Abstract: A digital content creation system includes: a content database that stores a plurality of digital content sets; a select section that selects from among the stored plural digital content sets at least one target digital content sets for processing; a layout determination section that determines a layout for the more than one target selected digital content sets; a property information generation section that generates property information for the more than one target selected digital content sets, based on the layout determined by the layout determination section, the property information including overlap information indicative of an overlap state of the more than one target selected digital content sets, and including importance information indicative of a relative importance of each of the more than one target selected digital content sets; an overlap detect section that detects, based on the overlap information included in the property information generated by the property information generation section,

Abstract: Disposable, pre-sterilized, and pre-calibrated, pre-validated conductivity sensors are provided. These sensors are designed to store sensor-specific information, such as calibration and production information, in a non-volatile memory chip on the sensor. The sensors are calibrated using 0.100 molar potassium chloride (KCl) solutions at 25 degrees Celsius. These sensors may be utilize with in-line systems, closed fluid circuits, bioprocessing systems, or systems which require an aseptic environment while avoiding or reducing cleaning procedures and quality assurance variances.

Abstract: A modular card production safety interlock system limits disruption of a modular card production system by limiting operational disturbances to a desired system module and only its neighboring system modules upon opening the hood of the desired system module.

Abstract: A system for interconnecting a printhead cartridge and a cradle unit for supporting the printhead cartridge, the system comprising: an interface at which the printhead cartridge is removably engageable with the cradle unit, the interface comprising connections for connecting the printhead cartridge with a power supply of the cradle unit; and a power regulation circuit incorporated in the interface for regulating supply of power from the power supply to the printhead cartridge.

Abstract: A method of locating a printhead assembly on a printer, the method comprising the steps of: providing a printhead assembly comprising at least one printhead integrated circuit having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and an ink distribution support mounting the, or each, printhead integrated circuit, the ink distribution support being arranged, in use, to distribute ink from the ink supply to the nozzles; mounting the printhead assembly to the printer by bringing at least one reference feature provided on the ink distribution support into cooperation with a corresponding complementary feature of the printer; and determining from the cooperation the location of the nozzles.

Abstract: To realize an ink jet recording head which is further improved in heat dissipation property, the ink jet recording head provided with a substrate provided with a plurality of discharging energy generating portions for discharging an ink droplet comprises: a plurality of electrical wiring electrodes for supplying electrical signals to the plurality of discharging energy generating portions provided in the substrate; a plurality of auxiliary electrodes not used for the supply of electrical signals to the plurality of discharging energy generating portions provided in the substrate, a first sheet comprising a wiring pattern electrically conductive to an electrical wiring electrode to be connected to the plurality of electrical wiring electrodes, and a second sheet comprising a wiring pattern electrically conductive to the auxiliary electrode terminal to be connected to the plurality of auxiliary electrodes, the ink jet recording head comprising a wiring sheet in which the first sheet and the second sheet are arr

Abstract: A common electrohydrodynamic stimulation electrode, in response to an electrical signal, synchronously stimulates all members of a group of fluid jets emitted from corresponding nozzle channels to form a corresponding plurality of continuous streams of drops. The common electrohydrodynamic stimulation electrode includes an electrical contact operable to transmit the electrical signal to each member of the nozzle channels via a contiguous electrically conductive portion. The contiguous electrically conductive portion forms a permanently electrically conductive path between and forms a portion of each nozzle channel. Synchronous stimulation of each of the fluid jets facilitates accurate phase locking of print data dependent charging of the drop streams.

Abstract: A heater to control an ink bubble, and an inkjet printhead having the heater. The heater has different resistances according to portions thereof.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead comprising a plurality of transversely aligned color channels is provided. Each color channel comprises at least one nozzle row extending longitudinally along said printhead. Each nozzle in a row ejects the same colored ink. The printhead is comprised of a plurality of printhead modules, and the number of color channels is equal to the number of printhead modules.

