Abstract: A micro-electromechanical device includes a substrate containing drive circuitry. An elongate actuator is fast with the substrate at a fixed end. The elongate actuator has a laminated structure of at least one inner layer and a pair of opposed, outer layers. The outer layers have substantially the same thermal expansion and elasticity characteristics. One of the outer layers defines an electrical heating circuit that is in electrical contact with the drive circuitry to be heated and to expand on receipt of an electrical signal from the drive circuitry and to cool and contract on termination of the signal, thereby to generate reciprocal movement of the actuator.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical device that comprises a substrate; an elongate actuator that has a fixed end that is connected to the substrate and a movable end, the actuator being configured so that the movable end is displaced relative to the substrate on receipt of an actuation signal; a motion-transmitting structure that is fast with the movable end of the actuator, the motion transmitting structure being connected to a working member so that movement of the actuator is translated to the working member; and a covering formation that is positioned on the substrate so that the substrate, the covering formation and the motion-transmitting structure define an air chamber, the actuator being positioned within the air chamber.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a printhead chip that includes a plurality of nozzle arrangements, each nozzle arrangement having nozzle chamber walls that define a nozzle chamber and an ink ejection port bounded by a rim includes the step of depositing a sacrificial layer on a substrate having drive circuitry formed on the substrate. The sacrificial layer is etched to define deposition zones for the nozzle chamber walls and the rim. A conformal layer of structural material is deposited on the sacrificial layer. The conformal layer is planarized to a predetermined depth to define each ink ejection port bounded by its respective rim. The sacrificial layer is then etched away.

Abstract: A printhead supporting shell (4) is provided for a pagewidth printhead assembly (1). The shell comprises a longitudinal laminated structure defining an interior space and formed from continuous layers of at least two materials (10,11). The layers are odd in number and disposed symmetrically about a central layer (10). In preferred embodiments, the supporting shell is adapted to a pagewidth printhead (12).

Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising at least one inkjet printhead printhead having a series of ink ejection nozzles for the ejection of ink, each of said nozzles interconnecting a nozzle chamber with an external atmosphere, each said nozzle having a first meniscus rim around which an ink meniscus normally forms, and an extended ink flow prevention rim spaced outwardly from said first meniscus rim and substantially encircling said first meniscus rim, arranged to prevent the flow of ink across the surface of said inkjet printhead.

Abstract: An ink jet nozzle assembly for an ink jet printer includes a nozzle chamber having an ink inlet communicating with an ink reservoir and a nozzle through which ink from the chamber can be ejected onto a page. The chamber includes a fixed portion and a movable portion configured for relative movement in an ejection phase and alternate relative movement in a refill phase. The movable portion includes a number of thermal actuator petal devices arranged around a central stem. The petal devices undergo bending upon heating to effect periodically the relative movement. The inlet is positioned and dimensioned relative to the nozzle such that ink is ejected preferentially from the chamber through the nozzle in droplet form during the ejection phase, and ink is alternately drawn preferentially into the chamber from the reservoir through the inlet during the refill phase.

Abstract: A method of detecting a blockage within a micro electro-mechanical device in the form of an ink ejection nozzle having an actuating arm that moves an ink displacing paddle when heat inducing electric current is passed through the actuating arm and having a movement sensor associated with the actuating arm. The method comprises the steps of passing at least one current pulse having a predetermined duration through the actuating arm and detecting for a predetermined level of movement of the actuating arm. A fault is detected to exist if the detected movement of the arm is less than the desired movement for an unblocked condition. Where a blockage is detected, at least one further current pulse having an energy level greater than the blockage detecting pulse may be passed through the actuating arm in an attempt to clear the blockage.

Abstract: A page width printhead assembly (1) for a digital inkjet printer has a support member that can be secured in the printer, and a printhead (2) that can be mounted to the support member. The support member has a core with at least one ink reservoir (6, 7, 8 and 9) enclosed within a laminated shell (4). The materials and structure of the shell (4) and the core (5) are selected and configured so that the co-efficient of thermal expansion of the support member as a whole is substantially equal to that of the printhead (2).

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical liquid ejection device includes a substrate that incorporates drive circuitry. Nozzle chamber walls are positioned on the substrate to define a nozzle chamber. The nozzle chamber walls include a roof wall that defines an ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. The substrate defines an inlet passage through the substrate and into the nozzle chamber. An elongate drive member is fast with the substrate at a fixed end and incorporates an electrical circuit that is in electrical contact with the drive circuitry to receive an electrical signal from the drive circuitry. The drive member is configured so that a free end is displaced relative to the substrate on receipt of the electrical signal. A motion-transmitting member is fast with the free end of the drive member so that the motion-transmitting member is displaced together with the free end.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead chip includes a substrate that defines a plurality of ink inlet channels. A drive circuitry layer is on the substrate. A plurality of nozzle arrangements is on the substrate. Each nozzle arrangement includes nozzle chamber walls and a roof on the substrate to define a nozzle chamber opening into a respective ink inlet channel, with the roof defining an ink ejection port opening into the nozzle chamber. An ink ejection member is in the nozzle chamber. The ink ejection member is displaceable with respect to the substrate to eject ink from the ink ejection port. An actuator is connected to the ink ejection member and to the drive circuitry layer. The actuator is displaceable upon receipt of an electrical signal from the drive circuitry layer to displace the ink ejection member and thus eject ink from the ink ejection port. A lever mechanism interconnects the ink ejection member and the actuator.

