Patents Assigned to Marconi Data Systems Inc.
  • Patent number: 6747072
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ink composition for use in ink jet printing on food items, candy, particularly dark candy, such as chocolate, and to a method of forming printed images on such food items by use of the ink compositions. The compositions of the present invention comprise a pigment, a binder, and an aqueous carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Mohammed W. Siddiqui
  • Patent number: 6575556
    Abstract: A self-cleaning print head for an ink jet printer directs ink to a substrate to be marked. The print head has a drop generator with a body that has a front face, an ink supply conduit and at least one orifice extending through the front face. The orifice also defines a nozzle for ejecting ink droplets. A solvent supply conduit is provided for supplying solvent to the front face of the drop generator, and a drain conduit is provided for suctioning the solvent from the front face and into the drain conduit. The supply conduit and the drain conduit have openings on the front face disposed relative to each other and the orifice(s) so that the solvent released from the supply conduit moves along the front face, adjacent the orifice(s) and into the drain conduit regardless of the spatial orientation of the print head. This allows the solvent to move residue from the front face and into the drain conduit no matter the orientation of the print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Eremity, Alex Levin, Pietro Lostumbo, James E. Clark
  • Patent number: 6536881
    Abstract: A continuous stream ink jet print head has a droplet generator with an elongate cavity for containing the ink, and nozzle orifices in a wall of the cavity for passing ink from the cavity to form jets. The nozzle orifices are disposed at spaced positions along the length of the cavity. An actuator for vibrating the ink in the cavity is provided such that each jet breaks up into ink droplets at the same predetermined distance from the wall of the cavity. The actuator is disposed on the opposite side of the cavity to the wall, includes a vibrator which is divided up along the length of the cavity at least partially into at least two parts, and includes a backing member disposed further from the cavity than the vibrator and secured to and bridging the parts into which the vibrator is at least partially divided. The vibrator is interposed in line between the backing member and the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Edward Sherman, Graham Dagnall Martin, Sukbir Singh Pannu
  • Patent number: 6435645
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the time at which a charged droplet is at a predetermined physical position comprising: first and second electrodes (1, 3) past which said droplet passes in use of said apparatus, said droplet inducing a charge on each said electrode (1, 3) as it passes; and circuitry (5, 7, 9) responsive to the charges induced on the first and second electrodes (1, 3) for determining the time at which said droplet is at said predetermined physical position midway between said electrodes (1, 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Marian Stanislaw Falinski
  • Patent number: 6425660
    Abstract: A droplet generator for a continuous stream ink jet print head has a cavity for containing ink, and nozzle orifices passing ink from the cavity to form jets. An actuator means vibrates the ink in the cavity such that each jet breaks up into ink droplets. The actuator means is disposed on the opposite side of the cavity to the nozzle orifices, and a surrounding wall of the cavity extends between the actuator means and nozzle orifices for containing the ink therebetween. The surrounding wall has inner and outer constituent wall. The resistive component of the wave impedance of the outer wall passively damps vibration of the inner wall by dissipating its vibration; the reactive component of the wave impedance of the outer wall actively restrains vibration of the inner wall, ensuring that each jet breaks up into ink droplets at the same predetermined distance from its respective nozzle orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Edward Sherman, Graham Dagnall Martin, Sukbir Singh Pannu, Amanda Hazell East
  • Patent number: 6390721
    Abstract: A one-piece, unitary clamp for a longitudinally extending structural member, such as a tube, is provided which can be mounted to a mounting surface such that the structural member received in the clamp is either parallel to or perpendicular to the mounting surface. Additionally, two clamps of the present invention can be fastened together to form a cross-over clamp, a T-clamp, or another compound clamp which will hold two structural members together in a desired relationship. The clamping arms of the clamp have an elastic hinge which allows an upper portion of the clamping arm to move relative to a lower portion of the clamping arm when the clamp is tightened. Additionally, when the clamp is loosened, the elastic hinge of the clamping arms cause the clamping arms to pull away from the structural member received in the clamp to fully release the grip of the clamp on the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Marconi Data System, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Wilson, II, Kevin W. Kuester
  • Patent number: 6384933
    Abstract: A printing system utilizing object-oriented modules in a distributed object system is disclosed. Particularly, a method is described for controlling a printing system using a job-oriented approach to facilitate communication between system objects. In one aspect, a plurality of print job objects are provided including a top level job control object that maps communication between the print job objects via a virtual control network. A job is then created involving the print job objects for the purpose of transferring an electronic print image to a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Brian McGinnis, Colin Tysoe, Simon David Ibberson
