Abstract: A high chair is provided that can be used in different modes. The high chair is provided with a seating surface for supporting a child in an elevated position in one mode. The chair can be inverted and used to support a child carrier at an elevated position in a second mode. The chair is configured so that it rests on a generally flat support surface in a non-tilted orientation. A stabilizer may also be provided to further stabilize the chair. A stabilizer is also provided for use with the high chair or high chair of conventional design when such chairs are inverted and used to support child carriers.

Abstract: A vehicle seat has a back-rest (1) carrying a head-rest (2). A mechanism is provided to move the head-rest (2) forwardly relative to the back-rest (1) in response to a rear impact situation. An element (9) is operatively located between the head-rest (2) and the mechanism (6) which is adapted to yield when exposed to a force in excess of a predetermined force. Thus the force that can be applied by the head-rest (2) to a head (8) of an occupant of the seat, is limited to be a maximum of 200 Newtons, with the preferred value being 100 Newtons.

Abstract: A rotatable child safety seat mounting apparatus for use in combination with a vehicular child safety seat includes a base structure and an interface structure that is removably and rotatably engageable with the base structure. The interface structure and the base structure each include respective guide structures disposed thereon which enable relative rotational motion therebetween while remaining in an engaged relationship one another. The interface structure is specifically configured or adaptation to conventional vehicular child safety seats.

Abstract: A powered lumbar support mechanism includes a lumbar plate having a power mechanism having connecting links connected to opposite ends of the plate. One of the connecting links is longitudinally movable to change the convexity of the outer surface of the plate to adjust the lumbar support. The power mechanism includes a housing which retains a threaded rod threaded into a worm gear mechanism held within the housing. The housing also retains a motor having a worm which drives the threaded worm gear. The housing can also incorporate a second threaded rod, threaded to a second threaded worm gear also fixed within the housing such that the end of the second threaded rod is connected to a seat support so as to allow for the adjustability of the vertical position of the lumbar mechanism.

Abstract: Chair backrest, comprising a support structure (12), an upper backrest member (30) connected in oscillating fashion to said support structure (12), a lower backrest member (32), and a connecting element (80) which is fixed relative to one of said backrest members (32) and able to slide telescopically inside the other backrest member (30), the connecting element (80) having at least one elastically deformable zone (82) and being able to apply an elastic force to said backrest members (30, 32) as a result of a variation in the relative angular position of said backrest members (30, 32).

Abstract: A braking mechanism to control rotational movement of a seat is disclosed. The braking mechanism may comprise a circular member (e.g., a disc or ring) that is coupled to a base assembly and a caliper, coupled to a seat assembly, to engage the circular member. In a biased position, a braking element of the caliper applies a braking force to the circular member. A user can reduce the braking force by increasing the tension on a cable coupled to the caliper. Once the braking force is sufficiently reduced, the user may rotate the seat until the desired rotational orientation is attained. Upon release of the cable, the braking mechanism re-engages to prevent further rotational movement.

Abstract: A toddler head support having a unitary support member which includes a padded central support portion and padded side support portions having rounded ends. The central support portion includes a support panel which provides a support base for a wire that forms looped members on each of the side supports. The looped wire provides for adjustability of the side supports. The support member includes an elastic strap and padded wire clips for attachment to a toddler car seat or automobile head rest.

Abstract: A seat belt system for use on a bus or like vehicle includes a ring to which two lap belt elements and a shoulder belt element are attached. One of the lap belt elements has hook-and-loop fastener material on an end thereof that fits into the ring whereby the size of the seat belt system can be adjusted and the seat belt system can be easily and quickly opened if necessary.

Abstract: A top-loading container for collecting, storing, and transporting bulk material comprises a sidewall defining a load-carrying receptacle and includes an upwardly facing top peripheral edge section having an open top. A cover portion is mounted to freely move independently of the top peripheral edge section to uncover and cover the open top of the load-carrying receptacle. And an actuating mechanism is effective to lift the cover portion upwardly and freely out of contact with and away from the top peripheral edge section. The cover portion and actuating mechanism are each pivotally mounted to the container sidewall outside of the receptacle and at pivot locations spaced downwardly from the top peripheral edge section for freely moving the cover portion between an open top position out of contact with the top peripheral edge section and a closed top position when in contact with the top peripheral edge section.

