Abstract: A sample transfer system includes a sample-mounting member mounting a sample thereonto, and a sample-moving device lifting the sample to move the sample between the sample-mounting member and another location. The sample-mounting member includes a first predetermined sample-mounting region mounting the sample, and a recessed part on or around a side of the first predetermined sample-mounting region. The sample-moving device includes a first sample-holding device, the first sample-holding device including a sample-holding surface facing the sample to be lifted, a first contact member contacting with part of the sample, and a movement mechanism moving the first contact member in a direction along the sample-holding surface. Part of the contact member enters the recessed part when the first sample-holding device is brought ill proximity to the first predetermined sample-mounting region, the part of the contact member moving within the recessed part by operating the movement mechanism.

Abstract: A sample transfer system includes a sample-mounting member mounting a sample thereonto; and a sample-moving device lifting the sample to move the sample between the sample-mounting member and another location, wherein the sample-mounting member comprises: a first predetermined sample-mounting region mounting the sample; and a recessed part on or around a side of the first predetermined sample-mounting region, wherein the sample-moving device comprises a first sample-holding device, the first sample-holding device comprising: a sample-holding surface facing the sample to be lifted; a first contact member contacting with part of the sample; and a movement mechanism moving the first contact member in a direction along the sample-holding surface, and wherein part of the contact member enters the recessed part when the first sample-holding device is brought in proximity to the first predetermined sample-mounting region, the part of the contact member moving within the recessed part by operating the movement mechan

Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes nozzles, separate chambers, a common chamber, inlet portions, a filter unit, and ribs. Droplets of liquid are ejected from the nozzles. The separate chambers are communicated with the nozzles. The inlet portions are communicated with the corresponding separate chambers. Liquid is supplied from the common chamber to the separate chambers through the inlet portions. The filter unit is disposed between the inlet portions and the common chamber to filter liquid in an area across the separate chambers in a first direction in which the nozzles are arrayed. The ribs are disposed in the filter unit at intervals corresponding in size to at least two of the separate chambers in the first direction to partition the filter unit. The inlet portions are communicated in the first direction with each other in at least one portion of each of the inlet portions facing the filter unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a liquid discharger including a liquid discharge head configured to discharge a droplet of liquid so as to form an image. The liquid discharge head includes multiple individual channels communicating with corresponding nozzles from which the liquid is discharged; a common channel configured to supply the liquid to the individual channels; a deformable member configured to form at least one wall face of the common channel; and a vibration damping member formed of a viscoelastic material, the vibration member being provided in contact with the deformable member.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes nozzles, separate chambers, a common chamber, inlet portions, a filter unit, and ribs. Droplets of liquid are ejected from the nozzles. The separate chambers are communicated with the nozzles. The inlet portions are communicated with the corresponding separate chambers. Liquid is supplied from the common chamber to the separate chambers through the inlet portions. The filter unit is disposed between the inlet portions and the common chamber to filter liquid in an area across the separate chambers in a first direction in which the nozzles are arrayed. The ribs are disposed in the filter unit at intervals corresponding in size to at least two of the separate chambers in the first direction to partition the filter unit. The inlet portions are communicated in the first direction with each other in at least one portion of each of the inlet portions facing the filter unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a liquid discharger including a liquid discharge head configured to discharge a droplet of liquid so as to form an image. The liquid discharge head includes multiple individual channels communicating with corresponding nozzles from which the liquid is discharged; a common channel configured to supply the liquid to the individual channels; a deformable member configured to form at least one wall face of the common channel; and a vibration damping member formed of a viscoelastic material, the vibration member being provided in contact with the deformable member.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus includes an ink jet head having a plurality of nozzles for respectively ejecting ink drops, a plurality of ink chambers communicating with the nozzles, and a plurality of electromechanical conversion elements corresponding to the respective nozzles. The volume of the ink chamber of the non-drive channel is increased by the influence of the drive channel adjacent thereto, and thereby undesired ejection of the ink drop occurs. To solve this problem, a drive energy set for ejecting the ink drop is applied to the piezoelectric elements of the drive chambers n−1, n+1 and a reduced drive energy set for not ejecting the ink drops is applied to the piezoelectric element of the non-drive channel n.

Abstract: An ink jet printing head includes: a plurality of piezoelectric actuators arranged in rows on a substrate, each row including first piezoelectric elements and second piezoelectric elements which are alternately arrayed along the row, the first piezoelectric elements being actuatable to apply a compressive force to ink in accordance with print signals, the second piezoelectric elements being fixed and not actuated; and an ink chamber unit which includes ink chambers located above the first piezoelectric elements and containing ink.