Abstract: A transfer image forming apparatus includes ink applying unit for applying ink to an intermediate transfer member to form an intermediate image; a heating unit for irradiating the intermediate transfer member with at least infrared light to heat the intermediate image; and a transferring unit for pressing a recording medium against the intermediate transfer member having formed thereon the intermediate image to transfer the intermediate image onto the recording medium. The intermediate transfer member includes a substrate, and at least a second layer, a metal layer, and a first layer as a surface layer provided in the listed order on the substrate. The heat conductivity of the second layer is smaller than that of the first layer.

Abstract: A transfer image forming apparatus including an ink applying unit for applying an ink to an intermediate transfer member to form an intermediate image; a heating unit for irradiating the intermediate transfer member with at least infrared light to heat the intermediate image; and a transferring unit for pressing a recording medium against the intermediate transfer member having formed thereon the intermediate image to transfer the intermediate image onto the recording medium. The intermediate transfer member includes a substrate, and at least a second layer, a metal layer, and a first layer as a surface layer provided in the stated order on the substrate. The heat conductivity of the second layer has is smaller than that of the first layer.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes an energy generating element which generates energy to be used to discharge a liquid; and a plurality of discharge ports which is formed for each energy generating element and allows the liquid to be discharged therethrough. The plurality of discharge ports have regions where the angles of contact with the liquid are different around the discharge ports, and the regions in the discharge ports where the contact angles are relatively small are formed at different positions in the plurality of discharge ports, and the liquids discharged from the plurality of discharge ports are discharged in directions away from each other.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes an energy generating element which generates energy to be used to discharge a liquid; and a plurality of discharge ports which is formed for each energy generating element and allows the liquid to be discharged therethrough. The plurality of discharge ports have regions where the angles of contact with the liquid are different around the discharge ports, and the regions in the discharge ports where the contact angles are relatively small are formed at different positions in the plurality of discharge ports, and the liquids discharged from the plurality of discharge ports are discharged in directions away from each other.

Abstract: A liquid cartridge of the present invention has a liquid ejection portion 1 for ejecting liquid droplets, a reservoir E1 for storing liquid, and a communicating member 3 for providing communication between both of them. The reservoir E1 has first and second storage portions 10a, 10b isolated by films 6 to 8 arranged spaced from each other and an atmospheric release portion. When a small diameter portion 5a is inserted into an applied concave portion 4 of the liquid ejection portion 1, a tip 3a of the communicating member 3 breaks through the first to third films 6 to 8 sequentially in the period from the beginning to the end of insertion. Consequently, liquid in the first storage portion 10a is filled into the ejection head 2 and thereafter liquid stored in the second storage portion 10b is filled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid discharge recording head comprising a substrate on which an energy generating element for generating liquid discharging energy is provided, and an orifice plate which is laminated with the substrate and in which a discharge port corresponding to the energy generating element is provided, and wherein a liquid droplet is discharged in a direction substantially perpendicular to surfaces of the substrate and the orifice plate, and further wherein a flow path is formed between the substrate and the orifice plate, a groove encircling the flow path is formed in the orifice plate, and edge portions of the orifice plate contacted with the groove are formed as saw-shaped portions having a number of minute indentations.

Abstract: A method for producing a liquid discharge head provided with a head main body including plural energy generating elements for generating energy for discharging liquid as a flying liquid droplet, and plural liquid paths in which the energy generating elements are respectively provided, and an orifice plate adjoined to the head main body and provided with plural discharge ports respectively communicating with the liquid paths and plural independent projections formed around the discharge ports and respectively corresponding to the discharge ports so as to enter into the liquid paths and to engage therewith. The method includes steps of forming the plural projections and the discharge ports while a continuous resinous film is transported; separating the film in a continuous manner in a predetermined size including the portion on which the discharge ports are formed, thereby preparing the orifice plate; and adjoining the orifice plate to the head main body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid discharge recording head comprising a substrate on which an energy generating element for generating liquid discharging energy is provided, and an orifice plate which is laminated with the substrate and in which a discharge port corresponding to the energy generating element is provided, and wherein a liquid droplet is discharged in a direction substantially perpendicular to surfaces of the substrate and the orifice plate, and further wherein a flow path is formed between the substrate and the orifice plate, a groove encircling the flow path is formed in the orifice plate, and edge portions of the orifice plate contacted with the groove are formed as saw-shaped portions having a number of minute indentations.

