Abstract: Provided is a silicon substrate processing method including: providing a silicon substrate with a sacrificial layer formed in the form of an island on the front surface thereof, the front surface being a surface on a side where the flow path of an ejection port for ejecting liquid is to be formed, the sacrificial layer having a higher etching rate than the silicon substrate; forming a mask layer on the back surface, the back surface being a surface opposite from the front surface, the mask layer being a layer that does not include an opening at a portion of the back surface opposite from the sacrificial layer; forming a non-penetrating hole from an opening on the back surface of the silicon substrate; and forming a beam on the back surface side by performing anisotropic etching on the silicon substrate in which the non-penetrating hole is formed.

Abstract: Example methods for the maintenance of printheads are provided, the printheads comprising a reservoir containing a printing fluid with particles in suspension, and a nozzle plate. Example methods may comprise capping the nozzle plate of the printhead, and rotating the capped printhead. Example maintenance devices for printheads are also provided,comprising a support with a socket to attach a printhead to the support, a drive unit to rotate the support about a rotation axis, and a control unit connected to the drive unit to perform a predetermined rotation cycle.

Abstract: There is provided a printer including: a liquid jetting head; a receiving section; a waste-liquid storing section; a connecting channel connecting the receiving section and the waste-liquid storing section; a pump; and a controller. The controller executes: printing; recovering nozzles; discharging the liquid, which is present in at least one of the receiving section and the connecting channel, to the waste-liquid storing section, after the recovering of the nozzles. Under a condition that there is no input of the print data before the discharging of the liquid, the controller executes the discharging of the liquid continuously after the recovering of the nozzles; under a condition that there is an input of the print data before the discharging of the liquid, the controller executes the printing after the recovering of the nozzles and then executes at least a part of the discharging of the liquid after the printing.

Abstract: A wiping member is configured to wipe a nozzle forming surface of a liquid ejecting head, which has nozzles through which a liquid is ejected, in a first direction. The wiping member includes a fibrous material and is configured to satisfy the following: ?a+3?a??f+3?f where ?f is an average of sizes of spaces between fibers in the first direction, ?f is a standard deviation of the sizes of the spaces, ?a is an average of sizes of aggregation substances formed of a solute in the liquid adhered to the nozzle forming surface in the first direction, and ?a is a standard deviation of the sizes of the aggregation substances.

Abstract: A head cleaner to clean a liquid discharge head including a nozzle face in which nozzles are formed includes a wiper to wipe the nozzle face by moving relative to the liquid discharge head in a wiping direction. The wiper includes a wiper sheet, a blade having a higher water repellency than the wiper sheet, and a controller that controls the wiper to perform a first wiping operation and a second wiping operation. The first wiping operation involves wiping the nozzle face with the wiper sheet without bringing the blade into contact with the nozzle face, and the second wiping operation involves wiping the nozzle face with the wiper sheet and the blade by bringing the wiper sheet and the blade into contact with the nozzle face. The controller controls the wiper to perform the second wiping operation after performing the first wiping operation at least once.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting unit having nozzles able to eject a liquid to a medium, a wiping unit able to wipe the liquid ejecting unit, a waste liquid receiving unit which receives a waste liquid which is discharged by a maintenance operation for maintaining the liquid ejecting unit, at a position facing the liquid ejecting unit, and a collection unit which comes in contact with the waste liquid receiving unit to collect the waste liquid which is received by the waste receiving unit, in which the wiping unit comes in contact with the collection unit to wipe the waste liquid which is collected by the collection unit.

Abstract: A head cleaning mechanism includes a recording head and a wiper. The recording head has an ink ejection surface in which ink ejection ports are opened. The wiper wipes the ink ejection surface. The recording head has a cleaning liquid supply ports disposed on an upstream side of the ink ejection port in a wiping direction, and an inclined surface inclined downward toward a downstream side in the wiping direction, a tip of the wiper being in pressure contact with the inclined surface in the wiping operation. The inclined surface has a pressure contact start position at which the wiper starts the pressure contact in the wiping operation, and a water repellent region formed at least from the pressure contact start position to a position on an upstream side of the cleaning liquid supply port in the wiping direction.

Abstract: Restraining a carriage includes a carriage restraint to secure the carriage of a printer, wherein the carriage restraint moves between an engaged position and a disengaged position and an engagement assembly to selectively move the carriage restraint between the engaged position and a disengaged position in between printing operations.

