Patents Assigned to FUJIFILM/Dimatix Inc.
  • Printhead having impedance features
    Patent number: 8162466
    Abstract: Ink jet printheads and printhead components having a body that include a flow path, a piezoelectric actuator having a piezoelectric layer fixed to the body and an impedance feature in the flow path are described. The impedance feature includes a plurality of posts arranged in a first row, at least one post in the first row of posts having a downstream surface that is concave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Bibl, John A. Higginson, Paul A. Hoisington, Deane A. Gardner, Robert A. Hasenbein, Melvin L. Biggs, Edward R. Moynihan
  • Ink jet printing system
    Patent number: 8142005
    Abstract: A system for printing on an edible substrate includes an inkjet printer and a jetting fluid. The fluid is suitable for use on an edible substrate, and has a desirable viscosity and surface tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Baker
  • Non-wetting coating on a fluid ejector
    Patent number: 8128201
    Abstract: A fluid ejector having a first surface, a second surface, and an orifice that allows fluid in contact with the second surface to be ejected. The fluid ejector has a non-wetting layer exposed on at least a first surface of the fluid ejector, and a overcoat layer exposed on a second surface, the overcoat layer being more wetting than the non-wetting layer. Fabrication of this apparatus can include depositing a non-wetting layer on the first and second surfaces, masking the first surface, optionally removing the non-wetting layer from the second surface, and depositing an overcoat layer on the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Okamura, Jeffrey Birkmeyer, John A. Higginson
  • Printing images and flavors on substrates
    Patent number: 8109606
    Abstract: In general, a fluid delivery system includes a plurality of fluid delivery printheads, a first reservoir for holding an ink, the first reservoir coupled to a first one of the plurality of fluid delivery printheads, and a second reservoir for holding a flavored liquid, the second reservoir coupled to a second one of the plurality of fluid delivery printheads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward R. Moynihan, Richard J. Baker, Edward T. Chrusciel
  • Bonded Microelectromechanical Assemblies
    Publication number: 20120019598
    Abstract: A MEMS device is described that has a body with a component bonded to the body. The body has a main surface and a side surface adjacent to the main surface and smaller than the main surface. The body is formed of a material and the side surface is formed of the material and the body is in a crystalline structure different from the side surface. The body includes an outlet in the side surface and the component includes an aperture in fluid connection with the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: FUJIFILM DIMATIX, INC.
    Inventors: Paul A. Hoisington, Marc A. Torrey, Paul A. Hoisington, Marc A. Torrey
  • Cavity plate
    Patent number: 8091988
    Abstract: Among other things, a cavity plate for use in ink jetting includes an outlet end. Elongated lands extend from the outlet end toward an inlet end of the cavity plate. The elongated lands have side walls between top and bottom surfaces of the cavity plate to form elongated cavities. There are structural supports upstream of the ink outlets and between the elongated lands, to support the elongated lands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventor: Marlene McDonald
  • Printing on a Rotating Surface
    Publication number: 20110316922
    Abstract: In some examples, a printing system including a rotating platen having an axis of rotation and configured to support a substrate, and a printhead configured to eject drops in a direction parallel with the axis of rotation onto the substrate supported by the rotating platen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM DIMATIX, INC.
    Inventors: Richard J. Baker, Edward T. Chrusciel
  • Print systems and techniques
    Patent number: 8085428
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for printing. In one implementation, a method includes printing, at substantially the same time, a first image on a first workpiece and a second image on a second workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventor: Deane A. Gardner
  • Printing device communication protocol
    Patent number: 8068245
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, and computer program products for transmitting data between a computer system and an external printing device. A technique may include generating a data packet in accordance with a communications protocol such that generating the data packet includes encoding the data packet according to a second layer of the protocol in a frame format according to a third layer of the protocol, transmitting the data packet from the computer system to the external printing device according to the first layer of the protocol; and decoding the data packet in accordance with the second layer of the protocol. The protocol can be defined to include three layers. In that protocol, a first layer may define transmission line, transmitters, and receivers for transmission, the second layer may define encoding and decoding, and the third layer may define a frame format of the data packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Deane A. Gardner, Philip Hsueh
  • Method and apparatus to provide variable drop size ejection with a low power waveform
    Patent number: 8057003
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for driving a droplet ejection device having an actuator includes applying a low power multi-pulse waveform having at least two drive pulses and at least one intermediate portion to the actuator. The method further includes alternately expanding and contracting a pumping chamber coupled to the actuator in response to the at least two drive pulses and the at least one intermediate portion. The method further includes causing the droplet ejection device to eject one or more droplets of a fluid in response to the pulses of the low power multi-pulse waveform. In some embodiments, at least one intermediate portion has a voltage level greater than zero and less than or equal to a threshold voltage level in order to reduce the power needed to operate the droplet ejection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hasenbein, Samuel E. Darby
  • Printer with configurable memory
