Abstract: A method for driving a liquid injection apparatus comprising a base plate on which a pressure chamber communicating with a nozzle, a piezoelectric body arranged corresponding to the pressure chamber, and a volume variable plate arranged between the pressure chamber and the piezoelectric body and changing a volume of the pressure chamber by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric body, applying a first voltage in a rest state before the liquid is ejected from the nozzle; applying a second voltage higher than the first voltage in a standby state to contract the pressure chamber before the liquid is ejected from the nozzle; applying a third voltage lower than the second voltage to eject the liquid from the nozzle; and switching the first voltage, the second voltage and the third voltage and applying them to the piezoelectric body according to ejection data indicating whether to eject the liquid.

Abstract: A printer includes a printhead configured to eject high viscosity material and refill a reservoir in the printhead with high viscosity material. The printhead includes a transducer having an electroactive element and a member to which the electroactive element is mounted. An electrical signal activates the electroactive element to move the electroactive element and the member in the reservoir of high viscosity material. This movement thins the high viscosity material and enables the printhead to eject the thinned material while refilling the reservoir. The apertures through which the thinned material is ejected share a common manifold without separate chambers for each of the apertures.

Abstract: There are provided a liquid jet head and a liquid jet recording device each capable of appropriately cutting off the liquid column formed immediately after being jetted from the jet hole to prevent the satellite droplet from generating, and further achieving easier maintenance of the jet hole part. The liquid jet head includes a drive actuator, a jet hole plate, and a flow channel operating actuator. The drive actuator applies a pressure variation to a liquid filled therein. The jet hole plate is disposed on a downstream side of the drive actuator and adapted to jet the liquid having flown out from the drive actuator from the jet hole to the outside of the drive actuator.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head to improve reliability of a dummy pressurization chamber, and a recording device including the liquid discharge head, the liquid discharge head including a channel member having discharge holes, pressurization chambers, a dummy pressurization chamber, and a substrate having pressurizing parts. The channel member includes a pressurization chamber plate, a dummy pressurization chamber plate, and stacked plates. A hole of the pressurization chamber plate has a side surface configuring a side surface of the pressurization chamber, and the hole has an opening configuring an opening of the pressurization chamber. A hole of the dummy pressurization chamber plate has a side surface configuring a side surface of the dummy pressurization chamber, and the hole has an opening configuring an opening of the dummy pressurization chamber. The substrate closes the openings of the pressurization chambers. The pressurization chamber plate closes the opening of the dummy pressurization chamber.

Abstract: A printhead cartridge includes: an elongate manifold; a plurality of printhead chips mounted to a lower part of the manifold; and a casing mounted to an upper part of the manifold. The casing includes a first casing part and a second casing part, the first and second parts being longitudinally biased towards each such that the casing is expandable along a longitudinal axis of the manifold.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a fluid control device is provided. Firstly, a housing, a piezoelectric actuator and a deformable substrate are provided. The piezoelectric actuator includes a piezoelectric element and a vibration plate having a bulge. The deformable substrate includes a communication plate and a flexible plate having a movable part. Then, the flexible plate and the communication plate are stacked and coupled. A preformed synchronous deformation process is implemented by applying at least one external force to outer portion of the deformable substrate to form a preformed synchronously-deformed structure. A force-exerting mark is formed on a surface of the preformed synchronously-deformed structure. Then, the housing, the piezoelectric actuator and the deformable substrate are sequentially stacked and coupled. The preformed synchronously-deformed structure is aligned with the bulge of the vibration plate. A specified depth is defined between the movable part and the bulge of the vibration plate.

Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus includes a head, a platen, a platen absorbent that temporarily stores ink ejected from the head, a waste ink storage container that stores the ink discharged from the platen absorbent, and an estimation unit that, in a case where the platen is divided into a plurality of regions in a direction intersecting a conveyance direction of the printing medium, estimates an amount of ink stored in the waste ink storage container based on a position of a region to which the ink is ejected by the head and an amount of ink ejected to the region.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a printing apparatus that satisfactorily sucks and recovers a printhead is provided. A printing apparatus that includes a transfer member, and the first and second printheads has the following arrangement. The apparatus includes the first and second suction units which suck a plurality of nozzles of the first and second printheads, a common negative-pressure generation unit which generates a negative-pressure for suction by these suction units, and a moving unit which moves these suction units from one end to the other end of each printhead. Then, the moving unit moves the first and second suction units so as to pass through concave gaps with respect to ink discharge surfaces of the first and second printheads corresponding to the first and second suction units at different timings.

