Abstract: An ink level sensing device and associated method. The ink level sensing device includes a near infrared illumination source that emits near infrared light, and a container configured to accommodate a supply of ink containing light absorption material. The device further includes a protruding chamber adjacent to the container. The protruding chamber is configured to accommodate a portion of the supply of ink accommodated by the container. The device also includes a sensor that is configured to receive a signal based on an amount of the light that passes through the protruding chamber. The method includes emitting a light from a near infrared illumination source and directing the light toward a protruding chamber of the ink supply. The method further includes sensing an amount of the light that passes through the protruding chamber in the ink supply.

Abstract: An ink level sensing device and associated method. The ink level sensing device includes a near infrared illumination source that emits near infrared light, and a container configured to accommodate a supply of ink containing light absorption material. The device further includes a protruding chamber adjacent to the container. The protruding chamber is configured to accommodate a portion of the supply of ink accommodated by the container. The device also includes a sensor that is configured to receive a signal based on an amount of the light that passes through the protruding chamber. The method includes emitting a light from a near infrared illumination source and directing the light toward a protruding chamber of the ink supply. The method further includes sensing an amount of the light that passes through the protruding chamber in the ink supply.

Abstract: Methods for digitally printing on various articles, particularly ceramic articles, are disclosed. A first step includes applying a fluid glazing material to an article creating a coated surface. The fluid glazing material can either contain an underprinting agent for accepting and adhering chromophores to the fluid glazing material, or the underprinting agent can be jetted onto the fluid glazing material prior to the jetting of chromophores onto the article. A chromophore-containing fluid is then jetted onto the ceramic article and the article is fired. Additionally, an inkjettable composition is disclosed having a large amount of metal ion present in the composition.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a fuel supply for a fuel cell. The fuel supply includes a fuel storage area configured to hold a fuel solution, a fuel solution outlet configured to pass the fuel solution from the fuel storage area, a waste storage area, a waste inlet configured to pass waste into the waste storage area, and a movable barrier separating the fuel storage area and the waste storage area. The movable barrier is configured to move as fuel solution is passed from the fuel storage area and waste solution is passed into the waste storage area to simultaneously decrease the volume of the fuel storage area and increase the volume of the waste storage area.

Abstract: A fuel supply for a fuel cell is provided. The fuel supply comprises a fuel storage area, a fuel outlet configured to pass fuel from the fuel storage area, and a backpressure regulator configured to maintain a lowered pressure within the fuel storage area relative to atmospheric pressure outside of the fuel storage area when fuel is not being transferred to the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel supply for a fuel cell is provided. The fuel supply comprises a fuel storage area, a fuel outlet configured to pass fuel from the fuel storage area, and a backpressure regulator configured to maintain a lowered pressure within the fuel storage area relative to atmospheric pressure outside of the fuel storage area when fuel is not being transferred to the fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a fuel supply for a fuel cell. The fuel supply includes a fuel storage area configured to hold a fuel solution, a fuel solution outlet configured to pass the fuel solution from the fuel storage area, a waste storage area, a waste inlet configured to pass waste into the waste storage area, and a movable barrier separating the fuel storage area and the waste storage area. The movable barrier is configured to move as fuel solution is passed from the fuel storage area and waste solution is passed into the waste storage area to simultaneously decrease the volume of the fuel storage area and increase the volume of the waste storage area.

Abstract: Methods for digitally printing on various articles, particularly ceramic articles, are disclosed. A first step includes applying a fluid glazing material to an article creating a coated surface. The fluid glazing material can either contain an underprinting agent for accepting and adhering chromophores to the fluid glazing material, or the underprinting agent can be jetted onto the fluid glazing material prior to the jetting of chromophores onto the article. A chromophore-containing fluid is then jetted onto the ceramic article and the article is fired. Additionally, an inkjettable composition is disclosed having a large amount of metal ion present in the composition.

Abstract: An ink-jet ink composition is provided which includes at least one primary surfactant and at least one co-surfactant, with the co-surfactant having an HLB at least about 1.5 units higher than that of the primary surfactant. The co-surfactant imparts good wetting and cloud point characteristics to the ink-jet ink composition without sacrificing the bleed control achieved with the use of the low-HLB surfactant. The improvement in wetting and cloud point characteristics achieved in the practice of the invention enables ink-jet printers to effect high print quality in a cost-effective manner. A method for increasing the wettability and cloud point of an ink-jet ink by including at least one co-surfactant having an HLB is also provided.

Abstract: A method and ink-jet ink composition are provided for reducing crystallization of Acid Yellow 23 anionic dye in ink-jet ink compositions printed on transparencies and glossy media, both film- and paper-based. The method comprises formulating the yellow ink-jet ink composition in accordance with at least one of the following three conditions: (a) a first condition, wherein the yellow ink-jet ink composition includes about 6 to 9 wt % ethylhydroxypropanediol, about 3 to 9 wt % 2-pyrrolidone, and about 3 to 9 wt % diethylene glycol; (b) a second condition, wherein the vehicle of the yellow ink-jet ink includes a buffer in amount sufficient to maintain the pH of the ink-jet ink within the range of about 5 to 7; and (c) a third condition, wherein the cation of the inorganic salt component of the ink-jet ink comprises calcium ions to the substantial exclusion of magnesium ions.

