Abstract: Disclosed is a process for forming a channel wafer for a novel ink jet printhead, having an ink particle-filter layer over the ink-inlet surface thereof. The process comprises the steps of applying a thin coating of a heat-curable, photopatternable polymer composition to an intermediate substrate having a release surface and drying the coating to form a semi-solid adhesive layer. The layer and supporting substrate are pressed against the ink-inlet surface of a channel wafer with an optional adhesive layer to bond the layer to the ink inlet surface. The substrate is separated to transfer the contacting area of the semi-solid layer to the ink-inlet surface as a laminate, and the semi-solid layer is exposed through a filter-forming mask and ink particle-filter openings are developed therethrough, either before or after transfer of the semi-solid adhesive layer from the intermediate substrate to the ink-inlet surface of the channel wafer, and the filter layer is cured.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing intercolor bleed using pixel spot size control to improve print quality is provided. The method includes printing pixels having a first spot size in an image region having a boundary between a first color portion and a second color portion of the image by ejecting first sized ink drops from the printhead nozzles, and printing border pixels having spot sizes smaller than the first spot size in the image region by ejecting smaller ink drops from the printhead nozzles, wherein the smaller ink drops are smaller than the first sized ink drops. A printing system is provided having means for printing pixels in the region having the first spot size and means for printing border pixels having spot sizes smaller than the first spot size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing intercolor bleed to improve print quality is provided. This technique includes the detection of an edge between a black portion color portion of an image to be printed, the edge being disposed in a region of color pixels and black pixels to be printed in a first configuration of drops, modifying the first configuration of drops to obtain a second configuration of drops, and printing the image by ejecting the drops from a printhead based on the second configuration.

Abstract: A fluid ejecting device and method of forming same are provided. The fluid ejecting device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface. A nozzle plate is formed over the first surface of the substrate. The nozzle plate has a nozzle through which fluid is ejected. A drop forming mechanism is situated at the periphery of the nozzle. A fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the nozzle and has a first wall and a second wall with the first wall and the second wall being positioned at an angle relative to each other. A fluid delivery channel is formed in the substrate and extends from the second surface of the substrate to the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery channel is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. A source of fluid impedance comprises a physical structure located between the nozzle and the fluid delivery channel.

Abstract: A method of etching a substrate and an article(s) formed using the method are provided. The method includes providing a substrate; coating a region of the substrate with a temporary material having properties that enable the temporary material to remain substantially intact during subsequent processing and enable the temporary material to be removed by a subsequent process that allows the substrate to remain substantially unaltered; removing a portion of the substrate to form a feature, at least some of the removed portion of the substrate overlapping at least a portion of the coated region of the substrate while allowing the temporary material substantially intact; and removing the temporary material while allowing the substrate to remain substantially unaltered.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for forming a novel ink jet printhead which comprises: (a) providing a lower substrate in which one surface thereof has an array of drop generating elements and addressing electrodes formed thereon; (b) depositing onto the release surface of an intermediate film support a photopatternable layer comprising a precursor polymer which is a phenolic novolac resin having glycidyl ether functional groups; (c) prebaking the photopatternable layer to dry, semi-solid condition; (d) laminating the dry, semi-solid layer to the surface of the lower substrate under heat and pressure and separating it from the release surface of the intermediate film support; (e) exposing the photopatternable layer to actinic radiation in an imagewise pattern corresponding to ink nozzles and developing to form a nozzle plate section, and (f) removing the precursor polymer from the unexposed areas, thereby forming ink nozzle recesses which are aligned to communicate with the drop generating elements and terminal ends o

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for forming a channel wafer for a novel ink jet printhead, having an ink particle-filter layer over the ink-inlet surface thereof. The process comprises the steps of applying a thin coating of a heat-curable, photopatternable polymer composition to an intermediate substrate having a release surface and drying the coating to form a semi-solid adhesive layer. The layer and supporting substrate are pressed against the ink-inlet surface of a channel wafer with an optional adhesive layer to bond the layer to the ink inlet surface. The substrate is separated to transfer the contacting area of the semi-solid layer to the ink-inlet surface as a laminate, and the semi-solid layer is exposed through a filter-forming mask and ink particle-filter openings are developed therethrough, either before or after transfer of the semi-solid adhesive layer from the intermediate substrate to the ink-inlet surface of the channel wafer, and the filter layer is cured.

