Abstract: A method of printing onto one or more sides of a mesh fabric, such a polyester mesh typically used for flags and banners, using a drop on demand ink printer, wherein the printer is operated at a fluid pressure of between 1 and 3.5 bar and that the image forming composition has a viscosity of less than 100 cp.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solenoid valve made using certain materials which is capable of operation at high frequencies and which can be made as a compact unit. The plunger (1) is made from an electromagnetic material having a saturation flux density greater than 1.2 Tesla preferably more than 1.6 Tesla, the bore leading from the valve head chamber (14) to the nozzle orifice (12) has a length to diameter ratio of less than 5:1 preferably between 2:1 and 4:1 and the nozzle orifice (12) has a diameter of 80 micrometer or less. The invention also relates to method for operating a drop on demand ink jet printer incorporating such a valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solenoid valve made using certain materials which is capable of operation at high frequencies and which can be made as a compact unit. The plunger (1) is made from an electromagnetic material having a saturation flux density greater than 1.2 Tesla preferably more than 1.6 Tesla, the bore leading from the valve head chamber (14) to the nozzle orifice (12) has a length to diameter ratio of less than 5:1 preferably between 2:1 and 4:1 and the nozzle orifice (12) has a diameter of 80 micrometer or less. The invention also relates to method for operating a drop on demand ink jet printer incorporating such a valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism for transporting a printing ribbon past the print head of a printer using a rocking beam mechanism the rocking beam being driven by a drive means. The invention also provides a printer, notably a thermal printer, incorporating such a transport mechanism and a method for operating the printer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of shellac as the binder in an ink composition to reduce the problems of sweating when the ink is applied to a soft gelatin surface. Preferably, the shellac is at leat partially neutralised by a volatile base, for example ammonia, to render the shellac water soluble so that a water and/or alcohol liquid carrier medium may be used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism for and method of applying labels, printing images, or scanning a feature on the surface of a substrate. The mechanism (1) comprises a read/write/apply means (4) for reading, writing or applying the information, carried and located relative to a predetermined position by a robotically actuated device. The device comprises a mounting member (5), a support member (6) relatively movable with respect to the mounting member (5) and carrying the said means (4), and at least three pairs of extendable arms (7,8,9) extending between and pivotally mounted on the members (5,6). The arrangement is such that one arm in each of said pairs of arms (7,8,9) cooperates with an arm from another pair of arms. Extension and/or retraction of the arms (7,8,9) causes movement and/or rotation of the support member (6) relative to the mounting member (5), whereby the said means (4) may be located relative to the predetermined position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for ensuring that the correct container (10) containing a replenishment fluid is connected to a vessel (26) for that fluid. The container carries one component (18) of a pair of axially engageable members (20). The other (28) is carried by the vessel (26, 27), notably around the necks extending therefrom, so that the members (20, 30) have to engage and nest so as to allow the necks of the container and the vessel to engage fully and thus mount the container on the vessel, one of the members (18, 28) being a moveable fit upon the container (10) or vessel (26), preferably by virtue of being a snap fit thereon, so that the member can be rotated to align its projections (20) with the recesses (30) on the other member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and to a method for using it, notably to an ink containing an alkyl ester, to synergistic ink compositions containing the ester and a lower alkanol, and to a method for printing images with the ink compositions using an ink jet printer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition and to a method for using it, notably to an edible ink containing acetone and at least one other solvent selected from water, an alkanol and/or an alkyl ester of an alkyl carboxylic acid, and to a method for printing images with the ink compositions using an ink jet printer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating an electromagnetic valve means comprising a valve plunger journalled within a valve body for movement under the influence of an electric current on a drive stroke from a valve closed position to a valve open position, which valve means controls the flow of fluid to a nozzle orifice in a non-contact fluid droplet applicator apparatus, notably an ink jet printer, which method comprises intermittently applying a transient drive current to the valve means which is insufficient to move the plunger sufficiently on its drive stroke towards the valve open position to permit the flow of fluid through the valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for marking a diaper fabric which comprises applying to the fabric one or more images by means of an ink jet printing technique during the fabrication of the diaper from its component materials. Preferably, the invention is used to apply a fluid indicator fluid to that face of the impervious layer to be in contact with the absorbent layer during the manufacture of the composite diaper fabric, the other face of the absorbent layer being that which is to be directly or indirectly in contact with a wearer of the diaper. It is also preferred that the indicator fluid comprise a water-soluble dyestuff whereby the indicator is rendered mobile upon contact with a fluid.The invention further provides a diaper having an image formed thereon, preferably on that face of the impervious layer in contact with the absorbent layer, which image comprises a series of dots configured to form the desired image, preferably the image is formed from a water-soluble dyestuff.

