Abstract: A continuous ejection system includes a chamber containing liquid under pressure sufficient to eject a liquid jet through a nozzle. A drop formation device modulates the jet causing portions to break into drop pairs including first and second drops separated in time on average by a drop pair period. A charging device includes a varying electrical potential source providing a waveform including first and second distinct voltage states and a period equal to the drop pair period. The charging device produces first and second charge states on first and second drops of the drop pair, respectively. A drop velocity modulation device varies a relative velocity of first and second drops of selected drop pairs causing first and second drops of selected drop pairs to form combined drops having a third charge state. A deflection device causes the first, second, and combined drops to travel along different paths.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber. The first liquid chamber includes a nozzle. A heater is associated with the second liquid chamber. A flexible corrugated membrane is positioned to separate and fluidically seal the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of ejecting liquid drops includes modulating a liquid jet to cause it to break off into drop clusters, including first and second drops traveling along a path, separated on average by a drop cluster period. An input image data independent charging waveform of a charging device includes a period that is equal to the cluster period and first and second voltage states having opposing polarities. The charging device produces first and second charge states on the first and second drops, respectively, of each cluster. The first and second drops are deflected away from the path toward first and second catchers, respectively. Relative velocity of drops of a selected drop cluster is modulated in response to input print data causing the drops to form a merged drop traveling along the path having a third charge state that prevents it from being deflected to either catcher.

Abstract: Reducing waste in a digital printing system (200) includes moving media (214) through a web transport system (205) at a first speed. A first job is printed on the print media and a downstream finishing device (203) in a first configuration acts on the media. The web slows to a second speed prior the end of the first job and the finishing device changes to a second configuration after the first job has passed. A time to complete changing from the first to the second configuration is estimated and a time for a first section of the media containing the end of the first job to arrive at the finishing device is estimated. A second job is printed on the media prior to completion of the change based on the estimated time to completion.

Abstract: Reducing waste in a digital printing system (200) includes moving media (214) through a web transport system (205) at a first speed. A first job is printed on the print media and a downstream finishing device (203) in a first configuration acts on the media. The web slows to a second speed prior the end of the first job and the finishing device changes to a second configuration after the first job has passed. A time to complete changing from the first to the second configuration is estimated and a time for a first section of the media containing the end of the first job to arrive at the finishing device is estimated. A second job is printed on the media prior to completion of the change based on the estimated time to completion.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a substrate. A first portion of the substrate defines a liquid dispensing channel including an outlet opening. A second portion of the substrate defines an outer boundary of a cavity. Other portions of the substrate define a liquid supply channel and a liquid return channel. A liquid supply provides a continuous flow of liquid from the liquid supply through the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel through the liquid return channel and back to the liquid supply. A diverter member is selectively actuatable to divert a portion of the liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel through outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel. The diverter member includes a MEMS transducing member anchored to the substrate. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member.

Abstract: A prosthetic tibial component for a knee joint, said prosthetic tibial component comprising: a base construct for engaging the tibia; and a bearing construct for engaging the femoral side of the knee joint; said bearing construct being adjustably fixedly mountable to said base construct.

Abstract: A method of ejecting liquid includes providing a liquid dispenser including a substrate and a diverter member. Portions of the substrate define a liquid supply channel and a liquid return channel. The diverter member includes a MEMS transducing member positioned in contact with a compliant membrane. The compliant membrane is anchored to the substrate such that the compliant membrane forms a portion of a wall of the liquid dispensing channel. A continuous flow of liquid is provided from a liquid supply through the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel through the liquid return channel and back to the liquid supply. The diverter member is selectively actuated to divert a portion of the liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel through outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel when drop ejection is desired.

Abstract: A method of ejecting a liquid includes providing a liquid dispenser including a substrate. A first portion of the substrate defines a liquid dispensing channel including an outlet opening. A second portion of the substrate defines a liquid supply channel and a liquid return channel. A diverter member is positioned on a wall of the liquid dispensing channel that includes the outlet opening. The diverter member includes a MEMS transducing member anchored to the wall of the liquid dispensing channel. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member. The diverter member is selectively actuated to divert a portion of the liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel through outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a substrate. A first portion of the substrate defines a liquid dispensing channel including an outlet opening. A second portion of the substrate defines a liquid supply channel and a liquid return channel. A liquid supply provides a continuous flow of liquid from the liquid supply through the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel through the liquid return channel and back to the liquid supply. A diverter member, positioned on a wall of the liquid dispensing channel that includes the outlet opening, is selectively actuatable to divert a portion of the liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel through outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel. The diverter member includes a MEMS transducing member anchored to the wall of the liquid dispensing channel. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cameras and other image capture devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to an image capture device having a polarizing filter that reduces reflected light during operation of the image capture device.

