjet printhead for a printer, the printhead having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle assemblies. Each nozzle assembly includes a substrate defining an ink inlet channel and an arm fast with a thermal actuator itself fast with said substrate via an anchor arrangement. Each nozzle assembly also includes a nozzle on the substrate defining an ink aperture over the ink inlet channel, with a nozzle rim of the nozzle being inwardly displaceable by the actuator to eject ink from the aperture. The nozzle has a skirt portion and an inwardly directed lip that forms a fluidic seal in a complementary manner between the ink aperture and the thermal actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8057017
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a substrate for an ink jet head, including formation of an ink supply port in a silicon substrate, the method includes a step of forming, on one side of the substrate, an etching mask layer having an opening at a position corresponding ink supply port; a step of forming unpenetrated holes through the opening of the etching mask layer in at least two rows in a longitudinal direction of the opening; and a step of forming the ink supply port by crystal anisotropic etching of the substrate in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Sakai, Shuji Koyama, Kenji Ono, Jun Yamamuro
  • Publication number: 20110261117
    Abstract: A method for forming drops includes providing a jetting module that includes a nozzle plate, portions of the nozzle plate defining a nozzle; a thermal stimulation membrane including a plurality of pores and one or more heating elements; and an enclosure extending from the nozzle towards the thermal stimulation membrane, the enclosure defining a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle and the thermal stimulation membrane, the liquid chamber being in fluid communication with each of the nozzle and the plurality of pores; providing liquid under pressure sufficient to cause the liquid to divide into a plurality of portions as the liquid flows through the thermal stimulation membrane; each portion of the liquid flowing through a pore of the plurality of pores; jetting an individual stream of the liquid through the nozzle; and causing a liquid drop to break off from the individual stream of the liquid by applying a pulse of thermal energy to each portion of the liquid as each portion of the liquid flows throug
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Yonglin Xie, Michael F. Baumer, Ali G. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20110261116
    Abstract: A jetting module includes a nozzle plate, a thermal stimulation membrane, and an enclosure. Portions of the nozzle plate define a nozzle. The thermal stimulation membrane includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the membrane includes a heater. The second portion of the membrane includes a plurality of pores. The enclosure includes a wall that extends from the nozzle plate to the thermal stimulation membrane to define a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle plate and the thermal stimulation membrane. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the plurality of pores of the thermal stimulation membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Yonglin Xie
  • Publication number: 20110261118
    Abstract: A jetting module includes a nozzle plate, a thermal stimulation membrane, and an enclosure. Portions of the nozzle plate define a nozzle. The thermal stimulation membrane includes a plurality of pores. At least one of the plurality of pores overlaps the nozzle when viewed from a direction through the nozzle. The enclosure includes a wall that extends from the nozzle plate to the thermal stimulation membrane to define a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle plate and the thermal stimulation membrane. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The liquid chamber is in fluid communication with the plurality of pores of the thermal stimulation membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Michael F. Baumer, Ali G. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20110261115
    Abstract: A micro-fluid ejection head has a resistor layer defining a heater element. An insulative layer underlies the heater element and a capping layer on the insulative layer substantially prevents ion mobility between the resistor and insulative layers. Resistance stability of the heater has been shown improved as has adhesion of the heater to the insulator. Representative layers include insulation of methyl silesquioxane (MSQ) in a thickness of about 5000 Angstroms or more, while the cap is a silicon nitride in a thickness of about 2000 Angstroms or less. Other capping layers include silicon carbide, silicon oxide or dielectrics. The resistor layer typifies TaAIN in a thickness of about 350 Angstroms, including overlying anode and cathode conductors that define the heater. Coating layers are also disclosed as are thermal barrier layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Yimin Guan, Burton L. Joyner, II
  • Patent number: 8042912