Abstract: A maintenance system for maintaining an elongate inkjet printhead. The maintenance system includes: a carriage movable longitudinally along the printhead, the carriage including a maintenance member having a primary suction nozzle facing inkjet nozzles of the printhead and a wiper adjacent the primary suction nozzle; a traversing mechanism for traversing the carriage longitudinally along the printhead; and an engagement mechanism for urging the wiper and the printhead into engagement with each other. During use, the wiper contacts a non-printing part of the printhead and the primary suction nozzle is spaced apart from the printhead.

Abstract: A cleaning liquid for a liquid ejecting apparatus to be fed into liquid channels of a liquid ejecting apparatus contains at least a water-soluble organic solvent, a silicone surfactant, and an acetylenic diol surfactant. At least part of the inner surfaces of the liquid channels is made from a fluorine-based material.

Abstract: In an example, a retainer may comprise a latch to removably engage with a cartridge, an actuator plate to operably engage with the cartridge, a bias member, and a linkage. The actuator plate may operably engage with the cartridge such that, upon engagement with the cartridge, the transmission of signals can occur between the actuator plate and the cartridge. The linkage may be engaged with the actuator plate, the bias member, and the latch, such that linkage causes the actuator plate to be pushed against the cartridge upon the latch being engaged with the cartridge in a locked position.

Abstract: A liquid containing member that can supply a liquid having a uniform concentration of a precipitating component to a liquid ejecting portion is provided. A liquid containing member includes: a liquid containing portion that can contain ink; a liquid supply port for supplying the ink contained in the liquid containing portion to a liquid ejection head; and a communication channel that is in communication with the liquid containing portion and the liquid supply port. The communication channel has a first end that is positioned at a lower end on the gravity direction side in the liquid containing portion and can suck the ink, and a second end that is positioned closer to the anti-gravity direction side than the first end is, and can suck the ink, in an in-use state in which the ink is supplied from the liquid supply port to the liquid ejection head.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head, which includes a driving element that changes pressure in a pressure chamber and causes a liquid to be ejected from a nozzle, an individual channel that communicates with the pressure chamber, and a liquid reservoir that supplies via the individual channel the liquid introduced from an inlet to the pressure chamber. The liquid reservoir includes a first reservoir disposed on the inlet side, a second reservoir disposed on the individual channel side, and an intermediate reservoir that communicates with the first reservoir and the second reservoir. At least a part of the first reservoir overlaps the second reservoir when seen in plan view. A first compliance substrate is provided in the first reservoir on the second reservoir side on the side opposite to the inlet. A second compliance substrate is provided in the second reservoir on the side opposite to the first reservoir.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a fluid supply assembly includes a printhead assembly and a carriage comprising a quick-release, hand-operable attachment mechanism to removably attach the printhead assembly to the carriage. A fluid conduit interconnect is rigidly attached to the printhead assembly by a tool-operable fastener. The fluid conduit interconnect is to connect to a fluid conduit to communicate printing fluid from an off-axis printing fluid supply to the printhead assembly.

Abstract: A quick connect assembly includes a connector housing and fluid connectors that fluidly couple an ink assembly and a print assembly. The quick connect assembly also includes conductive connectors that conductively couple hardware circuitry in the ink assembly with hardware circuitry in the print assembly. First and second portions of the connector housing mate with each other to couple the fluid connectors and to couple the conductive connectors. The first and second housing portions mate with each other by rotating the first housing portion and/or the second housing portion relative to the other of the first housing portion and/or the second housing portion.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus, including: a liquid ejector; a housing including a tank storage portion in which is stored a tank for accommodating a liquid to be supplied to the ejector, the housing having an opening through which the tank storage portion and an exterior of the housing communicate; a lid attached to the housing and configured to be selectively positioned at one of a closed position at which the opening is closed and an open position at which the opening is opened; and an operation panel including an operating portion which is provided for at least one of front and upper surfaces of the housing and which is to be externally operated, wherein the lid is attached to the housing so as to be slidable in an up-down direction with respect to the housing, the lid being positioned at the open position by sliding upward from the closed position.

Abstract: An ink delivery device is described. The ink delivery device includes an ink die with a first surface. The ink delivery device also includes an overmold to encapsulate a number of surfaces of the ink die. The overmold has a second surface that is wider than the first surface. The second surface receives an adhesive to attach the ink delivery device to a printhead. The ink delivery device also includes an ink slot passing through the overmold and at least a portion of the ink die.

