Patents Issued in April 29, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040080559
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a print head (3) including an illuminator (5) for emitting light in a line extending in a primary scanning direction, a liquid crystal shutter (6) for selecting whether or not light traveling from the illuminator (5) is allowed to pass, and a light emitting portion (323) for emitting light traveling from the liquid crystal shutter (6) toward a photosensitive recording medium (22). The liquid crystal shutter (6) includes a plurality of individual shutter portions aligned in the primary scanning direction, for example. Preferably, each of the shutter portions is capable of individually selecting whether or not the light traveling from the illuminator (5) is allowed to pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisayoshi Fujimoto, Hiroaki Onishi, Minori Koshio, Toshihiko Takakura
  • Publication number: 20040080560
    Abstract: A printhead assembly (1) for an inkjet printer with a plurality of printhead modules (2) and a support member (3). The support member (3) has a first component (6) and a second component (5). The first component (6) mounts the printhead assembly (1) within an inkjet printer, and the second component (5) mounts the printhead modules (2). The second component (5) has a coefficient of thermal expansion closer to that of the printhead modules (2) than the first component (6) and the first component is bonded to the second component via intermediate resilient material (7). This allows the first component (6) to be a high strength low cost material such as steel, and the second component (5) can be selected so that the overall coefficient of thermal expansion of the support member is closer to that of the printhead modules. This reduces the difference between the thermal expansion of the printhead modules (2) and the support member (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20040080561
    Abstract: A printhead assembly for an inkjet printer, the printhead assembly comprising:
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20040080562
    Abstract: A printhead assembly (1) for an inkjet printer, the printhead assembly (1) having a support member (3) for mounting the printhead assembly (1) within an inkjet printer, and, a plurality of printhead modules (2) mounted to the support member (3). The support member (3) has an overall coefficient of thermal expansion such that it changes its dimensions between its production temperature, when the printhead is assembled, and an operation temperature reached during normal operation of the printer. The printhead modules (2) are mounted to the support member (3) at the production temperature such that they align when the printhead assembly (1) is at the operating temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20040080563
    Abstract: An ink jet maintenance station for an ink jet printer with radially arranged printheads around a print drum. The maintenance station is located axially outward of the print drum, and includes a cylinder with caps and wipers at the cylinder periphery. A cam system operates upon rotation of the cylinders to elevate the caps into sealing relationship with the printhead nozzle plates. The nozzle plates are wiped by rotation of the cylinder to sweep the wipers across the nozzle plates. During non-service periods, the maintenance station does not interfere with printer carriage movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Craig Leemhuis
  • Publication number: 20040080564
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a printing device includes a plurality of print cartridges arranged in an array. The printing device also includes a plurality of modular cleaning units for servicing the plurality of print cartridges, the modular cleaning units being arranged to allow the plurality of print cartridges to be serviced simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Edward P. Maher
  • Publication number: 20040080565
    Abstract: A method for correcting deviations from the normal performance of the service station by adapting the level of servicing a printhead receives based upon the age of the service station. For relatively newer service stations, the service stations may be caused to perform relatively less servicing operations on the printheads to thereby conserve ink and relatively increase the life of the service station and the printheads. For relatively older service stations, the service stations may be caused to perform relatively heavier servicing operations on the printheads to substantially compensate for the deleterious effects arising from the aging of the service station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Ramon Vega, Xavier Girones, Xavier Bruch
  • Publication number: 20040080566
    Abstract: Micro-fabricated devices (152) is packaged at the wafer (150) stage with a cap (156, 160) applied to one or both sides of the wafer (150) prior to separation of the wafer into separate devices. The cap (156) on the top side overlays the respective device(s) (152), except the bond pads (158). The cap (160) on the bottom overlays all of the respective device(s) (152).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20040080567
    Abstract: A lubricating system includes a flexible, nominally planar lubricating structure including first and second end regions and a central region positioned therebetween. The lubricating structure is impregnated with a lubricating fluid and is adapted for securement to a printhead carriage only at said first and second end regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Elmer Samov Cajigas, Wade Antoine Powell, Rick Minoru Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20040080568