Abstract: An improved buster point assembly is disclosed. The improved buster point assembly has an elongated shaft attached to a replaceable tip. The replaceable tip includes a working end and a connecting end, the connecting end has a chamber for receiving a distal end of the elongated shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel spoke termination assembly includes an outer rim with means for holding a tire, a central hub assembly and a plurality of spoke portions. The central hub assembly includes an axle assembly and a hub shell that is rotatable about the axle. The spokes are connected at their outer ends to the outer rim hoop and at their inner ends to the hub flange. A connecting element is blindly attached to at least one of the outer rim and the hub flange for a firm connection between the connecting element and the spoke.

Abstract: A hub cap vent plug which is resistant to penetration by water sprayed under high pressure during vehicle washing. The plug includes an axially outer end face portion, sidewall portions adapted to mate in fluid-tight relation with an opening in an associated hub cap, and a small diameter opening terminating at one of its ends in a thin web of the plug material. The plug has a valve cover with an inner surface spaced closely apart from said end face portion, thereby defining a pair of transverse openings. A normally closed valve such as a slit in the web allows pressure and vacuum to vent through the valve.

Abstract: A journal for coupling a wheel to an axle is configured to be mounted in a bore of the wheel. The journal defines a reception space for receiving an axle. A locking element is pivotally mounted on the journal from a release position in which the axle is removable from the reception space and secured position in which a tooth of the locking element is engaged with a groove in the axle. When the tooth of the locking element is engaged in the groove withdrawal of the axle is prevented.

Abstract: A hydraulic braking apparatus for a motor vehicle having a service braking system (A) fed by a central hydraulic unit (3) and an emergency braking system (B). A simulator (M) resists a forward motion of an actuator member (D, 16) for a master cylinder (17) to define a reaction corresponding to the progress of a braking operation. Admission solenoid values (9a-9d) and exhaust solenoid values (14a-14d) connected to the wheel brakes (2a-2d) modulate pressurized fluid supplied by a central hydraulic unit (3) in effecting the braking operation. Sensors (8, 13a-13d, 24, 29) in the motor vehicle detect various braking parameters that are communicated to a computer (C) to control the solenoid valves (9a-9d; 14a-14d) such that the braking operation is a function of the travel of the actuator member (D, 16).

Abstract: A connector for interconnecting vertical panels of adjacent cabinets comprises male and female connector elements releasably mounted in opposed openings in the sidewalls of adjoining cabinet modules. Each connector element comprises a body that is shaped to fit into a compatible opening in a sidewall of a cabinet. The body desirably has locking tabs extending radially outwardly therefrom. The locking tabs fit into the opening in the sidewall and then are rotated into locking slots in the sides of the openings. A projection with an enlarged head on the male connector element fits in a keyhole slot in the female connector element to lock the two connector elements together.

Abstract: A telescoping slide assembly includes interconnected mounting, intermediate and stationary slide elements movable relative to one another to extend and retract the mounting and intermediate slide elements relative to the stationary slide element between fully extended and retracted positions. The intermediate slide element includes a rib formed therein. A mounting slide lock is disposed substantially within the rib for operative engagement with the mounting slide element to secure the mounting slide element in a fully extended position such that selective release of the mounting slide lock permits the mounting slide element to move to the fully retracted position and to disconnect from the intermediate slide element.

