Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid; a first flow path through which liquid is supplied from a first container provided at an upstream to the liquid ejecting head provided at a downstream; a second flow path that forms a circulation flow path in which the liquid is capable of circulating through the circulating flow path including the first flow path and the second flow path; and a third flow path through which liquid is supplied from a second container provided at an upstream to the circulation flow path provided at a downstream, and a downstream end of the third flow path is coupled to one of the second flow path and a section on an upstream side of the downstream joint with the second flow path in the first flow path.

Abstract: Ink jet delivery systems for a fluid composition comprising from about 50% to about 100%, by weight of the composition, of an active mixture. The active mixture having a vapor pressure less than about 2.3 kPa at 20 C. The composition also comprising about 0% to 50%, by weight, of a carrier volatile composition having a vapor pressure above about 2.3 kPa at 20 C and an ink jet head for delivering the fluid composition into the air.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for applying a material onto a substrate using a droplet printing technique wherein a gas stream is released into the direction of a substrate, which gas stream comprises a carrier gas and droplets of a suspension of the material or droplets of a solution of a precursor of the material or droplets of a precursor of the material as such, whereby the droplets in the gas stream are first maintained in a steady flow and subsequently in a converging flow before the droplets are contacted with the substrate. The invention further provides an apparatus for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A printing apparatus that prints onto a printed object using a special glossy ink and a color ink includes a control unit that executes the print adding the special glossy ink to a region, in pixels of a night scene formed by the color ink, that is lighted.

Abstract: A liquid consuming apparatus includes a liquid cartridge, a detector, and a controller. The liquid cartridge includes a first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber. The detector is configured to output a detection signal based on an amount of liquid which has flowed from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber. The controller is configured to measure, based on the detection signal output from the detector, a physical quantity, based on which a flow rate of liquid flowing from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber can be specified, and is configured to determine whether the physical quantity is within a threshold range.

Abstract: In a liquid discharging apparatus that includes a circulation flow path, a head cleaning method includes a first process in which a flow rate of the liquid flowing through the circulation flow path per unit time is set at a first flow rate; a second process in which, after the first process is completed, a wiping unit carries out a wiping operation in a state where the liquid is discharged from the nozzle; a third process in which, after the second process is completed, the wiping unit carries out the wiping operation in a state where the liquid is not discharged from the nozzle; and a fourth process in which, after the third process is completed, a flow rate of the liquid flowing through the circulation flow path per unit time is set at a second flow rate that is lower than the first flow rate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a moving member equipped with a pressed portion and a detected portion, and in which the detected portion is configured to move to a predetermined position above the pressed portion by the pressed portion being pressed by the cartridge when the cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body, and a detection device configured to detect whether the cartridge is attached by detection light passing the predetermined position.

Abstract: A maintenance method of a droplet ejection apparatus is provided, which droplet ejection apparatus includes: a droplet ejection head including a plurality of head modules, each head module being configured to be replaced independently; and a liquid circulation and supply unit configured to circulate and supply liquid to be ejected from each head module, to each head module. The maintenance method includes circulating and supplying the liquid to the head modules other than the head module that is a replacement target, when replacing the head module.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection head including (i) an ejection opening portion, (ii) a supply flow passage, and (iii) an actuator, a first tank connected to the liquid ejection head to supply liquid to the supply flow passage; a pump for forcing the liquid in the first tank into the supply flow passage; and a controller. The controller executes: a first control for driving the actuator, or the actuator and the pump such that all the liquid in the first tank flows to the supply flow passage; and a second control for, after a completion of the first control, driving the actuator in a state in which the pump is stopped, to discharge the liquid in the supply flow passage from the ejection opening portion such that an amount of the liquid in the supply flow passage falls within a predetermined range.