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: The structure of an ink supplying container is improved. The ink supplying container includes a container body that contains ink and an ink outlet formation portion that is mounted on the leading end side of the container body, and forms an ink outlet. The ink outlet formation portion includes a tubular channel portion that forms a supplying channel into which an ink inlet channel member of an ink tank is inserted and an outlet valve unit accommodated in the tubular channel portion. The outlet valve unit is configured such that, (i) in a non-supplying state, the ink outlet is sealed, and (ii) in a supplying state, the supplying channel of an annular channel portion is in communication with an ink inlet channel of the ink inlet channel member, in the tubular channel portion.

Abstract: A liquid supplying device includes a tank; and a cartridge configured to be attached to the tank and having a first storage chamber configured to store liquid. The cartridge is formed with a communicating opening in communication with the first storage chamber. The tank has a second storage chamber configured to store the liquid, a liquid passage, a gas passage, a joint, an outer wall, an inner wall, an air communication portion, and a narrow-width portion. The liquid passage is in communication with the second storage chamber and has a first vertical portion. The gas passage has a second vertical portion. The first vertical portion, the second vertical portion, and the air communication portion are arranged in this order in the first direction and a direction away from the fifth end portion.

Abstract: A fluid interconnect system including a mating component having an inlet port and a liquid outlet, the inlet port configured to support an interconnector and the liquid outlet configured to engage with a print cartridge so that liquid flows from a liquid source, through the interconnector and the inlet port, and out of the liquid outlet into the print cartridge.

Abstract: A printing-fluid containing device configured to be inserted into a cartridge attachment section in an insertion direction includes: a printing-fluid cartridge and an adaptor to which the cartridge is detachably assembled. The cartridge includes: a casing; a supply portion; a detection portion; and an engagement portion. The adaptor includes: an adaptor body; and an electrical interface. The detection portion includes a light accessible portion accessed by light from an outside of the cartridge. The engagement portion is engageable with the cartridge attachment section. The adaptor body has a front wall at its leading end in the insertion direction. The front wall has an opening through which the supply portion extends. The electrical interface is disposed on an outer surface of the adaptor body and electrically connectable to an electric contact of the cartridge attachment section.

Abstract: A method for responding to read/write consumable volume information in an imaging device.

Abstract: An ink bottle comprises a container main body configured to contain ink that is to be supplied to an ink tank, an ink outlet forming portion provided on an end of the container main body and configured to include an ink outlet that causes the ink to be flowed out from the container main body, and a valve provided in the ink outlet forming portion and configured to seal the ink outlet in an openable and closable manner. The ink outlet is formed in an end face of the ink outlet forming portion. The end face is arranged to face an opposite side of the ink outlet forming portion that is opposite to a container main body side thereof. A first recess is formed in an outer side portion of the ink outlet on the end face to be recessed toward the container main body side.

Abstract: A collection unit configured to collect ink mist generated due to a discharge of ink from a head configured to discharge the ink includes a filter for capturing the ink mist and a liquid supply portion configured to supply a liquid to the filter.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes: an elongate fluid manifold having a base which includes a truss structure, the truss structure having webs extending between opposite chords, wherein a plurality of openings between the webs and the chords define fluid outlets; a plurality of bracing ribs extending across an upper surface of the truss structure, each bracing rib being aligned with one of the webs; and printhead chips attached to a lower surface of the truss structure, each printhead chip receiving printing fluid from a plurality of the fluid outlets.

Abstract: A printer includes a first ink head that ejects a first ink, a second ink head that ejects a second ink, a first dot controller that controls a dot size after curing of the ejected first ink, and a second dot controller that controls a dot size after curing of the ejected second ink. The second ink is ejected over the first ink on a recording medium, and the second ink is caused to have a dot size that is larger than a dot size of the first ink.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods providing a ribbon sensor configured and positioned to ascertain an orientation of a printing ribbon, including devices, systems, and methods configured for detecting an improperly oriented printing ribbon, and for triggering a response in the event of an improperly installed, and/or for confirming proper installation of a printing ribbon.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a thermal head and a processor. The thermal head has heat-generating elements and prints on a plurality of lines in a medium in setting periods. The processor sets a second period within each setting period. The second period is a time period for adjusting a temperature change of the heat-generating elements without printing, after a first period for printing. The processor determines a nth line (n: an integer of 1 or greater) among the lines based on printing data for printing the image. The nth line is a line estimated to have a possibility of sticking on the medium by the thermal head. The processor adjusts a temperature change of at least a part of the heat-generating elements in the second periods corresponding to at least the nth line and a (n+1)th line, to suppress the sticking.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a thermal head and a processor. The thermal head includes heat-generating elements and prints on a plurality of lines in a medium. The processor sets a second period within one of the setting periods. The second period is a time period for adjusting a temperature change of the heat-generating elements without printing on the medium, after a first period for printing. The processor determines a nth line (n: an integer of 2 or greater) among the lines based on printing data. The nth line is estimated to have a possibility of sticking in printing. The processor adjusts a temperature change of at least a part of the heat-generating elements in the second periods corresponding to at least the nth line and a (n?1)th line. The (n?1)th line is printed immediately before the nth line based on the printing data, to suppress the sticking.

