Abstract: Recording arrangement in which a row of ink jet nozzles is inclined with respect to the relative motion of a recording surface to permit the variously and selectively charged drops from each nozzle to be deflected by a single pair of planar electrostatic deflection plates common to all nozzles and parallel to the row so that each nozzle is capable of producing marks at regularly spaced locations along a plurality of parallel rows. Also disclosed is a method of determining the angle of inclination. The inclination angle, nozzle spacing, and deflection levels are preferably chosen so that marks can be placed at all possible data points by a single row of nozzles in a single recording pass. The disclosed method also provides for recording in either direction, the use of two or more parallel nozzle rows, and for the interlacing of drop marks at the recording surface.

Abstract: Method of improving mark alignment by causing substantially simultaneous impact on a recording medium of drops issuing as a series from an ink jet nozzle moving relative to the recording medium, by successively decreasing the deflection of each drop in the series and positioning the nozzle with respect to the recording surface to alter the respective path lengths of the drops such that the first and last drops of the series reach the recording member at approximately the same time.