Abstract: An inkjet printer includes nozzle rows aligned along a printing direction along which printing on a print medium is executed, and a controller configured to control ejection of the ink droplets from the nozzle rows. The nozzle rows include a pair of an upstream nozzle row and a downstream nozzle row. The upstream nozzle row is positioned just upstream from the downstream nozzle row along the printing direction. The controller controls ejection of the ink droplets from the upstream nozzle row and the downstream nozzle row so that propulsive forces applied to ink droplets ejected from the downstream nozzle row are made larger, based on image data associated with the upstream nozzle row, than propulsive forces applied to ink droplets ejected from the upstream nozzle row. The inkjet printer can restrict degradation of print quality by landing the ink droplets ejected from the downstream nozzle at their target positions.

Abstract: In a method to execute a pause function in an inkjet printing system with at least one printing apparatus, the pause function is triggered to reduce a feed speed of the printing substrate web from a speed during printing operation to a predetermined speed for a predetermined duration. The duration is selected so that the printing substrate has suitable properties with regard to at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting of moisture and temperature under the printing unit of the printing apparatus at an end of the pause function. After ending the pause function, the printing substrate web is accelerated again to the speed during the printing operation.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a normal consumption state, a low consumption state, and a fluid applicator unit. The fluid applicator unit may selectively provide a first set of drops of fluid to perform a printing routine in a print mode. The fluid applicator unit may also selectively provide a second set of drops of fluid to perform a service routine in a maintenance mode. An amount of the first set of drops of fluid to perform the printing routine and an amount of the second set of drops of fluid to perform the service routine may be less in the low consumption state than in the normal consumption state.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a discharge disabling unit configured to disable a discharge operation of a defective nozzle, which is in a defective discharge state, among a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge liquid droplets to a recording medium, when a value obtained by quantifying a degree of defective state of the defective nozzle is greater than a discharge disable threshold value; a complement unit configured to complement an image defect using two nozzles on either side of the defective nozzle of which discharge operation is disabled; and a threshold value change unit configured to change the discharge disable threshold value depending on a discharge order between the nozzles which complement the image defect and nozzles adjacent to the nozzles which complement the image defect.

Abstract: The present invention provides a color measuring apparatus and a printing apparatus that enable the user to easily keep a backing plate. A color measuring apparatus includes a holder on which a backing plate is capable of being attached, the backing plate having a white portion and a black portion, and a sensor for measuring color patterns on a sheet on the backing plate. Either one of the white portion and the black portion faces the sensor, depending on the attached state of the backing plate on the holder.

Abstract: A method measures distances between two printed lines on a rotating image receiving member to identify fluid drop mass or fluid drop velocity changes in inkjet ejectors in an inkjet printing system. An initial distance between the two lines is measured at the start of the operational life of the system. During the operation of the printing system, the lines are reprinted and the distance between the two lines compared to the initial distance stored in association with the printheads that printed the lines. If the distance has changed by more than a predetermined amount, a printer parameter is adjusted.

Abstract: A printing apparatus, in which a time required for printing is shortened, includes a first printing unit that performs printing on a first surface of a sheet by an ink jet system, and a second printing unit that performs printing on a second surface of the sheet by the ink jet system, the second printing unit being disposed on a downstream side of the first printing unit. Moreover, the printing apparatus includes a sheet discharge sensor that detects the sheet to be discharged from the second printing unit. The sheet discharge sensor includes an arm having a rotating member supported thereon, the rotating member being brought into contact with the sheet being conveyed while being rotated.

