Abstract: A single- or multilayer film is disclosed, the film made on the basis of a blend of (co)polyamide and polyvinyl alcohol, soluble in at least one solvent A, comprising more than 50% water, at that said film comprising polyvinyl alcohol—PVAs, soluble in the same solvent A, and bonded polyvinyl alcohol—PVAB, which (i) is virtually insoluble in the same solvent A at temperatures from 18° C. to the initial boiling point at normal pressure, (ii) is soluble in at least one of the solvents, capable of dissolving (co)polyamide, (iii) gives the typical for PVA color reaction with iodine, and (iv) reacts with at least one primary amine, with formation of water-soluble PVA, wherein the CB/CS ratio, where CB is the film content for PVAB, that becomes water-soluble after its treatment with said primary amine, and Cs is the content of PVAs in the film, is not less than 0.05.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biaxially stretched article obtained by stretching a thermoplastic composition in a machine direction and a transverse direction at elevated temperature, said thermoplastic composition comprising: —a polyolefin phase containing at least one polyolefin, —a starch phase containing thermoplastic starch, —at least one compatibilizer selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers, block saponified polyvinyl acetate and random terpolymers of ethylene, butylacrylate and maleic anhydride, wherein the total of the at least one polyolefin, the thermoplastic starch and the at least one compatibilizer is more than 80 wt % of the weight of the thermoplastic composition and wherein the article has a layered morphology with alternating layers of starch phase and polyolefin phase, said layers of starch phase and polyolefin phase extending in machine direction and transverse direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite material composed at least of one carrier material, wherein the carrier material is coated on a first surface with a first coating material and on a second surface with a second coating material, wherein the composite material has links of coating material which run from the first surface of the carrier material to the second surface of the carrier material, wherein links of coating material start from 1% to 90% of at least one of the surfaces of the carrier material. The invention further relates to a method for producing a composite material of this type.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet, wherein the sheet has an excellent low-gloss feeling; even when oblique light is incident on a surface of the sheet, diffuse reflection of the light is suppressed, the surface is less likely to look white when viewed obliquely, and a design represented on the sheet can be visually recognized; and the sheet has excellent designability. In the sheet, a surface of the sheet has an arithmetic average roughness Ra (JIS B0633: 2001) of 0.7 ?m or less, and the reflectance at a detection angle equal to a regular reflection angle ±5°, measured by a variable angle photometer when the surface is irradiated with incident light at an incident angle of 75°, is 50% or less of the reflectance at the regular reflection angle.

Abstract: A device for producing a strip-shaped composite sheet may comprise at least two outer metal cover sheets and at least one plastic layer disposed between the two outer metal cover sheets. The device may further comprise at least one first laminating device for laminating the metal cover sheets with the at least one plastic layer arranged between the metal cover sheets, with the first laminating device comprising at least two laminating rolls forming a laminating gap. One object of the present disclosure is to provide methods and devices for producing composite sheets, with which the economy, in particular the production speed, of the production method can be significantly increased and at the same time the risk of delamination of the composite sheets during the further processing can be reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed are building board manufacturing techniques that minimize the build-up of slurry on associated forming equipment and also produce panels with enhanced physical properties. The methods involve applying a dissolvable film laminate to one or more fiber mats at the outset of the forming process. In the undissolved state, the film acts as a containment envelope for the gypsum slurry and any free floating glass fibers. During subsequent curing, the film is dissolved by vaporized water. In its dissolved state, the film is liquefied and coats the fibers of the underlying mat. This results in a building board with improved physical properties.

