Abstract: An apparatus (32) for separating a sheet of print media from a stack (30) of porous sheets includes a sheet conveyor for conveying a topmost sheet (30.1) of print media which has been separated from the stack (30) to a printing station (12) of a printer (10). A separator (44) is associated with the sheet conveyor for separating the sheet of print media from the stack (30). The separator (44) includes a fluid delivery arrangement (46) for blowing fluid on to a top surface of the stack (30) for effecting separation of the topmost sheet (30.1) of print media from the stack (30). A capturing arrangement (54) is carried by the sheet conveyor for capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet (30.1) and for facilitating conveyance of the topmost sheet by the sheet conveyor to the printing station (12).

Abstract: An inkjet printer that has an ink supply, an ink manifold in fluid communication with the ink supply, a printhead IC with and array of ink ejection nozzles mounted to the ink manifold, a pump in fluid communication with the ink manifold and, a gas inlet that can be opened to establish fluid communication between the ink manifold and a supply of gas, and can be closed to form a gas tight seal. The ink manifold can be primed using the pump by closing the gas inlet, and de-primed when the gas inlet is open. This allows the printhead to be deprimed during storage and transport and it allows the printhead IC to be cleaned by a foam formed by air forced through the ink election nozzles.

Abstract: An inkjet printer that has a printhead IC with and array of ink ejection nozzles, an ink manifold for distributing ink to the printhead IC, the ink manifold having an ink inlet and an ink outlet, an upstream pump in fluid communication with the ink inlet, and a downstream pump in fluid communication with the ink outlet. The upstream pump and the downstream pump are independently operable. This allows the printhead to be primed or deprimed for storage and transport and it allows the printhead IC to be cleaned by a foam formed by air forced through the ink election nozzles.

Abstract: A printhead assembly with a printhead integrated circuit (IC) and a shut off (138) valve that has a valve body (200) defining an ink inlet (202) for connection to an ink supply, an ink outlet (67) connected to the printhead IC. A moveable valve member (212) is biased into sealing engagement with the valve seat (216) to provide a fluid seal between the ink inlet and the ink outlet. An actuator (204) for unsealing the valve member from the valve seat upon energizing and re-sealing the valve member to the valve seat when de-energized. The valve protects the ink in the ink supply from contaminants that can migrate up the ink line during shut down periods. The valve member is constantly biased to a closed position and so seals the ink supply from the printhead IC as a default condition even in the event of a power failure. The bias is strong enough to provide the fluid seal so that the seal is not compromised when the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet is small.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding porous sheets of media from a stack of such sheets includes a support structure for supporting the stack. A gas conduit is mounted on the support structure and has an outlet that is oriented so that, when the stack is positioned on the support structure, the outlet is directed towards a first sheet of the stack. The gas conduit is in fluid communication with a gas supply so that a stream of gas can be directed onto the first sheet to penetrate the first sheet and generate a cushion of gas between the first sheet and a second sheet to separate the first and second sheets. A sheet feed mechanism feeds the first sheet from the stack once the first and second sheets are separated.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for a printer includes a support structure. A sheet feed assembly is mounted on the support structure to feed sheets from a stack of sheets to the printer along a feed path. A nozzle assembly is movably mounted on the support structure and includes at least one nozzle that opens towards the stack of sheets. A displacement mechanism moves the nozzle assembly reciprocally between the stack of sheets and the sheet feed assembly. A gas supply is connected to the nozzle assembly and is operable so that a gas stream emitted from the, or each, nozzle penetrates a first sheet in the stack to generate a cushion of gas between the first sheet and a second sheet, thereby lifting the first sheet from the second sheet. The gas supply is reversible so that the first sheet can be retained against the nozzle assembly as the nozzle assembly is moved towards the feed assembly such that the feed assembly can feed the first sheet along the feed path.

Abstract: A printer includes a support structure. A printing assembly is mounted on the support structure. The printing assembly includes a feed mechanism mounted on the support structure for feeding sheets of media along a feed path. At least one printhead is mounted on the support structure, downstream of the feed mechanism to carry out a printing operation on the sheets of media. A picker mechanism is positioned on the support structure, upstream of the printing assembly. The picker mechanism includes a nozzle assembly that is movably mounted on the support structure and includes at least one nozzle that opens towards the stack of sheets. A displacement mechanism moves the nozzle assembly reciprocally between the stack of sheets and the feed mechanism.

Abstract: A method of feeding porous sheets from a stack is provided in which one or more air outlet nozzles and one or more air inlet nozzles are positioned in a pick-up position proximate a first sheet of the stack, a flow of air from the outlet nozzle(s) sufficient to penetrate the first sheet is generated so that a cushion of air is generated between the first sheet and a second sheet of the stack so as to lift the first sheet from the second sheet, a flow of air into the inlet nozzle(s) is generated so that the lifted first sheet is drawn against a pick-up surface defined by the inlet nozzle, and the inlet and outlet nozzles are reciprocally displaced between the pick-up position and a feed position in which a feed mechanism engages the first sheet.

Abstract: To maintain quality printed images in high speed photographic quality printing it is necessary to ensure accurate registry of the print media with the printheads. To ensure this result an alignment mechanism is provided for the stack of print media to be fed to the printer. The alignment mechanism comprises a receptacle to hold the stack of print media, a registry stop and a tapping mechanism located opposite the registry stop, to maintain the stack of print media in accurate abutment with the registry stop.