Abstract: A liquid droplet discharge head includes a nozzle substrate having a nozzle hole; a liquid chamber substrate including a liquid chamber that is in communication with the nozzle hole and a liquid introduction path; an oscillation plate forming a part of the liquid chamber; an electromechanical conversion element that is arranged on the oscillation plate and is configured to be deformed by a voltage applied from the exterior to cause the oscillation plate to deform and the liquid chamber to generate pressure so that liquid within the liquid chamber is discharged from the nozzle hole; a common liquid chamber that is in communication with the liquid chamber via the liquid introduction path and is configured to supply liquid to the liquid chamber; and a common liquid chamber forming substrate that includes a single metal plate integrated with resin to form the common liquid chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a printing device are described. In examples, a printing device has a first printhead interface, a first printhead for use in applying a treatment fluid to a print medium and a second printhead interface, a second printhead for use in applying ink to the print medium. The first and second printhead interfaces are consecutively aligned along a common axis and each printhead has a plurality of nozzles that extend in a direction of relative movement of the print medium in relation to said printheads. An example apparatus then has a controller arranged to, when the printheads are installed, configure activation of nozzles of at least one of the first and second printheads in the direction of relative movement to spatially offset useable nozzles of the first printhead with respect to useable nozzles of the second printhead in said direction.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a head including an ejection face inclining an ejection opening region having ejection openings; a capping unit for selectively establishing a sealing state or an open state; an air supply opening and an air discharge opening; a humidification unit for performing a humidifying maintenance; a recording control unit for performing image recording; and a flushing control unit for performing flushing. The flushing control unit controls the head to perform the flushing such that an amount of the liquid discharged from each of a discharge-side ejection-opening group and a supply-side ejection-opening group is greater than that of the liquid discharged from the other ejection-opening group.

Abstract: When it is determined that jamming of a recording medium has occurred and an image to be formed on the recording medium is a color image, a liquid ejection apparatus performs recovery action for first nozzle of a first liquid ejection head ejecting black liquid and second nozzles of second liquid ejection heads ejecting color liquid which is not black, after the jamming of the recording medium is resolved. On the other hand, when the image to be formed on the recording medium is a monochrome image, the liquid ejection apparatus performs the recovery action for the first nozzles of the first liquid ejection head.

Abstract: To provide a belt cleaning device and the like by which a more compact apparatus overall can be configured without compromising the ability to replace a secondary wiping member or the like, the invention is provided with a wiper which is provided on an inner side of a cleaning vessel and further downstream than a rotating brush in a direction of travel of a conveyance belt, and wipes off in a relative fashion a cleaning solution that has attached to the conveyance belt. The wiper includes a primary wiping blade and a secondary wiping blade which are in contact with the surface of the conveyance belt, and a primary fixation plate and a secondary fixation plate which are attached to the inner side of the cleaning vessel and to which the primary wiping blade and the secondary wiping blade, respectively, are fixed.

Abstract: A rotary inkjet imaging apparatus includes a curved print zone having a longitudinal axis and in which a page of media is held in a curved configuration at a stationary position, a carrier movable bi-directionally along a linear path defined adjacent to the curved print zone and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, and at least one inkjet printhead supported by the carrier for undergoing movement within the curved print zone along a curved path winding about a central axis extending parallel to the guide path and coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the curved print zone such that the inkjet printhead moves about the central axis multiple revolutions and prints on the page concurrently as the carrier unidirectionally moves along the linear path and the printhead moves within the curved print zone and through portions of the curved path in which the printhead faces toward the page.

Abstract: A system and method for depositing a substance onto a continuously moving substrate in first and second transverse swathes, is achieved by providing a print carriage having a first set of inkjet heads and a second set of inkjet heads. The carriage is traversed across the substrate in a forward pass, while depositing the first and second swathes from the respective first and second plurality of inkjet heads and subsequently traversed across the substrate in a reverse pass. The first and second sets of inkjet heads are arranged such that the first and second swathes complement one another on both forward and reverse passes to provide substantially complete coverage of the substrate. In this manner complementary swathes may be deposited from a single head.

Abstract: Inkjet printheads containing a first plate, a second plate, and a cured adhesive composition disposed between and bonding the first plate and the second plate. The cured adhesive composition has a glass transition temperature of greater than about 115° C. and is stable when exposed to acrylate monomer. Also, inkjet printheads having a first plate, a second plate, and a cured thin film adhesive disposed between and bonding to both of the first plate and the second plate. The cured thin film adhesive contains a polyimide film disposed between a cured first adhesive layer and a cured second adhesive layer. Methods of preparing such inkjet printheads.

Abstract: A printing device includes a solution tank, a nozzle unit including a distribution path and a plurality of nozzles connected with the distribution path the nozzle unit being connected with the solution tank through a first pipe; a gas supply connected with the nozzle unit through a second pipe; and a discharge unit connected with the nozzle unit through a third pipe, wherein the distribution path includes first portions and second portions that respectively have different widths.

