Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique for detecting that all components that make up a completed portion of a form are synchronized. A method is provided for detecting that for a print job, all of the components that make up a completed portion of each form are printed in synchronicity or in the case of an error in synchronicity, an error condition is asserted. The print job comprises at least one form, and each form may contain more than one image, each image may contains one or more image planes and the images on each form of a document may vary. Each image contains a composite image group (CIG) mark comprising the set of image plane coordination (IPC) marks associated with each individual image plane. An IPC mark is printed by each print engine such that it is possible via inspection of these marks to determine if the complete set of image planes that make up a specific image are present.

Abstract: In a drop generator for use in an ink jet printer, stimulation transducers are bonded near the ends of the jet array on the droplet generator body. The transducers are electrically controlled with an oscillating voltage signal which can be modified in amplitude and phase with respect to the main driving signal. By altering the drive signal of the end transducers in amplitude and/or phase, the end sections being aligned with the solid end sections of the droplet generator, it is possible to match the vibration of the end sections with the central portion of the droplet generator. The result is more uniform stimulation down the length of the droplet generator.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving the reliability for operation of the eyelid associated with the ink jet printhead of a continuous ink jet printer. The eyelid actuation technique of the present invention solves the problem of ink jet fluid residue drying in or around the seal region between the eyelid and the catcher. This is accomplished by opening the eyelid at least once during the shutdown sequence of the printhead, while maintaining vacuum on the catcher throat. By opening the eyelid in this manner, the capillary forces that had held the ink jet fluid at the seal region are eliminated. The vacuum on the catcher throat then causes air to rush in through the gap between the catcher pan and the eyelid. Residual ink jet fluid at the seal region on both the eyelid and the catcher pan is then removed by the high velocity air moving through the gap.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for fabricating an orifice plate for use in an ink jet printing system. Initially, a substrate base is provided, and a controlled-release layer is applied to a surface of the substrate base. A conductive metal layer is adherently coated on the controlled-release layer. At least one dielectric peg is created on a portion of the conductive metal layer, and a nozzle layer is applied on the conductive metal layer to partially cover the dielectric peg. Photolithography is used to define a trench that covers the nozzles prior to formation of a second reinforcing layer. The controlled-release layer is removed to separate the orifice plate from the substrate base. The conductive metal layer is selectively etched from the nozzle layer to produce a completed multi-layer orifice plate.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for linearizing the tone scale of individual colors in a multi-color printing system, by deriving a prescribed tone scale of individual colors in a single or multi-color printing system. Full linear ink gradations are printed on multiple substrates, and a linearization table is generated with multiple points for each of the multiple substrates and/or ink gradations. A polynomial curve is fitted to the points of each linearization table to generate polynomial curves. At least one point in the polynomial curves is selected, that shows high variation from one curve to a next curve, and coefficients of a group of polynomial curves are plotted as functions of the value of the at least one point. The range of prediction can be as narrow or as broad as an application requires. Finally, a prescribed tone scale table is derived from the polynomial curves and the at least one point.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining ink jet printing system parameters by selecting an appropriate linearizing transformation for application to images to be printed on a printing system for a specific substrate. These transformations can be any transformation capable of being applied in graduated increments and having a corresponding incremental visual influence on the printed output. The present invention allows the user to determine multiple parameters for the printer, including for example, tone scale correction, determination of upper ink limits, amount of under color removal, and allows the user to identify the proper ink level for optimum quality of graphics and/or text printing.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving the reliability for shutting down high resolution ink jet printheads for continuous ink jet printers. The shutdown technique fo the present invention solves the problem of ink and/or flush fluid drying in or around orifice holes on higher resolution printheads. This is accomplished with pulse modulation of air pressure used to blow and dry the printhead filters while balancing air flow and negative pressure across the droplet generator and the orifice array.

Abstract: An ink composition is proposed for application on a continuous ink jet printed non-porous substrate. The ink composition comprises a solvent dye, preferably a solvent black dye. The ink composition also comprises an acrylic polymer, such as a styrene acrylic copolymer. A pH modifier maintains pH of the ink composition between about 7.5 and about 9. Finally, the present invention comprises a volatile solvent which can be a mixture of denatured alcohol, a ketone such as MEK, and/or water.

Abstract: Metallic bumps are formed for electrical interconnection between the charge plate and the charge drive electronics. This is achieved by having improved electrical connection between an ink jet charge plate and associated charge leads is promoted. This is achieved by integrating the termination pads, electrical transmission lines, and charging leads. The termination bumps are formed as integral parts of the charge leads and are connected directly to the charge driver board electronics by pressure contact. The bumps can be formed by mechanically indenting the termination pads or by using an interposer that has raised metallic pads aligned to the integral nickel pads and the charge driver circuitry board. First, a mask is aligned to permit additive formation of the pads, conductors, and charge leads. Then the nickel circuitry thus formed is made into a rigid charge plate and an integrated flexible section having contact bumps.