Abstract: Vacuum heat insulator comprising a laminated core made of a plurality of sheets of inorganic fibers having 10 ?m or smaller in diameter and a certain composition including SiO2 as a main component, Al2O3, CaO, and MgO, a gas barrier enveloping member, and an absorbent. The vacuum heat insulator is characterized by having at least one groove formed therein after fabrication of the vacuum heat insulator. Further, the vacuum heat insulator is characterized by using inorganic fiber core of which a peak of distribution in fiber diameter lies between 1 ?m or smaller and 0.1 ?m or larger, and not containing binding material for binding the fiber material. Electronic apparatuses use the vacuum heat insulator. With use of the vacuum heat insulator, electronic and electric apparatuses superior in energy saving and not to present uncomfortable feeling to the user can be provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image recording method for recording data on a recording material by a recording head which reciprocates in a direction substantially perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the recording material. A plurality of recording materials are conveyed in parallel with one anther and in the same direction, and a plurality of recording heads are independently driven on a common guide member, which is disposed to be perpendicular to the conveyance direction. The images are recorded on the plurality of recording materials in parallel with and independently of one another. The recording speed in recording the images on the plurality of recording materials can be increased. A high-speed recording is possible without deteriorating an image quality, and an apparatus is prevented from being enlarged.

Abstract: A multipass printer and printing method is described for printing an image on a sheet printing medium using a page wide printing head. A transporting device provides relative movement between the sheet printing media and a first print head. A series of sheet printing media are presented to the first print head for printing in sequence. The first print head prints a first sub-image of at least one set of monochromatic mutually interstitially printed sub-images of a first image onto a first sheet of printing medium of the series in one pass. A sub-image of an image is printed in succession on each remaining one of the series of sheet printing media followed by printing a further sub-image of the at least one set of monochromatic mutually interstitially printed sub-images of the first image onto the first sheet printing medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for servicing a pen in an inkjet printing device includes receiving a print job, determining a level of print quality required for the print job, detecting the operating characteristics of a number of nozzles to be used to print the print job; and, in the event that the operating characteristics of the nozzles are sufficient to meet the level of print quality, printing the print job. A maintenance procedure may be scheduled in the event that an individual one of the nozzles is not fully functional. In addition, the maintenance procedure may be scheduled to be performed during a time when the inkjet printing device is idle.

Abstract: In an inkjet printer there is a trade off between speed and quality. Higher speed can be achieved at the expense of quality as inkjet droplets deposited are distorted in shape and or placement position if the relative velocity between the inkjet nozzles and the printing medium is simply increased. The velocity above which distortion occurs is termed threshold velocity. A feed mechanism that varies the printing medium advance rate to allow printing at below threshold velocity while maintaining a high average feed rate is described. By advancing the printing medium at a periodically varying velocity, with the printing medium velocity lower than the threshold velocity, the problem is avoided.

Abstract: To provide an image recording apparatus and an image recording method which can restrain occurrence of an ink stain and achieve reduction of time for printing in the case of both-side recording. The apparatus includes a setting unit for variably setting a length of time between an end of recording on a first recording side (surface) of a recording medium and a start of recording on a second recording side (reverse side) of the recording medium in accordance with image data for recording on the first recording side of the recording medium.

Abstract: A method of reducing printing defects in an ink jet printer including at least one printhead mounted to a printhead carrier for printing on a print media sheet, includes the steps of determining a vertical alignment error for at least one printhead and adjusting a sheet feed increment for the print media sheet based on the vertical alignment error.

Abstract: An inkjet printer adapted to sense type of supplied consumable receiver media, inks, printhead, and cleaning fluid. A transponder attached to a consumable is coupled to a memory device capable of storing information characteristic of the consumable. A transceiver is disposed within the inkjet printer, with antennae disposed for polling an individual transponder attached to each consumable. The transponder is capable of receiving a first RF frequency electromagnetic field from the transceiver and deriving power and address information from the first frequency, then generating a second RF frequency electromagnetic field in response, where the second electromagnetic field is characteristic of the data stored in memory. As instructed by a machine control logic processor, the transceiver can both read manufacturing data from the transponder about the consumable and write usage and processing data to the transponder for storage in memory.

Abstract: The method of the present invention involves first estimating the common gamut of the colors that this printer is expected to reproduce. A left-to-right test target is printed in single-pass, uni-directional print mode, (printing on left-to-right scans only) and a color calibration table for left-to-right printing is generated. A right-to-left test pattern is printed in single-pass, uni-directional print mode, (printing on right-to-left scans only) and a color calibration table specific for right-to-left printing is generated. The next step of the present invention involves determining the mathematical intersection of the gamuts produced by printing in left-to-right mode only and by printing in right-to-left mode only. This is done by, first printing the left-to-right test target processed by the color calibration table associated with the primary print direction.

