Abstract: A printhead module includes a substrate, a plurality of drop ejector arrays, and electronic circuitry. The substrate includes a butting edge extending in a first direction along the substrate. The plurality of drop ejector arrays extends substantially parallel to the butting edge of the substrate with a first drop ejector array of the plurality of drop ejector arrays being closest to the butting edge of the substrate. A portion of the electronic circuitry is disposed between the first drop ejector array and the butting edge of the substrate.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel including an exit having a cross sectional area, a liquid return channel, and a liquid dispensing channel including a cross sectional area and an outlet opening. The outlet opening includes an end that is adjacent to the liquid return channel. The cross sectional area of a portion of the liquid dispensing channel that is located at the end of the outlet opening is greater than the cross sectional area of the exit of the liquid supply channel. A liquid supply provides liquid under pressure from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A diverter member is selectively actuatable to divert a portion of the liquid toward outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of driving multiple printer functions using the same motor is provided. The method includes providing a motor; providing a selector pin; providing a cam member assembly including a cam member including a plurality of paths, each path corresponding to a printer function; and relatively moving the cam member and the selector pin through the plurality of paths to selectively permit the motor to drive the corresponding printer function.

Abstract: A charge plate and a method for fabricating a charge plate for an ink jet printhead includes the steps of removing portions of conductive material from a dimensionally stable substrate with a coating of conductive material to form at least a first and second electrode on a first face with a first space between the first and second electrodes, removing portions of conductive material from the dimensionally stable substrate with a coating of conductive material to form a first electrode extension which engages the first electrode on the conductive charging face, and a second electrode extension which engages the second electrode on the conductive charging face, whereby the first and second electrode extensions are electrically isolated from each other, additionally forming a first space between the electrode extensions, which connects with the first space between the electrode extensions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of generating a printing color profile for printing a printing image with a digital color printing machine, in particular a multi-color printing machine, preferably an electrophotographically operating printing machine. A transparent layer on top of a multi colorant printed image is taken into consideration during the generation of the printing color profile such that a differential clear printing color profile for the clear material effect is determined, said clear printing color profile being added, as needed, to the printing ink color profile of the remaining printing colors for defined substrate classes and specific clear material and coverage levels.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet printhead includes a jetting module including a nozzle operable to eject a continuous stream of fluid through the nozzle, a stimulation device operable to break the stream of fluid into first and second droplets having first and second volumes, wherein the droplet volumes travel along a first path, and a drop deflection mechanism that includes a gas flow path, a first flow path restriction positioned within the flow path, and a second flow path restriction positioned within the flow path, the second flow path restriction being non-parallel relative to the first flow path restriction, the drop deflection mechanism providing a gas flow which interacts with the first and second droplets to cause at least one of the first and second droplets to begin traveling along a second path.

Abstract: A method of printing and an apparatus for controlling the directionality of liquid emitted from nozzles of a printhead are provided. Example embodiments of the apparatus include directionality control of liquid jets or liquid drops using a liquid jet directionality control mechanism. Example embodiments of the liquid jet directionality control mechanism include asymmetric energy application device configurations, nozzle geometry configurations, liquid delivery channel geometry configurations, or combinations of these configurations.

Abstract: A continuous liquid printing system gas flow device includes a gas flow duct structure including a first wall and a second wall. The first wall and the second wall are positioned spaced apart and opposite each other to form an opening. The first wall is contoured such that a distance between the first wall and the second wall varies when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the opening.

Abstract: In an inkjet printhead using a gas flow, typically air, to deflect select drop into catch, gas flow (air) ducts are employed to direct the air across the drop trajectories. Improved air ducts include liquid flow channels in a wall of the air duct are provided to allow ink to be removed from the air duct without disrupting the air flow in the duct. A process for cleaning the air duct using the liquid flow channel is also provided.

Abstract: A method of operating a continuous liquid drop emission apparatus includes providing a liquid drop emitter that emits a plurality of continuous streams of liquid through a plurality of nozzles. A jet stimulation apparatus transfers energy to the liquid sufficient to cause the break-off of the plurality of continuous streams of liquid at a plurality of predetermined break-off times into a plurality of streams of drops of predetermined volumes. Sensing apparatus measures a characteristic value for each of the plurality of streams of drops of predetermined volumes. Control apparatus provides a plurality of break-off time setting signals to the jet stimulation apparatus to cause the plurality of predetermined break-off times to be determined by the characteristic value of each of the plurality of streams of drops of predetermined volumes.

