Abstract: A system and method for applying an image to a substrate surface are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for depositing a substance onto a substrate comprises continuously transporting the substrate in a transport direction while traversing a deposition arrangement across the substrate to deposit the substance in a number of swathes. During such movement the positions of the deposition arrangement and the substrate are controlled with respect to one another such that the swathes complement one another to provide substantially uniform coverage of the substrate. As a result of the defined arrangement, improved substrate speeds can be achieved since there is no need for the substrate to stop at each traverse.

Abstract: A system and method for applying an image to a substrate surface are disclosed.

Abstract: A surfactant selected from an acrylate-modified polydimethylsiloxane or a polyether-modified polydimethylsiloxane is used, together with at least a colorant and a UV-curable organic diluent, in a non-aqueous UV-curable ink composition suitable for ink jet printing. The use of this type of surfactant prevents the ink composition from causing the loss of more than 5% of the nozzles in an ink jet print head and enables the composition to provide a hole to area ratio of no more than 0.05. The present ink compositions have particular application in the printing of packaging for foodstuffs.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of forming a conductive metal region on a substrate, comprising depositing on the substrate a solution of a metal ion, and depositing on the substrate a solution of a reducing agent, such that the metal ion and the reducing agent react together in a reaction solution to form a conductive metal region on the substrate.

Abstract: An automatic maintenance unit for a static print head used in a drop on demand inkjet printer is provided by a combination of a removable capping element to abut and cover ink ejection nozzles and a movable wiping element including a wiper to remove residual ink after removal of the capping element and before commencement of a print run, thereby avoiding the need for manual capping and decapping and cleaning of the print head and speeding up the printing cycle. The capping clement is preferably mounted pivotally so that it can be swung between a capping position between print runs and a retracted position during print runs, and the wiper is preferably mounted on a frame to move outwards and upwards from a retracted position adopted during print runs, to a position above the nozzles and then downwards across the nozzles to clean them prior to a print run before returning to the retracted position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming on the surface of a substrate a first solid layer which is suitable for activating a chemical reaction to form a second layer thereon, the method comprising the steps of: applying to the surface of the substrate a first liquid comprising a curable composition and an activator for the second layer-forming chemical reaction; and curing the curable composition, thereby forming a first solid layer adhered to the surface of the substrate, capable of activating the second layer-forming chemical reaction. A second layer can then be formed on the substrate by bringing into contact with the first solid layer a second fluid comprising components of a second layer-forming chemical reaction, activated by the activator, thereby causing a second layer to be formed on the first solid layer.

Abstract: A contact of a component is electrically connected to an associated contact of an electrical circuit, typically formed on a substrate, by depositing material between the contacts, the material forming or being processed to form an electrical connection between the contacts. The invention also provides apparatus for this purpose and a resulting circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming, on the surface of a substrate, a first layer which is suitable for activating a second solid-layer-forming chemical reaction thereon, the method comprising the steps of bringing into contact with the substrate a first liquid which forms a first solid layer thereon, the first liquid comprising an activator for the second solid-layer-forming chemical reaction, characterised in that the first liquid is selected so that the first solid layer adheres to the substrate and is permeable to a second liquid that comprises one or more reagents for the second solid-layer-forming chemical reaction. A second solid layer can then be formed on the substrate by bringing into contact with the first solid layer a second liquid comprising one or more reagents for the second solid-layer-forming reaction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring usage of liquids of high value or sensitive nature which are applied in repeated small controlled volumes are provided by monitoring and recording parameters including the number of applications, purging, priming and cleaning steps and the usage of liquid supply and circulation pumps. The monitored parameters present a record of the total liquid usage. The recorded usage of the liquid pumps can be cross-checked with the volumes indicated by the other parameters so as to highlight any disagreement between the respective indications of total liquid volumes employed, thereby alerting the user to possible operating problems and permitting prompt remedial action to be taken.