    Abstract: A heater stack includes first strata configured to support and form a fluid heater element responsive to energy from repetitive electrical activation and deactivation to fire repetitive cycles of heating and ejecting fluid from an ejection chamber above the fluid heater element and second strata overlying the first strata and contiguous with the ejection chamber to provide protection of the fluid heater element. The first strata includes a substrate and a heater substrata overlying the substrate and including a resistive layer having lateral portions spaced apart, a central portion extending between the lateral portions and defining the fluid heater element, and transitional portions interconnecting the central portion and lateral portions and elevating the central portion relative to the lateral portions and above the substrate to form a gap between the lateral portions and between the central portion and substrate insulating the substrate from the fluid heater element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Yimin Guan, Burton Lee Joyner, II, Zachary Justin Reitmeier
  • Patent number: 8038262
    Abstract: A unit cell for an inkjet printhead includes a substrate that defines an ink inlet passage, the substrate incorporating drive circuitry. Side walls are arranged on the substrate. A nozzle plate is arranged on the side walls such that the nozzle plate and the side walls define an ink chamber in fluid communication with the inlet passage. The nozzle plate defines an aperture in fluid communication with the ink chamber. A heater element is connected to the drive circuitry. The heater element is configured to generate a bubble of ink to be ejected from the aperture on receipt of an electrical signal from the drive circuitry. The heater element is suspended in the ink chamber such that, when ink is supplied to the chamber, the heater element is immersed in the ink. The heater element is configured so that a collapse point of the bubble is at a position spaced from the heater element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20110221825
    Abstract: Performing a high-speed recording operation using a slender liquid discharge head substrate causes an uneven temperature distribution for each energy generating element because the center portion of the liquid discharge head substrate is more liable to accumulate heat than the end portion thereof, which may affect the quality of a recorded image. For this reason, the surface of the energy generating element which contacts liquid is separated into a first region and a second region in which a protection film is thicker than the one in the first region, and the area in the first region for the element positioned at the end portion of the array of the elements is made greater than that in the first region at the center portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideo Tamura, Yoshiyuki Imanaka, Koichi Omata, Yuji Tamaru
  • Patent number: 8012363
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a printhead having a hydrophobic ink ejection face, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a partially-fabricated printhead comprising a plurality of nozzle chambers and a nozzle plate having relatively hydrophilic nozzle surface, the nozzle surface at least partially defining the ink ejection face of the printhead; (b) depositing a hydrophobic polymeric layer onto the nozzle surface; (c) depositing a protective metal film onto at least the polymeric layer; (d) depositing a sacrificial material onto the polymeric layer; (e) patterning the sacrificial material to define a plurality of nozzle opening regions; (f) defining a plurality of nozzle openings through the metal film, the polymeric layer and the nozzle plate; (g) subjecting the printhead to an oxidizing plasma; and (h) removing the protective metal film, thereby providing a printhead having a relatively hydrophobic ink ejection face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Emma Rose Kerr, Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20110210997
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead substrate comprises: a pair of individual conductive layers configured to supply electrical power to a heat generation element; a first common conductive layer configured to be connected to one of the pair of individual conductive layers; a second common conductive layer configured to be connected to the other of the pair of individual conductive layers; and an isolation layer configured to be provided between the one of the pair of individual conductive layers and the first common conductive layer, and between the other of the pair of individual conductive layers and the second common conductive layer, wherein the isolation layer is formed from a conductive material which has a lower solubility in ink than a material used for the pairs of individual conductive layers, the first common conductive layer and the second common conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Tamaru, Yoshiyuki Imanaka, Hideo Tamura
  • Patent number: 8007077
    Abstract: An inkjet head includes a recording element substrate, on which sets of energy generating elements generating energy to discharge ink and a supply port supplying ink to discharge ports are arranged, and an orifice plate including the discharge ports. The sets include a set having a first supply port disposed at a first edge of the substrate and a set having a second supply port disposed at a second edge of the substrate opposite the first edge. The distance between the second edge and the second supply port is shorter than the distance between the first edge and the first supply port. A contact area between the substrate and second channel walls that form second ink channels communicating with the second supply port is larger than the contact area between the substrate and first channel walls that form first ink channels communicating with the first supply port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Kudo, Genji Inada
  • Patent number: 8007069
