Abstract: A continuous ink jet printing system for use with a hot-melt ink, comprising a supply chamber for retaining said ink in a liquid form, means for applying heat to the ink in said chamber to maintain said ink in a liquid form, means for conveying said ink in liquid form from said chamber to a printhead for projection toward a substrate to be marked, catcher means for collecting any of said ink that is not directed to said substrate, means for returning the collected ink as a liquid to the supply chamber, and means for maintaining the ink as a liquid while it is being returned to said supply chamber.Also disclosed is an ink jet nozzle for use in printing hot-melt inks at elevated temperatures comprising an ink jet nozzle body, a transducer, means for acoustically coupling said transducer to said body, and means for maintaining said transducer acoustically coupled to said body at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A temperature control unit is incorporated directly into the printhead of an ink jet printing system to provide temperature control. The temperature control system includes a heat pump assembly consisting of at least one thermoelectric device, coupled to a heat exchanger through which the ink flows. The thermoelectric device conveys heat to or from the heat exchanger carrying the ink depending upon actual ink temperature versus a desired temperature. If the ink is too hot, excess heat is dumped to a heat exchanger (or second heat exchanger) which may be air or liquid cooled. In the event that the ink is too cool, the electrical current to the TED is reversed and heat is pumped to the ink from the heat exchangers.

Abstract: A method is described for forming a transparency containing images having high color density comprising the steps of:forming an imaging sheet, said imaging sheet comprising a substrate having a layer of microcapsules on the front surface and on the back surface thereof, of microcapsules containing an internal phase which undergoes a physical change upon exposure to actinic radiation, and a color forming agent which is capable of reacting with a developer-containing resing to form a visible image thereon;simultaneously image-wise exposing said microcapsules on said front and said back surfaces of said imaging sheet to actinic radiation;assembling said exposed imaging sheet between a pair of developer sheets wherein each of said developer sheets comprises a substrate having a layer of developer-containing resin on one surface thereof, said layer of developer-containing resin on each of said developer sheets contacting the adjacent surface of said imaging sheet;subjecting said assembly to a uniform rupturing and

Abstract: Apparatus and method for transparentizing and glossing a resin-coated surface on sheet or web material which may comprise paper or transparency overhead projection stock, includes the delivery of such resin-coated material into intimate contact with non-wetting heated matter supplied in a pool or bath for a time sufficient to transfer heat by conduction from the non-wetting matter to the resin surface. The temperature of the bath is maintained above the glass transition temperature of the resin. The resin coated material may be applied by a roll partially immersed in the bath, or an offset or transfer roll may be positioned in the bath to deliver heated matter from the bath, in non-pressure relation, to the exposed resin surface.

Abstract: A light beam scanning device and method comprises a first input source for providing a scanning light beam and a flat stationary scanning surface to be scanned by the beam. An f sine theta lens system focuses the light beam onto the flat stationary scanning surface. A galvanometer mirror provides for repetitively scanning the light beam across the flat stationary scanning surface in a first fast scan direction while a pivoting mirror provides for receiving the light beam and scanning it onto the galvanometer mirror in a second slow scan direction perpendicular to the first direction. The cooperative operation of the galvanometer mirror and the pivoting mirror raster scan the light beam onto the flat stationary scanning surface.

Abstract: A fluid jet printing line has a plurality of fluid jet printing devices arranged serially to sequentially print on a substrate. Each printing device includes a print bar movable relative to a print head and substrate. Each print head including the print bar carried thereby is mounted for movement between positions in the line and a clean or ready room. In the print line, a sensor detects any increased thickness of the substrate and a pneumatic-mechanical system responds to the sensor to raise the print bar above the thickened portion of the substrate as it passes below the orifice plate and to lower the print bar after the thickened portion has passed. Should a print head malfunction, the line is converted to a full-catch mode, the substrate transport is stopped and the malfunctioning print head is removed.

Abstract: A fluid-jet printer has a droplet catcher structure and an ingestion blade whereby deflected charged droplets flow by means of a vacuum from the catcher structure along the ingestion blade for recirculation and reuse. The ingestion blade is preferably flat and is releasably clamped between a retainer plate along the underside of the catcher structure and a set screw threaded into the upper surface of the catcher structure. The ingestion blade is disposed in the opening of a cavity along the underside of the catcher structure and is removable therefrom by backing off the set screw, whereby the blade can be removed through the bottom cavity opening for replacement.

Abstract: A tensioning mechanism includes a frame pivotally carrying an arm at one end intermediate its length and carrying an arm fixed to the frame at its opposite end intermediate its length. Tension springs are disposed between the arms on one side of the frame and the ends of the arms on the opposite side of the frame releasably carry clamps for securing a substrate between the arms. When the substrate is clamped to the arms, the springs pivot the one arm to apply a tension to the substrate to ensure flatness and planarity of the substrate. The mechanism may then be disposed in an electrolytic bath for plating the substrate and hence defining locations for orifices to be formed in the substrate.

Abstract: An electrode for use in a fluid-jet marking apparatus includes a flexible and tensionable electrode member mounted in confronting, substantially parallel alignment to a linear array of fluid droplet streams. The mounting of the flexible and tensionable electrode member is accomplished by a pair of mounting arms in spaced-apart relationship, one of the arms being pivotal while the other arm is immovable. The one pivotal arm is thus displaced relative to the other immovable arm so as to responsively tension the electrode member therebetween.In order to increase the vibrational frequency of the flexible and tensionable electrode member and/or to substantially decrease the vibrational amplitude thereof, at least one intermediate arm having a terminal end in operative contact with the electrode member is provided.