Abstract: In order to generate a two-dimensional image of a sample in a short time using THz waves, provided is a reflective imaging device including a sample holder, a THz wave light source, a THz wave camera, a rotation mechanism for rotating the holder and the camera, and a processing unit. A sample unit includes an incidence member, a sample, and a reflection member. The sample includes a first region of only a membrane and a second region including a biopolymer. The camera detects, with regard to respective incident angles, a THz wave in which interference occurs between a component reflected at an interface between the incidence member and the sample and a component reflected at an interface between the sample and the reflection member, of each portion of the sample unit, and outputs a signal.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising a liquid ejection head unit having nozzles for ejecting a liquid onto a medium; a liquid storage unit to store the liquid; a first supply passage that communicates with the liquid ejection head unit and the liquid storage unit; a second supply passage that communicates with the liquid ejection head unit, the liquid storage unit, and the first supply passage in the liquid ejection head unit; a valve in the first supply passage; and a liquid driving unit in the second supply passage that moves the liquid in the liquid ejection head unit and the supply passages when driven. The liquid is moved toward the liquid ejection head unit in the second supply passage by the liquid driving unit in a state in which the valve restricts the flow of the liquid such that the liquid is discharged from the nozzles.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system, fluid ejection system and method thereof are disclosed. The fluid ejection system includes a fluid ejection device and a determination module to determine a supply condition based on the count value output by the converter module. The fluid ejection device includes a fluid supply chamber to store fluid, an ejection chamber including a nozzle and a corresponding ejection member to selectively eject the fluid through the nozzle, a pressure sensor unit having a sensor plate to output a voltage value corresponding to a cross-sectional area of an amount of fluid in the ejection chamber. The fluid ejection system also includes a converter module to output a count value corresponding to the voltage value output by the pressure sensor unit.

Abstract: Provided is a printing method using a printing apparatus. The printing apparatus includes a head that has a nozzle array, in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting a black pigment ink is arranged, and a nozzle array in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting a color ink is arranged. The printing method includes: a step of acquiring image data of an image to be printed on a medium; a step of ejecting the black pigment ink onto the medium on the basis of the image data; and a step of ejecting the color ink onto the medium on the basis of the image data. A supply capability of the pigment ink supply section is higher than a supply capability of the color ink supply section.

Abstract: A print method, print apparatus and printed medium include forming a black portion of an image from two inks. The first ink (62) includes first carbon black pigment units (66) and a first binder (68). The first carbon black pigment units (66) have a median dibutylphthalate absortion (DBP) of at least 95 cc/100 g. The first ink (62) has a first ratio of the first carbon black pigment units to the first binder. The second ink (64) includes second carbon black pigment units and a second binder. The second ink has a second ratio of the second carbon black pigment units to the second binder less than the first ratio. The first ink and the second ink together have a median total weight per unit area of at least 70 percent of an absorptive capacity of the print medium and overlap one another, wherein the second ink is at least 54 percent of the total weight per unit area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling ink component concentration for optimizing ink for use on specific media types, such as paper or plastic, include an in-line ink delivery system for mixing and delivering ink. The ink delivery system includes a first ink supply, a second ink supply, a mixing chamber or pot, and a print head connected to a print head reservoir. The ink delivery system may be configured to mix ink according to one of stored setpoints or acquired media data for media on which ink is to be printed.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid ejecting apparatus which includes a plurality of liquid receiving portions in which the same kinds of liquid are received, a switching unit which switches the liquid receiving portion that supplies the liquid to a liquid ejecting head, and a controller which performs a maintenance process including discharging the liquid through the liquid ejecting head, in which, when a liquid residual amount of the liquid receiving portion that supplies the liquid to the ejecting head, which is calculated by a residual amount estimation portion, is less than a determination value, the controller performs the maintenance process in a state where the liquid receiving portion to supply the liquid to the liquid ejecting head is selected among the plurality of liquid receiving portions and the liquid is supplied from the selected liquid receiving portion to the liquid ejecting head.