  • Patent number: 6372819
    Abstract: The present invention provides a laser markable coating composition comprising a colorant and a polymeric material whose opacity changes substantially irreversibly when exposed to heat. The composition may further include a carrier, an adhesion promoter, an energy transfer agent, an opaque polymeric material, and one or more binder resins. The present invention further provides a heat responsive colorant particle comprising a colorant and a polymeric material whose opacity changes substantially irreversibly when exposed to heat. A laser beam can be used to provide the heat. An example of a suitable polymeric material that irreversibly changes in opacity is a styrene/acrylic microsphere. An example of a suitable colorant is carbon black pigment. An example of an energy transfer agent is fumed silica. An example of an adhesion promoter is an oxidized polyethylene. An example of a suitable carrier is water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Mizobuchi, Jamice C. Adams
  • Patent number: 6350021
    Abstract: An ink jet printing system comprising a droplet generator (5), a supply tank (3), supply transfer means for driving the ink from said tank to said generator and means for measuring the flow rate of the stream of ink droplets by monitoring the change of ink level in said tank, said system including a bleed connection (19) from the generator to the tank in closed circuit with said tank. An ink jet printing system comprising means for using measurements of the rate of change of liquid level in an ink supply tank to provide an indication that there has been a fault in the system. An ink jet printing system comprising a holding tank (101) for receiving liquid issued from the ink jet generator during preparation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Gray, Anthony John Shacklock
  • Patent number: 6312113
    Abstract: A circulation system for mixing ink jet ink includes a container, a pump, and first and second tubes. The container has a bottom surface and a top portion opposing the bottom surface. The pump has an inlet port and an outlet port. The first tube has first and second ends. The first end of the first tube is connected to the inlet port of the pump, and the second end of the first tube includes a plurality of openings in close proximity to the bottom surface of the container. The second tube has first and second ends. The first end of the second tube is connected to the outlet port of the pump, and the second end of the second tube has an opening disposed in the top portion. A method for mixing ink jet ink includes circulating pigment particles from a bottom surface of a container to a top portion of the container. The circulation provides sufficient agitation to maintain the pigment particles suspended in the ink and to prevent agglomeration of pigment particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventor: George Murad
  • Patent number: 6281797
    Abstract: The present invention includes a tracking device that is associated with a cargo container. The cargo container is used for shipping of goods and materials and is placed into transportation vessels for shipment. The tracking device includes a GPS for receiving positioning information concerning the location of the cargo container and is adapted to transmit the location of the cargo container remotely. Sensor(s) are also operatively associated with the cargo container and tracking device to sense information concerning the surroundings of the cargo container. The tracking device receives this sensor information and deactivates the tracking device when the cargo container is either inside or in proximity to the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Ian J. Forster, Mark McGlade, Peter Robert George Horrell, David J. Puleston
  • Patent number: 6261348
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transparent or colorless coating comprising a heat responsive material that increases in opacity when exposed to heat. An example of a heat responsive material is a silicate or a titanate. The present invention further provides a coating composition comprising a carrier and a heat responsive material. The coating can further include additives such as adhesion promoters, surface tension modifying agents, crosslinking agents, or plasticizers. The present invention further provides a method for creating a mark on a substrate comprising providing to the substrate the transparent coating to obtain a coated substrate and exposing a selected area of the coated substrate to heat, e.g., a laser, to create the mark. The present invention further provides substrates suitable for laser marking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Wing Sum Vincent Kwan, Yoshikazu Mizobuchi
  • Patent number: 6254216
    Abstract: A clean-in-place system for use in an ink jet printhead has a compartment and an end plate with a slot therein to permit ink drops to be projected from the compartment onto a substrate to be marked. For cleaning purposes, a shutter is disposed adjacent the slot to seal it. Thereafter, the pump floods the compartment with ink solvent from a solvent reservoir. The solvent may be agitated by air or a mechanical device. Thereafter, a drain line is used to remove the solvent from the compartment. The pneumatic shutter is reopened after the solvent is withdrawn to enhance the drying of the components. The shutter may consist of an inflatable member and a pump for supplying compressed air to the inflatable member to inflate and deflate it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems inc.