Abstract: A method of printing includes selectively loading a memory element during a printing operation with data that modifies a subsequent actuation of jet control elements to form or steer or form and steer print drops that print pixels on a receiver in a second regularly spaced pixel grid, the second regularly spaced pixel grid having a second spatial density of pixels extending in a direction perpendicular to a travel path of the receiver that is different when compared to a first spatial density of a first regularly spaced pixel grid, printing pixels on the receiver in the second regularly spaced pixel grid, and catching drops that are formed but not used to print pixels on the receiver in the first regularly spaced pixel grid or used to print pixels on the receiver in the second regularly spaced pixel grid.

Abstract: A method of printing includes providing a printhead including a jet control element including a continuous heater element positioned to surround a nozzle. A plurality of three or more electrical contacts is in electrical communication with the continuous heater element. The plurality of three or more electrical contacts define a plurality of three or more continuous heater element portions that are actuatable with sufficient independence so as to control jet steering. The number of the continuous heater element portions equals the number of electrical contacts. A liquid is provided under a pressure sufficient to eject a jet of liquid through the nozzle. A waveform is applied to at least one of the plurality of three or more electrical contacts using a controller to affect at least one of the plurality of independently actuatable continuous heater element portions to control the jet of liquid.

Abstract: A printhead includes a nozzle and a jet control element. The jet control element includes a continuous heater element positioned to surround the nozzle and a plurality of three or more electrical contacts in electrical communication with the continuous heater element. The plurality of three or more electrical contacts define a plurality of three or more continuous heater element portions that are actuatable with sufficient independence so as to control jet steering. The number of the continuous heater element portions equals the number of electrical contacts.

Abstract: A continuous printing system includes a printhead and a controller. The printhead includes a nozzle and a jet control element including a continuous heater element positioned to surround the nozzle. A plurality of three or more electrical contacts is in electrical communication with the continuous heater element and define a plurality of three or more continuous heater element portions that are actuatable with sufficient independence so as to control jet steering. The number of the continuous heater element portions equals the number of electrical contacts. A controller is configured to apply a waveform to at least one of the plurality of three or more electrical contacts to affect at least one of the plurality of independently actuatable continuous heater element portions.

Abstract: A continuous printer system includes a jet control element, associated with each nozzle bore of an array of nozzle bores, which is selectively actuated to form or steer or form and steer print drops from a liquid stream emitted from the associated nozzle bore. A memory element associated with the inkjet printer is selectively loaded during a printing operation with data that modifies the subsequent actuation of each of the jet control elements to form or steer or form and steer print drops that print pixels on a receiver in a second regularly spaced pixel grid, the second regularly spaced pixel grid having a second spatial density of pixels extending in a direction perpendicular to a travel path of the receiver that is different when compared to a first spatial density of a first regularly spaced pixel grid.

Abstract: A liquid jet, ejected through a nozzle, is modulated using a drop formation device to cause the jet to form drop pairs, including first and second drops, traveling along a path separated in time on average by a drop pair period. A charging device, synchronized with the formation device, produces first and second charge states on the first and second drops, respectively, using a waveform including a period equal to the drop pair period and first and second distinct voltage states. A relative velocity of first and second drops from a selected drop pair is varied using a velocity modulation device to control whether the first and second drops of the selected drop pair form a combined drop having a third charge state. A deflection device causes the first, second, and combined drops having the first, second, and third charge states to travel along first, second, and third paths, respectively.

Abstract: A liquid ejection system ejects a liquid jet through a nozzle. A drop formation device modulates the jet causing portions to break off into drop pairs, including first and second drops, separated on average by a drop pair period, and modulates the jet to cause portions to break off into larger third drops separated on average by the same period. A charging device includes a varying electrical potential source providing a waveform including first and second distinct voltage states and a period equal to the drop formation period. The charging device and the formation device are synchronized to produce first, second, and third charge to mass ratios on the first, second, and third drops, respectively. A deflection device causes the first, second, and third drops to travel along first, second, and third paths, respectively. The first and third charge to mass ratios and paths are substantially the same.

Abstract: A method of printing includes selectively loading a memory element during a printing operation with data that modifies a subsequent actuation of jet control elements to form or steer or form and steer print drops that print pixels on a receiver in a second regularly spaced pixel grid, the second regularly spaced pixel grid having a second spatial density of pixels extending in a direction perpendicular to a travel path of the receiver that is different when compared to a first spatial density of a first regularly spaced pixel grid, and printing pixels on the receiver in the second regularly spaced pixel grid.

Abstract: A liquid jet is modulated using a drop formation device to selectively cause portions of the liquid jet to break off into drop pairs and third drops traveling along a path. The third drop is larger than the drops of the drop pair. A charging device and the drop formation device are synchronized to produce a first charge to mass ratio on a first drop of the drop pair, produce a second charge to mass ratio on a second drop of the drop pair, and produce a third charge to mass ratio on the third drop. A deflection device causes the first drop having the first charge to mass ratio to travel along a first path, the second drop having the second charge to mass ratio to travel along a second path, and the third drop having a third charge to mass ratio to travel along a third path.