Abstract: System and method for encapsulating edges of a paper in digital printing systems. A spray applicator can include a set of stationary sprayers with spray nozzles, a set of transfer rollers and an inkjet print head. The stationary sprayers can be positioned at both marginal ends of the paper. The stationary sprayers apply the fluid through the spray nozzles at edges of the moving paper to encapsulate the edges of the paper such that loose paper fibers and debris are bound to the paper. The fluid can be applied when the transfer rollers can pass the moving paper through a printer or printing press. Thus, the system can protect various subsystems of the printer or printing press against contamination due to the loose paper fibers and debris.

Abstract: A silicon based module, including: a substrate; a first chip assembly fixed to the substrate, the first chip assembly including a first silicon chip and a first driver die having electrical circuitry; and a second chip assembly fixed to the substrate, the second chip assembly including a second silicon chip and a second driver die having electrical circuitry. Portions of the first and second chip assemblies are aligned in a longitudinal direction for the substrate; and portions of the first and second silicon chips are aligned in a width direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. Method for forming a silicon based module.

Abstract: A maintenance assembly for cleaning a plurality of printheads in a printing machine comprises two or more cleaning members, each of the cleaning members sized and positioned to clean at least one but less than all of the plurality of printheads when in a cleaning position. A drive mechanism associated with each of the two or more cleaning members is configured to selectively move an associated cleaning member to and from the cleaning position and a retracted position. The cleaning members are supported on a frame with a mechanism provided for translating the frame into position juxtaposed with the plurality of printheads and a further mechanism to swipe the cleaning members across the printheads. The maintenance assembly is operable to clean only selected printheads in a single operation.

Abstract: System and method for encapsulating edges of a paper in digital printing systems. A spray applicator can include a set of stationary sprayers with spray nozzles, a set of transfer rollers and an inkjet print head. The stationary sprayers can be positioned at both marginal ends of the paper. The stationary sprayers apply the fluid through the spray nozzles at edges of the moving paper to encapsulate the edges of the paper such that loose paper fibers and debris are bound to the paper. The fluid can be applied when the transfer rollers can pass the moving paper through a printer or printing press. Thus, the system can protect various subsystems of the printer or printing press against contamination due to the loose paper fibers and debris.

Abstract: A maintenance method for an ink jet imaging device comprises ejecting drops from a plurality of ink jets to successively form a plurality of images on the image receiver. Inter-image intervals between the ejection of drops to form one image in the plurality of images and the ejection of drops to form a successive image in the plurality of images are detected. A plurality of drops is ejected from at least a portion of the ink jets in the plurality of ink jets during at least one detected inter-image interval. The plurality of ejected drops having at least one drop ejecting characteristic selected from: a drop mass for the plurality of drops being greater than a standard drop mass; a drop ejecting frequency for the plurality of drops being lower than a standard drop ejecting frequency; and a substantially sequential drop ejecting pattern for the plurality of drops.

Abstract: A printing medium baffle for protecting printheads printing on an image transfer member from particulates associated with the printing medium. The baffle may have one or more adhesive surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus is used with an ink jet print head in an ink jet printer. The apparatus includes a print head protector that surrounds a print head. A substantially continuous slot is provided along a perimeter of the bracket and a filter is located in the substantially continuous slot. An inlet in fluid communication with the substantially continuous slot enables a positive pressure air supply to be coupled to the inlet. The air entering the inlet flows through the filter in the slot and the filtered air flows outwardly away from the print head.

Abstract: An image forming device includes marking material dispensers for disposing an image on an imaging drum surface. The image forming device further includes plural particle removal devices comprising first and second particle removal devices coupled to a vacuum source. The first particle removal device includes a first vacuum port positioned as close as possible to an included image transfer site. The second particle removal device includes a second vacuum port positioned as close as possible to the marking material dispensers. The first and second vacuum ports are positioned proximate to the imaging drum surface to provide respective first and second air flows.

Abstract: A printing medium baffle for protecting printheads printing on an image transfer member from particulates associated with the printing medium. The baffle may have one or more adhesive surfaces.

Abstract: A maintenance method for an ink jet imaging device comprises ejecting drops from a plurality of ink jets to successively form a plurality of images on the image receiver. Inter-image intervals between the ejection of drops to form one image in the plurality of images and the ejection of drops to form a successive image in the plurality of images are detected. A plurality of drops is ejected from at least a portion of the ink jets in the plurality of ink jets during at least one detected inter-image interval. The plurality of ejected drops having at least one drop ejecting characteristic selected from: a drop mass for the plurality of drops being greater than a standard drop mass; a drop ejecting frequency for the plurality of drops being lower than a standard drop ejecting frequency; and a substantially sequential drop ejecting pattern for the plurality of drops.