Abstract: A liquid supply device includes a first container storing liquid; a second container to which the liquid is supplied from the first container; at least one flow path to connect the first and second containers; a valve in the flow path to allow or interrupt the flow of the liquid in the flow path by opening or closing the valve; a pump provided to the flow path to transfer the liquid from the first container to the second container; and a control unit to operate the pump under a state in which the valve is opened to transfer the liquid in the first container to the second container, then close the valve and stop the pump, and then open the valve under a state in which the pump is stopped to transfer the liquid in the second container to the first container.

Abstract: A first ink air chamber is in communication with an air layer in a first ink tank for an ink of a first viscosity in communication with a first inkjet head. A second ink air chamber is in communication with an air layer in a second ink tank for an ink of a second viscosity in communication with a second inkjet head. A first on-off valve opens or closes communication between the first and second ink air chambers. A second on-off valve opens or closes communication between the second ink air chamber and the atmosphere. A pressure adjuster is configured to adjust a pressure in the second ink air chamber without intervention of the first ink air chamber. A controller is configured to drive the pressure adjuster to increase the pressure in the second ink air chamber with the first and second on-off valves being closed.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes: an ink container having an outlet port and a return port; a printhead having a first ink port and a second ink port; a first ink line interconnecting the outlet port and the first ink port; a second ink line interconnecting the return port and the second ink port; a bypass line interconnecting the first and second ink lines; a valve system for controlling fluid flow through the first ink line and the bypass line; and a controller for controlling the valve system. During printing, the controller is configured to open the first ink line and the bypass line.

Abstract: An ink leveling device for controlling a temperature difference across a substrate having ink disposed on the upper surface, the device including a cooling device cooling a bottom of a substrate to a first temperature that is lower than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink, a heating device heating the upper surface of the ink layer to a second temperature that is greater than the viscosity threshold temperature of the ink and a device applying shear force across the upper surface of the ink layer.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of circulating fluid in a fluid ejection device includes generating compressive and expansive fluid displacements of different durations from a first actuator located asymmetrically within a fluidic channel between a first fluid feedhole and a nozzle while generating no fluid displacements from a second actuator located asymmetrically within the channel between the nozzle and a second fluid feedhole.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection head including (i) an ejection opening portion, (ii) a supply flow passage, and (iii) an actuator, a first tank connected to the liquid ejection head to supply liquid to the supply flow passage; a pump for forcing the liquid in the first tank into the supply flow passage; and a controller. The controller executes: a first control for driving the actuator, or the actuator and the pump such that all the liquid in the first tank flows to the supply flow passage; and a second control for, after a completion of the first control, driving the actuator in a state in which the pump is stopped, to discharge the liquid in the supply flow passage from the ejection opening portion such that an amount of the liquid in the supply flow passage falls within a predetermined range.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus includes a print head configured to be able to eject an ink fed from an ink tank that contains the ink in a closed space so as to apply a negative pressure to the ink, a communication path configured to allow a liquid chamber in the print head to communicate with an outside of the liquid chamber, an opening and closing unit configured to open and close the communication path, and a control unit configured to open the communication path in accordance with a pressure in the print head via the opening and closing unit, to bring the liquid chamber and the outside into communication with each other.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are provided for carrying and dispensing an ink into a printing system. A system configured to dispense an ink comprises an ink carrying apparatus having a container, a movable cover, a unit monitor, a film, and a locking tab. The system also comprises a docking station configured to accept the ink carrying apparatus and engage the locking tab when the movable cover is in an open position. The system further comprises a processor configured to communicate with the unit monitor to facilitate a movement of the movable cover from a closed position to the open position. Based on a detection of a type of ink in the container, the movable cover is allowed to be moved from the closed position to the open position so as to facilitate removal of the film and cause the ink to be dispensed.