Abstract: In an ink jet head manufacturing method wherein a plurality of substrates provided with ejection energy generating elements for generating energy for ejecting ink, are arranged on a supporting member, and a top plate is mounted on the substrate to cover all of the substrates to form ink flow paths, the improvement residing in that the supporting member is provided with recesses at a supporting portion for supporting the substrates, and an adhesive material is supplied into the recesses, and thereafter, the substrate is placed on the supporting member.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a liquid discharge head comprises the steps of providing a head main body having liquid flow paths, and an aperture surface having flow path openings communicated with the flow paths; providing a discharge port plate having extrusions each on the circumference of an inside opening communicated with each of the discharge ports, being on the inner face on the side opposite to the discharge port surface provided with discharge ports for discharging liquid, and a base having a substantially flat surface. For this method, the discharge port plate is arranged in a state of these surfaces formed integrally to be in contact; bonding the aperture surface and the inner face to fit the extrusions into the flow path openings by pressing the head main body and the base in the direction of the head main body and the base approaching each other with the discharge port plate between them; and separating the base from other members.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to ensure a desired precision in positioning an orifice plate with respect to liquid flow paths of a head main body, so as to prevent a failure liquid discharge which will possibly be caused due to a problem involved in a process of forming the orifice holes. In detail, a head main body is formed on the lower wall thereof a plurality of heating elements, has a plurality of liquid flow paths formed by dividing an internal space with a plurality of liquid flow path walls and arranged in parallel relationship with one another. On either side of the plurality of the liquid flow paths there are formed two dummy liquid flow paths. An orifice plate is formed with a plurality of orifice holes arranged in parallel with one another for discharging ink. Further, on either side of the plurality of the orifice holes there are formed two projected portions so shaped that they are capable of engaging with the opening ends of the dummy liquid flow paths.

Abstract: In a liquid discharge head having an orifice plate in which a plurality of discharge ports for discharging liquid droplets therethrough are arranged, and a head body provided with a plurality of flow paths communicating with the plurality of discharge ports, a liquid chamber for supplying liquid to the plurality of flow paths, and a plurality of energy generation elements disposed correspondingly to the plurality of flow paths and generating energy for discharging the liquid droplets, the orifice plate being joined to the joined surface of the head body in which the communication ports of the flow paths communicating with the discharge ports are disposed, the orifice plate is formed with wall-shaped convex portions protruding from the inner peripheral portions of the discharge ports and having at least a portion thereof entering from the communication ports into the flow paths, and the width of the wall-shaped convex portions is greater in the portions thereof parallel to the row direction in which the plural

Abstract: A printing head has a plurality of heater boards, each of which includes a shift register to which printing data and selection data for selecting preheating pulse signals are applied as inputs, a latch circuit for latching the printing data, a selection-data latch circuit for latching the selection data, a selection circuit for selecting any one of a plurality of preheating pulse signals inputted in accordance with the latched selection data, and a plurality of heating resistors driven by the printing data or preheating pulse signals. Correction data, obtained by a head correcting apparatus, for performing printing at an average density by correcting the characteristics of each heater board is stored in a memory of the printing head. A printing apparatus decides the selection data in accordance with the correction data and sets the selection data in the selection-data latch circuit.

Abstract: A printing head has a plurality of heater boards, each of which includes a shift register to which printing data and selection data for selecting preheating pulse signals are applied as inputs, a latch circuit for latching the printing data, a selection-data latch circuit for latching the selection data, a selection circuit for selecting any one of a plurality of preheating pulse signals inputted in accordance with the latched selection data, and a plurality of heating resistors driven by the printing data or preheating pulse signals. Correction data, obtained by a head correcting apparatus, for performing printing at an average density by correcting the characteristics of each heater board is stored in a memory of the printing head. A printing apparatus decides the selection data in accordance with the correction data and sets the selection data in the selection-data latch circuit.

