Abstract: A group timing delay device shifts the timing of drop formation waveforms supplied to drop formation devices of one of first and second nozzle groups so that print drops from the nozzle groups are not aligned relative to each other along a nozzle array direction. A charging device includes a common charge electrode associated with liquid jets from the nozzle groups and a source of varying electrical potential between the charge electrode and liquid jets which provides a charging waveform that is independent of a print and non-print drop pattern. The charging device is synchronized with the drop formation devices and the group timing delay device to produce a print drop charge state on print drops of a drop pair, a first non-print drop charge state on non-print drops of the drop pair, and a second non-print drop charge state on third drops.

Abstract: A group timing delay device is provided to shift the timing of drop formation waveforms supplied to drop formation devices of nozzles of one of first and second groups so that print drops formed from nozzles of the first and second groups are not aligned relative to each other along a nozzle array direction. A charging device includes a common charge electrode associated with liquid jets formed from the nozzles of the first and second group and a source of varying electrical potential between the charge electrode and liquid jets. The source of varying electrical potential provides a charging waveform that is independent of print and non-print drop patterns. The charging device is synchronized with the drop formation device and the group timing delay device to produce a print drop charge state on print drops and a non-print drop charge state on non-print drops.

Abstract: Drop formation devices are provided with a sequence of drop formation waveforms to modulate the liquid jets to selectively cause portions of the liquid jets to break off into print drops having a print drop volume Vp and non-print drops having a non-print drop volume Vnp. The print and non-print drop volumes are distinct from each other. A timing delay device shifts the timing of drop formation waveforms supplied to drop formation devices of first and second nozzle groups so that print drops from the first and second nozzle groups are not aligned relative to each other. A charging device includes a charge electrode that is positioned in the vicinity of break off of liquid jets to produce a print drop charge state on drops of volume Vp and to produce a non-print drop charge state on drops of volume Vnp.

Abstract: Drop formation devices are provided with drop formation waveforms to modulate liquid jets to cause portions of the liquid jets to form print drops having a jet breakoff length Lp in a print drop breakoff length range Rp and non-print drops having a jet breakoff length Lnp in a non-print drop breakoff length range Rnp. A timing delay device shifts the timing of the waveforms supplied to drop formation devices of first and second nozzle groups so that print drops formed from first and second nozzle groups are not aligned relative to each other. A charging device includes a charge electrode that is positioned relative to the breakoff length Lp and breakoff length Lnp such that there is a difference in electric field strength at the two breakoff lengths to produce a print drop charge state on print drops and a non-print drop charge state on non-print drops.

Abstract: A liquid jet includes a fundamental period of jet break off. A print period is defined as N times the fundamental period of jet break off where N is an integer greater than 1. Input image data is provided having M levels per input image pixel including a non-print level where M is an integer and 2<M?N+1. A charging device waveform, independent of the input image data, repeats during print periods and includes print and non-print drop voltage states. A drop formation device waveform, having a period equal to the print period, is selected in response to the input image data to form from the jet print drops having a volume corresponding to an input image pixel level. The devices are synchronized to produce a print drop charge to mass ratio and a non-print drop charge to mass ratio on drops breaking off from the jet.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system includes a downwardly inclined slide surface. A carrier liquid dispensing channel includes an outlet that exits onto the downwardly inclined slide surface. A carrier liquid flows continuously through the carrier liquid dispensing channel, the outlet of the carrier liquid dispensing channel, and down the slide surface. A liquid dispenser array structure includes functional liquid dispensers located on a substrate that is common to the functional liquid dispensers. The functional liquid dispensers include a functional liquid supply channel. A functional liquid source provides a functional liquid to the functional liquid dispensers through the functional liquid supply channel. A drop formation device, associated with an interface of the functional liquid supply channel and the downwardly inclined slide surface, is selectively actuated to form discrete functional liquid drops in the carrier liquid flowing down the slide surface. The functional liquid is immiscible in the carrier liquid.

