Abstract: An ink jet print head has a plurality of nozzles arranged in a vertical line at the printing end and connected by respective ink channels to pressure cavities in a circular arrangement at the ink supply end. The pressure cavities are supplied from an intermediate chamber contained in the print head and formed in a thin elongated shape and positioned generally in a plane parallel with the line of the nozzles. The construction of the print head compensates for acceleration and deceleration forces which are induced in the ink due to movement of the print head in the horizontal direction or perpendicular to the plane of the nozzles.

Abstract: The nozzle plate of an ink jet print head is made of glass to provide a desirable wetting property for a stable meniscus of the ink column and the front surface of the plate is coated with a non-wetting material such as metal or plastic to prevent ink deposits at the front surface around the orifice. Any ink deposits at such front surface would adversely affect the ejection of ink droplets.

Abstract: A mold having a desired print head shape includes a cover in which a plurality of rods or ductile fibers are attached, the cover being positioned with the rods extending into the mold and to the side opposite the cover. A hardenable synthetic material is introduced through a hole in the cover and after hardening of the material to form the print head, the rods are withdrawn from the mold to leave bores or apertures in the print head which serve as passageways for the droplets of ink.

Abstract: Means for supplying ink to a plurality of individually-spaced movable print heads is caused to be moved in a direction therewith but which ink supply means is positioned and directed in a manner perpendicular to the direction of movement of the print heads. An ink container is fixed at a distance from the print heads and a separate flexible ink supply tube, extending substantially in a vertical direction, connects the container with each individual print head. The ink supply tubes are movably swung or pivoted as the print heads are caused to be laterally moved and the swinging or pivoting movement of the supply tubes prevents interruption of the flow of ink to the print heads upon reversal of travel thereof at the ends of the printing lines.

Abstract: An actuator including a solenoid and a "U"-shaped leaf spring. One end of the leaf spring is fixed to one end of the solenoid and the other end (a free end) of the leaf spring is located near the opposite end of the solenoid and is free to be attracted to the opposite end of the solenoid when it is energized. An actuating element is fixed to the free end of the leaf spring and is brought into operative engagement with a record medium when the actuator is actuated. A plurality of the actuators are arranged in a circle in a frame to produce a print head of the wire matrix variety. The actuators can also be used to punch holes in a record medium.