Abstract: A laminated structure utilizes differential adhesive to achieve high adhesion to a wicking material and low adhesion where removal is desired. The low profile wicking pad is useful in any technology where it is desirable to control excess moisture with a passive device. The wicking device is particularly useful in the field of continuous ink jet printing systems, where the low profile of the device is desirable and the cost reduction makes disposability of the device a reality. In ink jet printing systems, the wicking device improves ink jet printhead performance via ink mist and ink drip elimination.

Abstract: A coating composition for application on a porous substrate for use with a roller printing application. The coating composition comprises an ethoxylated polyethyleneimine polymer, a pH modifier, a thickening additive, an ammonium sulfate, a surfactant, and water. Optional additives can comprise a biocide, a lower aliphatic alcohol and a UV fluorescent dye. When the coating composition is applied to the porous substrate, waterfast prints are produced which are resistant to smudging or bleeding when subjected to moisture. The coating composition can be applied to the porous substrate as a pre-print coating or a post-print coating.

Abstract: An ink jet print head for a continuous ink jet printer includes an orifice plate defining an elongated array of ink jet orifices, an ink manifold for supplying ink to the orifices in the orifice plate, and a shear mode piezoelectric transducer mechanically coupled to the orifice plate for vibrating the orifice plate sufficiently uniformly along the length of the array of ink jet orifices to achieve synchronous stimulation. The use of a shear mode piezoelectric transducer eliminates mode cross coupling thereby allowing high frequency stimulation in long ink jet print heads.

Abstract: Metallic bumps are formed for electrical interconnection between the charge plate and the charge drive electronics. This is achieved by having improved electrical connection between an ink jet charge plate and associated charge leads is promoted. This is achieved by integrating the termination pads, electrical transmission lines, and charging leads. The termination bumps are formed as integral parts of the charge leads and are connected directly to the charge driver board electronics by pressure contact. The bumps can be formed by mechanically indenting the termination pads or by using an interposer that has raised metallic pads aligned to the integral nickel pads and the charge driver circuitry board. First, a mask is aligned to permit additive formation of the pads, conductors, and charge leads. Then the nickel circuitry thus formed is made into a rigid charge plate and an integrated flexible section having contact bumps.

Abstract: A differential circuit is used to compare the current to the drive transducers to a matched reference circuit. With the capacitive current from the piezoelectric transducer canceled out in this manner, the resulting output current provides a direct measure of the vibration amplitude of the drop generator. By adding an appropriate inductor in parallel to the capacitive piezoelectric drive transducers, the loading of the drive electronics, or oscillator, is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for separating the liquid and non-liquid components of a foamy mixture. The apparatus comprises a filter through which the liquid portion of the foam can pass and through which the gaseous or air component cannot pass, unless a pressure differential across the filter exceeds the bubble point of the filter. Foam is supplied to a first side of the filter. The liquid component of the foam is removed from the second side of the filter, and the gaseous component of the foam from the first side of the filter. A pressure differential is established between the two sides of the filter to cause the liquid component of the foam to pass through the filter; but the pressure differential across the filter is prevented from exceeding the bubble point of the filter to prevent the gaseous component of the foam from passing through the filter.

Abstract: A method for improving tone reproduction in a digital printing system is provided. First, an image to be printed is defined. The image will have areas of minimal ink density and areas of medium to high ink density. A randomized dot placement scheme is used for dispersing ink drops in the minimal ink density areas of the image. An ordered structure scheme is used for dispersing ink drops in the medium to high ink density areas of the image.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving the control of vacuum and pressure in an ink jet printing system. The control is positively affected by reducing response time of the system, minimizing overshoot of the controlled parameters, such as ink pressure or system vacuum, eliminating steady state oscillations, and reducing the magnitude of the excursions of the controlled parameter in response to load changes.

Abstract: A system and method are proposed for the printing of all possible colors, including all permutations of primary inks used to make processed colors, in equal increments and of a size easily measurable with a device that will convert the colors into standard color coordinates. These colors are categorized and used to determine the ability of the output device to reproduce a source color. Each color printed within the gamut of an output device is identified and correlated to independent color coordinates. The primary color recipe necessary to reproduce a reference color within the gamut of the output device is identified. The magnitude of deviation of out of gamut source colors is determined, and the closest in gamut colors are specified through methods of interpolation and nearest neighbor. Furthermore, the alteration in gamut size can be predicted based upon image manipulation processes associated with the workflow.

Abstract: A system for flushing ink residue from a fluid system is provided for use with a continuous ink jet print station. Ink is rapidly drained from the fluid system, and the fluid system is refilled with a flush fluid. The flow of flush fluid is directed through all fluid system components which normally contain ink. Subsequently, the flow of flush fluid can be diverted to a waste tank rather than re-circulated into the ink tank.

Abstract: A droplet generator for generating a plurality of streams of ink droplets in a continuous ink jet printer comprises a stimulator plate, and the capability of supplying ink to the stimulator plate. The stimulator plate is substantially planar and comprises a substrate, a flexible membrane having a line of nozzles, and an actuator for vibrating the membrane at a resonant frequency. During use, a standing wave is generated such that the line of nozzles is positioned on a locus of uniform vibrational amplitude.