Abstract: A laminating apparatus for laminating an adhesive film on a bent or curved cover window includes a rotation shaft extending in a first direction, a first frame configured to support the cover window, and including a first plate and a second plate facing each other to define an angle therebetween, and a curved connection portion between the first plate and the second plate, and a roller portion above the first frame, extending in the first direction, and configured to move in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the first frame is configured to rotate with respect to the rotation shaft according to movement of the roller portion to bond the adhesive film to the cover window.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing a display apparatus are provided. The apparatus for manufacturing a display apparatus includes a support; a first stage arranged on the support, the first stage being configured to move linearly and to receive a film member thereon, a second stage spaced apart from the first stage, and arranged on the support, the second stage being configured to move linearly and to receive a display panel thereon. an adhesive belt spaced from the support, the adhesive belt being configured to selectively adhere to the film member, a tension maintenance portion arranged on the support, the tension maintenance portion being configured to ascend and descend and to maintain a tension of the adhesive belt, and a pressing portion under the tension maintenance portion, the pressing portion being configured to move linearly and to press the adhesive belt toward one of the first stage and the second stage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a bamboo framework body to solve the technical problem of low production efficiency of the existing bamboo framework body. The present invention has the first technical solution of bending a bamboo board into a U-shaped board, cutting the U-shaped board into several U-shaped units, and finally arranging a connecting rod at or close to an opening of the U-shaped unit to make into a bamboo framework body. The present invention has the second technical solution of gluing and stacking plural single bamboo boards and laminating them into a U-shaped board directly; cutting the U-shaped board into several U-shaped units; and finally arranging a connecting rod at or close to an opening of the U-shaped unit to make into a bamboo framework body.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the art of floor coverings, and, more particularly to an apparatus for use in securing floor covering units to an underlay and a method of manufacturing said floor covering units and said underlay. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus, method, and method of manufacturing magnetized floor covering units and magnetized underlays for securing magnetized floor covering units.

Abstract: Methods for separating a plurality of diamagnetic directed self-assembled diamagnetic components are provided. One method includes, for instance: contacting a release substrate to the plurality of diamagnetic components, the plurality of diamagnetic components including a non-diamagnetic component affixed to a diamagnetic portion by a first adhesive, and removing the release substrate, the non-diamagnetic component being affixed to a final substrate by a second adhesive and the release substrate being affixed to the diamagnetic portion by a third adhesive, and wherein the removing removes the diamagnetic portion and at least a portion of the first adhesive from the non-diamagnetic component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for additively manufacturing composite parts are disclosed. Systems comprise at least a feedstock source and a feed mechanism. The feedstock source comprises a plurality of pre-consolidated tows, with each pre-consolidated tow comprising a fiber tow within a non-liquid binding matrix. In some systems, a tow combiner receives at least a subset of the plurality of pre-consolidated tows from the feedstock source and combines the subset of the plurality of pre-consolidated tows to define a macro tow. The feed mechanism moves the subset of the plurality of pre-consolidated tows from the feedstock source and into the tow combiner and moves the macro tow from the tow combiner. Methods according to the present disclosure comprise combining a plurality of pre-consolidated tows to define a macro tow, and dispensing the macro tow in three dimensions to define a composite part.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer has a controller that operates pluralities of ejectors ejecting drops of different materials having different colors, at least one color of which is white, to produce objects with different levels of color saturation. The controller operates the pluralities of ejectors with reference to a function of a sum of an average number of drops per voxel in each layer, a target value of an average number of drops per voxel of colorants other than white in each layer, and a distance from a closest surface of the object for each material ejected by the ejectors. At a predetermined distance from a closest surface and greater, the controller operates the pluralities of ejectors to form voxels in layers of the object with only clear and white drops. At distances less than the predetermined distance, the number of clear drops increases and the number of white drops decreases.

Abstract: Described is a nozzle assembly that includes a body component defining a center axis. The nozzle assembly also includes an energy beam channel and substantially collinear with the center axis. The energy beam channel has an inlet portion and an outlet portion oriented to pass an energy beam therethrough. At least one side-feeding powder tube extends through the body component at an angle with respect to the center axis. The side-feeding powder tube discharges a powdered material into a focus point of the energy beam. The angle is selected to generate a powder concentration spot diameter that is about twice a beam focus point diameter of the energy beam focus point.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are drawn to additive manufacturing apparatus and methods. An exemplary additive manufacturing method may include forming a part using additive manufacturing. The method may also include bringing the part to a first temperature, measuring the part along at least three axes at the first temperature, bringing the part to a second temperature, different than the first temperature, and measuring the part along the at least three axes at the second temperature. The method may further include comparing the size of the part at the first and second temperatures to calculate a coefficient of thermal expansion, generating a tool path that compensates for the coefficient of thermal expansion, bringing the part to the first temperature, and trimming the part while the part is at the first temperature using the tool path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a 3-D printing apparatus including a tank, a platform, a fixture, a solidifying module and a control module. The tank is flexible and filled with a liquid-state forming material. The platform is disposed in the tank. The control module drives the fixture to deform the tank, so as to form a first gap between the platform and a bottom of the tank for the liquid-state forming material to flow in. The solidifying module in controlled by the control module to solidify the liquid-state forming material between the platform and the bottom of the tank, so as to form a solidified layer. The invention can effectively reduce a processing time for manufacturing each solidified layer, such that an overall processing time can be reduced to achieve preferable molding efficiency.