Abstract: A substrate for a liquid discharge head includes an upper protection film that covers at least a region corresponding to each of thermal energy generation elements. The upper protection film and at least one of the upper protection films adjacent to the upper protection film within a liquid chamber are respectively connected to different external electrodes, and a voltage can be applied therebetween via the different external electrodes.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead including a thermo-pneumatic actuator array for ejecting ink from an array of nozzles. The actuator array may include a plurality of channels in fluid communication with a plurality of working fluid chambers. After completing formation of the actuator array, working fluid may be injected into a working fluid inlet on an exterior of the actuator array and into the plurality of working fluid chambers through the plurality of channels.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead including a thermo-pneumatic actuator array for ejecting ink from an array of nozzles. The actuator array may include the use of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) semiconductor wafer including a device layer, a handle layer, and a dielectric layer that physically separates the device layer from the handle layer to simplify printhead formation. During an exemplary process, the SOI wafer is attached to a heater wafer and a nozzle plate is attached to the dielectric layer such that, during use of the printhead, the device layer functions as an actuator membrane. Deflection of the device layer during use of the printhead creates a pressure within an ink chamber which causes ejection of ink from one of the nozzles of the array of nozzles.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head and a recording device are disclosed. The head includes a fluid channel member and a piezoelectric substrate on the fluid channel member. The fluid channel member includes chambers, each having a diamond shape with two obtuse angle portions and two acute angle portions. In a plan view, the chambers are arranged in a matrix, and aligned in directions of a row and of a column. The substrate includes a first electrode, a piezoelectric body and second electrodes. Each of the second electrodes includes a main electrode and a lead-out portion. The main electrode overlaps with the respective chamber, and is located inside the chamber in the plan view. The lead-out electrode includes: a first end which overlaps with the respective chamber; and a second end located outside the chamber and located in a region that does not overlap with the column in the plan view.

Abstract: An ink cartridge adopts a construction in which an air seal and an ink seal are arranged on the cartridge side and in which sealing between the ink cartridge and the recording apparatus is performed with a radial seal.

Abstract: A first-tank mount section is configured so that a first tank storing liquid is mounted thereon. Liquid is supplied to a second tank from the first tank mounted on the first-tank mount section. Liquid stored in the second tank is supplied to a liquid ejecting head having an ejection surface. A supporting section is disposed in confrontation with the ejection surface and supports a recording medium. A first casing holds the liquid ejecting head and the second tank. A second casing holds the first-tank mount section and the supporting section. The first casing is coupled to the second casing such that the first casing is movable relative to the second casing. The first casing takes a first position at which the ejection surface confronts the supporting section and a second position at which the ejection surface is farther spaced away from the supporting section than at the first position.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording head includes a recording head and pressure damper assembly module including a recording head part at a lower position having nozzle holes on an under surface and an ink passage communicating with the nozzle holes, and a pressure damper part higher than the recording head part having an ink containing chamber inside. The ink-jet recording head further includes first flexible tube supplying ink in the ink containing chamber to the ink passage and connecting an ink discharge part communicating with the ink containing chamber and an ink supply part at one end side in the recording head part communicating with one end of the ink passage; and a second flexible tube connected with another end side in the recording head part and communicating with another end of the ink passage. At least the inside of the first flexible tube is filled with the ink.

Abstract: A liquid container detachably mounted on a liquid consuming apparatus includes: a liquid including dispersed particles and a solvent in which the dispersed particles are dispersed; and an accommodation bag accommodating the liquid and provided with a discharge portion discharging the liquid, in which a ratio of a volume of the liquid with respect to a capacity of the accommodation bag when the accommodation bag is used from an initial period of filling is 95% or less.

Abstract: An ink storing container (liquid storing container) includes a memory device configured to store electronic data, an ink containing body (liquid containing body) configured to contain ink, an inner lid configured to cover an ink inlet and outlet formed in the ink containing body, and an outer lid configured to cover the ink inlet and outlet from outside of the inner lid. The memory device is configured to be stored in a storage space formed between the inner lid and the outer lid. Accordingly, without any special additional work to the ink containing body, the memory device can be held by the ink containing body. Also, the memory device is easily removed from the storage space by opening the outer lid.