Abstract: A system and method of printing includes providing print and non-print drop formation waveforms to a drop formation device of a drop ejector in response to input print data to form print and non-print drops, respectively, from a liquid jet. First and second charging waveforms are provided to a charging electrode of a drop charging device when a relative motion of a receiver and the drop ejector is provided or measured at first and second speeds, respectively. The first and second charging waveforms are independent of input print data and include first and second voltage states. The drop formation device and the drop charging device are synchronized to produce print and non-print drop charge states on print and non-print drops, respectively. A deflection device causes print and non-print drops to travel along print and non-print drop paths, respectively, with the non-print drops being collected by a catcher.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of ejecting liquid drops includes modulating a liquid jet to cause it to break off into drop clusters, including first and second drops traveling along a path, separated on average by a drop cluster period. An input image data independent charging waveform of a charging device includes a period that is equal to the cluster period and first and second voltage states having opposing polarities. The charging device produces first and second charge states on the first and second drops, respectively, of each cluster. The first and second drops are deflected away from the path toward first and second catchers, respectively. Relative velocity of drops of a selected drop cluster is modulated in response to input print data causing the drops to form a merged drop traveling along the path having a third charge state that prevents it from being deflected to either catcher.

Abstract: A liquid jet includes a fundamental period of jet break off. A print period is defined as N times the fundamental period of jet break off where N is an integer greater than 1. Input image data is provided having M levels per input image pixel including a non-print level where M is an integer and 2<M?N+1. A charging device waveform, independent of the input image data, repeats during print periods and includes print and non-print drop voltage states. A drop formation device waveform, having a period equal to the print period, is selected in response to the input image data to form from the jet print drops having a volume corresponding to an input image pixel level. The devices are synchronized to produce a print drop charge to mass ratio and a non-print drop charge to mass ratio on drops breaking off from the jet.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a downwardly inclined slide surface. A carrier liquid dispensing channel includes an outlet that exits onto the downwardly inclined slide surface. A carrier liquid source provides a carrier liquid that flows continuously through the carrier liquid dispensing channel, through the outlet of the carrier liquid dispensing channel, and down the downwardly inclined slide surface. A functional liquid supply channel includes an outlet that exits onto the downwardly inclined slide surface. A functional liquid source provides a functional liquid to the outlet of the functional liquid supply channel. A drop formation device, associated with an interface of the outlet of the functional liquid supply channel and the downwardly inclined slide surface, is selectively actuated to form a discrete drop of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing down the downwardly inclined slide surface. The functional liquid is immiscible in the carrier liquid.

Abstract: Liquid dispensing includes providing a downwardly inclined slide surface and a carrier liquid dispensing channel that includes an outlet opening on the slide surface. A carrier liquid source is pressurized causing carrier liquid to flow continuously through the outlet opening of the carrier liquid dispensing channel and down the slide surface. A liquid dispenser array structure is provided and includes functional liquid dispensers located on a substrate that is common to the functional liquid dispensers. The functional liquid dispensers include a functional liquid supply channel, a functional liquid source that provides functional liquid, and a drop formation device associated with an interface of the functional liquid supply channel and the slide surface. The drop formation device is selectively actuated to form discrete functional liquid drops in the carrier liquid flowing down the slide surface. The functional liquid is immiscible in the carrier liquid.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system includes a downwardly inclined slide surface. A carrier liquid dispensing channel includes an outlet that exits onto the downwardly inclined slide surface. A carrier liquid flows continuously through the carrier liquid dispensing channel, the outlet of the carrier liquid dispensing channel, and down the slide surface. A liquid dispenser array structure includes functional liquid dispensers located on a substrate that is common to the functional liquid dispensers. The functional liquid dispensers include a functional liquid supply channel. A functional liquid source provides a functional liquid to the functional liquid dispensers through the functional liquid supply channel. A drop formation device, associated with an interface of the functional liquid supply channel and the downwardly inclined slide surface, is selectively actuated to form discrete functional liquid drops in the carrier liquid flowing down the slide surface. The functional liquid is immiscible in the carrier liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining an image of a tooth having at least one light source providing incident light having a first spectral range for obtaining a reflectance image from the tooth and a second spectral range for exciting a fluorescence image from the tooth. A polarizing beamsplitter in the path of the incident light from both sources directs light having a first polarization state toward the tooth and directs light from the tooth having a second polarization state along a return path toward a sensor, wherein the second polarization state is orthogonal to the first polarization state. A first lens in the return path directs image-bearing light from the tooth toward the sensor, and obtains image data from the portion of the light having the second polarization state. A long-pass filter in the return path attenuates light in the second spectral range.

