Abstract: A layered intermediate used in inkjet printing contains a release coat formed on a transfer medium in an area where an image has not been printed. The release coat is formed of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) or a PVP copolymer and at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of glycol solvents and diol solvents. A viscous coating of PVP or the PVP copolymer is formed on the transfer medium in an area where an image has been printed. A release layer formed from components in the release coat and components in the ink is formed on the viscous coating. A first ink layer is formed on the release layer of flocculated ink. A second ink layer is formed on the first ink layer, of ink that is substantially not flocculated.

Abstract: A star wheel manufacturing process, and a star wheel manufactured thereby, suitable for an ink jet printer. Metal is formed by chemical milling, subtractive etching or the like, into the desired star wheel configuration, including a plurality of radially extending projections having tips. At least a portion of each tip has an electropolished surface. A coating of fluorinated polymer or the like may be applied to at least a portion of the electrolpolished surface on each tip.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for applying a coating liquid to a printing substrate. The coating apparatus has a rotatable first roll and a rotatable second roll, each having a surface energy. The second roll is positioned adjacent to the first roll and defines with the first roll a first nip through which the printing substrate passes A metering device is provided for applying a substantially uniform layer of coating liquid onto the second roll. The second roll in turn transfers the coating liquid to the printing substrate. The surface energy of the second roll is greater than the surface energy of the coating liquid. In one embodiment, the metering device includes a rotatable third roll and a doctor blade contacting the third roll, each having a surface energy. The surface energy of at least a portion of either or both the third roll and doctor blade is less than the surface energy of the coating liquid.

Abstract: Secured data systems only process file units which have not been compromised, such as by a malicious attack or corrupted data. The file units remain encrypted except during processing with successive generations of each encrypted file unit stored in a secured memory, which cannot be overwritten but only copied. Compromised file units are reconstructed or replaced by the last pure generation stored in secured memory. System operation is automatically restored following a fault, although the likelihood of faults is reduced by frequent optimization of system operation. Digital systems only accept file units from other secure digital systems having an approved digital identifier, which is embedded in each file unit.

Abstract: A prober for measuring the light output of digital devices integrally formed on a single wafer. The prober includes a light-integrating sphere sequentially aligned with selected devices. Each time that a device is aligned with the sphere, the device aligned with the sphere is activated, so that the light output of each device is individually measured. In the disclosed embodiment, the devices are vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs).

Abstract: A system and method of combining software and the internet to create a automatic fulfillment system utilizing contact management type databases and direct relationships with third party fulfillment partners to complete the printing and delivery of written correspondence and the purchase and shipment of items and products for delivery. The business process is designed to easily facilitate the commons business practice of timely written client correspondence and the timely sending of personal gifts and other items.

Abstract: A star wheel manufacturing process, and a star wheel manufactured thereby, suitable for an ink jet printer. Metal is formed by chemical milling, subtractive etching or the like, into the desired star wheel configuration, including a plurality of radially extending projections having tips. At least a portion of each tip has an electropolished surface. A coating of fluorinated polymer or the like may be applied to at least a portion of the electrolpolished surface on each tip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a buried mesa semiconductor device such as a laser diode with reduced leakage currents past the heterojunction, and to a method of forming such a device.

Abstract: A simulated fuel bed is provided for use in an electric fireplace. The simulated fuel bed has a first portion that is composed of a non-plastic material and formed to simulate a fuel source in a fireplace and a second portion that is composed of a plastic material and formed to simulate an ember bed for the fuel source. The second portion is formed to receive the first portion to resemble in combination a fuel source in an ember bed.

Abstract: An electric fireplace is provided having an improved flame simulating apparatus. In one aspect, the flame simulating apparatus includes a light source, a flame effect element for reflecting light to produce a flame effect, and a flicker element having reflective strips for reflecting light from the light source for subsequent reflection by the flame effect element. A screen having a partially reflecting surface and a diffusing member is positioned with the flame effect element extending proximate to the diffusing member. A fuel bed is positioned immediately adjacent to the partially reflecting surface of the screen to produce an image of the fuel bed on the screen with the image of moving flames appearing to emanate between the fuel bed and its reflected image. An alternate screen is provided having a non-planar diffusing member which causes the image of moving flames to appear to emanate from behind the reflected image the fuel bed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ink jet printer nozzle plate containing nozzle holes and having a durable non-wettable layer on at least one surface thereof. The nozzle plate includes a polyimide material and the non-wettable layer contains a derivative of an amine-terminated silane compound, the amine-terminated silane compound derivative being covalently bound to the polyimide material of the nozzle plate. The layer also contains a derivative of a polydialkylsiloxane compound having a number average molecular weight ranging from about 400 to about 150,000 and an end group reactive with the amine-terminated silane compound derivative. The polydialkylsiloxane compound derivative is bound to the amine-terminated silane compound derivative by a condensation reaction to provide the durable non-wettable layer on the surface of the nozzle plate.

Abstract: A simulated fireplace assembly is provided having a simulated fuel bed and a screen for transmitting an image of a flame. The simulated fuel bed is located adjacent to the screen. The screen has a first region that is sufficiently reflective to reflect the fuel bed and a second region that is sufficiently non-reflective to avoid reflection of ambient subject matter that is not associated with the fireplace assembly.

Abstract: The specification describes a method and composition for treating selected areas of the surface of a polyimide material used to make a nozzle plate for an ink jet printer in order to decrease the surface energy of the polyimide material so ink repellency of the material is increased in the selected areas. The method includes applying a polydialkylsiloxane having reactive end groups to the selected areas of the polyimide material and curing the polydialkylsiloxane on the surface to provide a surface having decreased surface energy. A particularly preferred polydialkylsiloxane is an amine terminated polydialkylsiloxane having a molecular weight ranging from about 500 to about 40,000 number average molecular weight.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for producing an illusory effect. The assembly comprises a substantially transparent front wall having a rear surface and a front surface. A reflective surface is spaced from and faces the rear surface of the front wall. A plurality of first dots are disposed on the front wall in a sufficiently constant density over a given area to produce a substantially constant tinted appearance to the front wall when observed through the front surface. A plurality of second dots are disposed on the first dots and face the reflective surface, the second dots being smaller than the first dots. An image is defined by the second dots wherein the image is substantially invisible to an observer looking through the front surface other than as a reflected image in the reflective surface.

Abstract: An electric fireplace is provided having an improved flame simulating apparatus. The flame simulating apparatus includes a light source, a flame effect element for transmitting light from the light source to produce a flame effect, and a flicker element having colored reflective strips for reflecting light for subsequent transmission by the flame effect element. A screen having a partially reflecting surface and a diffusing surface is positioned with the flame effect element extending proximate to the diffusing surface. A fuel bed is positioned immediately adjacent to the partially reflecting surface of the screen to produce an image of the fuel bed on the screen with the image of moving flames appearing to emanate between the fuel bed and its reflected image.