Abstract: An adapter is mountable to a liquid consumption apparatus to connect an external source of liquid to the liquid consumption apparatus. The liquid consumption apparatus includes a liquid intake portion for taking liquid into the liquid consumption apparatus and a liquid catcher for catching inadvertently spilled or sprayed liquid, the liquid catcher being provided below the liquid intake portion. The adapter includes a liquid supply portion and an accommodation portion. The liquid supply portion is configured to connect to the liquid intake portion to supply the liquid from the external source to the liquid intake portion. The accommodation portion is located below the liquid supply portion. In a state where the adapter is attached to the liquid consumption apparatus, the accommodation portion accommodates at least a part of the liquid catcher.

Abstract: An ink supply device for an inkjet recording apparatus including a back pressure tank 21, a distribution tank 12, a plurality of ink opening/closing electromagnetic valves 13, and a plurality of recording heads 14, in which the distribution tank 12 is connected to the back pressure tank 21 via an ink supply path 24, the plurality of ink opening/closing electromagnetic valves 13 is directly attached to the distribution tank 12 while being connected to the plurality of recording heads 14 via a distribution supply pipe 15 and the distribution tank 12 contains a humidification heater 71 for humidifying ink and a temperature sensor 72.

Abstract: The disclosed print head has a two-chamber main reservoir that decouples wasted ink and purge volume in print heads. The two-chamber structure of the print head allows for varying flow of ink through the print head's internal manifolds without varying the wasted ink out of the jet stack. The main reservoir of the print head includes a recirculation chamber and an incoming ink chamber. A vacuum is applied to a vent in the recirculation chamber and a pressure can also be applied to a vent in the incoming ink chamber to cause bubbles in the jet stack to move into the recirculation chamber and be removed through the recirculation chamber vent.

Abstract: A filter, the alignment of which does not need to be adjusted, and an ink-jet recording apparatus having such a filter are provided, the ink-jet recording apparatus capable of avoiding leakage of residual liquids in filter exchange operation. The filter of the present invention includes an upper capsule member, a lower capsule member, and a filter medium. The upper capsule member has a central connecting port and a peripheral connecting port, and also has a pipe section that extends, within the capsule, from the peripheral connecting port to the vicinity of the bottom surface (the deepest section) of the lower capsule member. A liquid supplied from the peripheral connecting port via the pipe section is filtered through the filter medium, and the filtered liquid is output from the central connecting port.

Abstract: An inkjet printing method includes, in order, the steps of a) providing to an inkjet printer at least two or more colorless liquids having a different composition and at least one color inkjet ink; b) mixing the color inkjet ink in a controlled amount with the two or more colorless liquids; and c) printing the ink-mixture of the color inkjet ink and the two or more colorless liquids with the inkjet printer onto an ink-receiver.

Abstract: An ink jet recording aqueous pigment ink contains a self-dispersing pigment, a quaternary amino acid, a non-polymeric, nonionic material having a melting point of 40° C. or more, and at least one of trialkylamine and trialkanolamine. The content of the non-polymeric, nonionic material is 3% to 15% by mass relative to the total mass of the ink jet recording aqueous pigment ink.

Abstract: An ink jet recording ink according to this invention is an ink jet recording ink to be contained in an ink containing vessel, in which the ink containing vessel has an ink containing chamber containing the ink and an air introduction flow path which introduces air into the ink containing chamber through the ink contained in the ink containing chamber, the ink contains a self-dispersion pigment, resin particles having a glass transition temperature of 10° C. or lower, and wax particles whose specific gravity is smaller than the specific gravity of a main solvent, and a ratio (R1/R2) of the volume average particle size (R1) of the resin particles and the volume average particle size (R2) of the wax particles is 1.0 or lower.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a protective-layer-provided substrate in which a protective layer is formed on a substrate on the surface of which a plurality of structures have been arranged at intervals. The protective layer has a resin layer and a film for chucking. The process includes the steps of forming the resin layer between the respective structures, on the surfaces of the respective structures and on the surface of the substrate having the plurality of the structures; and forming the film for chucking on the resin layer to form the protective layer.