    Abstract: A first line head 1 and a second line head 2 are arranged in a scanning direction X. In each of the line heads 1 and 2, actuator blocks 40 are arranged at a constant interval in a head longitudinal direction Y so as to be spaced apart from one another. The actuator block 40 of the second line head 2 is located between the actuator blocks 40 and 40 of the first line head 1 with respect to the head longitudinal direction Y. The actuator block 40 of the first line head 1 and the actuator block 40 of the second line head 2 partially overlap with each other with respect to the head longitudinal direction Y.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Matsuo, Takanori Nakano, Koji Ikeda, Atsushi Sogami, Masaichiro Tatekawa
  • Publication number: 20040080569
    Abstract: A printhead assembly (10) for a pagewidth drop on demand ink jet printer includes an array of printhead modules (11) extending across the pagewidth. A flexible printed circuit board (26) carries data and power to the modules (11) and also extends across the pagewidth. A pair of busbars (19) is electrically connected to the flexible printed circuit board (26) to carry power to it. The busbars also extend across the pagewidth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Publication number: 20040080570
    Abstract: A printhead assembly includes an elongate channel member having a floor and a pair of opposed sidewalls. The elongate channel member is of a metal having thermal expansion properties that are similar to thermal expansion properties of silicon. A number of printhead modules are positioned in the support structure, along a length of the support structure. Each printhead module includes an elongate ink supply assembly that is positioned in the channel. The ink supply assembly is configured to receive a supply of ink and to provide a plurality of ink flow paths interposed between the supply of ink and a plurality of outlet openings defined by the ink supply assembly. An elongate printhead chip is mounted on the ink supply assembly to be fed with ink from the ink supply assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Publication number: 20040080571
    Abstract: A printhead assembly includes an elongate support structure and printhead modules positioned in the support structure, along a length of the support structure. Each printhead module includes an ink feed member that defines a number of ink channels in fluid communication with an ink supply. The ink feed member has a plurality of outlet openings from which ink can be fed. An ink delivery assembly is positioned on the ink feed member. The ink delivery assembly defines a mounting formation to permit a printhead chip to be mounted on the ink delivery system. A plurality of ink inlets are in fluid communication with the outlet openings of the ink feed member. The ink delivery assembly defines a plurality of exit holes and tortuous ink flow paths from each ink inlet to a number of respective exit holes. An elongate printhead chip is mounted on the mounting formation. The printhead chip incorporates a plurality of nozzle arrangements that extend along a length of the chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Publication number: 20040080572
    Abstract: A printing technique wherein pixel locations that are requested to be marked with only black are identified, black is applied to the identified pixel locations, and non-black color is applied to a subset of the identified pixel locations that correspond to on-pixels of a reference pattern of non-black color pixels having an on-pixel population of at least 20 percent and a toner transfer efficiency of less than about 20 percent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen M. Kroon
  • Publication number: 20040080573
    Abstract: In a system for laser welding upper and lower work pieces along a weld interface, the upper work piece being transparent to laser light and having a non-uniformly thick dimension, compensation plates and compliant members are taught that mate or otherwise contact the upper work piece such that a combined thickness of the upper work piece and the compensation plate or compliant member is substantially uniform in a region at least above the weld interface. In this manner, substantially consistent amounts of laser light reach the weld interface. The upper work piece may include positive projections, negative voids, contoured profiles, surface imperfections or other that cause the non-uniformity. In one embodiment, the compensation plate is fashioned together with a compliant member. In another embodiment, the upper and lower work pieces comprise inkjet printhead lids and bodies, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffery James Buchanan, James Paul Drummond, Kin Ming Kwan, Ganesh Vinayak Phatak, Jeanne Marie Saldanha Singh
  • Publication number: 20040080574
    Abstract: An ink jet printer includes: a recording head on which a plurality of nozzles for jetting ink are arranged; and a feeding member for feeding a recording medium, wherein an image is recorded by jetting the ink from the nozzles of the recording head to the recording medium fed by the feeding member; wherein a jetting opening of each nozzle, from which the ink is jetted, has a diameter of not less than 12 &mgr;m and not more than 22 &mgr;m, and the ink substantially includes no volatile component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Masumi