Abstract: The present invention is a container for holding printing fluid material. The container includes a detector, a memory unit, a communication module, a first electric power generator, and a second electric power generator. The communication module is configured to transmit at least one of a result of the detection and the information regarding the container to the printing device. The first electric power generator is configured to generate a first electric power by utilizing the radio wave received from the printing device. The second electric power generator is configured to generate a second electric power from the first electric power. The second electric power is supplied to both the detector and the memory unit.

Abstract: A method for selecting a servicing routine for servicing of an inkjet print head of an inkjet printer comprises the steps of receiving a first print job with a first time information representing time information about the first print job, storing the first time information and switching off the printer, after the first time information has been stored. Later on the method according to the present invention proceeds with the steps of switching on the printer again, receiving a second print job with a second time information representing the time information of the second print job, storing the second time information, determining the time difference between the first time information and the second time information and selecting a desired print head servicing routine depending on the time difference.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium includes a print head having ink-discharge surfaces having the ink-discharge openings therein; a cylindrical cleaning roller composed of an elastic material; moving means for moving the cleaning roller and the print head relative to each other while keeping the circumferential surface of the cleaning roller in contact with the ink-discharge surfaces; drive control means for controlling the moving means; a head cap for protecting the ink-discharge surfaces; cap opening/closing means for opening and closing the head cap. When the head cap is opened by the cap opening/closing means, by driving the moving means with control of the drive control means so as to move the cleaning roller relative to the print head while keeping the circumferential surface of the cleaning roller in contact with the ink-discharge surfaces, ink in the ink-discharge openings is sucked.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus comprises a cleaning member cylindrically formed of a material having elasticity, a moving mechanism for moving both the peripheral face of the cleaning member and the ink discharge face of the print head relative one to another, with both in contact one with another, and a driving control unit for controlling the driving of the moving mechanism. Each time a predetermined number of sheets of the recording medium have images formed thereupon, or each time a predetermined amount of time elapses, following starting of the operations for forming images, the image formation operations are temporarily interrupted, and the moving mechanism is driven under the control of the driving control unit, and the peripheral face of the cleaning member is moved over the surface of the ink discharge face while in contact therewith, thereby suctioning the ink within the ink discharge orifices.

Abstract: A method for maintaining the inkjet chip of an inject device. The inkjet device comprises an ink cartridge, a carrier, a wiper and a wiper stage. The carrier is used to load the ink cartridge. The wiper stage is used to load the wiper. The ink cartridge contains ink and has an inkjet chip. The inkjet chip has at least a set of inkjet nozzles. The method comprises the steps of: (a) relatively moving the carrier onto the wiper stage to locate the wiper to a position where the wiper can wipe the inkjet chip; (b) spraying the ink contained in the ink cartridge onto the wiper to moisturize the wiper; and (c) relatively reciprocating the wiper stage and the carrier to make the wiper wipe the inkjet chip.

Abstract: A support member (3) that can be secured in the printer, and a printhead (2) that can be mounted to the support member. The support member has a core with at least one ink reservoir (6, 7, 8 and 9) enclosed within a laminated shell (4). The materials and structure of the shell (4) and the core (5) are selected and configured so that the co-efficient of thermal expansion of the support member as a whole is substantially equal to that of the printhead (2).

