Abstract: An inkjet printhead integrated circuit includes: a substrate having a silicon layer; a nozzle plate disposed on the silicon layer; and embedded inkjet nozzle devices. Each inkjet nozzle device includes a nozzle chamber having a roof actuator; drive circuitry laterally disposed relative to the nozzle chamber; a connection arm extending parallel with the nozzle plate from the actuator towards the drive circuitry; and a metal via interconnecting each connection arm and the drive circuitry, the metal via extending perpendicularly to the nozzle plate. The drive circuitry is positioned proximal the nozzle plate relative to a plane of the floor.

Abstract: An inkjet ink for improving printhead lifetimes includes: an aqueous-based ink vehicle; a colorant; an anti-kogation additive; and an anti-corrosion additive having at least one acetylenic group, the acetylenic group being absent any tertiary or quaternary ?-carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method of generating print data for an inkjet printhead having a plurality of ink planes. The method includes the steps of: receiving image data for a print job in a printer controller; retrieving keep-wet pattern data for each ink plane of the printhead, the retrieved keep-wet pattern data being determined using one or more input parameters; generating first print data for each ink plane in the printer controller based on the received image data; merging the first print data with the keep-wet pattern data to provide second print data for each ink plane; and sending the second print data from the printer controller to the printhead, thereby causing the printhead to print an image together with a keep-wet pattern. The keep-wet pattern is defined by a plurality of dots printed at a frequency sufficient to maintain hydration of each nozzle in the printhead.

Abstract: A method of enhancing spot color printing in a digital inkjet press having a fixed number of monochrome inkjet printheads, the fixed number of monochrome inkjet printheads printing inks comprising at least process colors (CMY) and a spot color, the method comprising the steps of: (a) printing a process color combination comprising a predetermined ratio of at least two process colors, the process color combination approximating the spot color; and (b) printing the spot color with the process color combination to provide an enhanced spot color.

Abstract: An inkjet nozzle device includes: a nozzle chamber having a floor, a roof and perimeter sidewalls extending between the floor and the roof, wherein a nozzle aperture is defined in the roof; a heating element for generating gas bubbles in the nozzle chamber so as to eject ink through the nozzle aperture, wherein a centroid of the heating element is aligned with a centroid of the nozzle aperture; and a pair of chamber inlets defined in the floor of the nozzle chamber, the chamber inlets being symmetrically disposed about the centroid of the heating element. The inkjet nozzle device has a pair of orthogonal symmetry planes passing through the centroid of the nozzle aperture.

Abstract: A method of printing from a fixed inkjet printhead having a plurality of ink planes. The method includes the steps of: feeding a print medium past the printhead in a media feed direction, the media feed direction defining relative upstream and downstream sides of the printhead; printing an image onto the print medium, the image being defined by image data; and printing a keep-wet pattern onto the print medium from each ink plane of the printhead, the keep-wet pattern being defined by a plurality of dots printed at a frequency sufficient to maintain hydration of each nozzle in the printhead. A first keep-wet pattern from a first ink plane is printed at a higher frequency than a second keep-wet pattern from a second ink plane, the first ink plane being furthest upstream in the printhead.

Abstract: A method of printing from a fixed inkjet printhead having a plurality of ink planes. The method includes the steps of: feeding a print medium past the printhead in a media feed direction, the media feed direction defining relative upstream and downstream sides of the printhead; printing an image onto the print medium, the image being defined by image data; and printing a keep-wet pattern onto the print medium from each ink plane of the printhead, the keep-wet pattern being defined by a plurality of dots printed at a frequency sufficient to maintain hydration of each nozzle in the printhead. A first keep-wet pattern from a first ink plane is printed at a higher frequency than a second keep-wet pattern from a second ink plane, the first ink plane being furthest upstream in the printhead.

Abstract: An inkjet ink includes: an ink vehicle; a colorant; and an acetylenic compound having an alkoxylated hydroxyl group, wherein the hydroxyl group is a primary or secondary hydroxyl group and the acetylenic compound is absent a lipophilic group. Printheads having resistive heater elements exposed to such inks have prolonged lifetimes compared to reference inks.