Abstract: An apparatus is used with an ink jet print head in an ink jet printer. The apparatus includes a print head protector that surrounds a print head. A substantially continuous slot is provided along a perimeter of the bracket and a filter is located in the substantially continuous slot. An inlet in fluid communication with the substantially continuous slot enables a positive pressure air supply to be coupled to the inlet. The air entering the inlet flows through the filter in the slot and the filtered air flows outwardly away from the print head.

Abstract: An image forming device includes marking material dispensers for disposing an image on an imaging drum surface. The image forming device further includes plural particle removal devices comprising first and second particle removal devices coupled to a vacuum source. The first particle removal device includes a first vacuum port positioned as close as possible to an included image transfer site. The second particle removal device includes a second vacuum port positioned as close as possible to the marking material dispensers. The first and second vacuum ports are positioned proximate to the imaging drum surface to provide respective first and second air flows.

Abstract: A printing medium baffle for protecting printheads printing on an image transfer member from particulates associated with the printing medium. The baffle may have one or more adhesive surfaces.

Abstract: Embodiments herein comprise a compact dust abatement apparatus that includes at least one manifold shaped to fit next to a belt or drum of a printing engine, at least one blower/fan positioned within the manifold, and at least one air duct connected to the manifold. The manifold has a vacuum opening adjacent the belt or drum and an exit opening where the air duct connects to the manifold. The blower is positioned inside the manifold, between the vacuum opening and the exit opening, such that the blower draws air and particles from the vacuum opening toward the exit opening. Thus, the blower creates a vacuum at the vacuum opening. The air duct directs air and particles from the manifold to a location away from the sensitive components. The inclusion of the blower inside the vacuum manifold provides for compactness without sacrificing performance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a high resolution LED array. A plurality of LED chips are provided to form the LED array. Each LED chip has an electrode that is inward biased at each end of the chip by a predetermined amount. The size of each LED chip is removed by reducing, at each end of each chip, an amount of chip material substantially equal to the predetermined amount. The array is formed by placing each chip end to end with a gap between each chip, wherein the gap is suitably large for placement accuracies and a consistent pitch of 21.2 &mgr;m is maintained between each LED on each chip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a high resolution LED array. A plurality of LED chips are provided to form the LED array. Each LED chip has an electrode that is inward biased at each end of the chip by a predetermined amount. The size of each LED chip is removed by reducing, at each end of each chip, an amount of chip material substantially equal to the predetermined amount. The array is formed by placing each chip end to end with a gap between each chip, wherein the gap is suitably large for placement accuracies and a consistent pitch of 21.2 &mgr;m is maintained between each LED on each chip.

Abstract: System and methods for using a fluid ejection system to distribute fluid drop density of a region between at least two overlapping swaths having pixels on a receiving medium. Using the method, overlapping swaths are stitched together by distributing a fluid ejection pattern between the overlapping swaths within the overlapped region. Because small drops of fluid can be distributed within a single region, the fluid ejection pattern can be controlled and intermediate density regions can be created by distributing the fluid of drops within a region between two fluid ejector heads or between two swaths of the same fluid ejector head. The distribution can be linear or non-linear. Furthermore, overlapping swaths are stitched together by randomly varying a stitch location within the overlapped region. In this case, a stitch location is randomly varied in the slow scan direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming an image with a print head that fires groups of drops of fluid results in a reduction in stitch joint error. The stitch joint error is reduced by changing the firing sequence of the nozzles of adjacent dies of the print head.

Abstract: A large array or pagewidth printhead fabricated from printhead elements or subunits. The printhead subunits are butted together at either adjacent channel elements or adjacent heater elements to form a pagewidth printhead. The butting element, either heater or channel element, is slightly wider than the non-butting element thereby providing gaps between the non-butting elements of a printhead element array. Where channel elements are used as the butting element, gaps between the heater elements provide for reduction or elimination of potentially damaging thermal compressive forces between adjacent heater elements. Where heater elements are used as the butting element, structural strength is increased since the heater wafer is stronger than the channel wafer. In addition, the width of the polyimide wall at the edges of the heater wafer is increased providing greater protection for thermal transducers located at the edges of individual heater elements.

Abstract: A full width read and/or write assemblies, such as a full width thermal ink jet printbar, is disclosed, having materials with both a high thermal coefficient of expansion and a low thermal coefficient of expansion. A suitable adhesive which provides lateral give while firmly holding the respective components together provides dimensional stability to the printbar element having a low thermal coefficient of expansion when components having high thermal coefficient of expansion are assembled thereto. The flexible or floating mounting enabled by lateral give of the adhesive allows for the application of cost effective materials with a high thermal coefficient of expansion to be used for support functions such as, for example, circuit boards and ink manifolds. The flexible or floating mounting relieves shear stress cased by a differential in the expansion or contraction of materials having a different thermal coefficient of expansion.