  • Publication number: 20040080575
    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical fluid ejection device includes a substrate that defines a fluid inlet channel and incorporates a wafer and CMOS layers positioned on the wafer. A nozzle chamber structure is positioned on the substrate to define a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the fluid inlet channel and a fluid ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. An actuator is connected to the CMOS layers and is operatively positioned with respect to the nozzle chamber. The actuator is displaceable on receipt of an electrical signal from the CMOS layers to act on fluid in the nozzle chamber to eject fluid from the fluid ejection port. A nozzle guard is mounted on the substrate to be spaced from and cover the nozzle chamber structure. The nozzle guard includes a body member that defines a passage that is aligned with the fluid ejection port so that fluid ejected from the fluid ejection port passes through the passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Siverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20040080576
    Abstract: A common carrier for forming multiple printheads thereon and method of forming thereof is described. The common carrier includes a carrier substrate for adhering a plurality of unprocessed, integrateable semiconductor chips. Once adhered, the carrier substrate is lithographically processed to form a plurality of integrated circuit (IC) printhead chips such that alignment of the IC chips on the carrier substrate has the precision of lithographic alignment tolerances which is well within printhead alignment requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Alfred I-Tsung Pan
  • Publication number: 20040080577
    Abstract: An interconnect system for a device stall adapted to receive an inkjet device having a first set of electrical contact surfaces on a device surface. A second set of electrical contact surfaces is provided in a device stall. Respective ones of the first set and the second set are in facing alignment when the device is installed in the stall. An elastomeric layer is disposed between and in contact with the first and second sets of electrical contact surfaces, having a plurality of isolated conductive filaments or wires disposed therein between a first layer surface and a second layer surface. Conductor ends are exposed at the first and second layer surfaces, providing isolated electrical continuity between respective ones of the first set and the second set of electrical contact surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Steve A. O'Hara
  • Publication number: 20040080578
    Abstract: A fluid ejector head, includes a fluid ejector body adapted to be inserted into an opening of an enclosing medium having an interior surface, and at least one nozzle disposed on the fluid ejector body. The fluid ejector head further includes, a fluid ejector actuator in fluid communication with the at least one nozzle, wherein activation of the fluid ejector actuator ejects a fluid through the at least one nozzle at controlled locations onto the interior surface of the enclosing medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: John Stephen Dunfield, James W. Ayres
  • Publication number: 20040080579
    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical displacement device includes a wafer substrate that incorporates drive circuitry. A thermal actuator is fast, at one end, with the wafer substrate, while the other end is fast with a component to be displaced. The thermal actuator has a pair of activating members of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion which is such that the material is capable of performing work when heated. One of the activating members is connected to the drive circuitry layer to be heated on receipt of a signal from the drive circuitry layer so that said one of the activating members expands to a greater extent than the remaining activating member, resulting in displacement of the actuator arm. A gap is defined between the activating members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20040080580
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead chip includes a substrate that defines a plurality of ink supply channels. A drive circuitry layer is positioned on the substrate. A plurality of nozzle arrangements is positioned on the substrate. Each nozzle arrangement includes a nozzle chamber defined by the substrate. A roof structure is positioned over the nozzle chamber. The roof structure defines an ink ejection port. At least one actuator is positioned in the roof structure and is displaceable with respect to the substrate on receipt of an electrical current from the drive circuitry layer to reduce a volume of the nozzle chamber so that ink is ejected from the ink ejection port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Gregory John McAvoy
  • Publication number: 20040080581
    Abstract: An ink jet printhead chip includes a substrate. A plurality of nozzle arrangements is positioned on the substrate. Each nozzle arrangement includes a nozzle chamber and an ink ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. An actuator is connected to the substrate and is displaceable with respect to the substrate. An ink ejection mechanism is connected to the actuator and is operatively arranged with respect to the nozzle chamber to eject ink from the ink ejection port on displacement of the actuator. The actuator has an actuating arm that has active beams that are configured to be displaced upon receipt of the control signal. The active beams are spaced from corresponding passive beams in a plane that spans the substrate. The spacing is greater than one percent of a length of the actuating arm and less than twenty percent of the length of the actuating arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20040080582
