Abstract: An ink jet recording head apparatus of simplified construction comprising ink flow channels defined by electrical conductors; the conductors connected to a reduced number of drive sources by a reduced number of electrodes; and an ink supply comprised of an absorbent pad.

Abstract: A liquid jet recording method for recording on a recording material with liquid droplets discharged through plural scanning nozzles arranged in a width measured in a direction of main scan. The recording method includes a first main scan by relative movement between the nozzles and the recording material, in which pixels are recorded with numbers of droplets through a nozzle, the numbers of droplets corresponding to respective tone signals. The method also includes a sub-scan by relative movement between the nozzles and the recording material in a direction crossing with a movement direction of the first main scan. The method further includes a second main scan in which the pixels are recorded with numbers of droplets through a different nozzle, the latter numbers of droplets corresponding to tone level signals. The sub-scan and second main scan steps are repeated to record a tone image by discharging plural droplets for a pixel.

Abstract: A substrate usable for a liquid jet recording head having a semiconductor substrate, transistors, and electricity-heat converting elements for generating heat energy to be utilized for discharging a liquid, which is electrically connected to said transistors, in which a plurality of said transistors is provided and the collector region of said transistors is made common.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer having a dual drying system. A print heater is disposed at the print zone for heating a portion of the print medium during printing operations to dry ink ejected onto the medium. The printer has means for drying the print medium at a drying location before the medium reaches the print zone to prevent uneven shrinkage of a cellulose-based print medium due to heating the medium at the print zone. The print heater can be controlled to provide a higher temperature at the print zone than the drying means provides at the drying location. The printer provides the capability of independent control of said drying means and said print heater.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head includes a top plate having recesses for forming ink paths connected to a plurality of ejection outlets from which ink is ejected; a substrate for forming the ink paths by joining it with the top plate, with the recesses facing inward; wherein the top plate overhangs from an edge of the substrate in the direction of a plane of the joint between the top plate and substrate.

Abstract: A jetting element has a plurality of nozzles, a heating body for jetting ink droplets from the nozzles, and an ink chamber communicating with the nozzles. A manifold is bonded with the jetting element through an adhesive, and has an ink flow path formed therein to supply an ink to the jetting element. After the ink has been charged, the interior of the ink flow path is held at a negative pressure. An adhesive whose gas permeability is smaller than 2.0.times.10.sup.-6 cm.sup.3 .multidot.cm/cm.sup.2 .multidot.sec.multidot.atm and whose angle of contact with respect to the ink is 45.degree. or less is used as the adhesive. The bonded portion created by the adhesive has a smooth shape so that air bubbles are hard to adhere to the bonded portion.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head for a liquid ejecting apparatus for performing a recording operation by ejecting liquid from the liquid ejecting head includes as essential components a base plate having a plurality of liquid ejecting elements, and a grooved member having a plurality of grooves formed thereon corresponding to the liquid ejecting elements. The grooved member is connected to the base plate and composed of a grooved element and a supporting member. A liquid ejecting apparatus operable for performing a recording operation includes as essential components a liquid ejecting head of the foregoing type and a signal supplying unit for supplying,a series of signals to the liquid ejecting head for activating a plurality of liquid ejecting elements.

Abstract: An ink jet printing system having an ink accumulator holding a supply of ink for delivery under pressure to printheads of the system, the volume of the supply decreasing as ink is delivered to the printheads, and a pump operable intermittently to pump ink from a supply to the accumulator when the volume in the accumulator decreases to a lower limit, operation of the pump being terminated when the volume in the accumulator increases to an upper limit.

Abstract: A printing apparatus has a control unit for controlling the driving of a print head in accordance with a temperature measured by a sensor which is provided on a movable carriage for mounting the print head. The control unit controls a sensor such that the sensor measures the temperature when the carriage is in a position where the heat from motors or the like in the printing apparatus does not affect the sensor on the carriage.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head includes an ink discharging portion having a discharge opening for discharging ink, a substrate having an electrical/thermal converting element for generating thermal energy supplied to the ink discharging portion and used to discharge the ink, and a temperature detecting element, and an information bearing means for carrying information providing the feature of the temperature detecting element. The output from the temperature detecting element are used to adjust the temperature of the ink jet recording head.

Abstract: A liquid injection recording head includes an integrated drive circuit a recording current energization time for electrothermal conversion elements. The setting circuit has a counter. The recording current energization time data can be set in the counter in the setting circuit in synchronism with a signal obtained by frequency-dividing a recording data transfer clock or with this clock signal supplied to a circuit arranged in the integrated drive circuit to align recording data.