Abstract: A self-service, automated information technology infrastructure management system is provided. The method includes receiving minimal information pertaining to an information technology infrastructure from a user at a web portal, automatically gathering additional infrastructure information using the minimal information received from the user, and automatically monitoring the information technology infrastructure by collecting infrastructure data and examining the collected infrastructure data for a deviation from a normal operating condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of polishing a semiconductor device comprising, polishing the semiconductor device with a polishing pad, the polishing pad comprising, a polymeric matrix and a dissolvable substance. The dissolvable substance is located at a work surface of the polishing pad and in a subsurface proximate the work surface. The method further comprises dissolving the dissolvable substance at the work surface while polishing the semiconductor device and wearing away the polishing pad while polishing the semiconductor device such that the subsurface becomes a new work surface that polishes the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A polishing pad used in a method for polishing a semiconductor device is made by combining a polymeric matrix and a dissolvable substance that dissolves upon contact with a polishing slurry.

Abstract: A device for lifting a porous sheet from a stack of such sheets includes a gas stream supply mechanism that is configured to generate a gas stream and is positioned so that, in use, the gas stream impinges on a first sheet of the stack. The gas stream supply mechanism is configured so that the gas stream penetrates the first sheet to generate a cushion of gas between the first sheet and a second sheet, thereby lifting the first sheet from the second sheet. A capturing mechanism captures the first sheet.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for a printer includes a support structure. A sheet feed assembly is mounted on the support structure to feed sheets from a stack of sheets to the printer along a feed path. A nozzle assembly is movably mounted on the support structure and includes at least one nozzle that opens towards the stack of sheets. A displacement mechanism moves the nozzle assembly reciprocally between the stack of sheets and the sheet feed assembly. A gas supply is connected to the nozzle assembly and is operable so that a gas stream emitted from the, or each, nozzle penetrates a first sheet in the stack to generate a cushion of gas between the first sheet and a second sheet, thereby lifting the first sheet from the second sheet. The gas supply is reversible so that the first sheet can be retained against the nozzle assembly as the nozzle assembly is moved towards the feed assembly such that the feed assembly can feed the first sheet along the feed path.

Abstract: A printer includes a printing mechanism. A roller assembly is arranged upstream of the printing mechanism to convey sheets of print media to the printing mechanism. A feed mechanism is arranged upstream of the roller assembly to feed sheets of paper from a stack of the sheets to the printing mechanism. The feed mechanism includes a pick-up device that includes a gas conduit in fluid communication with a gas supply and positioned to direct a flow of gas onto a first sheet of the stack of sheets such that the gas passes partially through the first sheet and impinges on a second sheet generating a cushion of air between the first and second sheets to separate the first and second sheets. A displacement device displaces the first sheet into engagement with the roller assembly.

Abstract: A method of separating a sheet of print media from a stack of sheets, the sheets being porous, includes blowing fluid on to a top surface of a topmost sheet of the print media on the stack so that the fluid passes through at least the topmost sheet of the stack and capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet for conveyance to a printing station of a printer.

Abstract: A method of feeding porous sheets of media from a stack of such sheets includes the step of applying a gas flow to a first sheet of a stack, via a gas conduit and nozzle so that the gas passes partially through the first sheet and impinges on a second sheet, generating a cushion of air between the first and second sheets to separate the first and second sheets. The gas flow is reversed so that the first sheet is drawn towards a pick-up surface and retained against the pick-up surface. A pick-up device that defines the pick-up surface is displaced along the feed path so that the first sheet is fed from the stack along the feed path.

Abstract: A printing assembly for printing on porous sheets of media from a stack of such sheets includes a retaining structure that is configured to retain the stack in an aligned condition. A pick-up device on the retaining structure includes a gas conduit that is in fluid communication with a gas supply and a nozzle arrangement that is in fluid communication with the gas conduit. The nozzle arrangement is shaped to define a pick-up surface. The pick-up device is displaceable along a feed path relative to the retaining structure. The nozzle arrangement is capable of directing a flow of gas onto a first sheet of the stack such that the gas passes partially through the first sheet and impinges on a second sheet, generating a cushion of air between the first and second sheets to separate the first and second sheets. The gas supply is reversible so that the first sheet can be drawn towards the pick-up surface and retained against the pick-up surface.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding porous sheets from a stack includes an air displacement device having an outlet conduit. Outlet nozzles are connected to the outlet conduit. The outlet nozzles are displaceable between a pick-up position proximate a first sheet of the stack and a feed position. The air displacement device is configured to generate a flow of air from the outlet nozzles sufficient to penetrate the first sheet such that a cushion of air is generated between the first sheet and a second sheet to lift the first sheet from the second sheet. An air extraction device has an inlet conduit. Inlet nozzles are connected to the inlet conduit. The inlet nozzles define a pick-up surface and are displaceable between a pick-up position proximate a first sheet of the stack and a feed position. The air extraction device is configured to generate a flow of air into the inlet nozzles such that the first sheet is drawn against the pick-up surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding porous sheets of media from a stack of such sheets includes a retaining structure that is configured to retain the stack in an aligned condition. A pick-up device is operatively arranged with respect to the retaining structure. The pick-up device includes a gas conduit that is in fluid communication with a gas supply and a nozzle arrangement that is in fluid communication with the gas conduit. The nozzle arrangement is shaped to define a pick-up surface. The pick-up device is displaceable along a feed path relative to the retaining structure. The pick-up device is positioned so that the nozzle arrangement is capable of directing a flow of gas onto a first sheet of the stack such that the gas passes partially through the first sheet and impinges on a second sheet, generating a cushion of air between the first and second sheets to separate the first and second sheets.