Abstract: A print element including a heat sink, a printed wiring member mounted on the heat sink, a thermal ink jet assembly mounted to the heat sink, and a manifold assembly mounted to the heat sink. The manifold assembly has a first mount for removably connecting a first source of ink to the manifold assembly and a first outlet to the thermal ink jet assembly. The print element can be combined with a housing to form a print head in a first type of printing device or can be used without the housing in a second different printing device.

Abstract: A method of aligning one or more print heads in a print head unit and a system thereof. A first pattern of first symbols is printed on a print medium and a second pattern of second symbols is printed with a second print head on the print medium with one or more print heads in a manner to superpose the second pattern on the first pattern and so that at least some of the first symbols obscure a corresponding one of the second symbols. At least some of the second symbols are offset from a regular pattern and the offset distances are recorded. A user can designate at least one of the second symbols that is obscured by a corresponding one of the first symbols and the offset distance corresponding to the designated second symbol is used as an offset parameter for the second print head with respect to the first print head.

Abstract: Backlash is reduced by stopping substrate short of a printing position, then slowly advancing the drive system to move the substrate to the printing position. Where a stepper motor drives a driven roller via a gear train, the stepper motor stops the substrate a predetermined number of steps shy of the printing position. The stepper motor is then advanced by the predetermined number of steps, taking up backlash and moving the substrate to the printing position.

Abstract: An ink tank and ink tank support structure which contains structural elements which are designed to permit proper installation of the ink tank in the ink tank support structure while minimizing the chances of improper installation of the ink tank in the ink tank structure. A primary ink tank seal is provided in the ink tank, and a relatively low compressive force seal is provided between the ink tank support structure and the ink tank to reduce leakage of fluid from the tank and limit evaporation of fluid from the tank despite repeated insertions and removals of the ink tank from the ink tank support structure. A variable capacity ink tank and an ink tank with staggered height walls are disclosed, as well as a code reader for determining characteristics of ink tanks.

Abstract: An ink tank and ink tank support structure which contains structural elements which are designed to permit proper installation of the ink in the ink tank support structure while minimizing the chances of improper installation of the ink tank in the ink tank structure. A primary ink tank seal is provided in the ink tank, and a relatively low compressive force seal is provided between the ink tank support structure and the ink tank to reduce leakage of fluid from tank and limit evaporation of fluid from the tank despite repeated insertions and removals of the ink tank from the ink tank support structure. A variable capacity ink tank and an ink tank with staggered height walls are disclosed, as well as a code reader for determining characteristics of ink tanks.

Abstract: A color ink jet printer having a replaceable printhead assembly with a plurality of replaceable ink tanks, one ink tank for each color of ink, senses a patch on each ink tank. The presence of the patch indicates the ink tank is new. In one embodiment, the patch is adhered over a recess in each of the tanks and is punctured by a pin which is triggered as soon as the patch is detected, so that the patch cannot be detected again. The energization of each group of heating elements associated with a respective ink tank is counted and stored in the printer memory and, as each energization results in the ejection of an ink droplet of known volume, a predetermined number of energizations, which represent the volume of usable ink in each ink tank, is stored in the memory. When this predetermined number of energizations is reached, an out-of-ink display is shown to the user.

Abstract: An ink tank and ink tank support structure which contains structural elements which are designed to permit proper installation of the ink tank in the ink tank support structure while minimizing the chances of improper installation of the ink tank in the ink tank structure. A primary ink tank seal is provided in the ink tank, and a relatively low compressive force seal is provided between the ink tank support structure and the ink tank to reduce leakage of fluid from the tank and limit evaporation of fluid from the tank despite repeated insertions and removals of the ink tank from the ink tank support structure. A variable capacity ink tank and an ink tank with staggered height walls are disclosed, as well as a code reader for determining characteristics of ink tanks.

Abstract: A process for precision patterning or cutting of a sheet stock, such as an adhesive tape, includes the step of irradiating a surface of a sheet stock with an irradiation source to pattern or cut a part in the sheet stock. The method is particularly useful for precision cutting adhesive members, such as adhesive fluid seals, for an inkjet print cartridge.

Abstract: A method of marking bullets and bullets marked by the method are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises coating the bullet of a cartridge with at least one coating material whose surface appearance contrasts with the surface appearance of the underlying bullet material. Characters are then selectively etched in, and generally substantially through, the coating, such as molybdenum disulfide. The characters are easily and quickly recognized because of the contrast between the surface appearances of the coating and that of the underlying material. The characters typically, but not necessarily, indicate characteristics of the bullet, such as bullet weight and design features.

Abstract: A liquid ink printer, depositing ink to form an image having a first resolution on a recording medium moving in a first direction, including a scanning carriage moving along a carriage rail in a scanning direction substantially transverse to the first direction. The printer includes a liquid ink printhead, coupled to the scanning carriage, including ink ejectors spaced at a second resolution, different from the first resolution, and a moving device, coupled to the printhead, moving the printhead in the first direction. The printhead is moved in the second direction to deposit a first swath of ink on the recording medium. The printhead is then moved in the first direction, and again moved in the second direction to deposit a second swath of ink on the recording medium, the first swath and the second swath overlapping.