    Patent number: 8056999
    Abstract: A printer is described that has a configurable memory to which waveform definitions are uploaded just prior to a printing process. The printer manufacturer can program a printer controller with waveforms that have been created by the printer manufacturer, instead of waveforms pre-programmed by the printhead manufacturer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Deane A. Gardner, Andreas Bibl, John C. Batterton
  • Piezoelectric actuators
    Patent number: 8053956
    Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems with structures having piezoelectric actuators are described. The structures each have a body that supports piezoelectric islands. The piezoelectric islands have a first surface and a second opposite surface. The piezoelectric islands can be formed, in part, by forming cuts into a thick layer of piezoelectric material, attaching the cut piezoelectric layer to a body having etched features and grinding the piezoelectric layer to a thickness that is less than the depths of the cuts. Conductive material can be formed on the piezoelectric layer to form electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Bibl, John A. Higginson
  • Pattern of a non-wetting coating on a fluid ejector and apparatus
    Patent number: 8038260
    Abstract: A fluid ejector is provided, having an internal surface, an external surface, an orifice that allows fluid in contact with the internal surface to be ejected, a first non-wetting region of the external surface, and one or more second regions of the external surface that are more wetting than the first non-wetting region. A process for cleaning the fluid ejectors is provided that includes detachably securing a faceplate to the fluid ejector and moving a wiper laterally across the faceplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Okamura
  • Process and apparatus to provide variable drop size ejection with an embedded waveform
    Patent number: 8025353
    Abstract: Described herein is a process and apparatus for driving a droplet ejection device with embedded multi-pulse waveforms. In one embodiment, the process includes generating a multi-pulse waveform that includes drive pulses in predetermined positions. Next, the process includes applying the drive pulses to the actuator and causing the droplet ejection device to eject a first droplet of a fluid. The process also includes applying a second multi-pulse waveform having at least one embedded pulse to the actuator and causing the droplet ejection device to eject a second droplet of the fluid. Each embedded pulse is embedded between predetermined positions of two drive pulses. In some embodiments, the first and second droplets have different droplet sizes and these droplets are ejected at substantially the same effective drop velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Hasenbein
  • Sensing objects for printing
    Patent number: 8025354
    Abstract: A printing apparatus including a conveyor capable of moving an object in a process direction, a drop ejection device, a sensor array that substantially spans the conveyor in a cross-process direction that is perpendicular to the process direction, the sensor array being configured to detect a position of the object in the process direction and cross-process direction, and a controller configured to receive position data about the object from the sensor array and to cause the drop ejection device to deposit fluid droplets on the object based on the position of the object on the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Baker, William Leathers, Bailey Smith, Roger Therrien
  • Flexible printhead circuit
    Patent number: 7997684
    Abstract: A flexible circuit for use within a printhead assembly and to connect a printhead body to an external circuit includes a substantially planar portion having one or more layers of conductive material and having a top surface substantially parallel to a top surface of the printhead body. One or more integrated circuits can be mounted onto the planar portion. Multiple leads extend from each integrated circuit, the leads electrically connected to the printhead body. One or more arms are attached to, and substantially perpendicular to, the planar portion, each arm including one or more external connectors configured to connect to the external circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin von Essen, Antai Xu, Andreas Bibl, John A. Higginson
  • Ejection of drops having variable drop size from an ink jet printer
    Patent number: 7988247
    Abstract: A method for causing ink to be ejected from an ink chamber of an ink jet printer includes causing a first bolus of ink to be extruded from the ink chamber; and following lapse of a selected interval, causing a second bolus of ink to be extruded from the ink chamber. The interval is selected to be greater than the reciprocal of the fundamental resonant frequency of the chamber, and such that the first bolus remains in contact with ink in the ink chamber at the time that the second bolus is extruded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: William Letendre, Robert Hasenbein, Deane A. Gardner
  • Printing device communication protocol
    Patent number: 7982891
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, and computer program products for transmitting data between a computer system and an external printing device. A technique may include generating a data packet in accordance with a communications protocol such that generating the data packet includes encoding the data packet according to a second layer of the protocol in a frame format according to a third layer of the protocol, transmitting the data packet from the computer system to the external printing device according to the first layer of the protocol; and decoding the data packet in accordance with the second layer of the protocol. The protocol can be defined to include three layers. In that protocol, a first layer may define transmission line, transmitters, and receivers for transmission, the second layer may define encoding and decoding, and the third layer may define a frame format of the data packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Deane A. Gardner, Philip Hsueh
  • Printhead assembly
    Patent number: D652446
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Brady, Frederick H. Amidon, Jr., Marc K. Torrey
  • Printhead frame
    Patent number: D653284
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick H. Amidon, Jr., David A. Brady