Abstract: A method of dispensing liquid drops includes providing a liquid dispenser array structure. Liquid dispensers, located on a common substrate, include a liquid supply channel and a drop formation device associated with an interface of a liquid dispensing channel and the liquid supply channel. A carrier liquid is provided by a first liquid supply that flows continuously through an outlet of the liquid dispensing channel during a drop dispensing operation. A functional liquid, immiscible in the carrier liquid, is provided by a second liquid supply to the liquid dispensing channel through the liquid supply channel. The drop formation device is selectively actuated to form a discrete drop of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel. The flowing carrier liquid causes the discrete drops of the functional liquid to move through the outlet of the liquid dispensing channel during the drop dispensing operation.

Abstract: A liquid jet is modulated to selectively cause the jet to break off into drop pairs and third drops traveling along a path using a drop formation device associated with the jet. Each drop pair is separated on average by a drop pair period and includes a first and second drop in response to input image data. The third drops, separated on average by the same drop pair period, are larger than the first and second drops in response to input image data. A waveform provided by a charging device has a period that is equal to the drop pair period, includes first and second distinct voltage states, and is independent of input image data. The charging device, synchronized with the drop formation device, produces first and second charge states on the first and second drops, respectively, of the drop pairs and a third charge state on the third drops.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining an image of a tooth having at least one light source providing incident light having a first spectral range for obtaining a reflectance image from the tooth and a second spectral range for exciting a fluorescence image from the tooth. A polarizing beamsplitter in the path of the incident light from both sources directs light having a first polarization state toward the tooth and directs light from the tooth having a second polarization state along a return path toward a sensor, wherein the second polarization state is orthogonal to the first polarization state. A first lens in the return path directs image-bearing light from the tooth toward the sensor, and obtains image data from the portion of the light having the second polarization state. A long-pass filter in the return path attenuates light in the second spectral range.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser array structure includes a liquid dispensing channel. A first liquid supply provides a carrier liquid that flows continuously through an outlet of the liquid dispensing channel during a drop dispensing operation. A plurality of liquid dispensers, located on a common substrate, includes a liquid supply channel and a second liquid supply that provides a functional liquid, immiscible in the carrier liquid, to the liquid dispensing channel through the liquid supply channel. A drop formation device, associated with an interface of the liquid supply channel and the liquid dispensing channel, is selectively actuated to form a discrete drop of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system includes a liquid dispenser array structure. A first liquid supply provides a carrier liquid that flows continuously through an outlet of a liquid dispensing channel during a drop dispensing operation. A plurality of liquid dispensers, located on a common substrate, includes a second liquid supply that provides a functional liquid, immiscible in the carrier liquid, to the liquid dispensing channel through a liquid supply channel. A drop formation device, associated with an interface of the liquid supply channel and the liquid dispensing channel, is selectively actuated to form discrete drops of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel. A receiver conveyance mechanism and the liquid dispenser array structure are positioned relative to each other such that the discrete drops of the functional liquid are applied to a receiver.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a first liquid supply that provides a carrier liquid under pressure that flows from the first liquid supply through a first liquid supply channel through a liquid dispensing channel through a liquid return channel and back to the first liquid supply continuously during a drop dispensing operation. A second liquid supply provides a functional liquid to the liquid dispensing channel through a second liquid supply channel. A drop formation device, associated with an interface of the second liquid supply channel and the liquid dispensing channel, is selectively actuated to form a discrete drop of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel. The functional liquid is immiscible in the carrier liquid. A drop ejection device is selectively actuated to divert the discrete drop of the functional liquid and a portion of the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel toward the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.

Abstract: A method of dispensing liquid drops includes providing a liquid dispenser array structure. Liquid dispensers, located on a common substrate, include a liquid supply channel and a drop formation device associated with an interface of a liquid dispensing channel and the liquid supply channel. A carrier liquid is provided by a first liquid supply that flows continuously through an outlet of the liquid dispensing channel during a drop dispensing operation. A functional liquid, immiscible in the carrier liquid, is provided by a second liquid supply to the liquid dispensing channel through the liquid supply channel. The drop formation device is selectively actuated to form a discrete drop of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel. The flowing carrier liquid causes the discrete drops of the functional liquid to move through the outlet of the liquid dispensing channel during the drop dispensing operation.