Abstract: Temperature regulating system for use in fluid ejection devices, such as inkjet printing devices, are provided. Such temperature regulating systems can include an ink reservoir, a printhead and optionally an intermediate ink container. Exchange of ink between the ink reservoir, or optionally the intermediate ink container, and the printhead regulates the temperature of the printhead and makes the temperature substantially uniform from drop ejector to drop ejector. Optionally, the ink is transported in a fluid communication path that is in contact with a thermally conductive substrate to further dissipate heat. Printing devices comprising such inkjet cartridges are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for automatic fluid ejector alignment and performance evaluation and modification in one or multiple planes. A fluid ejector fires a drop through a drop detection module. A signal indicating drop presence or absence is sent to a computer. The computer analyzes the data, and makes a compensation determination of a preferred method of using the fluid ejector. The compensation determination may include electronically modifying the image data to be printed, physically manipulating the fluid ejector, completely skipping the fluid ejector during printing operations, or in some other way modifying the fluid ejector or image data such that apparent printed image error due to fluid ejector alignment or performance error is reduced.

Abstract: An internal filter includes a lower substrate and an upper substrate. Fluid passages are formed by etching grooves into the surface(s) of the upper and/or lower substrates, and/or in one or more intermediate layers. The filter pores extending between the fluid passages are formed by etching second grooves that fluidly connect the fluid passages. Two or more sets of the one or two intermediate layers can be implemented to provide additional filter passages and/or pores. Each set can be connected to a separate fluid source and/or a separate microfluidic device. In another internal filter, the inlet and outlet passages and the filter pores are formed on the same upper or lower substrate. The inlet and outlet passages are partially formed in a first step. In a second step, the inlet and outlet passages are completed at the same time that the filter pores are formed.

Abstract: An internal filter includes a lower substrate and an upper substrate. Fluid passages are formed by etching grooves into the surfaces(s) of the upper and/or lower substrates and/or in one or more intermediate layers. The filter pores extending between the fluid passages are formed by etching second grooves that fluidly connect the fluid passages. Two or more sets of the one or two intermediate layers can be implemented to provide additional filter passages and/or pores. Each set can be connected to a separate fluid source and/or a separate microfluidic device. In another internal filter, the inlet and outlet passages and the filter pores are formed on the same upper or lower substrate. The inlet and outlet passages are partially formed in a first step. In a second step, the inlet and outlet passages are completed at the same time that the filter pores are formed.

Abstract: A printer with reduced required space for printbar substrates in a printhead is disclosed. A first printbar has of a plurality of first die modules, for applying a first color, spaced apart so as to have gaps between each die module and located on a top surface of a first substrate. A second printbar has of a plurality of second die modules, for applying a second color, different for the first color, spaced apart so as to have gaps between each die module and located on a bottom surface of the first substrate. A third printbar for applying the first color and a fourth printbar for applying the second color, both have die modules, spaced apart on a top surface and a bottom surface of a second substrate, that correspond with the gaps on the top surface and the bottom surface of the first substrate, respectively.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments of systems and methods according to this invention, fluid ejector is formed with orifice structures in fluid ejector print heads without defects, such as chipping of the orifice because dicing does not contact the orifice. A fluid ejector is formed with an orifice structure that can be formed in at least one layer of a fluid ejector head and the orifice structure is formed in such a way that the opening of the variously shaped orifice is offset forward or backward from the diced front face of the fluid ejector print head. The orifice structure allows dicing that does not contact the orifice structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for forming a novel ink jet printhead which comprises: (a) providing a lower substrate in which one surface thereof has an array of drop generating elements and addressing electrodes formed thereon; (b) depositing onto the release surface of an intermediate film support a photopatternable layer comprising a precursor polymer which is a phenolic novolac resin having glycidyl ether functional groups; (c) prebaking the photopatternable layer to dry, semi-solid condition; (d) laminating the dry, semi-solid layer to the surface of the lower substrate under heat and pressure and separating it from the release surface of the intermediate film support; (e) exposing the photopatternable layer to actinic radiation in an imagewise pattern corresponding to ink nozzles and developing to form a nozzle plate section, and (f) removing the precursor polymer from the unexposed areas, thereby forming ink nozzle recesses which are aligned to communicate with the drop generating elements and terminal ends o