Abstract: A controller forms an image on a print medium by alternately repeating: a first operation of driving an inkjet head to eject ink from the inkjet head to the print medium while driving a main scanning driver to move the inkjet head in a main scanning direction; and a second operation of driving a sub-scanning driver to move a shuttle in the sub-scanning direction. The controller performs a multi-stage brake control to stop the shuttle in the second operation, and in a second stage and a stage after the second stage of the multi-stage brake control, apply brake to the shuttle at such a timing that a direction of vibration of the shuttle and a direction of force of inertia of the shuttle in braking of the shuttle are opposite to each other.

Abstract: In order to solve a problem that the skew width of a clock when data is transmitted to printheads changes depending on the characteristics of and variations in the respective printheads integrated in a printing apparatus or the operation mode of the printing apparatus, clock skew is adjusted based on a detection result by an error detection circuit integrated in each printhead when the data is transmitted to the printhead. This makes it possible to adjust skew in accordance with the characteristics of the respective printheads or a status change at the time of a printing operation.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for driving an inkjet print element in an array of print elements with an electric waveform is provided. The print element includes a piezo transducer for converting the electric waveform in a mechanical displacement. The electric waveform is tunable for an individual print element. The circuit includes a common waveform generator that is connected to the piezo transducer through a first print data dependent switch for providing an electric waveform independent of the print element. The circuit further includes a waveform tuning part, dependent on the print element and the print data, for controlling a second switch that adds electric energy from a voltage source to the electric waveform. The switches are operable in either a saturation state or a blocking state to limit an amount of dissipation in the switches.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: a discharge unit which discharges a liquid by a piezoelectric element; and a driving circuit which drives the piezoelectric element, in which the driving circuit includes a first transistor pair which is driven by a first power source voltage and a second power source voltage, a second transistor pair which is driven by the second power source voltage and a third power source voltage, and a first control circuit which controls on a first input signal, and in which, the shortest distance between the first power source voltage and the first input terminal is shorter than the shortest distance between the second power source voltage and the first input terminal, and the shortest distance between the second power source terminal and the first input terminal is shorter than the shortest distance between the third power source voltage and the first input terminal.

Abstract: An object of the disclosure is to provide an inkjet head that makes it possible to realize alleviation of ink-discharge malfunction due to fluid crosstalk possibly caused among multiple discharge components, and that also simultaneously makes it possible to maintain a desirable volume of discharged liquid droplets. Furthermore, another object of the disclosure is to provide an inkjet device including the inkjet head.

Abstract: A piezoelectric print head includes a piezoelectric element; a nozzle that ejects liquid when the piezoelectric element is driven; a transmission gate that switches between supply and non-supply of a driving signal for driving the piezoelectric element to the piezoelectric element; a history-information memory that holds history information indicating history of ON or OFF of the transmission gate; and a switch-operation stop controller that stops a switch operation that causes the transmission gate to be turned OFF from ON or to be turned ON from OFF, in accordance with the history information.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a plurality of recording element substrates each having an energy generating element configured to generate energy for discharging liquid from a discharge port, and a sealing member with which a surround of each of the plurality of recording element substrates is filled. Each of the plurality of recording element substrates includes a recessed portion formed on an end surface facing a neighboring recording element substrate, and in the recessed portion, a gap between neighboring recording element substrates is wider than a gap between element surfaces on which the energy generating element is provided.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus, including: first piezoelectric elements arranged on an element-disposed surface in a first direction; a protective cover covering the first piezoelectric elements and including a top wall portion and two side wall portions connected thereto; first wires drawn respectively from the first piezoelectric elements to an outside of the protective cover in a second direction parallel to the element-disposed surface and orthogonal to the first direction and extending on an outer surface of the top wall portion via an outer surface of a corresponding side wall portion; first terminals disposed on the outer surface of the top wall portion and connected respectively to the first wires; and a driver electrically connected to the first terminals, wherein a distance in the first direction between any adjacent two of the first wires on an outer surface of the protective cover is larger than that on the element-disposed surface.

Abstract: There is provided a nozzle substrate including a nozzle hole penetrating in a thickness direction. The nozzle substrate includes a main substrate including a first surface and a second surface, an adhesion layer formed on the second surface of the main substrate, and a water repellent film formed on a surface at an opposite side to the main substrate side of the adhesion layer. The nozzle hole includes a recessed part formed on the first surface of the main substrate, and an ink ejecting path formed on a bottom surface of the recessed part and penetrating a bottom wall of the recessed part. The ink ejecting path includes a first ink ejecting path, a second ink ejecting path, and a third ink ejecting path. An inner circumference surface of the third ink ejecting path is approximately perpendicular to the second surface of the main substrate.