Abstract: A printer includes a vacuum belt assembly for moving print media in a media feed direction along a media path. The vacuum belt assembly includes: a plurality of endless belts tensioned between first and second pulleys, the first and second pulleys having respective first and second axes of rotation perpendicular with the media feed direction; and a vacuum chamber for drawing print media onto an upper surface of the belts. Each belt is independently laterally slidable along one of the first and second axes.

Abstract: An inkjet ink includes: (i) a disazo dye of formula (I): (ii) sulfolane; (iii) a glycol compound selected from the group consisting of: ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol and pentaethylene glycol; and (iv) water.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system includes: a plurality of print head cartridges; a print head chassis for supporting the plurality of print head cartridges; a lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the print head chassis between a printing position, a transition position, and a maintenance position; and a maintenance chassis supporting a chassis sub-frame having a corresponding plurality of maintenance cradles; and a sub-frame movement mechanism for slidably moving the chassis sub-frame with respect to the maintenance chassis. In the transition position, the print head chassis is held at a height, relative to a platen, that allows the maintenance chassis to be moved from a storage position to an operational positional under the print head chassis. Further, in the operational position, the sub-frame movement mechanism aligns a capper or a wiper with a respective printhead.

Abstract: A removable printhead cartridge for a single-pass inkjet printer, the printhead assembly including: a body adapted for user removal and insertion in the printer; an elongate ink manifold assembly mounted in the body, the ink manifold assembly having a plurality of longitudinally extending ink channels, a plurality of outlets defined in a mounting surface; and a plurality of ink conduits connecting each ink channel to a corresponding set of outlets; a plurality of printhead chips mounted on the mounting surface; a plurality of ink storage modules, each containing a device for delivering ink to the printhead chips at a negative pressure; and a plurality of electrical connectors.

Abstract: A method of wiping a pagewidth inkjet printhead. The method includes the steps of: wiping a web transversely across the printhead, the web having a width corresponding substantially to a length of the printhead; and subsequently positioning the web either upstream only or downstream only of the printhead, relative to a media feed direction.

Abstract: A method of transporting a print medium in a printer. The includes suctioning the print medium onto an upper surface of a plurality of moving belts. The print medium experiences greater suction at an upstream side of the belts relative to a downstream side of the belts, the upstream and downstream sides being defined relative to a media feed direction.

Abstract: An inkjet nozzle device includes: a firing chamber having a nozzle aperture; and a heating element for generating gas bubbles in the firing chamber so as to eject ink through the nozzle aperture. A non-heating stabilizing bar extends across the nozzle aperture.

Abstract: A modular printer includes: a media feed path defining a media feed direction and a plurality of printer modules positioned in a staggered overlapping arrangement so as to extend across a width of the media feed path. Each printer module includes a printhead and a respective maintenance sled for slidably moving towards the printhead in a direction parallel to the media feed direction. Further, the maintenance sleds for neighboring printer modules are configured to move in opposite directions towards their respective printheads.

Abstract: An inkjet nozzle device is configured for constrained symmetric bubble expansion. The inkjet nozzle device includes a firing chamber having a nozzle aperture and a heater element. The heater element extends between an end wall of the firing chamber and a baffle plate facing the end wall. The baffle plate is wider than the heater element and a centroid of the heater element coincides with a midpoint between the baffle plate and the end wall.

Abstract: A printer assembly includes a housing having a pair of opposite first and second sidewalls, the first sidewall having a vertical guide slot; a shaft rotatably mounted between the sidewalls; pinions fixedly mounted at either end of the shaft; a print bar carriage slidably received within the housing; and a drive motor for rotating the shaft and lifting the print bar carriage. The print bar carriage includes: a chassis; first and second racks engaged with respective pinions to define a rack-and-pinion lift mechanism; first bearings rotatably mounted at a first side of the chassis, each first bearing being received in the guide slot; and a printhead supported by the chassis. During sliding movement of the print bar carriage, the first bearings travel within the guide slot and bear against opposite guide surfaces to constrain rotational movement of the print bar carriage.