    Abstract: An ink jet recording head comprises a discharge port forming member that forms a discharge port used to discharge ink and a channel forming member that forms an ink channel communicating with the discharge port, at least either one of the channel forming member and the discharge port forming member comprising a substance having fluorine atoms and a rubber member composing a part of an ink passage continuous with the channel, the rubber member being cross-linked by an organic substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiko Shimomura, Toshihiko Ujita, Takashi Fukushima
  • Patent number: 7999211
    Abstract: A microheater for heating at least one target area, the microheater comprising a substrate, a resistive material adjacent to the substrate and connector traces connected to the resistive material. The microheater is formed so that when a predetermined current flows through the resistive material, the target area is heated to a substantially isothermal temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Orlando E. Ruiz, Patricia A. Beck, Janice H. Nickel
  • Patent number: 7997697
    Abstract: A droplet discharge head including a nozzle substrate having nozzle openings, a cavity substrate having discharge chambers that communicate with the nozzle openings and discharge droplets from the nozzle openings, a reservoir substrate having a reservoir concave portion that serves as a reservoir which communicates commonly with the discharge chambers. The reservoir substrate is provided between the nozzle substrate and the cavity substrate and a resin thin film is formed on a whole inner face of the reservoir concave portion and on a bottom face of a second concave portion. The second concave portion is provided in a peripheral of the reservoir concave portion and has a depth which is smaller than the depth of the reservoir concave portion. The resin thin film is cut circularly so as to surround the reservoir concave portion, and a part of the resin thin film serves as a diaphragm buffering pressure variation. serves as a diaphragm buffering pressure variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuji Arawaka, Kazufumi Oya
  • Patent number: 7980676
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head is constituted by a liquid ejection substrate comprising a liquid supply port for supplying liquid, an ejection outlet for ejecting the liquid supplied from the liquid supply port, and ejection energy generating devices for generating energy for ejecting the liquid; and a supporting member having a supporting surface for supporting the liquid ejection substrate and a liquid supply hole for supplying liquid to the liquid ejection substrate, the liquid supply hole communicating with the liquid supply port of the liquid ejection substrate to form a communicating portion, a periphery of which is sealed by a sealant. The liquid supply hole of the supporting member has an opening larger than that of the liquid supply port of the liquid ejection substrate. The support member has an inner wall portion including an edge line portion defined by the liquid supply hole on a side where the liquid ejection substrate is to be disposed. The inner wall portion is covered with the sealant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Hirosawa, Shuzo Iwanaga
  • Patent number: 7980656
    Abstract: On a liquid ejection head substrate, an upper protective layer, as well as coming into contact with a resin layer of a path forming member having an ejection opening, comes into contact with ink in a heat generating portion inside the channel formed. The upper protective layer contains iridium and silicon. The upper protective layer is configured so that, at a surface in contact with the ink and resin layer, Ir100-XSiX attains a 15 at. %?X?30 at. % silicon content rate, and that X approaches zero as a position in the upper protective layer approaches an adhesion layer. As a result, at the interface where the upper protective layer comes into contact with the path forming member, by the silicon attaining the heretofore described content rate, it is possible to improve the adhesion with the path forming member made of resin compared with a case of using iridium alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Sakurai, Ichiro Saito
  • Patent number: 7980663
    Abstract: A print head can improve an ink refill speed to reduce the time from the end of one ejection of ink droplets until the beginning of a next ejection of ink droplets and maintain the high quality of images obtained by printing. An ink jet print head has an ejection port portion including a first ejection port portion communicating with atmosphere, and a second ejection port portion having a cross-section which extends in a direction orthogonal to an ejecting direction and which is larger than that of the first ejection port portion. The second ejection port portion is formed between a bubbling chamber and the first ejection port portion. In the ink jet print head, an ejection port portion first axis is located away from an ejection port portion second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Matsumoto, Keiji Tomizawa, Shuichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 7959264
    Abstract: Embodiments include forming internal or external extended surface elements on a print-head substrate, at least in part, using a light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Dustin W. Blair, Jeff Pollard, Matthew D. Giere, Satya Prakash
  • Patent number: 7950769
