Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of waste water, comprising a tank for receiving a waste water influent via an influent pump and discharging a treated waste water effluent via an effluent pump; a screen decanter disposed in the tank, the screen having a pore size of about 50 micrometers; and a timer operationally connected to the floating decanter and the effluent pump. Solids are settled from the waste water and drawn off through the tank bottom after a supernatant fluid is drawn off through the floating screen decanter. The supernatant fluid may be passed through a filtration and membrane water purification apparatus to generate purified water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of food process waste water, comprising a tank for receiving a food process waste water influent via an influent pump and discharging a treated food process waste water effluent via an effluent pump; a screen decanter disposed in the tank;, the screen having a porosity of about 50 micrometers; and a timer operationally connected to the floating decanter and the effluent pump. Solids are settled from the waste water and drawn off through the tank bottom after a supernatant fluid is drawn off through the floating decanter. The supernatant fluid is passed through a filtration and membrane water purification apparatus to generate purified water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of food process waste water, comprising a tank for receiving a food process waste water influent via an influent pump and discharging a treated food process waste water effluent via an effluent pump; a floating decanter disposed in the tank; a valved outlet formed in the bottom of the tank; an upper level float switch operationally connected to the floating decanter; a lower level float switch operationally connected to the floating decanter and to the effluent pump; and a timer operationally connected to the floating decanter and the effluent pump. Solids are settled from the waste water and drawn off through the tank bottom after a supernatant fluid is drawn off through the floating decanter. The supernatant fluid is passed through a filtration and membrane water purification apparatus to generate purified water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treatment of food process waste water, comprising a tank for receiving a food process waste water influent via an influent pump and discharging a treated food process waste water effluent via an effluent pump; a screen decanter disposed in the tank; the screen having a porosity of about 50 micrometers; and a timer operationally connected to the floating decanter and the effluent pump. Solids are settled from the waste water and drawn off through the tank bottom after a supernatant fluid is drawn off through the floating decanter. The supernatant fluid is passed through a filtration and membrane water purification apparatus to generate purified water.

Abstract: A driven coupling includes three separate cam lobes projecting therefrom that mate with mating female features in a driver coupling. A central straight or tapered bore accepts a conical alignment pin that projects from the driver coupling. Since the cam lobes are independent and are able to radically deflect, under torque load the central bore is closed down to create a highly precise alignment.

Abstract: A drive shaft for coupling with a drive gear having a gear shaft extending outwardly therefrom. The gear shaft includes a twisted triangular coupling hole having defined vertices. The drive shaft includes a cylinder flange joined to one end of a drive shaft cylinder, the cylinder flange having a concentric shaft extending outwardly therefrom and a plurality of members extending longitudinally outwardly from the concentric shaft, wherein the members are adapted to fit within the twisted triangular coupling hole. The plurality of members may include parallelogram-shaped prongs. Alternatively, a rod extends outwardly from the concentric shaft. The rod has three skewed blades that extend radially outwardly therefrom. Another aspect is a material supply module including a drive shaft.

Abstract: A driven coupling includes three separate cam lobes projecting therefrom that mate with mating female features in a driver coupling. A central straight or tapered bore accepts a conical alignment pin that projects from the driver coupling. Since the cam lobes are independent and are able to radically deflect, under torque load the central bore is closed down to create a highly precise alignment.

Abstract: A method of skipping white spaces during the marking of an image onto a recording medium with a marking device includes the steps of detecting a white space in the image between a previous image block and a next image block, positioning a marking element of the marking device adjacent an output starting position on the recording medium, and marking the next image block on the recording medium. The marking device includes a marking element and a controller. Each white space is interposed between two image blocks, which include adjacent image data lines. The controller controls the marking element to mark the image in swaths. Each swath of the marking element is capable of marking more than one image data line. The output starting position is determined such that the marking device marks the next print block using a minimum number of swaths. As a result, the operating speed and throughput of the marking device are increased.

Abstract: A printbar cooling device for cooling an array of print dies substantially eliminates thermal gradients along the length of the array of print dies through use of a parallel flow cooling configuration where each point along the array is in thermal contact with coolant at the same temperature. Coolant is directed away from the array of print dies to a common coolant outlet.

Abstract: A thermal ink jet printer having redundant printing capability includes a primary printhead for printing ink drops of a first color and a secondary printhead for printing ink drops of the first color and/or other colors. The secondary printhead selectively prints according to either a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, the secondary printhead supplements the primary printhead such that both printheads print ink drops of the first color. In the second mode, if the primary printhead fails, the secondary printhead prints ink drops of the first color in place of the primary printhead.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for degassing a liquid, comprising: a liquid supply and an outlet communicating with the liquid supply via a flow path; a degassing tank, disposed in the flow path between the liquid supply and the outlet, the degassing tank incorporating a gas-permeable vent; a means for moving the liquid along the flow path; and a heater, disposed in the flow path between the degassing tank and the outlet, for heating the liquid and thereby removing gas therefrom. The apparatus is particularly suited to the ink supply system of a thermal ink jet printer where the removal of gases dissolved in the ink improves print quality.

Abstract: A thermal ink jet printhead has a flow directing one-way valve for reducing back-flow directed forces generated by the droplet ejecting ink vapor bubbles, so that most of the bubble generated forces are used to eject ink droplets from the printhead nozzles. The one-way valve is provided by patterning the etch resistant mask to form a flap located at a predetermined position along the ink channels between the heating elements and reservoirs, which is activated by bubble generated forces directed in the opposite direction from the printhead nozzles.

Abstract: A heat and pressure fusing apparatus for fixing toner images to substrates such as plain paper, the toner comprising a thermoplastic resin. The apparatus includes two nip forming members which cooperate to form a nip having an asymmetrical pressure profile. Thus, the pressure profile through the nip, from entrance to exit, is such that toner images on a substrate passing through the nip are first subjected to relatively low pressure which continues until the toner begins to flow. Once toner flow commences, the images are subjected to pressure high enough to force the toner into the substrate. The nip is readily variable for accommodating different fusing speeds for different processors.

Abstract: A heated fuser roll and control for fixing toner images to copy substrates. A light chopper adapted for rotation with the heated fuser roll generates signals which actuate a switch operably coupling a power source and a lamp for heating the fuser roll. The lamp is energized at maximum power at a duty cycle of 10% which provides for a fail-safe arrangement in the event the switch coupling the power source and the lamp short circuits which would result in overloading the lamp.

Abstract: Heat and pressure fusing apparatus for fixing toner images. The fusing apparatus is characterized by the separation of the heat and pressure functions such that the heat and pressure are effected at different locations on a thin flexible belt forming the toner contacting surface. A pressure roll cooperates with a stationary mandrel to form a nip through which the belt and copy substrate pass simultaneously. The belt is heated such that by the time it passes through the nip it's temperature together with the applied pressure is sufficient for fusing the toner images passing therethrough.

Abstract: A process of modification of magnetic toner for use in electrostatic development processes involving a magnetic toner without carrier is disclosed. The modified toner of the invention is effectively fused at lower temperatures. The toners of the invention are modified such that small portions of the surface are removed.