Abstract: A paddle (5) for a liquid ejection device (1) is located in a chamber (2) and is moveable in a forward direction between a rest state and an ejection state, for ejecting fluid from the chamber through an outlet port (11) as it moves from the rest state to the ejection state. The paddle (5) is positioned to substantially close an inlet port (3) when in the rest state and the paddle (5) and the inlet port (3) define an aperture (16) between themselves. The paddle (5) includes means (12) to reduce fluid flow through the aperture (16) toward the inlet port (3) as the paddle (5) moves from the rest state to the ejection state.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a printhead chip that includes a plurality of nozzle arrangements, each nozzle arrangement having nozzle chamber walls that define a nozzle chamber and an ink ejection port bounded by a rim includes the step of depositing a sacrificial layer on a substrate having drive circuitry formed on the substrate. The sacrificial layer is etched to define deposition zones for the nozzle chamber walls and the rim. A conformal layer of structural material is deposited on the sacrificial layer. The conformal layer is planarized to a predetermined depth to define each ink ejection port bounded by its respective rim. The sacrificial layer is then etched away.

Abstract: A micro electro-mechanical device embodied within an ink ejection nozzle having an actuating arm that is caused to move an ink displacing paddle when heat inducing electric current is passed through the actuating arm is disclosed. The paddle is located in an ink chamber and the actuating arm passes through an actuator aperture in the chamber. The actuating arm including the paddle is moved to eject a droplet. The chamber includes a plurality of vents for venting to atmosphere air bubbles which may form in the chamber when the device operates to eject droplets of ink.

Abstract: To provide an ink jet record head having a nozzle shape capable of promptly curbing meniscus vibrations occurring on refilling and stably performing discharge. A second discharge port portion 10 has a form in which, with a lower side of a square on a bubbling chamber 8 side, angles on an upper side of the square are curved respectively on any cross section vertical to a principal surface of an element substrate on which heaters 1 are formed and going through the center of a discharge port 4, and these curves are shaped as arcs of circles of a radius R inscribed in the angles on the upper side of the square respectively.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a developing apparatus for developing a latent image formed on an image bearer by applying toner and a cleaning apparatus for removing the toner remaining on the image bearer after a toner image is transferred to a transfer medium. Also included is a toner scattering prevention apparatus to prevent toner scattering. The toner scattering prevention apparatus includes a pair of substantially similar air filters and is detachably attached to air draining openings respectively formed on the developing and cleaning apparatuses.

Abstract: A motion-transmitting structure 122, for use in a nozzle arrangement 100 of an ink jet print head chip, the motion transmitting structure 122 comprising an effort formation 124, a lever arm formation 126, and a load formation 128, wherein the lever arm formation 126 is interposed between the effort formation 124 and the load formation 128; and, whereby the motion-transmitting structure 122 interconnects an actuator arm 150 and a paddle 140.

Abstract: A page width printhead assembly (1) for a digital inkjet printer has a support member that can be secured in the printer, and a printhead (2) that can be mounted to the support member. The support member has a core with at least one ink reservoir (6, 7, 8 and 9) enclosed within a laminated shell (4). The materials and structure of the shell (4) and the core (5) are selected and configured so that the co-efficient of thermal expansion of the support member as a whole is substantially equal to that of the printhead (2).

Abstract: A page width printhead assembly (1) for a digital inkjet printer has a support member that can be secured in the printer, and a printhead (2) that can be mounted to the support member. The support member has a core with at least one ink reservoir (6, 7, 8 and 9) enclosed within a laminated shell (4). The materials and structure of the shell (4) and the core (5) are selected and configured so that the co-efficient of thermal expansion of the support member as a whole is substantially equal to that of the printhead (2).

Abstract: To accurately position and fix an ink cartridge on an ink cartridge mounting unit, a first engaging depression is formed in the bottom wall of the ink cartridge and a corresponding protrusion is formed in the mounting unit. Also, an ink supply port is formed in the bottom wall. When the ink cartridge is mounted on the mounting unit, the ink supply port is engaged first with an ink supply channel formed in the mounting unit and fluidly connected to the head unit. Then, the first engaging depression is brought into engagement with the corresponding protrusion in the mounting unit. A second engaging depression is further formed in the top. The engaging pawl of a locking arm engages the second engaging, depression when the locking arm locks the ink cartridge to the head unit. Further, a pair of ribs is provided on the rear side wall of the ink cartridge. The ribs oppose each other with a prescribed interval.

Abstract: An ink jet heater chip having improved thermal. The chip includes a semiconductor substrate, a first metal resistive, a second metal conductive layer on a first portion of the resistive layer and on a second portion of the resistive layer defining a heater resistor element. A passivation layer having a thickness defined by a deposition process is deposited on the second metal conductive layer and heater resistor element. A cavitation layer is deposited on the passivation layer and etched. A dielectric layer is deposited and etched to provide a dielectric layer overlying the first portion of the resistive layer. An electrical conduit via is etched in the dielectric layer. A third metal conductive layer is deposited in the via for electrical contact with the second metal conductive layer. Separately deposited dielectric and passivation layers enable independent control of the thickness of the dielectric and passivation layers.