Abstract: A liquid drop jet apparatus is provided which includes a plurality of nozzles to jet out a liquid droplet, a liquid room corresponding to the nozzles, a liquid supply path to supply a liquid into the liquid room, a vibration board to apply a pressure to the liquid in the liquid room, and an electromechanical converter to vibrate the vibration board. The vibration board has a thin region corresponding to a wall of the liquid room and a thicker region thicker than the thin region. A longitudinal length of the thin region is longer than a longitudinal length of the liquid room, and the thicker region includes an end corresponding to a side of the liquid supply path.

Abstract: In a liquid-droplet jetting apparatus constructed to change volume of pressure chambers in a cavity unit by displacement of active portions in a piezoelectric actuator so as to jet liquid in the pressure chambers from nozzles, respectively, the pressure chambers and the active portions extend on a predetermined plane; a length in a longitudinal direction of each of the active portions is not more than 1.5 mm, a height of each of the pressure chambers is 40 ?m to 60 ?m, and a thickness of a member which defines surfaces, of the pressure chambers, on a side opposing the piezoelectric actuator is 100 ?m to 150 ?m. The liquid-droplet jetting apparatus can stably jet a liquid-droplet having a minute volume at a predetermined speed without increasing a drive voltage applied to the active portions.

Abstract: Provided is a thermal inkjet printhead. The inkjet printhead includes a substrate; an insulating layer formed on the substrate; a heater formed on the insulating layer and an electrode to apply current to the heater; a chamber layer that is stacked on the insulating layer and includes an ink chamber; a nozzle layer that is stacked on the chamber layer and includes a nozzle; and at least a heat transfer layer that is formed inside the insulating layer and dissipates heat generated in by the heater toward the substrate.

Abstract: A liquid drop discharge head of four-layer structure according to an aspect of the invention including: a nozzle substrate having a plurality of nozzle holes; a cavity substrate having a plurality of independent discharge chambers that communicate with the respective nozzle holes and generate a pressure in the chambers for discharging liquid drops through the nozzle holes; and a reservoir substrate forming a reservoir space that communicates commonly with the discharge chambers, wherein the reservoir substrate has a diaphragm portion provided by reducing the thickness of a part of a wall surface forming the reservoir space.

Abstract: An ink reservoir for an inkjet printhead, the ink reservoir comprising: a sealed ink storage volume; an ink outlet for establishing sealed fluid communication between the printhead and the ink storage volume; and, an air bag in the ink storage volume with an air inlet for allowing external air into the air bag; wherein during use, the air bag inflates as the ink is drawn from the ink storage volume.

Abstract: An ink reservoir for a printer with an inkjet printhead, the ink reservoir comprising: a sealed ink storage volume; an ink outlet for sealed fluid communication between the printhead and the ink storage volume; and, a variable volume structure in the ink storage volume for expanding as ink is drawn through the ink outlet to keep a constant head of ink above the outlet valve.

Abstract: A cradle unit for a printhead cartridge, the cradle unit comprising: an interface at which a printhead cartridge is removably engageable with the cradle unit, the interface comprising connections for connecting the printhead cartridge with a power supply which is remote from the interface; and a power regulation circuit incorporated in the interface for regulating supply of power from the power supply to the printhead cartridge.

Abstract: An ink delivery device for depositing ink onto a media includes an ink reservoir, a reaction chamber situated near the reservoir, and a valve situated between the reservoir and the reaction chamber. A method of depositing ink onto a media is also disclosed.

Abstract: A printhead assembly for an inkjet printer configured for use with at least one replaceable ink cartridge, the printhead assembly comprising: an ink inlet valve for sealed connection to an outlet on the ink cartridge, the inlet valve having an inlet opening and a movable valve member biased into sealing engagement with the inlet opening, the outlet having a complementary member for depressing the movable valve member out of engagement with the inlet opening to open the valve; wherein, the inlet opening has an external formation about its periphery for sealing against the outlet before the complementary member depresses the movable valve member.

Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising: a printhead cartridge with a printhead and a maintenance station for engaging the printhead when not in use; a printer body with a cradle for receiving the cartridge, and a maintenance station drive shaft for detachably engaging the maintenance station upon insertion of the printhead cartridge into the cradle, the maintenance station drive shaft having an engagement formation for engaging a complementary formation in the maintenance station; such that, when engaging the complementary formation, the engagement formation has limited axial displacement and limited transverse displacement.

Abstract: A printing system comprising: a printhead cartridge comprising a printhead; a cradle unit for supporting the printhead cartridge; and an interface at which the cradle unit is removably engageable with the printhead cartridge, the interface comprising connections for connecting the printhead cartridge with a power supply which is remote from the interface and a power regulation circuit for regulating supply of power from the power supply to the printhead cartridge.

Abstract: A printing system comprising: a printhead cartridge comprising a printhead; a cradle unit for supporting the printhead cartridge; and an interface at which the cradle unit is removably engageable with the printhead cartridge, the interface comprising connections for connecting the printhead cartridge with a power supply which is remote from the interface and a power storage circuit for storing at least some of the power being supplied to the printhead cartridge from the power supply.

Abstract: A method of priming an inkjet printhead, the inkjet printhead having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, the method comprising the steps of: providing an ink bag containing ink for distribution to the nozzles via a fluid path between the ink bag and the nozzles; applying inwardly directed force on at least one exterior wall of the ink bag so as to reduce an available fluid volume of the ink bag, thereby causing ink to flow from the ink bag to the nozzles along the fluid path; and arranging a biasing member in the ink bag so that the biasing member applies outwardly directed force on at least one interior wall of the ink bag so as to restrain the reduction of available fluid volume of the ink bag only once the available fluid volume of the ink bag has been reduced to a predetermined volume.

Abstract: A printer with an inkjet printhead, the printer comprising: an ink reservoir; and, a pressure regulating valve for establishing fluid communication between the printhead and the ink reservoir; wherein, the pressure regulating valve is biased closed and opens in response to a predetermined ink pressure difference across the valve.

Abstract: A pressure retaining device for retaining a pressure in a communication passage which are communicated between a supply tank for supplying a first fluid and a nozzle for ejecting the first fluid, comprises a compressing unit provided across an intermediate of the communication passage for compressing the first fluid transferred from the supply tank to the nozzle, and a pump for supplying to the compressing unit a second fluid on which a pressure is loaded thereby. In the construction above, the second fluid is supplied by the pump to the compressing unit to compress the first fluid in the compressing unit, and the first fluid in the nozzle is then compressed by a pressure loaded on the first fluid in the compressing unit.

Abstract: A pump including a rotor is connected between a print head and an ink cartridge. A housing of the pump is provided with a suction inlet and a discharge outlet. A partition member is disposed in the rotor placed in a hollow defined in the housing. The rotor of the pump is rotated to purge ink from nozzles of the print head. Thereafter, ink is wiped off the nozzle surface of the print head by a maintenance unit. While the ink is being wiped by a maintenance unit, the rotor is rotated at a rotating speed in which ink is not ejected from the print head.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead cartridge, comprising: an inkjet printhead having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles; at least one ink bag containing ink for distribution to the nozzles via a fluid path between the ink bag and the nozzles, the ink being primed in the fluid path and nozzles so as to be ejected by the nozzles, in use, thereby depleting the ink contained in the ink bag, the ink bag being configured to collapse as the ink is depleted; a body for housing the ink bag and the printhead, the ink bag being attached to the body at a wall opposite a wall of the ink bag facing the printhead; and a biasing member arranged in the ink bag to apply outwardly directed force on at least the wall of the ink bag facing the printhead, wherein the biasing member is configured to maintain substantially constant negative pressure at the nozzles as the ink is depleted from the ink bag.

Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising: a printer body; a printhead cartridge for installation in the printer body; an ink cartridge containing a supply of ink, the ink cartridge having a docking face for engagement with a complementary face to supply the printhead cartridge with ink; wherein, the complementary face is partially provided by the printhead cartridge and partially provided by the printer body.

Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising; a printer body; a printhead cartridge for installation in the printer body; an ink cartridge for supplying the printhead cartridge with ink; wherein, the ink cartridge has formations to engage both the printer body and the printhead cartridge.

Abstract: An ink cartridge for a printer with an inkjet printhead, the ink cartridge comprising: an ink storage volume; an outlet valve for fluid communication with the printhead; and, an air inlet spaced from the outlet valve for letting air into the ink storage volume as ink is drawn out through the outlet valve; wherein, the outlet valve and the air inlet are configured for engagement with complementary formations on the printer such that the ink outlet and the air inlet are both opened upon installation of the cartridge in the printer.

Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising: a printer body and a replaceable printhead cartridge, the printhead cartridge having a casing that supports a pagewidth printhead; the printer body having a cradle for holding the printhead cartridge in an operative position such that the pagewidth printhead is adjacent a paper path defined by the printer body, the cradle having a fulcrum formation for engaging a complementary formation on the casing upon insertion of the cartridge so that it rotates into the operative position; wherein, the cradle has a biased locating abutment to apply a compressive force that maintains the printhead cartridge in the operative position and the casing has a structural member extending from the complementary formation; such that during use, the structural member extends from the locating abutment to the complementary formation and is aligned with the direction of the compressive force.

Abstract: An ink cartridge for an inkjet printhead, the ink cartridge comprising: an ink storage volume; an outlet opening with an outlet valve for connection to an inlet on the printhead, the outlet valve having a stem positioned in the outlet opening, the stem having a radially extending valve seat; and, an annular skirt of resilient material extending from the side of the outlet opening to the valve seat; such that, the inlet on the printhead pushes the annular skirt off the valve seat to open the outlet valve upon installation of the cartridge.

Abstract: An ink priming arrangement for an inkjet printhead, the inkjet printhead having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, the priming arrangement comprising: an ink bag containing ink for distribution to the nozzles via a fluid path between the ink bag and the nozzles; a force applicator arranged to apply inwardly directed force on at least one exterior wall of the ink bag so as to reduce an available fluid volume of the ink bag, thereby causing ink to flow from the ink bag to the nozzles along the fluid path; and a biasing member arranged in the ink bag to apply outwardly directed force on at least one interior wall of the ink bag so as to restrain the reduction of available fluid volume of the ink bag, wherein the biasing member is configured so as to apply the outwardly directed force only once the available fluid volume of the ink bag has been reduced to a predetermined volume.

Abstract: An ink supply arrangement for an inkjet printhead, the inkjet printhead having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, the ink supply arrangement comprising: at least one ink bag containing ink for distribution to the nozzles via a fluid path between the ink bag and the nozzles, the ink being primed in the fluid path and nozzles so as to be ejected by the nozzles, in use, thereby depleting the ink contained in the ink bag, the ink bag being configured to collapse as the ink is depleted; a body for housing the ink bag and the printhead, the ink bag being attached to the body at a wall opposite a wall of the ink bag facing the printhead; and a biasing member arranged in the ink bag to apply outwardly directed force on at least the wall of the ink bag facing the printhead, wherein the biasing member is configured to maintain substantially constant negative pressure at the nozzles as the ink is depleted from the ink bag.

Abstract: A printing cartridge for an inkjet printer, the cartridge comprising: an ink supply; and a printhead assembly comprising at least one printhead integrated circuit having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and an ink distribution support mounting the, or each, printhead integrated circuit, the ink distribution support being arranged, in use, to distribute ink from the ink supply to the nozzles, wherein the printing cartridge is mounted to the printer at the ink distribution support, and wherein the ink distribution support is provided with at least one reference feature, the, or each, reference feature serving to provide information on the location of the nozzles upon mounting of the printing cartridge to the printer.