    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical fluid ejection device includes a substrate that defines a plurality of fluid supply channels and a plurality of chambers in fluid communication with respective fluid supply channels. A drive circuitry layer is positioned on the substrate. A plurality of roof structures is connected to the drive circuitry layer to cover respective fluid chambers. Each roof structure defines a fluid ejection port. At least one actuator is positioned in each roof structure. Each actuator is electrically connected to the drive circuitry layer to be displaceable into and out of its respective chamber to eject a drop of fluid from the fluid ejection port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Siverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Gregory John McAvoy
  • Publication number: 20040080583
    Abstract: A monolithic ink-jet printhead includes a substrate having an ink chamber, a manifold, and an ink channel in flow communication, a nozzle plate including a plurality of passivation layers stacked on the substrate and a heat dissipating layer stacked on the passivation layers, a nozzle for ejecting ink penetrating the nozzle plate, a heater provided between adjacent passivation layers above the ink chamber, and a conductor between adjacent passivation layers, the conductor being electrically connected to the heater, wherein the heat dissipating layer is made of a thermally conductive metal for dissipating heat from the heater, the lower part of the nozzle is formed by penetrating the plurality of passivation layers, and the upper part of the nozzle is formed by penetrating the heat dissipating layer in a tapered shape in which a cross-sectional area thereof decreases gradually toward an exit thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Hyung-Taek Lim, Jong-Woo Shin, Hoon Song, Yong-Soo Oh, Chang-Seung Lee
  • Publication number: 20040080584
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a passage unit, having a nozzle opening, a pressure generating chamber communicating with the nozzle opening, and a reservoir holding a liquid to be supplying to the pressure generating chamber, a head case on which the passage unit is attached, a pressure generating element for applying variance of pressure to the pressure generating chambers, accommodated in a space defined in the head case, and a head substrate closing an opening of the space of the head case. An air sealing member is disposed between the head case and the head substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kaoru Momose
  • Publication number: 20040080585
    Abstract: An ink-jet printing head comprising a flow-passage unit and an actuator unit laminated on each other, wherein the flow-passage unit has nozzles and pressure chambers communicating with the respective nozzles, and the actuator unit is operable to apply pressure to ink in each pressure chamber, and wherein each pressure chamber communicates at one of its opposite longitudinal ends with the corresponding nozzle, and at the other longitudinal end with an ink supply source, and is formed so as to be open in one of the opposite surfaces of the flow-passage unit, such that each pressure chamber is partially defined by the actuator unit, and wherein each pressure chamber has a depth of 35 &mgr;m-45 &mgr;m in a direction perpendicular to the opposite surfaces of the flow-passage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Akira Iriguchi
  • Publication number: 20040080586
    Abstract: The apparatus has a cap member to internally form a closed space when it makes contact with a nozzle forming face of a liquid ejecting head, a negative pressure generating unit for ejecting a fluid in the closed space and generating negative pressure in the same, and a filter member arranged so that at least a part thereof is positioned in the cap member. On the downstream side of the filter member in the liquid flow direction during suction, a common negative pressure chamber to apply almost uniform negative pressure on almost overall the filter member is formed. The negative pressure generating unit ejects fluid in the common negative pressure chamber. The filter function of the filter member installed on the cap member can be used sufficiently overall the filter member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuki Horie
  • Publication number: 20040080587
    Abstract: An ink distribution assembly for a printhead has a duct cover in which is formed a number of ink inlet ports. Each inlet port is associated with a cross flow channel that extends from a port to a duct opening. The duct cover seals against a distribution molding and the distribution molding has a longitudinal axis and a number of ducts running in parallel along the axis. Each duct opening of the duct cover is located in registry with a duct so that each port is in fluid communication with only one duct. All of the ducts having a lower duct portion which is in fluid communication with an upper layer of a laminated ink distribution structure. The laminated ink distribution structure having a first layer and a number of subsequent layers, each subsequent layer having vertical passages and transverse channels for bringing a fluid from a duct, via the first layer, to one of a number of printhead chips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20040080588
