Abstract: A method for forming an ink jet printhead subassembly can include the use of a sacrificial form coated with a coating material to fabricate a printhead subassembly having a plurality of ink channels configured for flowing ink therethrough. The sacrificial form can be manufactured using one or more described techniques. Subsequently, the sacrificial form may be removed from the coating material to provide a printhead subassembly including the coating material and an ink channel through the coating material. The completed printhead subassembly can include a single solid structure manufactured from a single material, or can include more than one solid structures assembled together.

Abstract: A method for forming an ink jet printhead subassembly can include the use of a sacrificial form to fabricate a printhead subassembly having a plurality of ink channels therethrough. The sacrificial form can be manufactured using one or more described techniques. The completed printhead subassembly can include a single solid structure manufactured from a single material, or can include more than one solid structures assembled together. A printhead subassembly according to the present teachings can have a reduced number of parts and cost, simplified manufacture, and increased yields and lifetime compared to some other printhead subassemblies.

Abstract: An aseptic diaphragm valve in which a valve seat (37) is formed by a groove including a concave surface of engagement that positioned along an outer diameter of an upper end of an inlet tube (32), and a resilient valve member portion (41) that is annular in extent with a convex surface that moves into the groove to contact the concave surface (37) around the outer diameter of the inlet tube (32) to close the valve. The valve member portion (41) has at least a coating of polytetrafluoroethylene (47) or equivalent material.

Abstract: A solid ink printer is enabled to eject ink onto image substrates at rates that are greater than previously known solid ink printers. The solid ink printer includes a print head that ejects melted ink, a web of image substrate that moves past the print head to receive melted ink ejected from the print head, a pair of fixing rollers positioned downstream of the print head, the fixing rollers forming a nip through which the web of image substrate passes to fix the ink onto the web of image substrate, and a melting device coupled to the print head to provide melted ink to the print head.

Abstract: A printer includes a system for cooling an image receiving member. The image receiving member cooling system includes an image receiving member having a first end and a second end, a first heater mounted within the image receiving member for heating the image receiving member in the vicinity of the first end, a second heater mounted within the image receiving member for heating the image receiving member in the vicinity of the second end, a first temperature detector located proximate the first end of the image receiving member, a second temperature detector located proximate the second end of the image receiving member, a fan mounted at one end of the image receiving member, and a controller electrically coupled to the first and the second temperature detectors and the fan, the controller for activating the fan to move air from the end at which a higher temperature is detected past the other end.

Abstract: An aseptic diaphragm valve in which a valve seat (37) is formed by a groove including a concave surface of engagement that positioned along an outer diameter of an upper end of an inlet tube (32), and a resilient valve member portion (41) that is annular in extent with a convex surface that moves into the groove to contact the concave surface (37) around the outer diameter of the inlet tube (32) to close the valve. The valve member portion (41) has at least a coating of polytetrafluoroethylene (47) or equivalent material.

Abstract: A solid ink printer is enabled to eject ink onto image substrates at rates that are greater than previously known solid ink printers. The solid ink printer includes a print head that ejects melted ink, a web of image substrate that moves past the print head to receive melted ink ejected from the print head, a pair of fixing rollers positioned downstream of the print head, the fixing rollers forming a nip through which the web of image substrate passes to fix the ink onto the web of image substrate, and a melting device coupled to the print head to provide melted ink to the print head.

Abstract: A printer includes a system for cooling an image receiving member. The image receiving member cooling system includes an image receiving member having a first end and a second end, a first heater mounted within the image receiving member for heating the image receiving member in the vicinity of the first end, a second heater mounted within the image receiving member for heating the image receiving member in the vicinity of the second end, a first temperature detector located proximate the first end of the image receiving member, a second temperature detector located proximate the second end of the image receiving member, a fan mounted at one end of the image receiving member, and a controller electrically coupled to the first and the second temperature detectors and the fan, the controller for activating the fan to move air from the end at which a higher temperature is detected past the other end.

Abstract: A method for disposing of waste ink from an image producing machine (10) is provided. The machine (10) includes a printhead (32) that ejects ink in its liquid form from a face (32a) of the printhead (32), the ink being phase change ink existing in liquid form above a melting temperature and in solid form below the melting temperature. The method includes: catching waste ink from the printhead (32) in a gutter (34); heating the gutter (34) to a temperature above the melting temperature; and, flowing the waste ink from the gutter (34) into a collection container (38) where it is allowed to solidify.

Abstract: A fluid flow control for controlling the speed of a piston in a fluid power cylinder is disclosed in which the flow control is located within the confines of the cylinder and includes a rotatable disk having tearshaped slots for communication of the exhaust fluid through the disk and out of the cylinder through discharge ports. Rotation of the disk to selectively position greater or lesser width portions of the tearshaped slot relative to an exhaust discharge opening in the cylinder permits selective, variable adjustment and throttling of the exhaust fluid to control the speed of movement of the piston in the cylinder.