Abstract: An orifice plate mounting assembly includes a manifold having an interior cavity defining an elongated slot and fluid communication therewith and a pair of exterior vertical guide surfaces bracketing a recessed substantially planar surface surrounding the elongated slot. A pair of clamping members each having a clamp body, a clamping arm extending horizontally outwardly from the clamp body and defining substantially planar contact surfaces, and hinge elements are provided to horizontally position the planar contact surface of each clamping arm in planar contact with the respective portion of the planar orifice plate laterally of the linear array of orifices. Suitable securing elements bridge the manifold assembly in each clamp body to cause each planar contact surface to exert a clamping force against the orifice plate so as to, in turn, exert a clamping force between the planar orifice plate and the recessed planar surface.

Abstract: A drop-catching structure for use in a liquid jet printing apparatus of the type which generates a linear array of closely spaced (i.e., high density) droplet streams from an orifice plate. The droplets are deflected from a normal droplet path towards a catching structure, the preferred embodiment of which includes an upper first planar surface substantially parallel to the droplet path, an intermediate planar surface disposed below the first planar surface and inclined downwardly and outwardly relative to the first planar surface, and a lower planar surface disposed below the intermediate surface which terminates in an upwardly directed channel defined with the ingesting blade.

Abstract: An electrode for use in a fluid jet printing apparatus to generate an electrostatic field through which droplet streams pass includes a woven fabric structure having plural electrically-conductive fibers interwoven with plural electrically-insulative fibers. An area of the electrically-conductive fibers is positionable adjacent to the fluid droplet streams to thereby generate the electrostatic field. A conductive support member provides wire-to-ground capacitance which attenuates possible "cross-talk" due to inherent wire-to-wire capacitances. The electrode structure is particularly well suited for use as a charge electrode in a fluid jet printing device.

Abstract: An electrode for use in a fluid jet marking apparatus includes a flexible and tensionable electrode member mounted in confronting, substantially parallel alignment to a linear array of fluid droplet streams. The mounting of the flexible and tensionable electrode member is accomplished by a pair of mounting arms in spaced-apart relationship, one of the arms being pivotal while the other arm is immovable. The one pivotal arm is thus displaced relative to the other immovable arm so as to responsively tension the electrode member therebetween.In order to increase the vibrational frequency of the flexible and tensionable electrode member and/or to substantially decrease the vibrational amplitude thereof, at least one intermediate arm having a terminal end in operative contact with the electrode member is provided.

Abstract: A turbulence damping apparatus for a fluid supply chamber of an ink-jet printing head assembly substantially damps multiaxis or turbulent fluid flow immediately upstream of an orifice plate from which at least one column of sequential fluid droplets is issued. The apparatus includes a center support member which defines openings and is adapted for rigid disposition in the fluid supply chamber to thus define upper and lower subchambers. Upper and lower damping structures are rigidly fixed to the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of the center support member. The upper and lower damping structures respectively include upper and lower apertures such that initial damping of turbulent fluid flow is effected as the fluid flow through the upper apertures and into the openings of the center support member with final damping of the turbulent flow being accomplished as the fluid flows through the lower apertures.

Abstract: An auxiliary droplet catcher and a method for its use in an ink jet printing apparatus of the type having charge and deflection electrodes to respectively charge selected droplets and then deflect the selected charge droplets from a normal droplet flight path towards a primary droplet catching structure. The auxiliary droplet catcher is mounted for reciprocal movements between retracted and advanced positions and is moved into the advanced position in response to a control system sensing an inability of the charge and/or deflection electrodes to respectively charge and/or deflect the selected droplets, thereby preventing flooding of a print medium.

Abstract: A jet drop copying apparatus has a print head which directs a row of jets toward a print sheet mounted on a rotating drum. The row of jets extend substantially across the full width of the print sheet and are operated under control of a printing controller to print a series of tracks extending circumferentially along the sheet. The jets are shifted laterally in synchronism with the drum rotation such that each jet is moved a distance equal to the width of one printing track during one rotation of the drum. The shifting continues until a solid print has been obtained. An illumination device is provided for illuminating a narrow strip extending across a document to be copied and projecting an image of the illuminated strip upon a row of photodetectors. Longitudinal image scanning proceeds in synchronism with the rotation of the printing drum, and there is a lateral shifting of the image in synchronism with the shifting of the jet printing tracks.

Abstract: A document illumination system adapted for use in a jet drop copier or duplicator. A pair of focussing reflectors collect illumination from two parallel line source illuminators and direct the collected illumination toward a pair of scanning mirrors. The scanning mirrors, together with a pair of side mirrors, direct narrow beams of illumination toward a common illuminated strip on the face of a document positioned on a flat document support member. The scanning mirrors are scanned in synchronism to move the illuminated strip back and forth along the face of the document, and the reflectors are concomitantly moved in synchronism to maintain an image of the illumination sources in one dimensional focus at the surface of the document. All motion of the scanning mirrors and the reflectors is produced by a single drive motor, which drives a set of interspersed timing belts to produce uniform rotary motion of the input shafts for four conjugate cam arrangements.

Abstract: The sheet loading device for supplying a sheet of material from a sheet supply station to any of a plurality of sheet supporting rotatable drums includes an endless belt continuously moving past the sheet supply station and the rotatable drums. A rotatable belt deflecting roller is mounted adjacent each of the drums. A sheet supply arrangement urges a sheet at the supply station into engagement with the belt such that the sheet is carried by the belt toward the drums. One of the belt deflecting rollers is translated toward its respective sheet supporting drum such that the belt is deflected to wrap partially around the drum, whereby the sheet carried by the belt will be loaded onto the drum.