Abstract: One example of a system includes a bulk ink assembly, a printhead assembly, a valve, and a controller. The bulk ink assembly receives a bulk ink supply. The printhead assembly includes nozzles to eject ink drops, a collapsible container to supply ink to the nozzles, and a sensor to provide a sensor signal indicating the amount of ink within the collapsible container. The valve supplies ink to the collapsible container from the bulk ink assembly in response to a control signal. The controller provides the control signal based on the sensor signal to regulate the amount of ink in the collapsible container and to provide an out of ink signal based on the sensor signal indicating the bulk ink supply is effectively empty.

Abstract: There is provided a flexible membrane mechanism that is used in a valve mechanism, the flexible membrane mechanism including: a lid member; a flexible membrane that forms a space between the lid member and the flexible membrane; and a fluid flow path that communicates with the space, in which the flexible membrane is deformed such that a valve of the valve mechanism is opened and closed and includes a protrusion portion that becomes a projection toward the lid member and becomes a recess toward the opposite side of the projection.

Abstract: An inkjet head includes the following. A plurality of nozzles eject ink. A pressure chamber is individually communicated with each nozzle and is filled with ink inside. A pressure generator is a driving source to eject ink by applying pressure to the pressure chamber. An inlet includes a narrow portion with a flow path narrower than the pressure chamber and supplies ink to the pressure chamber. A circulation flow path is able to discharge ink in the pressure chamber from near the nozzle. Viscosity resistance of the circulation flow path is smaller than viscosity resistance of the nozzle. Impedance of the circulation flow path is equal to or more than 0.5 times of impedance of the inlet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to obtaining an object having an anisotropic reflection characteristic without using a lenticular lens. A print product including a print medium on which a repetitive structure of projected portions and recessed portions is formed out of image forming materials including a color material includes a first layer formed on surfaces of the projected portions out of a first color material among the image forming materials, and a second layer formed on the recessed portions out of a second color material different from the first color material, wherein the projected portions have a height to occlude part of the second layer when observed at an angle different from an angle formed by a normal to a surface of the print medium.

Abstract: A method for carrying out a printing operation on an inkjet printing machine compensates for failed printing nozzles by using a computer. After a screening process in which a halftone image is created for an image to be printed, failed printing nozzles are compensated for by increased ink application from neighboring printing nozzles by precalculating at least one corrective halftone image for the adjacent printing nozzles by using the computer, replacing the halftone image created in the screening process by the corrective halftone image in the at least one column of the neighboring printing nozzles, and carrying out the printing operation on the inkjet printing machine using the corrected halftone.

Abstract: Apparatus to detect droplets and methods for detecting droplets are described. The apparatus comprise a light emitter and a light detector. The light emitter is to emit light along an optical axis, the light having a spatial intensity distribution profile with a peak that is non-coincident with the optical axis. The light detector is located relative to the light emitter such that, in use, the peak of the spatial intensity distribution profile is incident on the light detector.

Abstract: A recording head has two or more first nozzle rows from which an ink droplet of a first color is discharged, two or more second nozzle rows from which an ink droplet of a second color is discharged, and two or more third nozzle rows from which an ink droplet of a third color is discharged. In a plurality of nozzle rows from which an ink droplet is discharged on the same line along the relative movement direction, a distance between the first nozzle row and the second nozzle row in the relative movement direction is fixed, and a plurality of distances are present regarding a distance between the first nozzle row and the third nozzle row in the relative movement direction.

