Abstract: Methods for digitally printing on various articles, particularly ceramic articles, are disclosed. A first step includes applying a fluid glazing material to an article creating a coated surface. The fluid glazing material can either contain an underprinting agent for accepting and adhering chromophores to the fluid glazing material, or the underprinting agent can be jetted onto the fluid glazing material prior to the jetting of chromophores onto the article. A chromophore-containing fluid is then jetted onto the ceramic article and the article is fired. Additionally, an inkjettable composition is disclosed having a large amount of metal ion present in the composition.

Abstract: A process for creating and an apparatus employing shaped orifices in a semiconductor substrate. A first layer of material is applied on the semiconductor substrate then a second layer of material is then applied upon the first layer of material. An orifice image is then transferred to the first layer of material and a fluid-well image is transferred to the second layer of material. That portion of the second layer of material where the orifice image is located is then developed along with that portion of the first layer of material where the fluid well is located to define an orifice in the substrate.

Abstract: A process for creating and an apparatus employing shaped orifices in a semiconductor substrate. A first layer of material is applied on the semiconductor substrate then a second layer of material is then applied upon the first layer of material. An orifice image is then transferred to the first layer of material and a fluid-well image is transferred to the second layer of material. That portion of the second layer of material where the orifice image is located is then developed along with that portion of the first layer of material where the fluid well is located to define an orifice in the substrate.

Abstract: Methods for digitally printing on various articles, particularly ceramic articles, are disclosed. A first step includes applying a fluid glazing material to an article creating a coated surface. The fluid glazing material can either contain an underprinting agent for accepting and adhering chromophores to the fluid glazing material, or the underprinting agent can be jetted onto the fluid glazing material prior to the jetting of chromophores onto the article. A chromophore-containing fluid is then jetted onto the ceramic article and the article is fired. Additionally, an inkjettable composition is disclosed having a large amount of metal ion present in the composition.

Abstract: A process for creating and an apparatus employing shaped orifices in a semiconductor substrate. A first layer of material is applied on the semiconductor substrate then a second layer of material is then applied upon the first layer of material. An orifice image is then transferred to the first layer of material and a fluid-well image is transferred to the second layer of material. That portion of the second layer of material where the orifice image is located is then developed along with that portion of the first layer of material where the fluid well is located to define an orifice in the substrate.

Abstract: A process for creating and an apparatus employing shaped orifices in a semiconductor substrate. A first layer of material is applied on the semiconductor substrate then a second layer of material is then applied upon the first layer of material. An orifice image is then transferred to the first layer of material and a fluid-well image is transferred to the second layer of material. That portion of the second layer of material where the orifice image is located is then developed along with that portion of the first layer of material where the fluid well is located to define an orifice in the substrate.

Abstract: A process for creating and an apparatus employing shaped orifices in a semiconductor substrate. A first layer of material is applied on the semiconductor substrate then a second layer of material is then applied upon the first layer of material. An orifice image is then transferred to the first layer of material and a fluid-well image is transferred to the second layer of material. That portion of the second layer of material where the orifice image is located is then developed along with that portion of the first layer of material where the fluid well is located to define an orifice in the substrate.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system includes a semipermanent printhead having a fluid input for receiving ink and an ejection portion for depositing ink in response to control signals. The printing system also includes a replaceable ink supply configured for providing ink to the printhead that stores an ink volume. The printhead is capable of lasting throughout the life of a plurality of the ink volumes. The printing system includes a fluid accumulator portion in fluid communication with the printhead and the replaceable ink supply. The fluid accumulator is adapted to accommodate the air introduced into the printhead during the usage of the ink supplies without purging air from the printhead. An ink delivery apparatus is described that fluidically couples to the fluid input and provides ink to the printhead. This ink delivery apparatus is adapted to control air introduction to the printhead such that the accumulator portion can accommodate all air introduced during the life the printhead.

Abstract: A service station wiper fluid in an inkjet ink printing system, which in addition to the servicing fluid, also has a surfactant which improves the surface energy consistency of the nozzle plate, thus stabilizing the drop directionality of the ink from inkjet nozzle to the print media.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inkjet printing system including a semipermanent printhead having a fluid input for receiving ink and an ejection portion for depositing ink in response to control signals. The printing system also includes a replaceable ink supply configured for providing ink to the printhead that stores an ink volume. The printhead is capable of lasting throughout the life of a plurality of the ink volumes. The printing system includes a fluid accumulator portion in fluid communication with the printhead and the replaceable ink supply. The fluid accumulator is adapted to accommodate the air introduced into the printhead during the usage of the ink supplies without purging air from the printhead.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inkjet printing system including a semipermanent printhead having a fluid input for receiving ink and an ejection portion for depositing ink in response to control signals. The printing system also includes a replaceable ink supply configured for providing ink to the printhead that stores an ink volume. The printhead is capable of lasting throughout the life of a plurality of the ink volumes. The printing system includes a fluid accumulator portion in fluid communication with the printhead and the replaceable ink supply. The fluid accumulator is adapted to accommodate the air introduced into the printhead during the usage of the ink supplies without purging air from the printhead. Also disclosed is an ink delivery apparatus that fluidically couples to the fluid input and provides ink to the printhead. This ink delivery apparatus is adapted to control air introduction to the printhead such that the accumulator portion can accommodate all air introduced during the life the printhead.