Abstract: A valve includes a stem, a cap, and a deformable lip. The stem includes a first sealing portion and has a longitudinal axis. The cap is connected to the stem and includes a passageway. The deformable lip extends from a periphery of the cap and includes a second sealing portion. The stem is displaceable relative to the deformable lip along the longitudinal axis of the stem to open the first sealing portion and close the second sealing portion to allow fluid to move through the passageway in the cap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of annotation of images captured by a digital camera equipped with a previewing means, comprising: the supply with the camera of an operating mode enabling a user to select one image (12) to be annotated, and to capture at least one additional previewed image; the automatic extraction (20) of an annotation (A) from the additional image; and the creation (22) of a new image by combining the annotation (A) and the image to be annotated (12), while respecting, in the new image, a location and enlargement ratio of the annotation virtually identical to those of the annotation in the additional image.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel and a liquid ejector channel that includes an outlet opening. A liquid supply provides a flow of a pressurized liquid through the liquid ejector channel from the liquid supply channel. The pressurized liquid has a momentum as the liquid moves through the liquid ejector channel. A liquid return channel receives the liquid after the liquid passes through the liquid ejector channel. A diverter member forms at least a portion of a wall of the liquid ejector channel. A portion of the diverter member is selectively movable away from the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel. The momentum of the liquid causes some of the liquid to be diverted through the outlet opening when the portion of the diverter member is moved away from the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of filling a tank with a fluid are provided. The method includes providing the tank including a porous media positioned therein, the tank having a length dimension and a width dimension; providing a plurality of needles, each needle having a first end connectable in fluid communication with a fluid source and a second end including a fluid outlet port, the fluid outlet port having an axis; orienting each needle such that the axis of the fluid outlet port is substantially parallel with a preferred direction, the preferred direction being along one of the length dimension and the width dimension of the tank; inserting each needle into the porous media positioned within the tank; and filling the tank with fluid from the fluid source.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel and a liquid ejector channel that includes an outlet opening. A liquid supply provides a flow of a pressurized liquid through the liquid ejector channel from the liquid supply channel. The pressurized liquid has a momentum as the liquid moves through the liquid ejector channel. A liquid return channel receives the liquid after the liquid passes through the liquid ejector channel. A diverter member forms at least a portion of a wall of the liquid ejector channel. A portion of the diverter member is selectively movable into the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel. The momentum of the liquid causes some of the liquid to be diverted through the outlet opening when the portion of the diverter member is moved into the liquid flowing through the liquid ejector channel.

Abstract: A method of identifying a type of recording medium includes moving the recording medium relative to a sensor at a substantially uniform speed; processing a signal from the sensor to provide digitized data of the signal; identifying a plurality of peaks in the digitized data; determining at least one of the heights and widths of each of the plurality of peaks; determining a peak to peak distance between two adjacent peaks of the plurality of peaks; determining the position of a peak corresponding to the reference mark using a combination of parameters related to at least two of the peak heights, the peak widths, and the peak to peak distance; determining a configuration of a peak corresponding to the identification mark by locating a peak that is spaced apart from the position of the peak corresponding to the reference mark; and identifying the type of recording medium using the configuration of the peak corresponding to the identification mark.

Abstract: A method of treating a printer component, a printhead, and a printer are provided. The method includes providing an electrode proximate to the printer component to be treated; introducing a plasma treatment gas in an area proximate to the printer component to be treated; and treating the printer component by applying power to the electrode thereby producing a micro-scale plasma at near atmospheric pressure, the micro-scale plasma acting on the printer component.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reference surface that is partitioned into an array of chambers; an image forming head for forming an image on a media; and a source of negative pressure. The array of chambers is in fluid communication with the source of negative pressure. An overprint trough is positioned neighboring the array of chambers. The overprint trough includes a side wall with a plurality of vent holes to direct airborne ink mist produced by the image forming head away from a back side of the media.

Abstract: A device and a method of controlling fluid flow are provided. The method includes providing a moving fluid including a fluid flow characteristic; providing a fluid control device including a fluid control surface, a portion of the fluid control surface being moveable; causing the fluid to contact the fluid control surface of the fluid control device; and causing the fluid to interact with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device by moving the moveable portion of the fluid control surface while the fluid is in contact with the fluid control surface such that the fluid flow characteristic of the fluid after interacting with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device is different from the fluid flow characteristic of the fluid before interaction with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device depending on the position of the moveable portion of the fluid control surface.

Abstract: A device and a method of controlling fluid flow are provided. The method includes providing a moving fluid including a fluid flow velocity characteristic; providing a fluid control device including a fluid control surface, the fluid control surface including a pattern that changes the velocity of the fluid; and causing the fluid to interact with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device using the pattern of the fluid control surface while the fluid is in contact with the pattern of the fluid control device such that the fluid flow velocity characteristic of the fluid after interacting with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device is different from the fluid flow velocity characteristic of the fluid before interaction with the fluid control surface of the fluid control device.