Abstract: An encoder strip with dimensional stability and ink resistance properties. The encoder strip has a length, width, surface, thickness, and one or more markings per unit of length. A coating having a thickness between about 2 microns and about 4 microns and is distributed substantially uniformly over the surface of the element. The coating is configured on the element as substantially translucent to one or more light wavelengths and is adapted to: (1) form a membrane to substantially prevent ink absorption into the element or adsorption to the surface of the element; and (2) provide dimensional stability to the element resulting from interaction of temperature and humidity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lithographic apparatus for transferring a fine pattern having a line width less than 10 &mgr;m, a lithographic method, a structure for and a method of manufacturing an original master for transfer. The lithographic apparatus comprising an original master on which a pattern is formed within a two-dimensional plane, a slit for filling a medium in the pattern, a medium sump for feeding the medium, a pressure regulating mechanism for adjusting the pressure of the medium filled in the slit, and a lithographic substrate. With this apparatus, the pattern can be batch-transferred, thereby making it possible to easily manufacture electronic parts.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method for forming a mark having superior conspicuity, wherein plural plating layers each having a different hue are formed on a base, a portion of the upper plating layer is removed by laser marking so as to reveal the color of the lower plating layer, and thereby the color difference between a mark and the upper plating layer is made clear. Further, after the upper plating layer is removed by laser marking, another plating layer may be applied to a mark portion to make the mark conspicuous. Furthermore, a concave portion or concavo-convex portions may be provided on the surface of the plating layers, and the concave portion or concavo-convex portions may be colored with ink or paint. With these methods, it is possible to easily form a colored mark having superior conspicuity, corrosion resistance, adhesion, abrasion resistance and to produce a product bearing such a mark.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image forming method for mixing a plurality of recording liquids to produce a mixed liquid with a desired density and/or color and transporting the mixed liquid to an image receiving medium to form an image. The actual value of the mixture proportion of the mixed liquid is constantly monitored in the vicinity of the confluent point of the recording liquids (in the vicinity of the downstream side of the confluent point or on the upstream side), and is compared with the target value of the mixture proportion obtained based on the image signal. And the supply amount of each recording liquid is subjected to feedback control in such a manner that the detected actual value agrees with the target value. The mixture proportion is prevented from fluctuating by influences of a recording liquid temperature, an atmospheric pressure, and the like and an image quality is enhanced.

Abstract: An image input/output apparatus is capable of image printing and reading with simple controls, and a cartridge reads an original with a simple control. When a removable printhead or image reading head is attached to a common carriage to print an image on a print medium or read an original, a flip-flop in an image processing IC inputs a printing period signal, and generates a reading period signal to control a reading operation in synchronization with an internal clock of a scanner unit. A line sensor is controlled based on the generated reading period control signal.

Abstract: A microfluidic pumping apparatus and method using the apparatus. The apparatus may include a first pulse jet and working fluid in the pulse jet such that the first pulse jet, in response to activation by a set of electrical pulses, moves corresponding pulses of fluid from a first to an second side of the first pulse jet. A chamber with an opening is in pressure communication and with the first side of the first pulse jet such that activation of the first pulse jet causes a reduced pressure at the opening. The method comprising contacting the opening with a fluid and activating the first pulse jet so as to draw a sample fluid through the opening into the chamber. A second pulse jet, oppositely oriented from the first, may be provided to discharge loaded sample fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating a receiver from a micro-fluidic contact print head after ink image pixels have been printed by the print head on the receiver, including a print head having a plurality of ink channels for delivering ink to the receiver when the receiver is in ink transfer contact with the print head; including an air supply device and air plenum which are associated with each ink channel and defining an air channel for conducting air to the air plenum; and the apparatus is effective after the ink has been transferred from the plurality of ink channels to the receiver for causing air to be delivered from the air supply device to the air channel and into the air plenum to exert a pressure which causes the separation of the receiver from the print head.

Abstract: A resin composition comprising a fluorine-containing aliphatic epoxy resin having in one molecule at least one perfluoroalkyl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms and at lest two epoxy groups, a cationic polymerization catalyst, and optionally a compatibilizing agent having an epoxy group and a fluoromethyl group is applied to a discharge opening surface of an ink jet recording head, followed by irradiation with an activation energy ray in a given pattern to form a cured film in a desired pattern, so that the discharge opening surface is endowed with ink repellency.

Abstract: In a method for microfluidic printing of colored images on a receiver, including providing a first set of reservoirs containing colorant precursors for different colors; providing at least one reservoir containing a reactant; and reacting the colorant precursors and reactant(s) to provide colored pixels of the desired colors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating an array of biopolymers on a substrate using a biopolymer or biomonomer fluid, and using a dispensing head. The head has a reservoir chamber and at least one jet which can dispense droplets onto a substrate. The jet includes a capillary delivery chamber communicating with the reservoir chamber, which delivery chamber has an orifice. The jet further includes an ejector which, when activated, causes a droplet to be ejected from the orifice. The method includes loading the head by positioning the head with the orifice adjacent and facing a biomonomer or biopolymer fluid, and providing a load pressure to the reservoir chamber. The load pressure is sufficiently negative such that the fluid is drawn into the reservoir chamber through the orifice and delivery chamber, while simultaneously being insufficient to result in ambient atmosphere entering the delivery chamber through the orifice once the head has been loaded and no further fluid is facing and adjacent the orifice.