Abstract: An object printing system facilitates the printing of articles of manufacture. The system includes at least one printhead, a transfer device, an ultraviolet (UV) radiator, a pressurized gas source operatively connected to the transfer device, a plurality of actuators, and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the at least one printhead to form an image on a substrate, move the substrate bearing the image past the UV radiator as the controller operates the UV radiator to cure the ejected marking material partially to prevent ink movement, and operates the pressurized gas source to conform the substrate and partially cured ejected material to a shape corresponding to a surface of an object placed on the substrate to transfer the partially cured marking material onto the surface of the object. The transfer device can be an inflatable bladder or a molded vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A decurling device includes a first conveyance path, a second conveyance path, a first switch, a decurler, and a controller. A sheet is conveyed along the first conveyance path or the second conveyance path. The first switch switches a route of conveyance of the sheet to the first conveyance path or the second conveyance path. The sheet has a first main surface and a second main surface. The decurler is located in the second conveyance path. The decurler corrects curl of the sheet. In a situation in which a weight per unit area of the sheet is smaller than a first threshold value, the controller controls the first switch such that the sheet is conveyed along the second conveyance path.

Abstract: The present invention addresses at least the problem of providing a method for forming a high-resolution foil image regardless of the hydrophilicity of a recording medium. In order to solve said problem, the present invention provides a method wherein an adhesive ink that is formed by dispersing or dissolving a polymer resin in water and in a water-soluble organic solvent is used as an adhesive for a foil, the adhesive is applied by means of inkjet printing, and a foil image is formed. The polymer resin of the adhesive ink is a polymer of a monomer that includes (meth)acrylic acid and a (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester having a C2-12 alkyl group, the acid value of the polymer resin being 50-120 mg KOH/g, and the glass transition temperature of the polymer resin being 30-110° C.

Abstract: Individually controllable ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are used to cure ink and generate different effects. The UV LEDs only expose specified areas to generate the different effect and can create multiple effects on the same substrate by exposing different areas to varying amounts of time or by performing a curing stage and post-dosage curing stages. The different effects include generating a glossy surface, a matte surface, and sharper images.

Abstract: An aqueous ink printer includes a dryer that enables coated substrates printed with aqueous ink images to be adequately dried before discharge of the substrates. The dryer is configured to hang the substrates vertically without the substrates touching one another as heat is applied to the substrates within the dryer to reduce the footprint of the dryer and increase the exposure time of the substrates to heat produced by the dryer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. Upon receiving a borderless printing instruction, the image forming apparatus performs cleaning processing according to a sheet size. The cleaning processing is different from cleaning processing to be performed when a border printing instruction is received.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus includes: an image recorder; a first supporter including support ribs extending to positions under the image recorder; an ink receiver disposed downstream of the support ribs; first and second roller pairs disposed downstream of the first supporter; a guide; and a protrusion disposed between the ink receiver and the first roller pair and having an upper end located below upper ends of the support ribs and above a first imaginary line connecting between a nip position of the first roller pair and a downstream end of the ink receiver. A distance between an upstream end of the ink receiver and a nip position of the second roller pair is less than a length of a first-size sheet and greater than a length of a second-size sheet. The protrusion is disposed, in a widthwise direction, in a region through which the second-size sheet is conveyed.

Abstract: Convex portions formed on a sheet of paper by a forming section are maintained in a favorable condition and good recording quality is obtained.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a print section, a supply path, a correction roller pair, an adjusting mechanism and a controller. The print section is configured to perform printing on a medium. The supply path is configured to supply the medium to the print section. The correction roller pair is configured to enable the medium transported on the supply path to strike the correction roller pair to correct skewing of the medium. The adjusting mechanism adjusts a nip load applied to the correction roller pair. The controller is configured to control the adjusting mechanism based on print job information. The correction roller pair includes a driving roller that has a plurality of convex portions disposed on a peripheral surface along a circumferential direction of the driving roller and a driven roller that is disposed to face the driving roller to be driven by the driving roller.

Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a casing and a tape roll which is a winding of a tape and is accommodated in the casing. The tape includes a first sheet and a second sheet. The first sheet is in a form of an elongated sheet-like shape having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first sheet has translucency. The second sheet is in a form of an elongated sheet-like shape and affixed to the first surface of the first sheet. The second sheet includes a label portion and a non-label portion segmented from each other by a cut line. The second sheet has translucency. The second surface of the first sheet is provided with a mark at a position adjacent to the cut line.

Abstract: A transport device provided in a printing apparatus includes a transport mechanism as an example of a first transport unit and a winding unit that is disposed on a downstream side of the transport mechanism in a transport direction. The transport device includes a tensile force applying unit that has a tension bar as an example of a tensile force applying member that is biased toward a medium between the transport mechanism and the winding unit and applies tensile force to the medium. Furthermore, the transport device includes a control unit that independently and intermittently drives the transport mechanism and the winding unit. The control unit controls transport start timing of the winding unit to take place later than transport start timing of the transport mechanism and causes the transport mechanism and the winding unit to transport the medium in parallel.

Abstract: A large format printer performs serial printing on a medium which is greater than or equal to A3 short side width. The large format printer includes a print head which performs printing in accordance with variations in a drive voltage signal which is applied to a drive element, a control circuit which generates a drive signal (an example of the drive voltage signal), and a cable which is greater than or equal to 1 m and transmits a power voltage signal (an example of a constant voltage signal) and the drive voltage for driving the print head from the control circuit to the print head. An overshooting prevention circuit which renders a voltage (a drive voltage) of the drive signal which is applied to the drive element less than or equal to a voltage (a power voltage) of the power voltage signal is disposed in the print head.

Abstract: A printing apparatus that has a plurality of functions including a printing function and is capable of executing printing with resolution of 300 dpi or more includes a plurality of operating units including a printing unit and a power supply unit. The power supply unit includes a substrate, an input terminal that receives an alternating voltage, a smoothing capacitor that smooths the alternating voltage, a thermistor that detects a temperature, and a comparator that compares a signal output from the thermistor with a standard signal and outputs a notification signal. The input terminal, the smoothing capacitor, the thermistor, and the comparator are mounted on the substrate. The supply of power from the power supply unit is stopped based on the state of the notification signal. A gap between the input terminal and the thermistor is longer than a gap between the input terminal and the smoothing capacitor.

Abstract: A carriage assembly for a printer that reciprocates along scan directions. The carriage assembly includes at least one printhead having a row of jetting channels for ejecting a print fluid, and reservoirs mounted on the carriage assembly that each supply the print fluid to the printhead. At least one of reservoirs is mounted on the carriage assembly to be offset from the row of jetting channels.

Abstract: A print bar assembly includes: a mounting frame having a pair of opposite first and second sidewalls extending parallel to a media feed direction, the first sidewall having an upwardly extending first guide slot defined between opposite first bearing surfaces; a print bar carriage slidably received within the mounting frame and an actuation mechanism operatively connected to the print bar carriage for lifting and lowering the print bar carriage relative to the mounting frame. The print bar carriage includes a chassis, a printhead and a pair of first bearings rotatably received in the first guide slot. During sliding movement of the print bar carriage, the pair of first bearings travel within the first guide slot and bear against the first bearing surfaces to constrain rotational movement of the print bar carriage.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a frame having a first side plate portion and a second side plate portion, and a base portion which crosses over between the first side plate portion and the second side plate portion, a thermal head supported on the frame, a platen roller supported on respective shaft support portions of the first side plate portion and the second side plate portion, a drive source supported in a cantilevered state on a drive support portion of the first side plate portion, and is connected to the platen roller, an engaged portion arranged in the base portion, and an engagement portion which is connected to the drive source and is engageable with the engaged portion, and is configured to regulate displacement of the drive source with respect to the base portion.