    Abstract: A laminated ink distribution structure for a printhead comprises a stack having a first layer in which is formed a number of first holes, each first hole being in registry with a supply of ink or air. The stack has a number of subsequent layers, each subsequent layer having formed in it vertical passages and transverse channels for bringing ink, via the holes of the first layer, to one of a number of printhead chips located as an array that is carried by an array of slots in a lower a chip restraining layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Publication number: 20040080589
    Abstract: In one embodiment an ink cartridge includes a housing defining a first fluid reservoir, and an expansible bladder defining a second fluid reservoir. The bladder is located within the first fluid reservoir, and includes opposing first and second wall members. The first wall member is fabricated from a material having a first shape-memory, and the second wall member is fabricated from a material having a second shape memory which is less than the first shape memory. In another embodiment a method of producing an expansible bladder includes providing a synthetic sheet fabricated from a material having a shape-memory, and folding the sheet in a generally “U” shape to produce first and second opposing wall members. Each wall member has two side edges and a top edge. The first and second wall members are sealed to each other along the side edges and top edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Adrian J. Martinez
  • Publication number: 20040080590
    Abstract: An ink cartridge including a foam chamber generating negative pressure, with an air passage formed from an upper end thereof toward a lower end, an ink filter and an ink head. A part of a bottom of the foam chamber slopes down and the foam is disposed inside the foam chamber. An ink chamber storing ink is disposed at one side of the foam chamber and is divided from the foam chamber by a partition having a connecting opening connecting the ink chamber with the foam chamber. A cartridge cover closes upper ends of the ink chamber and foam chamber and has an ink inlet. The air passage is formed vertically and close to the partition and the air passage is disposed to slope such that a lower end thereof inclines toward the partition more than an upper end. Further, it is the connecting opening is formed at a lowest end of the partition and the ink filter is disposed at a position lower than the connecting opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., LTD
    Inventors: Myung-Song Jung, Young-Su Lee
  • Publication number: 20040080591
    Abstract: An ink cartridge, in which an appropriate negative pressure is maintained, includes a foam chamber generating a negative pressure and having foam contained inside, an ink filter and an ink head disposed therein and a lower part partially inclined, an ink chamber, to store ink, formed at one side of the foam chamber and separated from the foam chamber by a partition having an opening to provide a connection to the foam chamber, and a cartridge cover having an ink injection port formed thereon and covering top of the ink chamber and the foam chamber, wherein a lower part of the foam is formed to be larger than an inner shape of the foam chamber so that the foam around the ink filter is more compressed than the foam around the opening. The foam chamber has a lower part having one or more inclines and the lower part of the foam chamber is inclined downward from the opening to the ink filter. A lower part of the foam has one or more inclines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics., LTD.
    Inventors: Sco-Hyun Cho, Hyung-Hyu Hwang, Myung-Song Jung, Young-Su Lee
  • Publication number: 20040080592
    Abstract: A microfluidic filter has a conical filter structure having a plurality of pores through the structure. Alternately the microfluidic filter can have a cylindrical filter structure or a coil structure of multiple cylindrical filters with decreasing radii. The pore structure of the filters is formed by laser ablation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Gary A. Kneezel
  • Publication number: 20040080593
    Abstract: Conductive additives, the aqueous inks and precoat agent compositions to which the additives are added, and the methods for using such conductive additives in the aqueous inks and precoat agent compositions in printing processes employing microwave or radiofrequency (RF) drying processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Geoff Wotton, Mark L. Choy, Yi-Hua Tsao, Steven B. Elgee
  • Publication number: 20040080594
    Abstract: A water base ink for ink-jet recording is provided, which makes it possible to secure a high recording quality with a sharp image area edge by avoiding any blurring even when recording is performed on regular paper and which has satisfactory purge restoration performance. Therefore, no bubble remains in an ink flow passage, and no discharge failure is caused. Further, the discharge operation never becomes unstable. In the water base ink for ink-jet recording, the surface tension is not less than 40 mN/m, and the amount of dissolved oxygen is not more than 4 mg/L.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Hideo Ohira, Hiromitsu Sago, Kazuma Goto, Narumi Koga, Masaya Fujioka, Shunichi Higashiyama
  • Publication number: 20040080595