Abstract: A liquid container detachably mounted on a liquid consuming device, the liquid container includes: a liquid containing portion; a liquid supply portion that is connected to the liquid consuming device; a liquid guide path that guides a liquid stored in the liquid containing portion to the liquid supply portion; and an air communicating hole that introduces air from the outside into the liquid containing portion according to consumption of the liquid in the liquid containing portion, wherein the liquid containing portion includes a first inner wall surface, a second inner wall surface that crosses the first inner wall surface, and a liquid containing portion outlet port that is provided in the first inner wall surface close to the second inner wall surface so as to cause the liquid containing portion to communicate with the liquid guide path.

Abstract: A system for interconnecting a printhead cartridge and a cradle unit for supporting the printhead cartridge, the system comprising: an interface at which the printhead cartridge is removably engageable with the cradle unit, the interface comprising connections for connecting the printhead cartridge with a power supply of the cradle unit; and a power storage circuit incorporated in the interface for storing at least some of the power being supplied to the printhead cartridge from the power supply.

Abstract: The method and equipment for detangling individual jets in an ink jet print station utilizes a reservoir containing fluid and a printhead. The printhead has a drop generator, an orifice structure connected to the drop generator for forming numerous jets, a catcher connected to the drop generator; and a charge device secured to the catcher. A fluid supply system is connected between the printhead and the reservoir. A controller and numerous actuators are connected to the drop generator, and adapted to vibrate the drop generator. A fluid pump is connected to the fluid supply line, is operated by the controller, and is adapted to raise the pressure on the drop generator to at least an operating pressure and lower the pressure on the drop generator to a minimal pressure to prevent entanglement of the jets.

Abstract: The invention relates to an offset lithographic ink system containing a combination of conventional and sublimation colorants used to generate a first substrate printing with commercially acceptable quality color characteristics, notably, but not limited to, life-like flesh tones, which can also serve as an intermediate transfer medium. The first substrate may then, using known heat activation techniques, transfer the image printed on the first substrate to a second substrate yielding a printing of commercially acceptable quality color characteristics, notably, but not limited to, life-like flesh tones.

Abstract: A method for ink-jet textile printing comprising the steps of: (a) ejecting a pigment ink from a recording head onto a fabric, wherein the pigment ink contains at least water, a pigment and a polymer, wherein the polymer has a plurality of said chains in a hydrophilic main chain and is capable of cross-linking between the side chains by irradiation of active energy rays, and (b) forming an image by irradiation of active energy rays onto the ink ejected areas.

Abstract: The inkjet printer has a suction mechanism for sucking a recording medium in a printing table. The inkjet printer includes an opening/closing unit for closing a part of a plurality of suction holes provided in the suction mechanism. When a leading or trailing edge of the recording medium in a transport direction is printed, the opening/closing unit closes a part of the plurality of suction holes that are provided in a vicinity of the leading or trailing edge of the recording medium and do not covered with the recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for digitally printing images onto a substrate such as polycarbonate, without the use of coatings, etc. to promote adhesion, and permits direct printing of a UV ink system onto the substrate, without the use of a pretreatment step. The invention allows for ease of incorporation of intricate photographic quality images onto a substrate, and can allow a processor to print multiple images on a single piece of material. The processor can then readily change the images from one part to the next and can incorporate changes such as languages, graphics, backgrounds, foregrounds, etc. without having to alter screens, as in the screen-printing process. Thus, a part manufacturer may individualize each part as it is made in a “just in time” process.