Abstract: A process for creating and an apparatus employing shaped orifices in a semiconductor substrate. A first layer of material is applied on the semiconductor substrate then a second layer of material is then applied upon the first layer of material. An orifice image is then transferred to the first layer of material and a fluid-well image is transferred to the second layer of material. That portion of the second layer of material where the orifice image is located is then developed along with that portion of the first layer of material where the fluid well is located to define an orifice in the substrate.

Abstract: An anti-outgassing ink composition and method for using the same. The ink composition consists of an ink vehicle, a coloring agent, and an anti-outgassing additive. The additive prevents the outgassing of dissolved gases from the ink composition (e.g. in the form of gas bubbles) at temperatures generated within thermal printers (about 25-80.degree. C.). The additive accomplishes this goal by increasing the solubility of the gas in the ink composition. As a result, the continuous and uninterrupted flow of ink from the ink delivery system is achieved. A preferred additive consists of ethoxylated glycerol. The additive is used in an amount sufficient to control bubble formation. A typical ink composition will contain about 2-12% by weight additive. Use of the ink composition provides numerous benefits which are achieved without physical modifications to the printing hardware.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic ink is formed by a dispersion of ferromagnetic particles mixed with an ink base. Drops of the ink are ejected from an inkjet printhead to print characters or markings onto a print media sheet. To resist clogging printhead nozzles, the dispersed ferromagnetic particles have an average diameter equal to or less than approximately 1/10 of the average nozzle diameter. A magnetic field is applied to the ejected ink drops during printing to direct, or more specifically bias, the ink drops toward the print media. The magnetic "biasing" force aids in maintaining drop shape along the ejection path, and in reducing bounce. As a result, edge roughness and spray are decreased so as to improve print quality. In alternative embodiments, the magnetic field source is formed by a permanent magnet or electromagnet. Such a field source is integral to or adjacent to a printer platen. The field source is located adjacent to the printhead and in several embodiments extends along the scan path of the printhead.

Abstract: An anti-outgassing ink composition and method for using the same. The ink composition consists of an ink vehicle, a coloring agent, and an anti-outgassing additive. The additive prevents the outgassing of dissolved gases from the ink composition (e.g. in the form of gas bubbles) at temperatures generated within thermal printers (about 25.degree.-80.degree. C.). The additive accomplishes this goal by increasing the solubility of the gas in the ink composition. As a result, the continuous and uninterrupted flow of ink from the ink delivery system is achieved. A preferred additive consists of ethoxylated glycerol. The additive is used in an amount sufficient to control bubble formation. A typical ink composition will contain about 2-12% by weight additive. Use of the ink composition provides numerous benefits which are achieved without physical modifications to the printing hardware.

Abstract: A thin sleeve covering multiple, flexible ink-delivery tubes connecting ink sources to a reciprocable carriage-mounted printhead in an ink-jet printer is sealed around each tube preventing any tube from physically interacting with any other tube. The sleeve provides structural support for the tubes and eliminates entangling of the tubes. In addition, the sleeve can minimize the unwanted diffusion or evaporation of volatile ink constituents through the tubes' sidewalls by maintaining an equilibrious condition on either side of the tubes' sidewalls between the ink inside tube and the diffused volatile ink constituents that are disposed outside the tube but contained inside the sleeve.

Abstract: A poly-p-xylylene coating has been found to demonstrate superior properties as a thermal ink-jet adhesive material in combination with resistor assemblies employed in thermal ink-jet printheads. This material evidences better adhesion for securing the orifice plate to the barrier material used to form the ink firing chambers within the printhead and superior corrosion resistance to thermal ink-jet inks, compared to other coating materials.

Abstract: An ink-jet pen for storing at below-ambient pressure has an orifice formed therein for providing air bubbles to prevent the back pressure from rising above a level that would cause malfunction of the pen. The amount of air drawn into the reservoir is restricted by the reservoir ink that covers the orifice whenever the pen is in an upright position. The valve operates to occlude the orifice whenever the pen is moved into a position, such as inverted, where the reservoir ink no longer covers the orifice. The occlusion of the orifice prevents the unrestricted flow of ambient air into the reservoir that would otherwise eliminate the required back pressure in the reservoir. The valve includes a sealing liquid selected so that the liquid occludes a passage between the orifice and ambient air without flowing through that passage.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the crusting propensity of dyes, complexed with sodium or other cations, used in ink-jet print heads and for improving other properties of such dyes. The process comprises replacing at least a portion of the cations on such dyes with preselected cations, such as those of the alkali metals lithium, potassium, ammonium, and amines. A two-step process may be used, in which the sodium cations first are at least partially replaced with hydrogen cations by passing an aqueous solution of the dye through the hydrogen form of a strong acid ion exchange resin and the hydrogen cations subsequently are at least partially replaced with the preselected cations by neutralizing the hydrogen-containing dye solution with a base which contains the preselected cation species. Alternately, a one-step process, comprising passing the aqueous solution of the dye through an ion-exchange resin pre-loaded with the preselected cations may be employed.

Abstract: A process for the preparation and recovery of an effective dispersant from vanillin raffinate by reaction with formaldehyde is described.