Abstract: An ink jet printer comprising a device for adjusting a relative position between a nozzle for jetting out ink and a block member for capturing those of ink droplets in flight which are not used for recording. The ink droplets jetting out of the nozzle are deflected by a smaller amount during a relative position adjustment than during a recording operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting and correcting misregistration of color separation planes in a multicolor printing process include the functions of: (i) printing on a test sheet, with a first color printing subsystem, a first array of M parallel lines which are uniformly spaced N adjustment steps apart and (ii) printing on the same test sheet with a second color printing subsystem, a second array of M parallel lines, which are uniformly spaced N+1 adjustment steps apart and which are predeterminedly juxtaposed, with respect to the lines of the first line array, so that when registration is correct, base registration lines of the first and second arrays are aligned.Upon visually inspecting the alignment of marks on said first and second line series, the operator can effect automated position shifting of the second subsystems printout color plane in an amount and direction based on which juxtaposed mark pair of said two arrays are in best alignment.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the stimulation amplitude of a continuous ink jet printer to operate in a satellite-free, drop break off region includes a test charge electrode located downstream from the nominal information charging zone, an electrometer for detecting drop charge imported by the test charge electrode and a control circuit for gradually varying stimulation between the underdrive to overdrive regions. An information storage and processing system stores and computes the stimulation amplitude corresponding to the overdrive inception point during such stimulation ramping and a nominal operating stimulation amplitude is selected based on the computed inception point stimulation.

Abstract: An improved construction for a continuous ink jet printing system of the kind having a chamber for receiving a plurality of ink cartridges, a plurality of ink supply sub-systems for delivering ink from the cartridges to respective print heads and a plurality of ink return sub-systems for returning ink from the print heads to respective cartridges. The cartridge chamber is constructed to be substantially air-tight and the ink cartridges have a vent opening to their interior. The chamber itself is coupled to a vacuum source and the cartridges in the chamber are maintained at the chamber pressure via their vent openings. The chamber evacuating source includes a source of compressed air and a venturi devcie coupled to the housing interior and the compressed air source. The compressed air source also can be coupled, via check valves structure, to provide drying air to the print heads.

Abstract: A thermal recording apparatus variably controls the amount of energy supplied to heating elements in accordance with the relative length of a recording time interval between lines effected by linearly arranged heating elements constituted by a plurality of resistors. In another embodiment the heating elements are provided in a plurality of individually controllable blocks and the energy supplied to the heating elements in each block is variably controlled in accordance with the number of heating elements to be energized in that block.

Abstract: Disclosed is a clean air hood for disposition above the print head of a fluid jet printing apparatus having an orifice plate on one side of the print head for forming a plurality of droplet streams. The droplet streams flow past charge and deflection electrode means as well as a fluid catcher whereby uncharged droplets are deposited on a substrate. The clean air hood includes an interior baffle for directing clean air through the hood for issuance through a pair of laterally spaced slots along opposite sides of the hood whereby the air curtains formed thereby straddle the print head. In operation, the air curtains flow along opposite sides of the print head and opposite sides of the droplet streams ot maintain a clean air region about the electrode means and dampen any tendency of particulate matter carried by the substrate from migrating into the region of the electrodes. The print bar is rotated 180.degree.

Abstract: A liquid jet recording head comprises a recording head unit for discharging liquid from an orifice by applying an energy to the liquid from an energy generator mounted on a substrate in order to form flying droplets, and a substrate member having an external wiring unit for supplying an electrical signal to said energy generator; wherein the electrical connection area for electrically connecting said energy generator and said external wiring unit is integrally molded by an insulative sealing material.

Abstract: An optical disk is provided which comprises two sheets of substrates; or two sheets of substrate and a reinforcing plate or a reinforcing rim; or one sheet of substrate and a reinforcing plate; which are bonded to form an integrated body having a spacer interposed therebetween, said spacer being made of elastomeric foam having a specific gravity of not more than 1.5 and an expansion ratio of not less than 1.5 as the material of the said spacer. This optical disk has a high adaptability of the drive and exhibits a high reliability, i.e. excellent vibration restricting performance, thereby being possible to provide a stable and highly accurate information processing.

Abstract: A polyamic acid is synthesized by the ring-opening poly-addition reaction using a biphenyl tetracarboxylic acid as a tetracarboxylic acid moiety and an aromatic diamine, particularly p-phenylene diamine, as a diamine moiety. An aromatic polyimide resin layer possessing a highly desirable heat-resisting property as a heat-resistant insulating coating material and excelling in adhesive strength relative to a substrate is obtained by adjusting the polyamic acid in viscosity with a suitable organic solvent, applying the resultant polyamic acid on a substrate, and firing the applied layer of the polyamic acid. The substrate, for example, is a conductor layer formed as with copper and used as a multi-layer wiring board for hybrid IC's.