Abstract: It is an object to improve image quality of panoramic printing performed by a thermal printer. The thermal printer includes a joint position calculator and a controller. The joint position calculator specifies, in accordance with a less likelihood index of human visual recognition, a joint position between a plurality of images in panoramic printing including dividing a panoramic image longer than a print size of an ink ribbon into a plurality of images of a size equal to or less than the print size and printing in a plurality of times to join the plurality of images. The controller controls a print medium, the ink ribbon, and a thermal head to cause the plurality of images divided at the joint position to be joined by being heat transferred to a plurality of continuous areas of the print medium by a plurality of unit print areas of the ink ribbon, respectively.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a thermal head is provided opposite to a platen roller. A ribbon transport unit transports an ink ribbon between the thermal head and the platen roller. A transport unit transports a sheet carrying a label between the thermal head and the platen roller. A clamping mechanism clamps the ink ribbon, a printing area of the label and the sheet in the thermal head and the platen roller. An acquisition unit acquires first print data to be printed on a first label and second print data to be printed on a second label. A non-printing area specifying unit specifies a non-printing area on the sheet, based on the first print data and the second print data. The control unit separates the ink ribbon and the sheet when it is transported between the thermal head and the platen roller, and stops the transport of the ink ribbon.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: a delivering-side gear train that transmits motive power to a delivering-side drive shaft; an winding-side gear train that transmits motive power to an winding-side drive shaft; a second clutch mechanism that connects the drive motor and the delivering-side gear train to each other in accordance with reverse rotation of the drive motor and disconnects the drive motor and the delivering-side gear train from each other in accordance with forward rotation of the drive motor; and a first clutch mechanism that is provided upstream of the second clutch mechanism, connects the drive motor and the winding-side gear train to each other in accordance with the forward rotation of the drive motor, and disconnects the drive motor and the winding-side gear train from each other in accordance with the reverse rotation of the drive motor.

Abstract: Direct printing machine for printing onto containers, with a conveyor for transporting the containers in container receptacles along a transport path, and with several printing stations which are respectively associated with the container receptacles and which are each formed with several separately adjustable direct print heads for printing several partial prints of a print onto a container, wherein the printing stations are each associated with their individual inspection device with at least one camera to inspect the position of the partial prints on the container.

Abstract: A method of reproducing a cellular phone snapshot on a shirt at a remote location. The method comprises providing a mobile vehicle, installing a t-shirt printing machine in the vehicle, wherein the t-shirt printing machine can operatively connect to a cellular phone device and accept a digital transmission, providing an operator of the t-shirt printing machine that interacts with the public at remote locations to offer and solicit the service of printing snapshots from their cellular phone devices on t-shirts, receiving the snapshots solicited on the t-shirt printing machine, printing the t-shirts on the t-shirt printing machines at the remote locations, and delivering the t-shirts to the public at the remote locations. The method may further comprise accepting payment for the t-shirts upon the t-shirts being accepted by the public solicited.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a conveying unit, a recording unit, a heat source, a heat source moving unit and a heat source moving control unit. The conveying unit performs a conveying operation to move a conveying member thereby conveying a recording medium placed on a conveying surface of the conveying member. The recording unit records an image by ejecting ink to the recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit. The heat source moving unit moves the heat source. The heat source moving control unit moves the heat source by the heat source moving unit such that a distance between the heat source and the conveying surface increases when the conveying operation which is performed by the conveying unit stops in a manner in which the conveying operation can be resumed in a state where the heat source is positioned in proximity of the conveying surface.

Abstract: A conveyor for printer includes, a first guide, a second guide disposed separately from the first guide, a third guide disposed between the first guide and the second guide, the first guide, the second guide, and the third guide defining a conveyance path along which a medium is conveyed, and a loading guide movable to guide the medium between the first guide and the second guide. The third guide is movable between a first position and a second position. The third guide presses the medium to the first guide and the second guide at the first position and is separated from the medium at the second position. The loading guide is disposed at a guiding position to guide the medium and is disposed at a retracted position retracted from the guiding position in response to the third guide disposed at the first position.

Abstract: A dryer for conveying and drying an object to be dried, the dryer includes a conveyor including a first path and a second path along which the object to be dried is conveyed, a conveyance direction of the second path being different from a conveyance direction of the first path, and a blower to blow air onto the object to be dried. The blower includes a first air outlet that faces the first path and blows the air onto the object to be dried conveyed along the first path, and a second air outlet that faces the second path and blows the air onto the object to be dried conveyed along the second path.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording unit, a plurality of rollers, and a notice control unit. The recording unit records an image on a sheet by causing a carriage mounted with a recording head to scan. The plurality of rollers presses the sheet. The notice control unit controls an error notice. In a case an error occurs in the recording unit, the notice control unit controls the error notice based on a relative position of the sheet with respect to the plurality of rollers at a time of occurrence of the error.