Abstract: A mounting assembly (1) for mounting a plurality of inkjet print modules in an adjoining relationship along a longitudinal direction of the mounting assembly (1) comprises a linear guide (13, 14) extending in the longitudinal direction for supporting the plurality of modules such that the modules are movable along the linear guide (13, 14). It further comprises for each of the plurality of modules a carrier (100.1 . . . 4) for mounting an inkjet print head including an array of nozzles formed on a nozzle face, wherein the carriers (100.1 . . . 4) are supported on the linear guide (13, 14) such that they are movable along the linear guide (13, 14), wherein in a mounted configuration of the inkjet print heads their nozzle face is arranged on a first side of the linear guide (13, 14). Each carrier (100.1 . . . 4) comprises a first adjustment mechanism for adjusting a distance of the carriers 100.1 . . .

Abstract: Printheads and methods for forming printheads are described herein. In one example, a printhead includes a single resistor window in a conducting layer within the printhead. The printhead also includes a number of resistors formed in a resistor film deposited over the single resistor window. The resistors have two different widths, and each of the two different widths ejects a different droplet size when energized.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a liquid ejection head includes selectively exposing a first photosensitive resin layer to light, thereby curing the portion of the first photosensitive resin layer defining a flow channel member; forming a second photosensitive resin layer on the first photosensitive resin layer; selectively exposing the second photosensitive resin layer to light, thereby curing the portion of the second photosensitive resin layer defining an ejection opening member; and removing the unexposed portions of the first and the second photosensitive resin layer at one time with a developer. Before removal with the developer, the water absorption W of the intermediate layer, the water absorption W1 of the exposed portion of the first photosensitive resin layer, and the water absorption W2 of the exposed portion of the second photosensitive resin layer satisfy the relationship W?W1>W2.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head having a plurality of nozzles through which an ink composition containing an inorganic pigment is ejected, a nozzle surface having nozzle orifices, and a liquid-repellent film disposed on the nozzle surface; an absorbing member that absorbs the ink composition containing the inorganic pigment from the nozzle orifices and the nozzle surface; and an actuating mechanism including a pressing member that presses the absorbing member, which contains an impregnation liquid, and the nozzle surface relative to each other. The actuating mechanism moves at least one of the absorbing member and the recording head relative to the other to perform a cleaning operation in which the ink composition is removed from the nozzle surface with the absorbing member.

Abstract: In an inkjet printing apparatus, a controller causes a scanner to read an image formed on an original in response to reception of a copy instruction and generates image data representing the read image. The controller determines a standby period in response to reception of the copy instruction. In response to elapse of the standby period since the reception of the copy instruction, the controller separates a cap and an inkjet head. After the cap and the inkjet head separated each other and completion of reading at least part of the image on the original, the controller causes the recording head to eject ink droplets based on the image data.

Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus includes a plurality of head arrays each including a plurality of liquid discharge heads to discharge a liquid from nozzles onto a medium, a drum to rotate and convey the medium to a position facing the plurality of head arrays, and a wiper to wipe the plurality of liquid discharge heads. The plurality of head arrays is inclined at different angles, and the wiper includes a plurality of wiping surfaces to wipe nozzle surfaces of the plurality of liquid discharge heads of the plurality of head arrays, respectively, the nozzles are formed on the nozzle surfaces, and the plurality of wiping surfaces is inclined at the different angles in accordance with the plurality of head arrays, respectively.

Abstract: A printer includes a first ink head including first nozzles arranged in a sub-scanning direction and a first nozzle surface on which the first nozzles are disposed, a second ink head disposed at a side of the first ink head in a main scanning direction and including second nozzles arranged in the sub-scanning direction and disposed partially at a position identical to a position of a portion of the first nozzles in the sub-scanning direction and a second nozzle surface on which the second nozzles are disposed, a first wiper that wipes the first nozzle surface at a first wiping position, and a second wiper that wipes the second nozzle surface at a second wiping position.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a printing processing program for executing steps. In a line specification step, it is determined whether or not an on-dot ratio or the number of on-dots is equal to or greater than a threshold value and at least one print lines equal to or greater than a threshold value is specified. In a labeling step, a plurality of dot groups is identified such that on-dots adjacent to each other form one dot group. In a dot group specification step, at least one first dot groups including the at least one print lines is specified. In a density reduction process step, a density at the time of print formation of the on-dots included in the first dot groups is made lower than a density at the time of print formation of the on-dots included in at least one second dot groups.