Abstract: A device for measuring the viscosity of a fluid is shown which can be used to continuously measure the viscosity of the ink used in an ink jet printer. The pressure between two restrictors which respond differently to a change in viscosity is related to the total pressure drop across both restrictors to provide an indication of the change in viscosity of the fluid being dispensed by the printer. By utilizing this information, the viscosity of the ink can be modified to maintain the viscosity within the desired range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the viscosity of ink in a continuous jet ink jet printer, which method comprises causing at least part of the ink to flow through a restricted orifice into a vessel and measuring the time taken to fill the vessel between a lower level limit and an upper level limit and allowing ink to escape from the vessel to reduce the level to below the lower level limit, characterized in that ink is automatically removed from the vessel by a syphon when the ink has reached the upper level limit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for applying a thermoplastic composition as a series of discrete droplets from a non-contact ink jet printing apparatus to form separate drops on a substrate moving relative to the apparatus, characterized in that the molten composition is thermally stable at the temperature of application and is applied at a temperature in excess of 100.degree. C.The invention can be used to apply the molten composition to a variety of substrates using on-demand or continuous non-contact ink jet application techniques. However, the invention is of especial use in the application of thermoplastic inks to non-porous substrates using an on-demand ink jet printer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for applying a thermoplastic image forming composition as a series of discrete droplets from a non-contact ink jet printing apparatus to form separate drops on a substrate moving relative to the apparatus, characterized in that the molten composition is thermally stable at the temperature of application and is applied at a temperature in excess of 100.degree. C.The invention can be used to apply the molten composition to a variety of substrates using on-demand or continuous non-contact ink jet application techniques. However, the invention is of especial use in the application of thermoplastic inks to non-porous substrates using an on-demand ink jet printer.

Abstract: A device and method are shown for laminating a label on a surface of a moving article after first applying the label to the surface of the moving article. A pressure sensitive label is applied from a label dispenser to the receiving face of a vacuum box where it is releasably retained by reduced pressure within the box. A piece of transparent, pressure sensitive laminate material is similarly dispensed to the vacuum grid and retained in position by reduced gas pressure. As an article to be labeled is moved past the vacuum box, a blast of positive gas pressure is supplied through the vacuum grid and against the label to transfer the label to the surface of the article. As the article continues to move, a blast of positive gas pressure is supplied through the vacuum grid in the vacinity of the laminate material to remove the laminate material and transfer the material to the surface of the moving article to laminate the previously applied label.

Abstract: A fluid including a liquid solvent or carrier medium is applied to a substrate using an ink jet printing device in which the fluid composition is ejected through a nozzle as a jet of fluid, the jet is broken up into substantially uniformly sized droplets by the application of vibration to the composition, the droplets are passed by an electrode by which they are given an electrical charge, the charged droplets are passed through an electric field whereby they are deflected to a desired extent so as selectively to fall upon a substrate to form a symbol thereon or into a catch from which the composition is recycled for re-use. The viscosity of the fluid composition is monitored, and solvent or carrier liquid is added to the fluid to return the liquid content of the fluid to a desired value.

Abstract: The invention provides charge electrode means for an ink jet printer, comprising a pair of members which are preferably planar members of electrically insulating material, mounted in spaced relation to one another so as to provide a gap between opposed surfaces thereof, opposed charge electrode layers of electrically conductive material on said opposed surfaces and means electrically connecting said opposed charge electrode layers.

Abstract: A stackable fluid dispensing apparatus has a case and a fluid manifold located within the case which is adapted to be connected to a source of pressurized fluid. A plurality of valves located within the case are connected to the fluid manifold by a plurality of fluid lines. A nozzle block on the case has a plurality of fluid dispensing openings positioned within an exterior face of the nozzle block in at least one line. Fluid tubes communicate each of the valves with a selected one of the nozzle block openings whereby actuation of the valves controls the flow of the fluid through the nozzle block openings. The dispensing openings at the outermost extents of the line in the nozzle block are located adjacent opposite edges of the exterior face. The distance from the center of each of the opposite outermost dispensing openings to the respective adjacent edge of the exterior face is one half the center to center distance of any two remaining dispensing openings in the line.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for applying a thermoplastic image forming composition as a series of discrete droplets from a non-contact ink jet printing apparatus to form separate drops on a substrate moving relative to the apparatus, characterized in that the molten composition is thermally stable at the temperature of application and is applied at a temperature in excess of 100.degree. C.The invention can be used to apply the molten composition to a variety of substrates using on-demand or continuous non-contact ink jet application techniques. However, the invention is of especial use in the application of thermoplastic inks to non-porous substrates using an on-demand ink jet printer.