Abstract: A recorder has a beam generator for generating a beam to form a dot image on a record medium. The beam generator has first and second beam generation sources to generate first and second beams and forms each dot by using both of the first and second beams.

Abstract: A method of operating a continuous ink jet printing system which includes a nozzle arranged to be vibrated by a piezoelectric oscillator. The nozzle, in use, passes a stream of ink past a charging electrode. The continuity of charge detection is sensed by a charge detector disposed immediately downstream of the charging electrode. The amplitude of the stimulation voltage applied to the piezoelectric oscillator is set sufficiently low such that the level of charge detected by the charge detector is below a threshold value. The amplitude of the stimulation voltage is then increased in discrete steps until the charge detector detects intermittent and proper droplet charging. The amplitude of the stimulation voltage is then further increased from its level at the end of the second step by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: The flat electrical resistance heating element is intended principally for a household article having a heating surface.The heating element comprises a heating resistance cut out from a metal sheet (1) which is coated with a substrate (2) of electrically insulating material resistant to the heating temperature and adherent to the metal sheet (1) and to the material of which the support (5) of the heating surface of the article is made.Use principally in base-heated kitchen utensils and irons.

Abstract: The ink jet matrix printer, with an ink system, includes a transport device for transferring thick ink from a first supply container and, independently thereof, solvent from a second supply container, into an ink chamber. Ink from this ink chamber is supplied under pressure to a write head. Ink is returned into the ink chamber via a collection channel, located across from the write head and intended for ink droplets which have not been diverted for writing purposes. The transport device uses pressurized air to transport the ink between an ink container, connected to the write head, a mixer container, connected to the tawo supply containers, and a collection container, connected to the collection channel. The mixer container can alternatively be connected to a suction line or a pressure line.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printing device, including an ink donor supporting an ink meltable upon the application of a selected temperature, a printing head supporting a resistive heating element for generating the selected temperature at the ink donor, and means for bringing a final image support surface into contacting relationship with the ink donor in timed relationship to the application of the selected temperature to the ink donor including an electrically conductive heat sink layer, a heat resistant organic material having a very low thermal conductivity deposited on the heat sink layer and an array of resistors, supported on the heat resistant organic material, each resistor selectively controllable to apply a melting temperature to the meltable ink. The heat resistant organic material having a very low thermal conductivity is desirably a polyimide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed which provide feedback control of ink viscosity in a drop marking system. The ink flow between two selected points is monitored and compared against a reference value by an electronic controller such as a microprocessor. In the event that a flow time deviation is sensed, appropriate action is taken to change the flow time. A temperature sensor input to the controller permits temperature compensation to maintain ink composition substantially constant.

Abstract: A printer head includes a platen roller, a drive frame movable toward and away from the platen roller, a support block provided on the drive frame, a printing head element secured to the support block to be movable toward and away from the platen roller which it opposes, a pair of freely rotatable guide rollers mounted on the support block and having the printing head element interposed therebetween, a conveying mechanism for conveying a card to be printed on between the printing head element and the platen roller, an ink ribbon which travels while in contact with the pair of guide rollers and the printing head during printing, the ribbon being arranged between the card and the printing head element, a signal source for applying a print signal to the printing head element to cause the element to transfer ink from the ink ribbon to the card, a position adjusting screw provided on the support block to be movable back and forth, the printing head element being positionally adjusted back and forth relative to the

Abstract: A recording device for thermal color recording of a medium having two color coupler layers on one side and another color coupler layer on the other side of a transparent support. The layer on the side with two layers and having the higher heat sensitivity is first thermally imaged and then optically fixed. Thereafter, the remaining layer on that side and the layer on the other side are thermally imaged.

Abstract: A molded article containing an electrical element buried therein has at least two leads, and portions of the leads are left exposed. The article is improved in that all of the leads are left confined within the confines of the article, the exposed portions of the leads being disposed within at least one aperture through the article.Also a molding process for making the article useful as a catcher plate for an ink jet printer. Broadly, the process comprises the steps of placing the portions of the leads to be exposed, each in a groove in a post that is part of the mold, and closing the mold cavity with a closure plate containing an elastomeric material aligned with the post and leads, such elastomeric material having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than that of the material used to make the mold.

Abstract: An ink storing device comprises a first storing portion storing one type of ink therein and a second storing portion having the interior thereof divided into a plurality of spaces and storing a plurality of types of inks therein.

Abstract: An ink cartridge interface system for multicolor ink jet printing apparatus of the kind having discrete, different color, continuous ink jet circulation subsystems. Each cartridge has a key system component, formed on one of its wall elements at a location for interfitting with a printer housing key system component, and is constructed to have a shape that uniquely identifies the color of ink within said ink cartridge. The printer has a plurality of separate housings each with a different key system component designed to interfit with its particular ink color cartridge.