Abstract: One example provides a replaceable cartridge for user-installation in a printer system. The replaceable cartridge includes a cartridge body, a cartridge lid and a lid manifold. The cartridge lid covers the cartridge body and includes a lid aperture to supply printing fluid into the cartridge body. The lid manifold is mounted to the cartridge lid and includes a lid manifold input port to be fluidly connected to and disconnected from a carriage manifold of the printer system. The state of the fluid connection depends on a pivot position of the carriage manifold, if the replaceable cartridge is installed in the printer system.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a mounting portion on which a liquid container capable of accommodating liquid is mounted in a detachable manner, and a liquid ejecting head configured to eject the liquid which is supplied from the liquid container. The mounting portion has a locking portion capable of locking the liquid container, a movement path extending toward the locking portion, and a first pressing portion and a second pressing portion capable of pressing the liquid container in a direction in which the liquid container is away from the locking portion. The second pressing portion presses the liquid container on the movement path on which the liquid container is away from the locking portion, and the second pressing portion and the first pressing portion press the liquid container when the liquid container is locked by the locking portion.

Abstract: A method of preparing a printhead for dry shipment. The method includes the steps of: treating an ink pathway in the printhead with an aqueous treatment fluid containing at least one ink-soluble solvent having a boiling point of at least 150 degrees; and drying the printhead so as to leave a film of liquid solvent on a surface of the ink pathway. The film of liquid solvent solubilizes organic materials leached or outgassed from the printhead during dry storage or shipment.

Abstract: A valve for connecting a second-flow-channel, which supplies a liquid to a liquid-ejecting-head, with a first-flow-channel of the liquid-ejecting-head which ejects the liquid, includes a valve-casing, a first-connector that detachably connects the first-flow-channel, a second-connector that connects the second-flow-channel, a first-connection-port that communicates with the first-flow-channel which is connected with the first-connector, a second-connector that communicates with the second-flow-channel which is connected with the second-connector, and a valve-body in which a connecting-flow-channel is formed for connecting the first-connection-port and the second-connection-port, and that is moved inside the valve-casing to switch a connection state between the first-connection-port and the second-connection-port among a plurality of states.

Abstract: For various embodiments of a printhead assembly or ink stick assembly of the present teachings, each an ink stick assembly can be a self-contained assembly, of which a plurality of self-contained ink stick assemblies can be readily interchanged into a printing system during a printing process. Various embodiments of a self-contained ink stick assembly can have a fluidic system that can include a local ink reservoir, which can be in fluid communication with a bulk ink reservoir. Filling of a bulk ink reservoir can be done in a manual or automated mode. According to the present teachings, a bulk ink reservoir can have a volume sufficient to provide a continuous supply of ink to a local ink reservoir over the course of a printing process.

Abstract: A print bar comprises a mounting assembly and a plurality of drop-on-demand inkjet print modules mounted to the mounting assembly. The modules comprise conduits for continuously circulating ink. Each of the modules comprises a drop-on-demand inkjet print head and a local element for controlling the ink pressure, assigned to the print head. The print bar further comprises control circuitry assigned to the print heads of the modules for controlling the local elements for controlling the ink pressure and ink release by the print head. An optimum printing result at high frequency may be obtained from every print head as the ink delivered to the print head is locally brought to a desired pressure. A modular buildup is achieved, which means that new printers may be easily designed and built from a comparably small number of components to be held available. Maintenance is similarly facilitated. Scalability is excellent.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid inflow unit provided in the liquid supply path which supplies a liquid to a liquid ejecting unit and into which the liquid flows, a liquid accommodation unit having a diaphragm section, a communication path through which the liquid inflow part and the liquid accommodation part communicate, and a pressure-regulating mechanism having an on-off valve which opens and closes the communication path in response to displacement of the diaphragm portion, and a pressing mechanism which puts the on-off valve in an open state regardless of the pressure in the liquid inflow unit by pressing the diaphragm portion.

Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a recording element board including multiple discharge orifices configured to discharge liquid, multiple pressure chambers that communicate with the multiple discharge orifices via discharge channels, and have therein recording elements configured to generate energy used to discharge liquid, a liquid supply channel configured to supply liquid to the multiple pressure chambers, and a liquid recovery channel configured to recover liquid from, the multiple pressure chambers. The multiple pressure chambers communicate with the liquid supply channel and the liquid recovery channel so that liquid flows through the multiple pressure chambers. The direction of flow of liquid in the multiple pressure chambers is the same direction.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet head and the like that are small, are capable of achieving a higher resolution, increasing ejection stability, and lowering production costs, and include flow paths capable of circulating ink.

Abstract: In a state where a supply portion of a cartridge is connected to a connecting portion of a cartridge attachment section, a first base part and a first protruding part of the cartridge and a second base part and a second protruding part of the cartridge attachment section have the following positional relationship: as viewed in the horizontal direction, the first base part is overlapped with both of the second base part and second protruding part, the first protruding part is overlapped with the second base part, but is not overlapped with the second protruding part; and as viewed in the vertical direction, the first base part is not overlapped with the second base part, and is not overlapped with the second protruding part, and the first protruding part is overlapped with the second protruding part, but is not overlapped with the second base part.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid container that comprises an upper wall and a bottom wall; a liquid supply port provided in the bottom wall; a first chamber provided on a +Z direction side that is an upper wall side; a second chamber provided on a ?Z direction side that is a bottom wall side; a partition wall configured to part the first chamber from the second chamber; and a connecting hole configured to connect the first chamber with the second chamber. The second chamber is connected with the liquid supply port. The first chamber is connected with the liquid supply port via the connecting hole and the second chamber. The second chamber includes a return flow path that is turned back along an X direction. A liquid contained in the first chamber is flowed from the connecting hole through the return flow path to the liquid supply port.

Abstract: An example system includes a print engine to print a first image on a medium. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled with the print engine. The controller is to detect a failure in the print engine that results in a defect in the first image. The controller also is to perform an affine transformation on a second image to produce a transformed second image. The controller is to instruct the print engine to print the transformed second image.

Abstract: Each area in a test pattern for performing color shift correction is recorded by a discharge port at an edge portion in many times of scanning and by a discharge port other than the discharge port at the edge portion in fewer times of scanning.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, a controller sequentially selects a plurality color determination pixels within a determination area, determine whether the color determination pixel has a chromatic color, whether a first pixel adjacent to the color determination pixel is black, and determine whether a second pixel apart from the color determination pixel by one pixel. The controller determines that a first trapping process is to be executed when the color determination pixel has a chromatic color and the first pixel is black, and a second trapping process when the color determination pixel has a chromatic color, the second pixel is black, and the intermediate pixels located between the color determination pixel and the second pixel are black. Thereafter, the controller executes a first trapping process and a second trapping process, but restricts the second trapping process to the pixel on which the first trapping process is to be executed.

Abstract: A universal staging platen for many types of objects in Direct to Object printing has a datum surface which is configured to represent the plane of optimal print head distance. The universal staging platen has an array of small pins protruding from it that conform under spring load to an object placed on the datum surface. Once in a conformed state, an operator can lock the pin position so that the object is precisely positioned for acquisition by a gripper mechanism. An added benefit of locking the pin position is that subsequent copies of the object may be loaded without any additional alignment or setup. The distance the contour pins protrude through the datum surface may be adjusted so that the pin ends are sufficiently far away from the gripper mechanism being used.

Abstract: An object surface treatment system facilitates the treatment of articles of manufacture before they are printed. The system includes a chamber having walls and a lid configured to close the chamber, a flexible member mounted to the lid of the chamber, a vacuum source operatively connected to an interior volume of the chamber, and a plurality of actuators. A controller is configured to operate the actuators and vacuum source to move the applicator to apply a chemical to the flexible member, move the lid to close the chamber, produce a vacuum within the chamber and move a portion of the surface of the flexible member into engagement with a surface of an object within the chamber, cease operation of the vacuum source to enable the flexible member to return to a position adjacent the lid, and remove the lid from the chamber for removal of the object from the chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for printing on a multi-dimensional object includes at least one print head configured to eject marking material onto a surface of the multi-dimensional object, a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by the at least one print head, and an object holder. The object holder includes a moving frame configured to traverse the support member, at least one granule-filled collapsible membrane configured to be retained within the moving frame and at least partially collapsible around the multi-dimensional object when a volume of air is withdrawn therefrom, and at least one inflatable bladder associated with the moving frame and configured to be inflated to retain the at least one collapsible membrane within the moving frame when air is withdrawn from the at least one collapsible membrane.