Abstract: A record apparatus to which a recording head is removably attached is disclosed, for example, a serial printer to which the recording head is removably attached to a carriage. An electric connecting portion is provided on the carriage so that it is connected to an electric connecting portion of the recording head to supply the recording head with drive signals when the head is mounted on the carriage. A lid is provided which covers the electric connecting portion when the recording head is not mounted on the carriage, and which opens when the recording head is mounted on the carriage. This makes it possible for the electric connecting portion to be electrically and mechanically protected when the recording head is not mounted.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink jet recording apparatus comprising a conveying means for a recording medium in a substantially horizontal direction, a head holding means for holding a plurality of ink jet heads in such a manner that the ink jet heads discharge ink vertically downward toward the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means in the substantially horizontal direction, a vertical shifting means for shifting the head holding means in a substantially vertical direction, a head recovery means for recovering and preventing the non-discharge of ink from the plurality of ink jet heads, in a condition opposed to the plurality of ink jet heads, and a horizontal shifting means for shifting the head recovery means in the substantially horizontal direction into a spatial area provided above the recording medium by lifting the head holding means in the substantially vertical direction by means of the vertical shifting means, so that the head recovery means is opposed relation to the plurality of ink

Abstract: In the high-frequency drop-on-demand ink jet system described in the specification, a variable impedance characteristic of an ink jet orifice is utilized to provide maximum drop ejection rates exceeding the maximum rates possible with constant orifice impedance characteristics. In one embodiment, successive negative, positive and negative pulses are applied to eject each drop in order to utilize a nonlinear orifice impedance characteristic, permitting maximum ink drop ejection rates exceeding 10-20 kHz and up to 150-200 kHz, and, in another embodiment, the ink jet orifice is designed with a bellmouth shape arranged to enhance the variable impedance characteristic.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead is mounted on a cartridge which has an outer casing member, an inner collapsible reservoir formed by non-elastic flexible walls, and an internal spring means inside the reservoir for creating negative pressure in the collapsible reservoir during the filling and storage of ink in the collapsible reservoir as well as during the dispensing of ink from the collapsible reservoir to the printhead.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head for ejecting droplets of ink and a driving circuit for driving the recording head. The recording head includes a base, a plate on which a plurality of openings are formed; an ink chamber to be filled with ink being formed between the base and the plate; and heater elements, provided in the ink chamber so as to face the openings of the plate, each of which heater elements supplies heat energy to ink adjacent thereto so that the air bubble is generated on each of the heater elements and so that the air bubble grows toward a corresponding one of the openings. An area of each of the openings of the plate is greater than an area each of the heater elements. When the driving circuit activates each of the heater elements, a droplet of ink is ejected due to the air bubble from the corresponding one of the openings of the plate.

Abstract: Bubble jet recording is performed using a recording head with an orifice for projecting liquid. A liquid path with a plurality of electrothermal transducers is in fluid communication with the orifice. The transducers are selectively driven to change the amount of liquid ejected from the orifice.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus executes recording with a recording head, provided in a main body, for ejecting ink. The apparatus includes a head temperature detection member provided for the recording head, a reference temperature detection member provided for the main body, and a timer means for counting time. The apparatus further includes a correction amount determination section for determining a correction amount of a head temperature detected by the head temperature detection member based on a detected value of the head temperature detection member and a detected value of the reference temperature detection member at a predetermined time counted by the timer means. A calibration section is provided for calibrating a head temperature detected by the head temperature detection member based on the correction amount.

Abstract: A thermal ink-jet ejector having a fluid flow channel extending between an ink inlet and a nozzle for the ejection of liquid ink therefrom, includes a rear channel diffuser disposed between the heating element and the inlet, and/or a front channel diffuser disposed between the heating element and the nozzle. Each diffuser includes an arrangement of tapers which decrease the flow impedance of liquid ink flowing toward the nozzle, and increase the flow impedance of liquid ink flowing toward the inlet. The arrangement increases the kinetic energy of droplets being ejected, and also increases the speed of re-fill of the channel with liquid ink following ejection.

Abstract: An ejector for a thermal ink-jet printhead includes a heating element defined on a main surface of a silicon heater chip. A cavity is disposed within the heater chip opposite the side of the heating element exposed to liquid ink. In one embodiment, the heating element is disposed on a narrow pillar which is surrounded by two elongated trenches. In another embodiment, the heating element is suspended over a cavity by narrow supports. In each case, the cavity reduces the thermal mass of the structure supporting the heating element and acts as an insulator to prevent excess heat from being dissipated into the body of the heater chip.