Abstract: A modular ink delivery system using ink jet heads effectively supplies ink to a multi-level array of ink jet heads, and ensures that the heads remain in position during printing even if there is vibration of the supporting structures. Delivery is provided by a number of ink containing chambers, at least one for each level and stacked one atop the other. A connection extends from each chamber to at least one ink jet, and ink is automatically supplied to all of the chambers for example by pumping ink to the upper of the chambers, the ink then cascading downwardly from each upper chamber to a lower chamber through standpipe connections between them. The heads are positively held in place by a first circular bar and a second non-circular bar, which bars are operatively engaged by a mounting block for each head for guided movement.

Abstract: A printer is disclosed and which includes a frame; a movable lifting member borne by the frame; a rotatable pressure drum borne by the frame; a rotatable fusing drum borne by the lifting member; a rotatable image drum borne by the frame and positioned in contact with the fusing drum; an articulation assembly pivotally borne by the frame and movable along a course of travel, the lifting arm engaging the articulation assembly, and wherein movement of the articulation assembly imparts movement to the lifting arm, the lifting arm carrying the fusing drum along a course of travel into, and out of, contact with pressure drum; and an image forming assembly borne by the frame oriented adjacent to the image drum.

Abstract: A fluid (liquid or water) wash is used to clean the front surface of an ink jet printer cartridge. In addition, a nozzle plate that overlies the nozzle shields the nozzle array from the splatter of ink. In ink jet printers, ink droplets are propelled from an array of orifices in a nozzle plate in the printer head. During the ink droplet ejection, ink is sprayed or deposited around the orifices. The ink droplets are deposited on a paper web adjacent the nozzle and mist from the droplets drifts back to coat the face of the nozzle plate. Some ink seeps behind the nozzle plate onto the array of nozzle orifices. The ink coating attracts particles that tend to clog the nozzle orifices. The ink coating is washed away by fluid streams that flow over the nozzle surface and in some embodiments flow over the nozzle orifices themselves. The fluid may be water, ink or other liquid that is channelled across the nozzle surface, or the fluid may be an air stream that blows across the nozzle surface.

Abstract: Substantially optimum print quality is maintained for an ink jet printer which includes a nozzle plate having a number of orifice openings from which ink droplets for printing are sprayed. It is electronically determined when a particular orifice opening has been inactive for a predetermined period of time, and then an exercise print command is supplied to the orifice causing an ink droplet to dribble out of the orifice, rather than being sprayed out of the orifice, to keep the orifice clear for printing when a print command is supplied to it. The dribbling drops have a smaller size than the sprayed drops, and may be formed by supplying heater elements associated with the openings with pulses of shorter duration than normal. Dribbling ink droplets are automatically removed from the printer cartridge by one or more strands (e.g. continuous filament rayon thread) moving past the nozzle at a speed of between about 1-3 feet per hour while being positively guided.

Abstract: An imaging drum assembly is disclosed and which includes an inner substantially cylindrically shaped sleeve, the inner sleeve having an outwardly facing surface, and an inwardly facing surface, and wherein the inwardly facing surface has a plurality of spaced, inwardly regularly extending projections which define a cavity; and an outer, substantially shaped sleeve, the outer sleeve telescopingly receiving the inner sleeve, and wherein the outer sleeve has an outwardly facing surface, and an inwardly facing surface which is disposed in energy transmitting relation relative to the outwardly facing surface of the inner sleeve, and wherein the outwardly facing surface of the outer sleeve has a given minimum capacitance.

Abstract: Print cartridges for ion/electron deposition printing are periodically cleaned to provide preventive maintenance, using a simple cleaning assembly that automatically moves the cartridges first past a water washing nozzle, and then past an air drying nozzle, at slow speed, then being manually withdrawn from the cleaning assembly and replaced in the printer. The drive mechanism typically is a single roller disposed above the print cartridge, driven by a motor connected to the housing. A single water spray nozzle is disposed at an intermediate portion of the housing directed with a fan pattern spray up toward the cartridge, and a single air nozzle supplied with heated air is disposed adjacent the outlet of the cartridge.

Abstract: An adsorbent material is mounted on a nozzle plate of an ink jet printer to collect extraneous ink and particles that might otherwise clog the nozzle orifices of the printer. In ink jet printers, ink droplets are propelled from an array of orifices in a nozzle plate in the printer head. During the ink droplet ejection, ink is sprayed or deposited around the orifices. The ink droplets are deposited on a paper web adjacent the nozzle and mist from the droplets drifts back to coat the face of the nozzle plate. This ink coating attracts particles that tend to clog the nozzle orifices. By locating an adsorbent material in close proximity to the nozzle orifice array, the material adsorbs and removes ink coating the nozzle plate before the ink clogs the orifices of the nozzle. A thread is an example of an adsorbent material. The thread slides in a groove across the face of the nozzle plate to draw off the ink coating and particles on the nozzle plate.

Abstract: The ion deposition web-fed engine includes a first fixed frame, a second frame pivotally mounted to the first frame, a third frame carried by the second frame for pivotal movement therewith and for movement in a transverse direction relative to the first and second frames. The third frame carries a print unit including an image cylinder for cooperation with an impression cylinder carried by the first frame. For servicing purposes, the second frame is pivoted relative to the first frame to provide access to the paper web, impression cylinder and image cylinder. Upon closing the second frame onto the first frame, the image cylinder defines an open nip with the impression cylinder. The print unit is movable linearly toward the impression cylinder to close the nip into a print condition.