Abstract: In one example, an apparatus includes a sensor including an emitter and a detector that define a line of sight therebetween. A mechanical arm has a fixed end and a free end. An axis of rotation passing through the fixed end of the mechanical arm is parallel to the line of sight. A mechanical flag mounted to the fixed end of the mechanical arm includes at least a first protrusion that defines at least three positions of the mechanical arm relative to the line of sight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a pattern that can form a precise pattern on a variety of media by using powders and provides a pattern-producing apparatus. The method of forming a pattern includes providing a liquid pattern on a surface of a medium, applying a powder to the liquid pattern so as to adhere to the liquid pattern, removing the powdery particles of the powder not adhered to the liquid pattern to give a pattern of the powder, and further applying another powder to the pattern of the powder.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to counterfeit detection and deterrence using advanced signal processing technology including steganographic embedding and digital watermarking. Digital watermark can be used on consumer products, labels, logos, hang tags, stickers and other objects to provide counterfeit detection mechanisms.

Abstract: Provided is a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet capable of suppressing the occurrence, inside a printer, of problems such as paper jam, printing failure, and abnormal sound. In a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet including a receiving layer on a substrate, the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet is provided with a perforation capable of being folded and torn off therealong; and the maximum resistance value is 0.5 N/cm or more and 1.0 N/cm or less as measured when the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet is folded along the perforation while one end side of the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet is being secured, and a predetermined force is being continuously applied to the other end side of the thermal transfer image-receiving sheet, the one end side and the other end side being situated across the perforation.

Abstract: Printing layers and films for printing are disclosed. Methods for preparing such films also are disclosed.

Abstract: In one example, a process to solidify a water-based printing fluid printed on a substrate includes flushing nonvolatile solvent in the printing fluid into the substrate with the water in the printing fluid.

Abstract: A printing screen for printing deposits of a print medium onto workpieces, the printing screen comprising a sheet in which a pattern of printing apertures are formed to allow for printing of a pattern of deposits onto a workpiece, and a waveguide which can be driven to induce an ultrasonic vibration in the sheet, wherein the waveguide comprises an elongate body at a surface of the sheet which at least partially surrounds the pattern of printing apertures.

Abstract: An image processing device includes: a fold unit that folds an adjustment sheet, in which an adjustment pattern including at least one line segment is formed, over the at least one line segment based on a predetermined reference fold position; an image reader that reads an image of the adjustment pattern of the adjustment sheet with the adjustment sheet folded by the fold unit unfolded; a position identifying unit that identifies, as a position of a fold line, a position of distortion of the at least one line segment or a predetermined position of an area which appears in the image of the adjustment pattern read by the image reader; and a fold position adjusting unit that adjusts a fold position of the fold unit based on a difference between the position of the fold line identified by the position identifying unit and the reference fold position.

Abstract: A display body includes a first surface, a second surface, a first optical component, and a second optical component. The first surface includes a first optical surface and a second optical surface. First light is incident on the first surface from an observation side. The second surface is located opposite to the observation side with respect to the first surface. Second light is incident on the second surface from a side opposite to the observation side with respect to the second surface. The first optical component forms first information, which is displayed on the observation side, from the first light received on the first optical surface. The second optical component receives the second light transmitted through the second surface, forms second information, which is displayed on the observation side, from the second light, and emits the second information from the second optical surface.

Abstract: Magnetic ink and toner compositions traditionally comprise magnetic materials in fine particulate form, either as a dry composition or a liquid suspension. Often such materials are black or dark in color. Disclosed herein are particles compositions suitable for use as inks or toners, that exhibit desirable magnetic properties, and furthermore which include particles coated so they appear white substantially white, or colored. Such compositions present new opportunities for the production of corresponding magnetic layers, when the compositions are deposited in an appropriate manner to a substrate.

Abstract: A method is provided for printing to a target. The method includes printing a first image to the target. The first image is printed with a metallic material. The method also includes printing a second image to the target over the first image. The second image is printed with a colored semi-transparent material.

Abstract: A security feature, a document including a security feature, and a method of producing a document are provided. In one example a security document is disclosed to include a substrate having an embossed lacquer applied to a first side of the substrate and a metal complex ink applied to the first side of the substrate thereby covering the embossed lacquer applied to the first side of the substrate. The security document further includes a laser feature created in the metal complex ink.

Abstract: A document storage system for removably storing individual documents. A shelved cabinet has a track receptacle mounted to the lower shelf surface adjacent the cabinet front. The track receptacle has a plurality of tracks extending from the cabinet front to the cabinet rear. Each track has an open slot extending from the front to the rear of the cabinet. The track also has a rearwardly extending lip providing a rearwardly directed open notch. The cabinet further includes a back with an inner surface and a pair of ohmic conductors mounted on the inner surface and extending laterally thereof. An electronically searchable flexible file folder has a thin main body portion and a header secured to the top of the main body portion. The header is dimensioned to be removably received in any track of the track receptacle with the main body portion slidably received in the slot.