Abstract: When a recording agent amount limiting process is carried out, a color reproduction range is narrowed, and therefore gradation properties of dark areas are deteriorated and information originally held by an image is sometimes undesirably lost. By obtaining (401) a colorant amount for each target pixel of input color image data, calculating (402) a colorant amount of a peripheral area of the target pixel, and correcting (400) a density range of the input color image data based on the colorant amount of the target pixel and the colorant amount of the peripheral area of the target pixel, amounts of recording agent are limited and reductions in image quality are prevented.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a first image forming unit configured to form an image with erasable first ink; a second image forming unit configured to share a conveying path with the first image forming unit and form an image with not erasable second ink; a recording unit configured to record a level of use of a recording medium on the recording medium; a detecting unit configured to detect the level of use; and a control unit configured to control the first image forming unit or the second image forming unit according to a detection result of the detecting unit.

Abstract: An ink jet printing system to obtain a finished product comprising a printing station using nozzles with liquid ink for inkjet printing of at least one image on the surface of a suitable substrate. The system also includes at least a first deposit station with nozzles depositing a variable thickness of a solidifying translucent liquid on the substrate surface to produce a finished product without relief, positioned upstream of the drying station of the printed image relative to the direction of movement of the substrate in the system.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from an ejection portion; a tank that stores the liquid; a circulation transportation portion that includes a first transportation portion for transporting liquid from the tank to the liquid ejecting head, and a second transportation portion for transporting the liquid from the liquid ejecting head to the tank; an actuator that circulates the liquid of the circulation transportation portion; and a control portion that controls the actuator so as to maintain pressure in the liquid ejecting head to be negative pressure with respect to atmospheric pressure when circulation of the liquid in the circulation transportation portion is started and to start the circulation of the liquid after the pressure in the liquid ejecting head is increased.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a liquid discharge apparatus including a transporting unit to transport a medium, a storage unit to store liquid, a head unit to discharge the liquid onto the medium, a plurality of supply flow paths to supply the liquid from the storage unit to the head unit, a plurality of bypass flow paths, and a controller that causes alternately to repeat a transport operation which transports the medium by the transporting unit and a liquid discharge operation which discharges the liquid from the head unit, thereby to form an image on the medium, and to circulate, when the liquid is not discharged during execution of the image forming process, the liquid within a circulation flow path constituted only by the supply flow paths and the bypass flow paths among the storage unit, the head unit, the supply flow paths, and the bypass flow paths.

Abstract: An ink color mixing in an inkjet printing head can be securely detected without being influenced by foreign matters such as the existence of dust and without requiring a complicated image processing. To realize this, the occurrence of a color mixing is detected when a printing density-changed part of a printed image of an inspection pattern continuously extends over a predetermined range or more in a direction in which the printing head is moved relative to the printing medium during the printing of the inspection pattern.

Abstract: A fluid distribution system for a printhead. The system having a first fluid container a fluid connector for connection to a fluid input of the printhead; and a second fluid container connected between the first container and the connector for delivering fluid from the first container to the connector, wherein the second container is located relative to the first container and the connector so that a fluid pressure difference between fluid contained within the second container and fluid at the connector is independent of the amount of fluid contained within the first container.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a transporting unit which transports a medium, a head unit which discharges a plurality of types of ink onto the medium, a storage unit which stores white ink of the plurality of types of ink, a plurality of supply flow paths for supplying the white ink from the storage unit to the head unit, a plurality of bypass flow paths which are bridged between different supply flow paths from each other, and a controller which repeatedly performs a transport operation by the transporting unit, a color print operation and a white print operation to perform an image forming process on the medium and circulates the white ink in a circulation flow path formed only of the supply flow paths and the bypass flow paths among the storage unit, the head unit, the supply flow paths and the bypass flow paths, during the color print operation.

