Abstract: A process and apparatus are presented for making in-situ an energy sensitive surface on a passive support medium from at least two materials which in combination render said surface energy sensitive, comprising means for forming a separate mist of each of said materials and causing said separate mist to simultaneously contact said support media so that said materials controllably mix as they strike said medium. The particular process is utilized in a printing, copying and or recording environment wherein, said energy sensitive surface is formed on-line immediately prior to exposing said surface to an energy source. Said mists may be mixed at the point of contact with said medium or premixed within said mist forming means prior to striking said support medium.

Abstract: A printing or copying system in which ink is transferred from an ink-bearing medium to a printing medium through the use of ultrasonics. The ink-bearing medium may be an ink ribbon, carbon paper or the like which is in contact with a printing medium such as paper. Ultrasonic energy is applied to the ink-bearing medium through transmission fibers, wires or bundles thereof, causing the viscosity of the ink to be reduced due to the ultrasonic vibrations and conversion of the ultrasonic energy into heat such that the ink is transferred to the printing medium. Multi-copy capability is achieved by having alternate layers of carbon paper or the like in contact with the paper.

Abstract: In an ink jet printer solid impurities contaminating recirculating ink are removed by subjecting contaminated ink to ultrasonic energy for forming an aerosol of the ink. The aerosol of ink is entrained in an air stream and carried to impactor means where the ink aerosol is caused to return to a liquid state.