Abstract: An inkjet printing system for printing custom colors is provided. An ink mixing station is also provided. The printing system includes multiple ink channels, an ink cartridge sensor for each channel, and a controller. A method for printing custom colors in a printing system with multiple ink cartridges is provided. In another embodiment, the printing system includes an in situ mixed ink channel for receiving two or more ink supply dispensers and a controller. The in situ mixed ink channel includes an supply dispenser sensor and supply valve member for each supply dispenser, a mixing reservoir, a pump motor, and a print head. A method for printing custom colors using an in situ mixed ink channel is provided. The station includes an in situ mixed ink channel and a controller. A method for mixing custom color inks and filling inkjet ink containers in the station is provided.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate to a slotted substrate for use in a fluid ejecting device. One embodiment includes a substrate, and a slot received in the substrate. The slot has a central region and one or more terminal region(s). The central region extends at least in part along a pair of sidewalls. Individual terminal region(s) being defined by a terminal sidewall at least a portion of which extends away from both sidewalls of the central region.

Abstract: A surface characteristic is determined by a property of a fluid capable of contacting the surface. The surface characteristic is based on the property of the fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for the acoustic ejection of fluid droplets from each of a plurality of fluid-containing reservoirs. The droplets are ejected toward sites on a substrate surface for deposition thereon. The device is comprised of: a plurality of reservoirs each adapted to contain a fluid; an ejector comprising a means for generating acoustic radiation and a means for focusing the generated acoustic radiation so as to eject fluid droplets from the reservoir fluids; and a means for positioning the reservoirs in acoustically coupled relationship to the ejector. The invention is useful in a number of contexts, particularly in the preparation of biomolecular arrays.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device comprises a substrate including a fluid ejector thereon, and an orifice member positioned over said substrate. The orifice member has a fluid-transfer bore extending therethrough and corresponding to the fluid ejector. The orifice member further has a counter-bore about the fluid-transfer bore.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead having a series of nozzles for the ejection of ink wherein each said nozzle has a rim formed by the deposition of a rim material layer over a sacrificial layer and a subsequent planar removal of at least said rim material layer so as to form said nozzle rim.

Abstract: A nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead, the nozzle arrangement comprising: a chamber with a plurality of ink ejection ports; and, a thermal bend actuator for selectively ejecting ink from any one of the ejection ports. Constructing the nozzle arrangement such that a single actuator can eject drops from multiple nozzles requires less drive circuitry than a printhead that has a single actuator for each nozzle. This allows a high nozzle packing density and consumes less power.

Abstract: A thermal actuator for a micro-electromechanical device such as an inkjet printer nozzle. The actuator has: (a) a base element; (b) a cantilevered element including a thermo-mechanical bender portion extending from the base element and a free end tip residing in a first position, the thermo-mechanical bender portion having a base end adjacent the base element and a free end adjacent the free end tip; and (c) apparatus adapted to apply a heat pulse having a spatial thermal pattern directly to the thermo-mechanical bender portion, causing the deflection of the free end tip of the cantilevered element to a second position, and wherein said spatial thermal pattern results in a substantially greater temperature increase of the base end than the free end of the thermo-mechanical bender portion.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical fluid ejection mechanism includes a substrate that incorporates drive circuitry. A nozzle chamber structure is arranged on the substrate to define a nozzle chamber and a fluid ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. An actuator is fast at one end with the substrate and extends into the nozzle chamber. The actuator includes an actuating member that is connected to the drive circuitry and is anchored at one end to the substrate. The actuating member is displaceable between a quiescent position and an active position to eject fluid from the ejection port. At least a portion of the actuating member is of a shape memory alloy which is configured so that, when the shape memory alloy makes a phase transformation, the actuating member is displaced between the quiescent and active positions.

Abstract: A fluid injection head structure. The fluid injection head structure is formed on a substrate and has a manifold therein, bubble generators, a conductive trace, and at least two rows of chambers adjacent to the manifold in flow communication with the manifold. The conductive trace disposed on a top surface of the substrate and partially disposed between the two rows of the chambers above the manifold is used to drive the bubble generator.

