Abstract: Finishing operations on media processing jobs, such as from laser printer or photocopier devices, are performed in an intermediate output bin and subsequently transferred to a final output bin. One or more finishing mechanisms are disposed to cooperate with the intermediate output bin for performing finishing operations on the media in sequential order. A transfer mechanism operates to move the media from finishing operation to finishing operation in the intermediate output bin, and subsequently to the final output bin once the finishing operations are complete. The final output bin is thus capable of storing multiple finished jobs. The finishing operations may be a registration (alignment) process, a binding process, a hole punching process, and the like.

Abstract: An ink jet print head (10) has a supply channel (14, 24, 52) connecting an ink source with an upper manifold (60U) and a lower manifold (60L). Each manifold has a tapered structure. From each manifold multiple inlet channels (36, 34, 44, 54) each lead to a respective pressure chamber (28) from which an outlet channel (40, 38, 46, 56, 62, 76, 82) leads to nozzles (88) from which droplets of liquid ink are expelled as a result of the action of a pressure transducer on the pressure chamber. Each manifold is separated from the supply channel by a baffle structure (92) that includes three baffles (94) formed by alternating plates (64, 78) having an open manifold with plates (58, 72) having a blocked manifold. The baffle structure reduces jetting nonuniformity by damping pressure displacement waves in the ink caused by the expulsion of ink droplets. The baffle structure also promotes effective heat transfer from the print head to ink being drawn in to the print head from the ink source.

Abstract: An ink-jet apparatus (10) and method provides high-resolution, high-speed printing by providing a transducer drive waveform (160) having a spectral energy distribution (170) that concentrates energy (172) around a frequency associated with a dominant (Helmholtz) ink drop ejection mode and that suppresses energy (174) at resonant frequencies associated with ink inlet (18) and ink outlet structures (24, 26, 28, 14) of the ink-jet head. Spectral energy distribution principles used to shape the transducer drive waveform can be used to enhance the jetting performance of many conventional ink-jet heads.

Abstract: An improved ink jet print head includes tapered manifolds (222), ports (234), and inlet channels (214) all leading elevationally upward to sweep bubbles from the head, aided by their buoyancy. The ports opening to the inlet channels are distributed at staggered locations throughout the manifolds with at least some of the ports located adjacent to the elevationally highest edge of each manifold. This aspect of the invention reduces bubble entrapment and improves jetting performance by reducing acoustic cross-talk among ink pressure chambers (204) of the head. Moreover, tapering the ink supply manifolds and other features causes more uniform ink flow rates and reduces flow rate stagnation regions within the head. Purging cycles therefore require smaller volumes of ink than with prior designs.