Abstract: A microfluidic pumping apparatus and method using the apparatus. The apparatus may include a first pulse jet and working fluid in the pulse jet such that the first pulse jet, in response to activation by a set of electrical pulses, moves corresponding pulses of fluid from a first to an second side of the first pulse jet. A chamber with an opening is in pressure communication and with the first side of the first pulse jet such that activation of the first pulse jet causes a reduced pressure at the opening. The method comprising contacting the opening with a fluid and activating the first pulse jet so as to draw a sample fluid through the opening into the chamber. A second pulse jet, oppositely oriented from the first, may be provided to discharge loaded sample fluid.

Abstract: A microfluidic printing apparatus includes at least one ink reservoir; a structure defining a plurality of chambers arranged so that the chambers form an array with each chamber being arranged to form an ink pixel; a plurality of microchannels connecting the reservoir to a chamber and a plurality of microfluidic pumps each being associated with a single microchannel for supplying ink from an ink reservoir through a microchannel for delivery to a particular chamber. The apparatus detects the ink fluid level in the chambers and for producing a signal, and controls the microfluidic pumps for delivering the correct amount of ink delivered into each chamber and responsive to the ink level signal for causing the pumps to terminate the delivery of ink.

Abstract: A ink transfer printer includes a thermal head having an array of heating elements, a film having through-holes facing the heating elements, an ink space formed between the thermal head and the film, and a mechanism which brings a recording medium in contact with the film. When the heating element generates heat, the ink is transmitted through the through-hole of the film and is transferred to the recording medium. An ink amount controller is provided in the ink space, which controls the amount of ink transmitted through the through-hole to the recording medium.

Abstract: A film is made of an elastic material. The film is stretched in at least one direction in parallel to a surface of the film. Then, through-holes are punched in the film be means of needles, in a state the film is stretched. After the punching is completed, the stretching is terminated, so that the film recovers its original shape.

Abstract: An ink transfer printer comprises a thermal head that has an ink reservoir provided on a top surface of a housing and a film provided on a bottom surface of the housing. A space is formed by the film and the bottom surface. An ink passage is formed in the housing to communicate the ink reservoir with the space. Porous glaze is provided on the bottom surface to face the ink passage. Heating elements are provided on the porous glaze. The ink kept in the ink reservoir is supplied to the space through the ink passage and the porous glaze. The film has perforated pores, which are substantially closed to block the ink when the heating elements are not heated. When the heating elements are heated, the film is deformed to eject the ink through the pores.

Abstract: A film is made of an elastic material. The film is stretched in at least one direction in parallel to a surface of the film. Then, through-holes are punched in the film be means of needles, in a state the film is stretched. After the punching is completed, the stretching is terminated, so that the film recovers its original shape.

Abstract: An ink transfer printer has an electrically-insulated base plate. An array of electric heater elements, aligned with each other, is provided on a surface of the base plate, the heater elements being selectively and electrically energized in accordance with a series of digital image-pixel signals. A frame member, having an opening, is securely provided on the base plate such that the array of elements is encompassed by the opening of the frame member. A sheet of film covers the frame member such that the opening of the frame member is defined as an ink space fillable with ink, and the film sheet has a plurality of fine pores arranged along the array, with at least one of the plurality of fine pores being allocated to each of the heater elements. A heat dissipating conductor is formed of a thermal conductive material, and is associated with the film sheet such that thermal energy, locally generated by an electrical energization of at least one of the electric heater elements, is promptly dissipated.

Abstract: A final print medium for receiving fluid to form an image has a plurality of target regions formed for receiving the fluid, wherein the target regions are separated by hydrophobic regions. The target regions and the hydrophobic regions are configured to receive the fluid from corresponding nozzles of a print array.

Abstract: An ink transfer printer comprises a film, a piezoelectric element and a support plate. A spacer is provided between the film and the support plate so that an ink space is defined by the film, the spacer and the support plate. An ink reservoir is provided for supplying ink to the ink space. A platen roller is disposed above the film, which has pores, to urge a recording sheet onto the film. The piezoelectric element vibrates relative to the film, so that the film is deformed to expand the pores. Thus, the ink passes through the pores and is transferred onto the recording sheet.

Abstract: An ink supply system of a printing device, particularly designed for printing wide-sized media or documents, includes a container, a delivery device and a closed-loop belt. The container has a longitudinal opening and is provided with ink chambers, and the belt is disposed onto the opening of the container. The delivery device includes an intermediate and tubes. The intermediate is connected to the belt and used to move the tubes along the opening. Each if the tubes has a sucking portion immersed in the corresponding ink and a discharge portion used to connect to the corresponding printhead. The belt is connected to and pulled by the delivery device, and the holes are used to position the sucking portions, respectively. When the delivery device is actuated, the tubes are synchronously moved with the delivery device and the belt. The tubes with capillary action can continuously absorb the inks stored in the container and output it through the printheads without pressure loss.