    Abstract: In an ink jet head using a thermal energy for ejecting ink, this invention aims to reliably and uniformly remove kogations deposited on a heat application portion in contact with the ink. To realize this objective, the upper protective layer is arranged in an area including the heat application portion so that it can be electrically connected to serve as an electrode which causes an electrochemical reaction with the ink. The upper protective layer is formed of a material containing a metal which is dissolved by the electrochemical reaction and which does not form, on heating, an oxide film which hinders the dissolution. With this arrangement, a reliable electrochemical reaction can be produced to dissolve a surface layer of the upper protective layer, thereby removing kogations on the heat application portion reliably and uniformly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyasu Sakai, Ichiro Saito, Teruo Ozaki, Sakai Yokoyama, Takahiro Matsui, Takuya Hatsui, Kazuaki Shibata
  • Patent number: 7946687
    Abstract: A thermal bend actuator comprising: (a) a pair of electrical contacts positioned at one end of the actuator; (b) an active beam connected to the electrical contacts and extending longitudinally away from the contacts, the active beam defining a bent current flow path between the contacts; and (c) a passive beam fused to the active beam. When a current is passed through the active beam, the active beam heats and expands relative to the passive beam, resulting in bending of the actuator. The active beam comprises a resistive heating bar having a relatively smaller cross-sectional area than any other part of the current flow path. Heating of the active beam is concentrated in the heating bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Gregory John McAvoy, Misty Bagnat, Vincent Patrick Lawlor, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7947336
    Abstract: An epoxy resin composition, including: an epoxy resin (A) represented by Formula (1); an epoxy resin (B) having an epoxy equivalent of 220 or less and having twice or more epoxy groups in a molecule than epoxy groups of the epoxy resin (A); and a photocationic polymerization initiator (C), in which: the epoxy resins (A) and (B) constitute main components; and a weight of the epoxy resin (A) is 40% or more and a weight of the epoxy resin (B) is 30% or more with respect to a total weight of the epoxy resins (A) and (B): where: R represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, or a t-butyl group; n represents an integer of 0 or more and 4 or less; and m represents an integer of 1 or more and 3 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shimpei Otaka, Kazunari Ishizuka, Isamu Horiuchi, Isao Imamura
  • Patent number: 7946688
    Abstract: A recording head includes a recording element substrate having a discharge port facilitating discharging a liquid droplet, an energy generating element configured to generate energy for liquid discharge, and a supply opening facilitating supplying the discharge port with a liquid. The recording head also has a support member having a supply path formed by laminating a plurality of plate-shaped members including an opening portion. The support member supports the recording element substrate and includes a chamber communicating with the supply path and adapted to hold air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junya Kawase, Shinji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7942505
    Abstract: Provided is an inkjet nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead. The arrangement includes a wafer substrate defining sidewalls and a roof portion to form an ink chamber, the roof portion further defining a nozzle aperture, as well as a heater element suspended inside the ink chamber for thermal expansion and subsequent ejection of ink from the chamber via the nozzle aperture. The arrangement also includes a nozzle rim defined about the aperture on the roof portion, said rim having an inner and an outer lip to facilitate ink drop misdirection during ink ejection to minimise cavitation corrosion of the heater element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Matthew Taylor Worsman, Mehdi Azimi, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7942507
    Abstract: A nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printer comprises a nozzle chamber; an ink supply channel for supplying ink to the nozzle chamber; a cover for covering the nozzle chamber, the cover defining an ink ejection port through which ink is ejected; a plurality of thermal bend actuators radially arranged around the ink ejection port; and a plurality of heater elements each corresponding to one of the plurality of thermal bend actuators. Each heater element is provided at an end of a corresponding thermal bend actuator opposite the ink ejection port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Gregory John McAvoy
  • Patent number: 7942506
    Abstract: An inkjet printer head includes a substrate, an insulating layer having a groove and disposed on the substrate, a heating member having a concavely curved upper surface and disposed on an upper portion of the groove, an electrode to make contact with the heating member to apply electric current to the heating member, a chamber layer disposed on the heating member, and a nozzle layer having one or more nozzles and disposed on the chamber layer. According to the inkjet printer head, the heating member has a curved structure to increase a length of the heating member, so that resistance of the heating member can be increased. Thus, the heating member can stably operate regardless of current variation applied thereto, and the printing work can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Joon Park, Tae-Jin Kim, Young Hye Park, Dai Geun Kim