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet for ink jet recording, ink for ink jet recording, manufacturing method of ink for ink jet recording, ink set for ink jet recording, and ink jet recording method, which hardly blot even under high humidity conditions, and comprises a betaine compound having a specific structure and a compound capable of taking a betaine structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiki Taguchi, Toshiaki Aono, Masanobu Takashima, Manabu Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20040080596
    Abstract: A black ink for ink-jet recording, which is excellent in durability of image (including durability of image quality) and discharging property, obtained by dissolving and/or dispersing at least one black azo dye having a particular property or structure in an aqueous medium, wherein a transition metal ion content of the black ink is 0.1 mmol/l or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiki Taguchi, Naotaka Wachi
  • Publication number: 20040080597
    Abstract: An ink set includes inks each containing a colorant and an aqueous medium, wherein in a fading test under conditions that cause fading corresponding to pseudo-indoor sunlight fading through a window for 3 years or more, the difference between respective images' &Dgr;E, the images being produced with the respective inks, is 10 or less in a CIELAB color space display system, and each of the images has a residual ratio of reflection density of 70% or more. By using the ink set including the color inks with which images having substantially the same fading &Dgr;E after long-term storage are produced, the color balance of a recorded image can be maintained after long-term storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuko Yakushigawa, Yoshihisa Takizawa, Kumiko Mafune, Hisashi Teraoka, Tsuyoshi Kanke
  • Publication number: 20040080598
    Abstract: This invention relates to an ink jet printer including a printing-head which discharges photo-curing ink toward a printing sheet, and a light irradiation unit which irradiates the ink landing surface of the printing sheet with light, wherein the light irradiation unit irradiates the ink landing surface by optical scanning via a reflecting member with rays having a wavelength range in which ink is cured, and an image printing apparatus having the ink jet printer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Takashi Hasebe, Saburo Shimizu, Tetsu Sekine, Shuta Hamada
  • Publication number: 20040080599
    Abstract: A passive linear encoder includes a loop and a sensor. The loop is configured to engage print media and to move in concert with, and under power of, the print media. The sensor is positioned to scan indicia defined on an inner surface of the loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Steven B. Elgee, Steve O. Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20040080600
    Abstract: A label making inkjet printer applies print imaging directly to the adhesive side of a media provided in sheet-form and in reel-form. Because inkjet printing is a non-contact printing method, print imaging may be applied to the adhesive side of the media According to one embodiment, a user manually pulls tape-form media through the printer while encoding signals detect linear movement of the media and provide basis for synchronizing operation of an inkjet print head. According to another embodiment, a motorized media transport carries tape-form media on a pair of media transport belts past an inkjet print head. The resulting adhesive label when applied to a contact surface substantially disappears due to its transparent nature leaving visible only print imaging applied thereto and captured between the protective tape media and contact surface therebelow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Clement C. Lo, Thomas A. Saksa, Andrew S. P. Chiu
  • Publication number: 20040080601
    Abstract: The thermosensitive color recording paper is rolled around a roll core. On a side of the roll core, a code of fixing sensitivity of the thermosensitive color recording paper to a fixing light is depicted. The code is read by a code reading device, and a code data of the code is input in a controller. The controller obtains from a data table memorized in a memory a light quantity of the fixing light that corresponds to the code data. On the basis of the light quantity, the target luminance of fixing lamps and a target feeding velocity of the thermosensitive color recording paper are determined so as to be adequate for a sort of the thermosensitive color recording paper. In the luminance and the feeding velocity, the optical fixation of said each mono-color image is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiko Machida, Nobuo Katsuma
  • Publication number: 20040080602
    Abstract: An image formation method for forming an image containing an embossed portion of an expandable material on a recording medium, comprising converting height information about an embossed image which is the image of the embossed portion to the same density information as one used to indicate a density of a non-embossed image which is not raised, and controlling an amount of the expandable material formed on the recording medium according to the converted density information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Misaizu, Kunio Yamada, Takashi Yamamuro, Makoto Hirota, Akira Ishii, Yasuki Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20040080603