    Inventors: George Arway, Frank Eremity, George Murad
  • Patent number: 6251175
    Abstract: The present invention provides a jet ink composition and a method of jet printing onto non-porous substrates such as glass, metal, ceramics, and plastics images which have improved adhesion. The jet ink composition, which has short dry times, comprises an organic solvent, colorant, and a hydroxyaromatic resin with its hydroxyaromatic units being linked by a linkage other than alkylene ether linkage. The hydroxyaromatic units of the hydroxyaromatic resin are linked by, for example, an alkylene linkage. An example of a suitable hydroxyaromatic unit is a phenol. An example of the organic solvent is ethanol. The jet ink composition provides short dry times on non-porous substrates. In some embodiments of the ink composition, the image adhesion can be further improved by the use of an adhesion promoter such as a silane, a dendrimer, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Linfang Zhu, Mohammed Siddiqui
  • Patent number: 6235829
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a non-polar suspension of chargeable pigment particles. A suspension of pigment particles is formed in a non-polar solvent, wherein the pigment particles are inherently ionic or are chargeable, and possess surface anchoring groups on the surface of the pigment particles. The pigment particles are contacted with a polymeric resin comprising a hydrophobic region that is soluble or solvatable in the non-polar solvent and a reactive group that reacts with the surface-anchoring groups on the surface of the pigment particle. The resultant coated pigment particles are stable in non-polar suspensions. In certain embodiments of the present invention, a covalent bond is formed between the pigment and the surface modifying polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Wing Sum Vincent Kwan
  • Patent number: 6221933
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fast drying jet ink composition comprising an organic solvent, a colorant, a polyamine, and an acidic resin. The acidic resin preferably has an acid number of from about 10 to about 250. Examples of suitable polyamines include dendrimers and aminoacrylates. The jet ink composition can be used to print on glass surfaces that have a condensation of moisture on them. The printed messages do not easily rub off after exposure to humid conditions. The messages printed on glass can be washed off by a caustic solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Linfang Zhu, John P. Folkers, Mark A. Chamerlik, Renita J. Freeze
  • Patent number: 6210472
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transparent coating comprising a resin and a heat responsive material that increases in opacity when exposed to heat. Preferably, the transparent coating is free or substantially free of a pigment or dye. An example of a heat responsive material is a carbohydrate. The present invention further provides a coating composition comprising a solvent, a resin, and a heat responsive material that increases in opacity when exposed to heat. The present invention further provides a method for creating a mark on a substrate comprising providing to the substrate the transparent coating to obtain a coated substrate and exposing a selected area of the coated substrate to heat to create the mark. The substrates can be marked with a laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Wing Sum Vincent Kwan, Yoshikazu Mizobuchi
  • Patent number: 6187439
    Abstract: Encapsulated particles, such as magnetic particles, colored pigments, or carbon black, with high chemical affinity for ink vehicles. The encapsulated particles of this invention are suitable for printing inks, as well as for magnetic recording systems, such as audio and video tapes and magnetic storage disks, when the encapsulated particles are magnetic particles. The encapsulated particles comprise particles having a coating on their surface, said coating comprising in one embodiment an ionomer and in another embodiment, an oil, such as soya oil, and optionally a thixotropic agent, and/or a binder resin. The method of the present invention for making such encapsulated particles avoids the use of volatile organic solvents and provides printing inks and coating compositions comprising such encapsulated particles, that also avoid the use of volatile organic solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Hamdy A. Elwakil
  • Patent number: 6179907
    Abstract: A process of using silicate and alkylphenol to surface-modify black iron oxide. The modified pigment shows superior heat stability. The process may be applied on a native slurry, hence providing a simple, economical and non-invasive method to modify black iron oxide on an industrial scale. The resultant black iron oxide may be used in lieu of mixed metal oxide in the majority of thermal applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Wing Sum Vincent Kwan, Lily W. Tai
  • Patent number: 6174052
    Abstract: A priming system for ink jet printers includes an ink tank, an ink supply line, an ink bypass line and a valving arrangement which alternately permits either pressurized ink to be supplied to a remote printhead for printing purposes or unpressurized ink to be drawn to the printhead by use of a vacuum source applied to the bypass line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Marconi Data Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Eremity, George H. Dick