Abstract: An ink jet printbar assembly is provided with a plurality of printhead die assemblies mounted on a single flat substrate. The printhead die assemblies are linearly aligned along the substrate length. Each die assembly includes a line of nozzles having the same active print length. The individual die assemblies are spaced from adjacent die assemblies such that the last functional nozzle on one end of a die assembly is spaced a distance which is less than the active print length from the first adjacent functional nozzle on the next adjacent die assembly.

Abstract: To print an image having a 600 dpi resolution along the horizontal axis with an ink jet printer that has a 300 dpi resolution, the method raster scans selected pixels from a selected pixel pattern. The image receiving member is then advanced a selected distance. Remaining pixels from the selected pixel image pattern are then raster scanned onto the image receiving member to visibly reproduce the image at a defined resolution.

Abstract: An ink jet printer includes a printhead having a plurality of segments each having ink ejecting nozzles, each segment supplied with ink of a different characteristic. Means are provided for moving the printhead in a direction transverse to the advancing movement of a recording medium. Means are further provided for moving the printhead between two or more positions along the recording medium advance direction. Thus, the printhead can print a swath of ink of a first characteristic from one segment and then be moved to print a second swath from a second segment with ink of a second characteristic. In one embodiment, a printhead has two segments, one printing in black, and the other in color. A shift mechanism is enabled to move the printhead between a black print position and a color print position. The invention contemplates alternate color printing swaths at alternate printing positions along the same printing swath, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A sheet feeding and separating apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack by exerting a drive force against the top sheet. The sheet is urged off the stack by a nudger roll toward a retard nip formed where a feed roll contacts a retard roll. The retard roll is movable relative to the feed roll, and thus is capable of producing drive forces of varying magnitude at the retard nip to propel a sheet toward the copying mechanism. A controller signals the nudger roll to urge a sheet off the stack and then monitors a sensor to determine whether the sheet passes through the retard nip. A misfeed condition occurs when the sensor fails to detect a sheet within a predetermined length of time. In response, the controller moves the retard roll toward the feed roll to increase the drive force exerted on the sheet. The retard roll is further adapted to detect the occurrence of a multifeed when multiple sheets contact the retard nip.

Abstract: An automatic recovery apparatus reduces the number of shut downs due to fuser misstrips in an electrophoto-graphic device. A fuser misstrip occurs if the lead edge of a copy sheet does not emerge from the fuser nip. The fuser roller and the photoreceptor drive roller are stopped. These rollers are driven in the reverse direction until the copy sheet is released from the fuser. The rollers are then driven in the forward direction so that the copy sheet is re-fused. This automatic recovery apparatus is used for a photoreceptor misstrip. If the copy sheet remains attached to the photoreceptor belt after passing the stripping zone, it will jam in the cleaner module. If a sensor detects the copy sheet is still attached to the belt after the stripping zone, then the photoreceptor belt is reversed and the stripping procedure is repeated.

Abstract: A device for feeding sheets from a sheet tray which minimizes mis-feeds and multi-feeds. The device includes a device detecting sheet properties such as sheet basis weight and sheet size, a device selecting appropriate air parameters, such as air plenum pressure, plenum flow, and air knife pressure based on the sheet properties detected, and a device adjusting air parameters based on the appropriate air parameters selected.

Abstract: An apparatus to detect sheet misfeeds and jams in an electrophotographic printing machine by measuring the tangential reaction force of a sheet entering the nip between two drive rolls and comparing the measured force with preprogrammed parameters within the machine controller. In the event the force measured does not fall within the programmed parameters, the drive motor controller and machine controller can take appropriate corrective action to display an error message, lessen sheet damage and prevent machine damage. A force library can be compiled to predict drive roll wear and failure so as to allow preventative measures to be taken.

Abstract: A hydrid nudger roll for use in a friction retard feeder includes alternating elastomeric and studded rolls positioned on a support shaft. The outer surface of the elastomeric rolls extends beyond the tips of the studded rolls, but when the elastomeric rolls are deformed against a stack of sheets due to normal force, the tips of the studded rolls extends beyond the outer surface of the elastomeric rolls.

Abstract: A copy machine of the present invention may include a photoreceptor for storing a document image, a transfer station for transferring a stored document image to a sheet of copy paper at a transfer location, a supply tray for storing a quantity of copy sheets, transport rollers for conveyiong copy sheets along a path from the supply tray to the transfer location, a detector for detecting a misfeed in the path and for outputting a misfeed signal, and a controller for preventing an image on the photoreceptor from entering the transfer location upon receipt of the misfeed signal.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hollow point bullet and the product resulting therefrom. A core is first formed from a deformable first metal and the entire core is electroplated with a second metal. A partially electroplated cavity is then formed within one end of the core with slits through the second metal along the cavity walls. The core is formed into its final shape in such a manner that the walls of the cavity are inclined at a desired angle relative to the axis core and the slits are extended to the circumferential edge of the cavity.