Abstract: A printing head has a plurality of heater boards, each of which includes a shift register to which printing data and selection data for selecting preheating pulse signals are applied as inputs, a latch circuit for latching the printing data, a selection-data latch circuit for latching the selection data, a selection circuit for selecting any one of a plurality of preheating pulse signals inputted in accordance with the latched selection data, and a plurality of heating resistors driven by the printing data or preheating pulse signals. Correction data, obtained by a head correcting apparatus, for performing printing at an average density by correcting the characteristics of each heater board is stored in a memory of the printing head. A printing apparatus decides the selection data in accordance with the correction data and sets the selection data in the selection-data latch circuit.

Abstract: A liquid jet recording head comprises a first substrate having a plurality of discharge energy generating devices formed thereon, and a second substrate having a discharge opening plate provided with a plurality of discharge openings for discharging ink, and recessed portions becoming ink flow paths conductively connected with said discharge openings, and a common liquid chamber for retaining ink to be supplied to each of said discharge openings, respectively. The ink flow paths and common liquid chamber are formed by joining the first substrate and second substrate with the discharge energy generating devices of the first substrate facing the recessed portions becoming ink flow paths of the second substrate, at the same time, the joint between the first substrate and second substrate being sealed by sealing compound, and fine grains inclusively residing on the joint between the first substrate and second substrate.

Abstract: An ink jet recording head includes a plurality of ink ejection outlets, a first member having a plurality of grooves in fluid communication with the ejection outlets, respectively, a second member having a plurality of energy generating elements for producing energy for ejecting ink in the grooves through the ejection outlets, and a clamping unit for clamping the first member with the second member to constitute ink passages with the grooves, wherein the clamping unit has a plurality of pressure regulating mechanism pressure regulating mechanisms, which are independently operable.

Abstract: A substrate for a liquid jet recording head is provided at least with a supporting member, an exothermic resistive element arranged on the supporting member for generating thermal energy to be utilized for discharging recording liquid, and pairs of wiring electrodes connected to the exothermic resistive element at given intervals. Such a substrate comprises a layer formed with a film produced by the application of a bias ECR plasma CVD method. With the layer thus formed, a desirable configuration of the wiring stepping portions as well as a desirable film quality can be obtained so as to make the surface of the substrate smooth thereby to implement a liquid jet recording head having an excellent durability at a low manufacturing cost when such a substrate is used for the fabrication of the liquid jet recording head.

Abstract: A printing head has a plurality of heater boards, each of which includes a shift register to which printing data and selection data for selecting preheating pulse signals are applied as inputs, a latch circuit for latching the printing data, a selection-data latch circuit for latching the selection data, a selection circuit for selecting any one of a plurality of preheating pulse signals inputted in accordance with the latched selection data, and a plurality of heating resistors driven by the printing data or preheating pulse signals. Correction data, obtained by a head correcting apparatus, for performing printing at an average density by correcting the characteristics of each heater board is stored in a memory of the printing head. A printing apparatus decides the selection data in accordance with the correction data and sets the selection data in the selection-data latch circuit.

Abstract: A common recess, grooves, and common recess and/or column members in the grooves are formed on a base board at the same time, and such board is made a second base board, which is coupled to a first base board on which elements for liquid discharging energy are formed; hence obtaining an ink jet recording head provided with a filter unit in an arbitrary position in the region formed by the ink paths and the common liquid chamber. The filter unit can be processed by a single processing in the ink paths and/or the common liquid chamber to make it possible to prevent disabled discharge from taking place due to dust particles intermingled at the time of head manufacture. In this way, the discharging stability is enhanced, making a high-speed printing possible. A workpiece is efficiently processed by a single processing which is performed to process a three-dimensional configuration with respect to the direction in which the laser beam is irradiated.