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for forming a channel wafer for a novel ink jet printhead, having an ink particle-filter layer over the ink-inlet surface thereof. The process comprises the steps of applying a thin coating of a heat-curable, photopatternable polymer composition to an intermediate substrate having a release surface and drying the coating to form a semi-solid adhesive layer. The layer and supporting substrate are pressed against the ink-inlet surface of a channel wafer with an optional adhesive layer to bond the layer to the ink inlet surface. The substrate is separated to transfer the contacting area of the semi-solid layer to the ink-inlet surface as a laminate, and the semi-solid layer is exposed through a filter-forming mask and ink particle-filter openings are developed therethrough, either before or after transfer of the semi-solid adhesive layer from the intermediate substrate to the ink-inlet surface of the channel wafer, and the filter layer is cured.

Abstract: A microfluidic filter has a conical filter structure having a plurality of pores through the structure. Alternately the microfluidic filter can have a cylindrical filter structure or a coil structure of multiple cylindrical filters with decreasing radii. The pore structure of the filters is formed by laser ablation.

Abstract: A nonbuttable full-width array printhead with reduced number of printbars required in a color printer is disclosed. The number of printbars may be reduced by including one single color printbar for each color and an additional printbar with multicolor die modules including each of the colors of the single color printbars. Die modules on each of the single color printbars are spaced closer together but are not butted. The total number of printbars may also be reduced by staggering printbars with multicolor die modules between printbars with the single color die modules. In the latter case, it is possible to preserve the order that inks of the various colors are applied for all regions of the printed paper.

Abstract: An apparatus (22, 122) for filtering a substance (13) includes an electrically insulating substrate (30, 130) that separates a source volume (12) containing the substance (13) from a target volume (18). The substrate (30, 130) has a first side in fluid communication with the source volume (12) and a second side in fluid communication with the target volume (18). The substrate (30, 130) further includes a plurality of openings (42, 142) connecting the first side with the second side. The openings (42, 142) are sized to provide filtering fluid communication between the source volume (12) and the target volume (18) for at least one phase of the substance. A heater film (32) is deposited over selected portions of the substrate (30, 130). The heater film (32) contacts the substrate (30, 130) to heat at least a portion of the openings (42, 142).

Abstract: A microfluidic filter has a conical filter structure having a plurality of pores through the structure. Alternately the microfluidic filter can have a cylindrical filter structure or a coil structure of multiple cylindrical filters with decreasing radii. The pore structure of the filters is formed by laser ablation.

Abstract: An apparatus (22, 122) for filtering a substance (13) includes an electrically insulating substrate (30, 130) that separates a source volume (12) containing the substance (13) from a target volume (18). The substrate (30, 130) has a first side in fluid communication with the source volume (12) and a second side in fluid communication with the target volume (18). The substrate (30, 130) further includes a plurality of openings (42, 142) connecting the first side with the second side. The openings (42, 142) are sized to provide filtering fluid communication between the source volume (12) and the target volume (18) for at least one phase of the substance. A heater film (32) is deposited over selected portions of the substrate (30, 130). The heater film (32) contacts the substrate (30, 130) to heat at least a portion of the openings (42, 142).