Abstract: A method of operation of an inkjet printhead within a predetermined temperature range to print an image, wherein the printhead temperature is measured and if the temperature is below a predetermined threshold, the printhead is heated by pulses of energy to a desired temperature above the predetermined threshold temperature before printing. The actuators are displaceable thermal actuators and heating is controlled such that the pulses of energy are insufficient to cause ejection of fluid from the printhead.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for acoustically assessing the contents of a plurality of reservoirs that are typically provided as an array. An acoustic radiation generator is employed for generating acoustic radiation having an image field of a size sufficient to interrogate a plurality of selected reservoirs at one time. The generator is placed in acoustic coupling relationship via a fluid acoustic coupling medium to the selected reservoirs, and acoustic radiation generated by the generator is transmitted through the coupling medium, an exterior surface of the selected reservoirs, and the selected reservoirs. A characteristic of the transmitted acoustic radiation is analyzed so as to assess the contents of each of the selected reservoirs. Fluid may be ejected from the selected reservoirs according to the assessment. Optionally, a means is provided for removing fluid acoustic coupling medium from the exterior surface after acoustic assessment.

Abstract: An ink cartridge is used mounted in a recording device with a hollow needle, a lever, a protruding wall, and an optical sensor. The lever and the optical sensor are located on either side of the hollow needle, but closer to the opening through which the ink cartridge is mounted. The ink cartridge is formed with two grooves open to the front and lower surfaces of the ink cartridge at positions that correspond to the protruding wall and the optical sensor. A light blocking member is disposed in the groove that corresponds to the optical sensor. When the ink cartridge is mounted into the recording device, one groove accommodates and is guided by the protruding wall. The other groove accommodates the sensor so that the light blocking member protrudes into the optical sensor. Also, the front surface of the ink cartridge abuts the lever, which uncovers the hollow needle so that ink supply hole in the front surface of the ink cartridge is inserted with the hollow needle.

Abstract: An ink cartridge includes: an ink accommodating portion for holding ink; an air passage for making the ink accommodating portion communicate with the atmosphere; and a valve mechanism, provided in the air passage, including an air-releasing valve member for sealing a communication hole provided in a partition wall for separating an ink-accommodating-portion side that is a side close to the ink accommodating portion from an atmosphere side that is a side close to the atmosphere, in a direction from the ink-accommodating-portion side to the atmosphere side, wherein the air-releasing valve member has a contact portion for opening the air passage by receiving an external force from the atmosphere side to the ink-accommodating-portion side.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting device includes a liquid ejecting head for moving in a first direction and ejecting droplets, a fixation medium supply device for transporting a fixation medium in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, a platen for supporting the fixation medium horizontally in the move range of the liquid ejecting head, and a liquid absorbing member for absorbing the droplets and being positioned so as to be opposed to a move path of the liquid ejecting head. A plurality of first through holes are formed in the liquid absorbing member so as to gather the droplets absorbed in the liquid absorbing member, and are placed in at least either of both end areas of the liquid absorbing member in the first direction.

Abstract: A water base ink for ink-jet recording comprises water, a coloring agent, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a benzotriazole-based metal-inactivating agent and alkanolamine. When the ink is used in an ink-jet recording apparatus which has the metal member containing nickel or nickel alloy in an ink supply passage, nickel is eluted from the metal member in an amount of not more than 50 ppm. The ink makes it possible to perform stable jetting operation for a long term without causing any deterioration of metal members of a discharge head due to the metallic corrosion and the elution of nickel into the ink.

Abstract: An offset printing apparatus having a coated imaging member for use with phase-change inks, has a substrate, an optional intermediate layer, and thereover an outer coating with a hybrid composition of an elastomer having a silicone material covalently bonded to a backbone of the elastomer, and an optional heating member associated with the offset printing apparatus.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is disclosed that relates to a mechanism for passing a rigid medium under an image-forming mechanism. The mechanism includes a conveyor belt and a number of rollers. The rigid medium travels on the conveyor belt under the image-forming mechanism, for image formation on the rigid medium. The rollers move the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A method of selectively producing a glossy or matte finish to an ink jet printed image by applying a clear protective plastic laminate having a glossy finish to the surface of the image, heating the laminate to soften it and then selectively impressing a surface texture into the soften laminate. Pressing the softened laminate against an endless belt having a textured surface forms the surface texture. The laminate is maintained in contact with the belt for a cooling period so as to permit a cold separation of the laminate from the belt.