  • Patent number: 7937835
    Abstract: A composite ceramic substrate for receiving an ejection head chip for a micro-fluid ejection head and a method for making the composite ceramic substrate. The substrate includes a high temperature previously fired ceramic base having a substantially planarized first surface and at least one fluid supply slot therethrough. A low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) tape layer bundle having at least two LTCC tape layers is attached to the ceramic base at an interface between the LTCC tape layer bundle and the first surface of the ceramic base. The LTTC tape layer bundle has at least one chip pocket therein and at least one of the LTCC tape layers includes a plurality of conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Edward Anderson, Michael John Dixon, Eric Spencer Hall, Elios Klemo, Bryan Dale McKinley, Jeanne Marie Saldanha Singh
  • Patent number: 7934811
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes an ink flow path including a nozzle through which ink is ejected and is formed of a conductive epoxy resin, the conductive epoxy resin is a hardening result of a conductive cross-linked polymer resist composition formed by actinic radiation, and the conductive cross-linked polymer resist composition includes (a) at least one epoxy precursor polymer selected from a phenol novolak precursor polymer and an alicyclic precursor polymer including glycidyl ether group, (b) a metal alkoxide compound represented by the following formula R?M(OR)n, where R? refers to a functional group including an oxirane group or an oxetanyl group, R refers to a C1-10alkyl group, and M is a metal selected from the group consisting of Al, Ti, and Zr, (c) a cationic photoinitiator, and (d) a solvent. The inkjet printhead includes an ink flow path formed of a conductive epoxy resin and a trench formed around a heater of the inkjet printhead to dissipate residual heat generated by the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-ha Park, Young-ung Ha
  • Patent number: 7934810
    Abstract: An ink jet recording head has sufficient and uniform ink refill for all orifices and separate flow paths even though the substrate has high rigidity by dividing a supply port into a plurality of ports. The substrate of the ink jet recording head has a plurality of separate flow paths corresponding to discharge pressure generating elements, a common flow path communicating with the separate flow paths, an ink supply port communicating with the common flow path and supplying ink to the common flow path, and a plurality of beam portions dividing the ink supply port. A recess is formed on the common flow path, extending to the separate flow paths formed nearest to the beam portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Hayakawa, Makoto Terui
  • Publication number: 20110096124
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead that has a supporting substrate, a conductive layer deposited in a pattern on one side of the supporting substrate, an insulating layer deposited such that the conductive layer is between the insulating layer and the supporting substrate, an ink chamber supported on the supporting substrate such that the conductive layer is between the ink chambers and the supporting substrate, a nozzle in fluid communication with the ink chamber, a heater on the insulating layer configured to vaporize some ink in the ink chamber such that a droplet of ink is ejected through the nozzle, the heater having a resistive element extending between a pair of contacts and, at least one metallic via in each of the contacts respectively, the metallic vias extending through the insulating layer to establish and electrical connection between the conductive layer and the contacts. The insulating layer has a planar surface on which the heater is supported.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Angus John North, Richard Dimagiba, Witold Roman Wiszniewski
  • Publication number: 20110096125
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead for an inkjet printer includes a wafer substrate defining an ink supply channel therethrough; side wall portions extending away from a surface of the wafer substrate; a nozzle layer supported on the side wall portions and extending parallel to the surface of the wafer substrate, the nozzle layer and the side wall portions defining an array of nozzle chambers, the nozzle layer defining ink ejection ports and etchant holes, the etchant holes being of sufficient diameter to retain ink in the nozzle chamber by surface tension; and a plurality of thermal actuators cantilevered on the wafer substrate, each thermal actuator being respectively positioned in a nozzle chambers to partition the nozzle chamber. A portion of each thermal actuator facing away from a respective ink ejection port is hydrophobic to facilitate the forming of an air bubble between the thermal actuator and the wafer substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7926916
    Abstract: An adhesive joint with an ink trap is provided. The joint may be employed in a cartridge for an inkjet printer. The cartridge includes a headland region attached to a printhead assembly by an adhesive layer. The adhesive joint between the headland region and the printhead assembly include notches for retaining additional adhesive in order to reduce degradation of adhesive due to ink penetration. A method of assembling the printer cartridge to include an ink trap in the adhesive joint is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles G. Schmidt, Joseph R. Elliot, James E. Clark