Abstract: An inkjet printing method with an inkjet printing device includes a vacuum belt having a set of air-channels connecting a top-surface and a bottom-surface of the vacuum belt. The set of air-channels couples an inkjet receiver to the vacuum belt by air suction in the set of air-channels, wherein the vacuum belt includes a dimple at the top-surface. The dimple has a closed bottom end, and wherein the dimple is connected with an air-channel of the set of air-channels to form an air cup and to couple the inkjet receiver to the vacuum belt at the dimple by air suction.

Abstract: A conveying device to convey a conveyed object includes a supporter, a blower, a negative pressure generator, and a divider. The supporter has a front surface to support the conveyed object. The supporter has an air-permeable structure. The blower blows air toward the front surface of the supporter. The negative pressure generator creates a negative pressure state in a space at a back surface side of the supporter. The negative pressure generator includes a suction unit to suck air in the space through a plurality of suction ports. The suction ports are disposed away from and opposed to a back surface of the supporter. The divider is disposed away from the back surface of the supporter between the suction ports and the back surface of the supporter in the space. The divider has a plurality of ventilation holes smaller in opening area than each of the suction ports.

Abstract: Examples described herein include examples print media handling system including a first media guide assembly comprising a sensor assembly, and a second media guide assembly comprising a retractable pressure plate and disposed opposite the first media guide assembly to guide a print media along a path between the first media guide assembly and second media guide assembly, the pressure plate moveable about an axis perpendicular to the path between an actuated position and a retracted position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises: a detection unit that detects that a recording material is conveyed to a predetermined position on a conveyance path; a forming unit that forms an examination pattern at a defined position of the recording material; a reading unit that reads an image on the conveyance path when the recording material is being conveyed; a memory that saves read image data during a predetermined period defined based on a detection timing of the detection unit; and a specifying unit that specifies an edge of the recording material by detecting an area corresponding to the conveyance path in the image data saved in the memory, and specifies an examination pattern area corresponding to the examination pattern based on the specified edge and the defined position; and an examining unit that examines the examination pattern area.

Abstract: A roll medium transport apparatus includes a feed roll medium support unit that feeds a roll medium, a takeup roll medium support unit that winds up the roll medium that has been fed, a position acquiring unit that acquires a position of a side end portion of the roll medium that is to be fed, a radiating unit capable of radiating light with a position of the side end portion being used as a reference point. The radiating unit is held by the feed roll medium support unit and allows the light to be radiated to a takeup roll that winds up the roll medium.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus is provided. The ink-jet recording apparatus includes: a plurality of rollers that convey a sheet in a conveyance direction; a platen; a recording unit; a plurality of first ribs provided in the platen; and a plurality of second ribs provided between the first ribs and the rollers in the conveyance direction. The plurality of rollers, the plurality of first ribs, and the plurality of second ribs are each disposed in a position where at least parts of them overlap in the width direction, and a length in the width direction of each of the supporting surfaces of the plurality of second ribs is longer than that in the width direction of each of the supporting surfaces of the plurality of first ribs, and is shorter than that in the width direction of an abutting surface on the sheet in each of the plurality of rollers.

Abstract: A driving device includes a motor, a drive gear, a swing gear, a first gear member, a second gear member, a frame, and a bracket. The swing gear can swing between a first position engaging with the first gear member and a second position engaging with the second gear member. The bracket has a slide hole including a pair of contact parts having an arc shape, and an arc hole part for connecting the pair of contact parts with a first sliding surface farther from the drive gear and a second sliding surface nearer to the drive gear. The first sliding surface has a shape retracting to the opposite side to the rotation shaft from tangential lines of the rotation shaft contacting with the contact parts, which are parallel to pressure angle directions between the drive gear and the swing gear, or a shape coinciding with the tangential lines.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a transport unit that transports a medium in a transport direction, a support portion that supports the medium that is transported by the transport unit in a width direction that intersects with the transport direction, a printing unit that performs printing on a front surface of the medium which is supported by the support portion, a detecting unit that receives reflected light which is emitted on a rear surface of the medium that is transported on a detection position that is provided in a transport path of the medium, and a light-shielding portion that faces the detecting unit with the medium interposed therebetween during at least transport of the medium by the transport unit.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a conveyor which conveys a print medium along a conveyance path; a print head which execute printing at a first position on the conveyance path; a cutter which cuts the print medium at least partially at a second position on the downstream side from the first position in the conveyance path; and a processor. The processor acquires a specified length along the conveyance path, acquires a first margin length along a conveyance direction in a first margin part, acquires a separation distance along the conveyance path between the first position and a third position which includes the second position and which is located on the conveyance path and between the first position to the second position, and determines whether the separation distance is equal to or longer than a first total length which is the total of the specified length and the first margin length.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a housing, a platen disposed in the housing at a position where a medium is supported and recording is performed, an output port provided in the housing so that the medium is outputted through the output port, and a guiding section provided between the platen and the output port to guide the medium, wherein the guiding section includes a first guiding section facing one surface of the medium transported and a second guiding section facing the other surface of the medium, and the first guiding section and the second guiding section each include a bent portion.