Abstract: A process for alleviating bleed and improving color in printed elements comprises applying an anionic printing liquid and a cationic printing liquid to a substrate adjacent to one another, wherein at least one of the printing liquids contains a polymer and reacting the anionic and cationic printing liquids with one another; wherein the color integrity of the anionic and cationic printing liquids is maintained.

Abstract: A set of thermal ink-jet inks and method for formulating the same are provided in which the cyan, magenta, and yellow inks contain a combination of surfactants and inorganic salts designed to reduce both color to color bleed as well as black to color bleed. In general, the present cyan, magenta, and yellow inks each comprise about 0.1 to 4 wt. % of at least one dye; about 3 to 20 wt. % of at least one diol; 0 to about 5 wt. % of at least one glycol ether; about 3 to 9 wt. % of 2-pyrrolidone; up to about 4 wt. % of at least one component selected from the group consisting of biocides and buffers; and water. To achieve a reduction in color to color and black to color bleed, the cyan, magenta, and yellow inks are formulated to further comprise the following combination of surfactants and inorganic salts: (a) a surfactant component comprising about 1 to 4 wt.

Abstract: Halo effect seen at the interface between a first ink, exhibiting sharp edge acuity, and a second ink, having low surface energy, is addressed by adding certain fluorocarbon compounds to the first ink. Edge acuity of the first ink is maintained.

Abstract: Aqueous ink compositions containing anti-curl agents substantially reduce or eliminate paper curl in plain-paper printed elements without adversely effecting storage stability, decap properties or print quality, and thus eliminate the need for expensive and bulky mechanical curl-arresting devices or special curl-resistant substrates. Printing the inks on plain-paper substrates is the sole step in a process for reducing paper curl in plain-paper printed elements.

Abstract: If a small amount of alcohol (about 0.05 to 6 wt %) is added to water-based inks for thermal ink-jet printing, the resultant print has a rapid dry time and improved smear resistance. In addition, a high quality print is obtained, even on plain paper.

Abstract: A set of dyes is provided for use in vehicles employing high molecular weight saccharides. The dye-set comprises about 1 to 4% xanthene magenta, about 0.9 to 2% of a mixture of Acid Yellow 23 and Direct Yellow 86, and about 0.75 to 2.5 of Acid Blue 9 or a mixture of Acid Blue 9 and a copper phthalocyanine dye containing not more than about 25% copper phthalocyanine. The particular dye-set evidences the following properties: good crusting resistance, good stability, the proper viscosity, the proper surface tension, recognizable secondaries, high color saturation, little color-to-color bleed, rapid drytime, no negative reaction with the vehicle, be highly soluble in the vehicle, consumer-safe, and low strike-through.

Abstract: An ink composition for printing on plain paper and other media using a thermal ink-jet printer is provided. The ink composition comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, present in an amount ranging from about 5 to 10 wt %; dye, ranging from about 1 to 4 wt %; and the balance water. A biocide ranging from about 0.01 to 0.3 wt % and/or a buffering agent ranging in concentration from about 0.05 to 0.5 wt % may also be included.The ink compositions of the invention permit printing on a large variety of plain papers, including bonds, photocopy paper and laser jet paper. These compositions are an improvement over other ink compositions and permit both high quality and letter quality printing to be achieved.

Abstract: A dye used in ink compositions for ink-jet printing comprises an aromatic dye molecule having attached to the backbone thereof from one to four polyhydroxyl-substituted groups having the formula selected from the group consisting of:(a) CH.sub.2 OH-(CHOH).sub.n CH.sub.2 O-, where n=2 to 10;(b) O.sub.n-1 C.sub.n H.sub.2n-1 -O-, where n=5 to 7; and(c) C.sub.6n H.sub.5n+1 O.sub.5n -O-, where n=1 to about 100. These dyes have improved water solubility and improved interaction with paper.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing the crusting propensity of dyes, complexed with sodium or other cations, used in ink-jet print heads and for improving other properties of such dyes. The process comprises replacing at least a portion of the cations on such dyes with preselected cations, such as those of the alkali metals lithium, potassium, ammonium, and amines. A two-step process may be used, in which the sodium cations first are at least partially replaced with hydrogen cations by passing an aqueous solution of the dye through the hydrogen form of a strong acid ion exchange resin and the hydrogen cations subsequently are at least partially replaced with the preselected cations by neutralizing the hydrogen-containing dye solution with a base which contains the preselected cation species. Alternately, a one-step process, comprising passing the aqueous solution of the dye through an ion-exchange resin pre-loaded with the preselected cations may be employed.

Abstract: A process for increasing the solubility of carbon black in desired solvents is provided. The process comprises (a) forming a suspension of the carbon black in a non-reactive medium, such as an aromatic hydrocarbon, (b) adding a silylating agent, such as an organosilane, (c) removing the reaction product of the silating agent and the carbon black, and (d) forming a dispersion of the reaction product in a solvent for use as an ink-jet printing fluid.The increased dispersibility of the carbon black of the invention results in a more non-settling suspension of the carbon black "molecules" than otherwise obtained.