Abstract: A printing apparatus which can form an image formation dot for printing an image defined as an object to be printed on a printing medium, the printing apparatus comprising a line head which includes a nozzle array arraying a plurality of nozzles, by moving at least one of a printing medium and the head, in a direction intersecting a direction relatively changing a position of the printing medium and the head and a control unit which performs a specific operation forming a flushing dot besides the image formation dot by discharging a liquid on the line head, wherein, when a specific condition increasing viscosity of the liquid is satisfied, the control unit performs the specific operation of discharging the liquid to the printing medium and the specific operation of discharging the liquid to a place other than the printing medium.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device forming a continuous inkjet printer cabinet including a combined ventilation system for the electronic compartment and consumable fluids compartment (ink and solvent). According to the invention, condensates derived from solvent vapors not condensed by the condenser are extracted through a pipe then retained in order to be evaporated by the ventilation airflow. The solution according to the invention ensures that the increase in solvent concentration around the printer remains below the legal limits for unpleasant smells for persons. One advantageous embodiment consists of using a heat exchanger on the ventilation airflow path, to condensate solvent vapor in the ink reservoir to enable gravity flow of vapors thus condensed and return them to the ink reservoir.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus stabilizes an ink discharge amount of a line head, while suppressing an ink supply amount of a circulation route, thereby performing high quality image recording. The inkjet recording apparatus includes a first flow path configured to supply ink from an ink tank to a first discharge port group, a second flow path configured to supply ink from the ink tank to a second discharge port group, and a control unit configured to control an ink supply amount of at least one of the first flow path and the second flow path according to the passing position of a recording medium with respect to the line head.

Abstract: Colorant transfer, involving a colorant supply, and impeding colorant from exiting the colorant supply, a motion device, and providing a passage out of the colorant supply.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes: an ink container having an outlet port and a return port; a printhead having a first ink port and a second ink port; a first ink line interconnecting the outlet port and the first ink port; a second ink line interconnecting the return port and the second ink port; a bypass line interconnecting the first and second ink lines; a valve system for controlling fluid flow through the first ink line and the bypass line; and a controller for controlling the valve system. During printing, the controller is configured to open the first ink line and the bypass line.

Abstract: To provide an inkjet ink composition that has excellent discharge stability and gives an ink image film having excellent substrate adhesion and film hardness, and an inkjet recording method employing the inkjet ink composition. An inkjet ink composition comprises (Component A) a dendritic polymer compound having a weight-average molecular weight of 3,000 to 100,000 and having a constituent repeating unit represented by Formula (I); (Component B) a polymerization initiator; and (Component C) a radically polymerizable compound. (In Formula (I), R1 and R2 independently denote a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbons, R3 denotes an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbons, and R2 and R3 may be bonded to form a ring structure.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus can suppress vibrations to a low level without local concentration of abrasion between a carriage and a guide shaft. The ink jet printing apparatus makes the carriage reciprocate along the guide shaft without ejecting ink, thus achieving a stirring operation in which the ink stored in an ink tank is stirred. At least one of a limited range in one direction, in which the stirring operation is performed, and a portion of the guide shaft that contacts the carriage when viewed from the one direction, is changeable.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display device includes: first and second substrates; an electrophoretic layer which is interposed between the first and second substrates; and a third substrate which is disposed opposite the first substrate with the second substrate interposed therebetween, which is joined to the first substrate with a sealing member interposed therebetween, and which seals the electrophoretic layer with the second substrate interposed therebetween. The first and third substrates have extension sections extending with respect to the second substrate in a plan view. The sealing member fills a part of a gap between the extension section of the first substrate and the extension section of the third substrate, and the sealing member does not come into contact with an outer edge of the third substrate.

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 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 much release agent has been applied based on the flow rate, an alert signal is generated indicating that the metering blade should be inspected and replaced if necessary. Monitoring the amount of release agent applied to the spreader drum in this way enables a more robust printing and in-line coating system.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes an ink storage unit; a print head unit which has an ink reception port, an ink discharging device, and an ink exhaust port; an ink return path which is connected to the ink exhaust port and which returns ink exhausted from the ink exhaust port to the ink storage unit; and a cooling device which is arranged in the ink return path and which cools ink which passes through the ink return path.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a carriage having a removable liquid receptacle that holds a liquid or a removable connector connected via a flexible liquid channel to an external liquid receptacle that holds a liquid, an ejecting head, mounted in the carriage, that has a nozzle that ejects the liquid, and a maintenance unit that runs maintenance on the ejecting head; the ejecting head has a filter disposed so as to be capable of contact with a liquid absorption member provided in the liquid receptacle and in the connector.