Abstract: A printer includes a processor; a conveying motor that can operate in any one of a plurality of excitation modes, the conveying motor being configured to convey a printing medium; and a printhead that prints on the printing medium on the basis of printing data, wherein, with respect to each of at least some of the plurality of excitation modes, the processor estimates a strength value of a vibration that would be caused by said conveying motor when the conveying motor is operated in said excitation mode at a first conveying speed that is set based on the print data, and selects one of the plurality of excitation modes for actually operating the conveying motor based on the estimated strength values of the vibrations for the at least some of the plurality of excitation modes.

Abstract: The present teachings disclose various embodiments of a printing system for printing a substrate, in which the printing system can be housed in a gas enclosure, where the environment within the enclosure can be maintained as a controlled printing environment. A controlled environment of the present teachings can include control of the type of gas environment within the gas enclosure, the size and level particulate matter within the enclosure, control of the temperature within the enclosure and control of lighting. Various embodiments of a printing system of the present teachings can include a Y-axis motion system and a Z-axis moving plate that are configured to substantially decrease excess thermal load within the enclosure by, for example, eliminating or substantially minimizing the use of conventional electric motors.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for calibrating a printer for printing labels. According to one aspect, calibration label papers are provided to a printer. Each calibration label paper comprises a horizontal calibration mark and a vertical calibration mark. A test image is printed on a calibration label paper, the test image comprising a horizontal printer mark and a vertical printer mark printed parallel to their respective calibration marks. The calibration marks are compared with their respective printer marks. Using a computing device, coordinates of a virtual label grid representing the calibration label paper are adjusted based on the comparison of the marks. A second test image comprising new printer marks is printed, and the calibration marks are compared with the new printer marks. Upon alignment of the printer marks and the calibration marks, the adjusted coordinates of the virtual label grid are saved as default coordinates for the printer.

Abstract: Sublimation-type inkjet textile printing transfer paper includes a base material and a sublimation-type textile printing ink receiving layer formed on the base material, the base material has a 10-second Cobb water absorption of 5 to 20 g/m2, the sublimation-type textile printing ink receiving layer is made from an ink receiving layer coating material containing a water soluble resin and fine particles, the water soluble resin is at least a CMC, and the CMC is contained in the ink receiving layer coating material in an amount of 100 to 400 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the fine particles, the fine particles are at least inorganic fine particles having a tabular crystal structure, the inorganic fine particles have a median diameter d50 of 0.4 to 2.3 ?m and an aspect ratio of 5 to 30, a coating amount of the ink receiving layer coating material is 3 to 13 g/m2, and an average of numbers of pinhole appearance is not greater than 5.

Abstract: An image formation system includes: a printer that prints an image on an expandable sheet; and a light irradiation device that performs a light irradiation process on the expandable sheet, to expand the expandable sheet corresponding to a print area of the image, wherein, before the light irradiation process, the printer prints an identifier including information relating to the image, on the expandable sheet.

Abstract: Products, such as branding labels and currency, fabricated to include an optical security element. The optical security assembly may include a carrier film or substrate. An image element, e.g., a printed ink layer, is provided on a first surface of the carrier film/substrate, and the optical security assembly further includes an array or plurality of micro lenses on a second surface of the carrier film/substrate opposite the image element. In order to make the registration and print requirements easier, a mask is provided between the printed ink layer to define color pixels, and the printed ink layer is provided in the form of color blocks in a checkboard pattern with each block aligned with a portion of the mask and a subset of the holes or openings that define the viewable color pixels.

Abstract: A security article includes a laser markable layer and a transparent outer layer or sheet having lenticular lenses on its outer surface, both provided, in this order, on an opaque core support, characterized in that the laser markable layer has a dry layer thickness of less than 50 ?m. An improved contrast is obtained between interlaced images exposed into the security article of the invention.