Abstract: A detecting apparatus is to at least assist in determining the concentration of colorants within a carrier liquid. The colorants at least absorb light and/or diverge light. The detecting apparatus includes one or more light sources to emit light, and one or more light detectors to detect light. The light sources and the light detectors are positionally configured in relation to one another such that both light directly emitted by the light sources and that has not been absorbed or diverged by the colorants, as well as light diverged by the colorants within the carrier liquid, are detected and/or determined. The concentration of colorants is determined based on the light directly emitted by the light sources that has not been absorbed or diverged by the colorants and/or on the light diverged by the colorants within the carrier liquid.

Abstract: An ink composition having a viscosity which is below about 50.0 cps and having, at least, 10 wt %, by total weight of ink composition, of non volatile substances. Said composition comprising a carrier liquid, a dispersing agent, and solid particles; said solid particles are dispersed in the carrier liquid and comprise pigments embedded with resin polymers.

Abstract: A suction cup for a printer includes a cup portion that includes a contact surface adapted to contact print media within the printer, the contact surface being formed by a low surface energy material. In some embodiments, the contact surface is rough.

Abstract: A method for calibrating the BID current in an electrophotographic printer includes the steps of measuring electrode capacitance of an empty BID unit, installing the BID unit in an electrophotographic printer, comparing the measured capacitance with a calibration curve to determine the proper current for the BID unit, and adjusting the operating current of the BID unit according to the calibration curve.

Abstract: Characteristics of a fluid are determined, in one embodiment, by flowing the fluid (which may contain charged particles) between a plurality of electrode pairs, applying respective DC voltages across at least two of the electrode pairs, and measuring resulting currents through the fluid at the respective electrode pairs. In one example, respective plates of the electrode pairs are configured so that they do not fully encircle one another.

Abstract: A method for calibrating the BID current in an electrophotographic printer includes the steps of measuring electrode capacitance of an empty BID unit, installing the BID unit in an electrophotographic printer, comparing the measured capacitance with a calibration curve to determine the proper current for the BID unit, and adjusting the operating current of the BID unit according to the calibration curve.

Abstract: Characteristics of a fluid are determined, in one embodiment, by flowing the fluid (which may contain charged particles) between a plurality of electrode pairs, applying respective DC voltages across at least two of the electrode pairs, and measuring resulting currents through the fluid at the respective electrode pairs. In one example, respective plates of the electrode pairs are configured so that they do not fully encircle one another.

Abstract: A method of transferring an image on a surface to a substrate comprising: a) heating the surface to a first temperature above a temperature at which the image adheres to the substrate; b) heating the substrate to a second temperature above ambient temperature and below the first temperature; c) pressing the substrate to the surface; d) cooling the image while it is in contact with both the surface and the substrate such that it cools during said contact to a third temperature, below a temperature at which its cohesion is greater than its adhesion to the surface; and e) then separating the substrate from the surface, said image being transferred to the substrate.

Abstract: Concentration detection of first and second toner particles in a dispersion, including illuminating the dispersion with linearly polarized light having a given polarization direction, detecting an amount of light passed through the dispersion and through an analyzer set at a predetermined angle to the given polarization direction and determining at least the concentration of one of the toner particles utilizing the detected amount of light. Additionally the concentration detection may include further illuminating the dispersion with unpolarized light, and further detecting a second amount of light passed through the dispersion illuminated with the unpolarized light, where both of the toner particle concentrations are determined from the detected and the second detected amounts of light.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting concentrations of colored toner particles in the presence of black or other absorbing toner particles including a light source, a light detector having a field of view of less than about .+-.10 degrees and preferably less than .+-.5 degrees, apparatus for supplying a dispersion of colored toner particles optionally containing undesirable contamination by black toner particles between the light source and the detector and computing circuitry operative for determining the concentration of the colored toner particles utilizing output from the light detector.