Abstract: A printing device is equipped with a head, a first reservoir unit, a second reservoir unit, a first flow path connected to the head and the first reservoir unit, a second flow path connected to the first flow path and the second reservoir unit, a third flow path connected to the second reservoir unit and the second flow path, a first pressure supply unit provided on the second flow path, a second pressure supply unit, and a control unit for stirring the sedimentary ink by returning the sedimentary ink inside the second reservoir unit to the first reservoir unit using the second pressure supply unit after moving the sedimentary ink inside the first reservoir unit to the second reservoir unit using the first pressure supply unit.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus has a first discharge port array in which discharge ports of a plurality of nozzles which discharge an ink composition containing an inorganic pigment are disposed side by side, a second discharge port array in which discharge ports of a plurality of nozzles which discharge an ink composition containing a coloring material other than the inorganic pigment are disposed side by side, a nozzle plate having the first discharge port array and the second discharge port array, a liquid repellent film provided on the nozzle plate, a wiping member which wipes the surface of the nozzle plate and has absorbability of the ink composition, in which, in a series of operations in which the surface of the nozzle plate is wiped by the wiping member, the second discharge port array is wiped in priority to the first discharge port array.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a first detection part and a second detection part, each for detecting a position of a displacement member that changes its position according to a remaining amount of liquid in a sub-tank, are provided to a carriage carrying the sub-tank and a recording head, and a body of the image forming apparatus, respectively. A first position is a position of the displacement member detected by the first detection part such that the remaining amount of liquid in the sub-tank is smaller than that at a second position detected by the second detection part. The liquid is supplied to the sub-tank of a differential supply amount, corresponding to a displacement amount of the displacement member between a position detected by the first detection part and a position detected by the second detection part, after the first detection part detects the displacement member.

Abstract: The object of the invention is the provision of methods and apparatuses for controlled direct printing of continuous films or discreet structures using a two-component liquid jet issuing from an orifice. The two liquids may be miscible or immiscible, and form an annularly propagating flow along the axis of a deposition head. The flow consists of an outer sheath liquid with a boiling point temperature that is approximately 10 to 40 degrees lower than that of an inner sample liquid. The exit channel of the head is heated so that the pressurized outer sheath liquid is raised to a temperature greater than the boiling point of the sheath liquid at the local atmospheric pressure. The outer liquid is evaporated as the jet exits the orifice and falls at atmospheric pressure. Deposited sample line widths are produced in the range from approximately 1 to 1000 microns.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a detection unit that detects the amount of residual ink in a ink cartridge, and a control unit that controls of initial filling of a printing head, in which the control unit performs initial filling when a state of the amount of residual ink detected by the detection unit is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, and the amount of residual ink based on information on the amount of ink stored in a storage unit is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A solid ink stick identification system enables accurate and efficient identification of solid ink sticks in a solid ink imaging device. The solid ink identification system includes an actuator configured to move one of an optical source and an optical sensor between a plurality of predetermined positions. The optical source emits light toward a face of the ink stick, and the optical sensor generates signals corresponding to an amount of reflected light received. A controller identifies features on the solid ink stick based on the signals as the one of the optical source and optical sensor is moved between the plurality of predetermined positions.

Abstract: An ink delivery device, method and non-transitory computer readable medium, the device may include a first closed pathway for a first ink flow through a multi-nozzle printhead in a first direction, and a second closed pathway for a second ink flow through the multi-nozzle printhead, the second pathway configured to move the second ink flow in a second direction. The device may further include a first shunt between the first closed pathway and the second closed pathway at a first end of the multi-nozzle printhead, the first shunt allowing some of the first ink flow to merge with the second ink flow, and a second shunt between the first closed pathway and the second closed pathway at a second end of the multi-nozzle printhead, the second shunt allowing some of the second ink flow to merge with the first ink flow.