Abstract: A light irradiation device according to an embodiment includes a light emitting element, and a substrate on which the light emitting element is mounted. The substrate includes a laminated body constituted so that a plurality of insulating layers are laminated, a first heat transfer member disposed in the laminated body so that a part thereof is located directly below the light emitting element, and a second heat transfer member disposed between the insulating layers so as to surround the first heat transfer member when seen in a plan view. Thermal conductivities of the first heat transfer member and second heat transfer member are higher than a thermal conductivity of the laminated body.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, by switching off the provisional curing device on the rear side in the direction of travel of the scanning direction, droplet ejection is carried out without performing provisional curing of the ink immediately after droplet ejection. The provisional curing of the ink is carried out by the provisional curing device on the front side in the direction of travel of the scanning direction, during scanning in the opposite direction to that during droplet ejection.

Abstract: Methods of leveling ink on substrates and apparatuses useful in printing are provided. An exemplary embodiment of the methods includes irradiating ink disposed on a surface of a porous substrate with radiation emitted by at least one radiant energy source. The radiation heats the ink to at least a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink to allow the ink to flow laterally on the surface to produce leveling of the ink. The ink is heated sufficiently rapidly that heat transfer from the ink to the substrate is sufficiently small during the leveling that ink at the substrate interface is cooled to a temperature below the viscosity threshold temperature thereby preventing any significant ink permeation into the substrate.

Abstract: A temperature adjusting member includes: a thermoelectric conversion module; a casing which contains the thermoelectric conversion module; an exterior pipe which contains the casing; and a support body which brings the casing into contact with an inner wall of the exterior pipe. The support body includes a holding portion, a connecting portion and a support portion. The holding portion holds the casing; the connecting portion is connected to the holding portion; and the support portion supports the holding portion by the connecting portion. The connecting portion is connected to the support portion such that the holding portion is movable toward the inner wall of the exterior pipe.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a conveyor to convey a recording medium in a conveyance direction; first and second applicators to respectively apply first and second liquids to the recording medium, the second applicator being disposed downstream of the first applicator. One of the first and second liquids causes coagulation or precipitation of a component of the other liquid. The conveyor comprises a first pair of rollers; a second pair of rollers; and at least one third pair of rollers. The second applicator is disposed between the first and second pair of rollers. The first pair of rollers and the at least one third pair of rollers constitute a plurality of upstream-side pairs of rollers disposed upstream of the second pair of rollers, and a distance between adjacent two of the upstream-side pairs of rollers is larger than a distance between the first and second pair of rollers.

Abstract: A recording device includes a conveying part, a recording part, a suction part and a control part. The conveying part is configured and arranged to convey a medium. The recording part is configured and arranged to record on the medium. The suction part is configured and arranged to suction the medium on a flat surface. The control part is configured to perform a suction action by a suction part to eliminate wrinkles that form in the medium after a conveying action by the conveying part and before a recording action by the recording part, and to vary a period of the suction action by the suction part.

Abstract: This invention includes an input operation unit which accepts the operation of selecting a first or a second printing medium and outputs information indicating the selected printing medium, a conveyance path, a conveyance mechanism which conveys the selected printing medium in the conveyance direction, and a control unit. The conveyance mechanism includes a main roller, a driven roller which presses the main roller through the selected printing medium, a rotation member having a cam shape, and an elastic member which deforms to change a pressing force in accordance with the rotational position of the rotation member. The control unit rotates the rotation member to the first rotational position when the first printing medium is selected, and rotates the rotation member to the second rotational position where the pressing force becomes smaller than that at the first rotational position when the second printing medium is selected.

