Abstract: A mount (9) is disclosed for mounting an ink jet printhead (11) in position to imprint indicia on a surface (7) of an object (5) conveyed along a path (3) past the printhead. The mount comprises a support (21) and a slide (53) carried by the support. The slide has a slide body (55) connected to the support, a slide member (57) movable relative to the slide body along a slide axis (SA) between an extended position (as shown in FIG. 1) and a retracted position (not shown), and device for resiliently biasing the slide member relative to the slide body toward its extended position. Mounting plate (43) is provided for carrying the slide relative to the support such that the slide axis (SA) may be adjusted relative to the support so as to position the slide axis so as to either be perpendicular to the direction of movement of the object conveyed along the path or to be angled (as shown in FIG. 3) toward the object approaching the printhead at an oblique angle.

Abstract: A pair of ink jet print heads are arranged on opposite sides of a conveyor to apply ink markings to the opposed surfaces of material conveyed on the conveyor. The print heads support ink jet nozzle blocks having at least one ink jet nozzle and are pivotally biased out over the conveyor in the path of the conveyed material. A pair of cams positioned on opposite sides of the ink jet nozzle blocks maintain a critical spacing between the nozzle block and the surface of the material. Ramp surfaces and an exit cam control the rate at which the ink jet print heads are pivoted away from and toward the path of the conveyed material as the material is conveyed before the ink jet print heads.

Abstract: A bulk ink restraint comprises a restraint base, a column, an ink hose support, and a clamp assembled for maintaining positional stability of a bulk ink container and simplifying bulk ink container change out after depletion of the ink supply.

Abstract: A valve and nozzle system for drop on demand ink jet printing apparatus wherein a single valve communicates with a plurality of orifices for controlling the flow of ink simultaneously through the orifices. The valve has a chamber with an inlet port and a plurality of outlet ports communicating with the chamber. The outlet ports have seats that are in a common plane and a piston has a face that, when the valve is closed, simultaneously seats against all the outlet port seats to close the valve. When a solenoid is energized to withdraw the piston and open the valve, the valve face separates simultaneously from the outlet port seats. Thus the outlet ports are opened and closed simultaneously.

Abstract: An ink jet head holder supported from a frame and includes a transversely movable rod supporting an ink jet print head with a similar print head holder on the opposite side of the frame. A conveyor for conveying an object having opposed print-receiving surfaces between the print heads. Longitudinal channels are supported by the frame on opposite sides of the conveyor. The print heads are supported on the longitudinal channels and side guide rails are also supported on the channels. The channels are laterally movable to vary the width of the path of packages on the conveyor. The side guide rails are also adjustable laterally relative to the print heads. The print heads have cam faces for contacting the packages at a predetermined transverse distance from the print head nozzles. Biasing means hold the print heads with the cam faces bearing against the print-receiving surfaces that are printed by ink from the nozzles.