Abstract: An air bearing sheet heater assembly provided for heating a sheet in an ink imaging printer includes (a) a heater plate including a heating element, and having a front side defining a first side of a sheet path through the heater assembly; (b) at least one movable platelet having a back surface, and an opposite front surface facing the heater plate and defining a second side of the sheet path; and (c) an air bearing assembly mounted to the at least one platelet for creating an air bearing between the second side and the first side of the sheet path by pneumatically spacing the front surface of the at least one movable platelet from the front side of the heater plate, thereby reducing stiction forces and friction along the sheet path through The air bearing sheet heater assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid application device and an inkjet recording apparatus which are capable of reducing harmful effects resulting from an increase in the number of times of using an application member (for example, a roller). An embodiment of the present invention includes: a supply port for supplying application liquid to a liquid retention space; and a collection port for collecting the application liquid from the liquid retention space, wherein the liquid is applied by a application member in a state where a negative pressure of the collection port is larger than that of the supply port. In such a configuration, the liquid supply port is arranged at a position relatively close to a transferring reference, and the liquid collection port is arranged at a position relatively far from the transferring reference.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inkjet recording apparatus and a recording apparatus capable of reducing wear of a roller for application, even if liquid (for example, application liquid) is insufficient in a case where liquid is applied to recording media. In an embodiment of the present invention, in a case where it is determined that the application liquid is sufficient in a storage tank, the application liquid is filled in a liquid retention space, the application liquid is applied to the recording medium, and thus recording is performed. In a case where it is determined that the liquid application is insufficient in the storage tank, recording with application is prohibited.

Abstract: A belt drive controller for controlling each belt stopping position with high accuracy during intermittent movement of a belt. This belt drive controller controls driving of a belt to intermittently move a belt wrapped around a plurality of supporting rollers including a driven roller and a drive roller. This controller detects a rotation angular displacement or a rotation angular velocity of two supporting rollers having mutually different diameters, and controls driving of the drive roller based on the detected rotation data so that the position of the belt in the direction of movement becomes a predetermined target position.

Abstract: The recording medium conveyance amount measurement method includes the steps of: recording a first test pattern having two straight lines including at least one straight line which is not parallel with respect to a conveyance direction of a recording medium and a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, onto the recording medium; conveying the recording medium in the conveyance direction; recording a second test pattern having two straight lines including at least one straight line which is not parallel with respect to the conveyance direction of the recording medium and the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, onto the recording medium; and reading in the first and second test patterns and calculating a conveyance amount of the recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to versatile ink-jet inks, ink-jet ink sets, and methods of printing images with improved quality when printed on both glossy coated media and on plain paper. In accordance with these embodiments, an ink-jet ink formulated for printing on plain paper and glossy coated media can comprise a liquid vehicle including water, an organic solvent, and an organic amine; and a polymer-encapsulated, acid-sensitive pigment colorant dispersed the liquid vehicle.

Abstract: A inkjet printer comprising: a body configured to receive a printhead assembly, the printhead assembly comprising at least one printhead integrated circuit having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and an ink distribution support mounting the, or each, printhead integrated circuit, the ink distribution support being arranged, in use, to distribute ink to the nozzles; and at least one mounting feature on the body for mounting the printhead assembly at the ink distribution support, the, or each, mounting feature being configured to cooperate with a corresponding complementary reference feature of the ink distribution support upon mounting of the printhead assembly to the printer, the cooperation providing information on the location of the nozzles.

Abstract: A printhead assembly comprising: at least one printhead integrated circuit having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles; and an ink distribution support mounting the, or each, printhead integrated circuit, the ink distribution support being arranged, in use, to distribute ink to the nozzles, the printhead assembly being arranged to be mounted to a printer at the ink distribution support, wherein the ink distribution support is provided with at least one reference feature, the, or each, reference feature serving to provide information on the location of the nozzles upon mounting of the printhead assembly to the printer.

Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising: a printer body and a replaceable printhead cartridge, the printhead cartridge having a casing that supports a pagewidth printhead and a plurality of contacts for receiving print data from corresponding contacts on the printer body; the printer body having a cradle for holding the printhead cartridge in an operative position such that the pagewidth printhead is adjacent a paper path defined by the printer body and the contacts on the printhead cartridge are connected to the corresponding contacts on the printer body, the cradle having a fulcrum formation for engaging a complementary formation on the casing upon insertion of the cartridge; such that, the cartridge rotates into the operative position and the casing is a lever for pushing the contacts into engagement with the corresponding contacts on the printer body.