Abstract: A printing system for indicating print media quality to printer users includes a printing assembly configured to route print media along a pathway for printing. In an example, the system includes, but is not limited to, a thermal printer having a thermal print head for printing onto paper. The system also includes a light meter configured to detect light reflected from the print media, such as the paper. The light meter also measures a characteristic of the detected light. An indicator is coupled to the light meter, and configured to present a quality level of the print media to a user based on the measured characteristic of the detected light.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for three-dimensional printing directly onto an article of apparel. Disclosed is a method and system for direct three-dimensional printing onto an article of apparel, including receiving an undistorted three-dimensional pattern for display on the article, the undistorted three-dimensional pattern configured for placement on an irregular three-dimensional surface; creating a predistorted three-dimensional pattern from the undistorted three-dimensional pattern for printing onto a simple three-dimensional shaped object; receiving the predistorted three-dimensional pattern in a three-dimensional printing system; and printing the predistorted three-dimensional pattern onto the article.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a first housing; a second housing pivotable about a shaft relative to the first housing between a close position and a distant position; and a tank mount portion provided in the second housing such that a mounting direction of a tank with respect to the tank mount portion in a state in which the second housing is at the distant position has a downward component in a vertical direction. The tank mount portion includes a resistance applying mechanism which applies a resistance force to the tank in a state in which at least a part of the tank is inserted into the tank mount portion when the second housing is at the distant position.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for an adaptive filter scheme in handheld positioning device are described herein. The adaptive filter scheme may determine a direction that the positioning device is traveling and adjust one or more parameters of the filter scheme based at least in part on the determined direction. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: Disclosed are safety glasses for blocking of harmful electromagnetic radiation and prevention of dazzling which protect eyes from harmful electromagnetic radiation and are ergonomically balanced by arranging the lens portion at the front and the adjuster and battery at the rear side of the temple to ensure convenient wearing of the glasses. The safety glasses include an inner/outer hosing formed of a soft material to closely contact the face of the user and fabricated through double injection molding, thereby ensuring convenient wearing of the glasses.

Abstract: A lens device includes a frame, at least one lens and two fasteners. The frame has at least a lens recess. The lens is embedded in the lens recess, and has an indentation located at an edge of the lens. The fasteners are disposed pivotally to the opposite sides of the frame, respectively, and each have an inner surface, a supporting surface and a hook portion. The inner surface adjoins the supporting surface. The hook portion protrudes from the inner surface. When the fastener rotates so that the hook portion enters into the indentation of the lens, the supporting surface of the fastener is disposed against a side of the indentation.

Abstract: Eyewear attachments are provided that can include a bridge pad having a base extending between terminal ends and defining a perimeter, and each terminal end having a tower extending normally from the base and forming at least a portion of a top opposing the base of the bridge pad. Eyewear assemblies are provided that can include a frame having a bridge extending between two lense housings, each of the lense housings have an upper portion opposing a lower portion of the housed lense, and a bridge pad coupled to the frame. Methods of affixing eyewear in useful configuration are provided that can include, providing eyewear having a bridge pad, the bridge pad extending away from the eyewear and toward the face when the eyewear is in the worn position, and aligning at least a portion of the bridge pad below an upper portion of the orbital bone of the face.

Abstract: Medical devices having a wettable, biocompatible surface are described herein. Processes for producing such devices are also described.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments enable an enhanced direct-viewing optical device to make customized adjustments that accommodate optical aberrations of a current user. In some instances a real-time adjustment of the transformable optical elements is based on known corrective optical parameters associated with a current user. In some implementations a control module may process currently updated wavefront measurements as a basis for determining appropriate real-time adjustment of the transformable optical elements to produce a specified change in optical wavefront at an exit pupil of the direct-viewing device. Possible transformable optical elements include refractive and/or reflective and/or diffractive and/or transmissive characteristics that are adjusted based on current performance viewing factors for a given field of view of the direct-viewing device.

Abstract: A fundus camera includes a focus target projection unit including a focus target located at a position conjugate with a fundus of a subject's eye, a split optical element configured to split a light flux passing through the focus target, and a focus target illumination light source configured to illuminate the focus target, a fundus photographing optical system including a focusing lens, a focus link mechanism configured to interlockingly move the focus target projection unit and the focusing lens in a direction of an optical axis, at least two lenses located behind a plane optically conjugate with the imaging plane of the fundus photographing optical system and outside an optical axis of the fundus photographing optical system, image sensors respectively located behind the two lenses, and a phase difference detection unit configured to detect a phase difference between the focus target images based on signals output from the image sensors.