    Abstract: A thermal printer is provided in which the occurrence of a sticking phenomenon can be lowered compared with a thermal printer with a conventional structure under conditions where other causes are the same therewith, which are involved in the occurrence of the sticking phenomenon, such as a period of time from drive of a heating element until the next rotation of a platen roller and respective coefficients of friction of recording paper, a thermal head, and the platen roller. In a thermal printer in which printing and paper feeding are performed in a state in which paper is sandwiched between a thermal head having a heating element and a platen roller pressed against the thermal head, a center of a rotating support shaft 7 that rotatably supports the thermal head 3 is arranged so as to be overlapped on an extension line of a head surface 3a, and also, an acting force of a spring 4 that generates a pressing force between the thermal head 3 and the platen roller 2 is made perpendicular to the head surface 3a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Akihiko Ito, Seiichi Jimbo, Takumi Seino
  • Publication number: 20040080604
    Abstract: A thermal printer is provided which enables easy maintenance such as an exchange of a thermal head to attain shortening of time for the maintenance and reduction in maintenance cost. A thermal printer (10), in which printing is performed while paper is sandwiched between a thermal head (13) having a heating element and a platen roller (12), is provided with a head support body (15) to which the thermal head (13) is fixed, a lock frame (16) that holds the head support body (15) in a movable state, springs (14, 14) that are formed between the head support body (15) and the lock frame (16), and an outer frame (18) that holds the lock frame (16) and the platen roller (12), and has a structure in which the thermal head (13), the head support body (15), and the springs (14, 14) are made detachably attachable to the outer frame (18) in the state of being assembled with the lock frame (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Akihiko Ito
  • Publication number: 20040080605
    Abstract: A thermal development apparatus capable of preventing thermal development failure because of improvement on a characteristic required of a resilient member. The thermal development apparatus has: a heating section for heating thermal development photosensitive material within which a latent image is established, and maintaining temperature of the thermal development photosensitive material at thermal development temperature; and a conveyance section for conveying the thermal development photosensitive material with the heating section, wherein the heating section has a cylindrical sleeve, a heat source provided inside of the cylindrical sleeve, and a resilient member on an external surface of the cylindrical sleeve, and the resilient member has a smooth layer as an outermost layer thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Makoto Sumi, Hajime Ishimoto
  • Publication number: 20040080606
    Abstract: The invention provides a transfer ribbon having a layered structure in which a substrate, a relief layer and a reflection layer are laminated in this order, wherein the relief layer comprises an ionizing radiation-cured resin. The transfer ribbon can precisely transfer fine dots and/and dots placed close to each other with a low energy and at a high speed without any of burrs, chippings or lacks by means of a thermal head. Also, the invention provides an image expressing medium, which can be produced using the transfer ribbon described above, and comprises a support, a color layer and plural dots of relief hologram and/or diffraction grating. In the medium: the color layer and the dots are disposed on the same surface of the support; and the each dot has an area in a range from 0.0001 to 0.09 mm2; the each dots has a diffraction direction different from that of at least one of adjacent dots, or the dot has two or more sections each of which has a diffraction direction different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ishida, Fumihiko Mizukami
  • Publication number: 20040080607
    Abstract: In a scanning optical system provided with a plurality of scanning optical devices, each scanning optical device including a light source to emit a light beam, a collimator lens into which the light beam emitted from the light source enters, a deflector to deflect the light beam passing through the collimator lens in a main scanning direction, an image forming lens to focus the light beam coming from the deflector onto a scanned surface, and a base plate on which the light source, the collimator lens, the deflector and the image forming lens are fixed, the plurality of scanning optical devices are piled up in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction in such a manner that each base plate is substantially parallel to other base plates; and the scanning optical system is further provide with a plurality of link members to connect two neighboring base plates independently of other base plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Tajima, Takeshi Suzuki, Kazuyuki Tanoue
  • Publication number: 20040080608
    Abstract: An image capture, conversion, compression, storage and transmission system provides a data signal representing the image in a format and protocol capable of being transmitted over any of a plurality of readily available transmission systems and received by readily available, standard equipment receiving stations. The system is adapted to be installed in a standard cellular phone configuration, providing a portable, hand held, wireless transmission system for transmitting video image signals to a remote receiving station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: David A. Monroe