Abstract: An ink-jet printer is provided with a belt conveying mechanism which includes two rollers and a conveyor belt that is wrapped around the two rollers for carrying paper. The surface of the conveyor belt is formed with a recessed portion into which ink is ejected during flushing. The recessed portion has a non-water-repellent region upstream in a traveling direction of the conveyor belt. The non-repellent region functions as an ink retaining portion retaining. On a rear surface of the conveyor belt is disposed an ink absorber for absorbing ink retained in the non-water-repellent region from the rear surface.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording method of recording an image on a recording medium by jetting from a line head type ink-jet recording head ink droplets which are curable by being irradiated with active energy rays, comprises steps of conveying step of conveying the recording medium in a conveying direction; jetting ink droplets to form first ink dots on the recording medium; irradiating active energy rays onto the first ink dots formed on the recording medium; jetting ink droplets having the same color as that of the first ink dots at a downstream position of the first jetting step in terms of the conveying direction to form second ink dots so as to partially overlap on the first ink dots; and irradiating active energy rays onto the second ink dots formed on the recording medium.

Abstract: Provided is a double-sided printer having two print engines arranged on opposite sides of a print media path. Each print engine includes an image transfer roller configured to operatively transfer an image onto a sheet of paper fed through the media path. Also included is an ink cartridge having an integrated printhead for printing onto said image transfer roller, as well as a cleaning station configured to clean the image transfer roller after said image is transferred to the paper. Each print engine also includes a solenoid arrangement configured to park an elastomeric seal of the printhead against the transfer roller when the printer is not operational, and to move the printhead from the roller when the printer is operational.

Abstract: An ink jet recording method and an ink jet recording apparatus permitting image formation with a high degree of color reproducibility while alleviating the influences of the ink-absorbency of the recording medium and the base color is to be provided. A transfer drum is applied a reaction liquid, and inks of different colors are applied by recording heads to the area applied the reaction liquid to form a coagulated ink image on the transfer drum. Ahead of the step to transfer this coagulated ink image to the recording medium, white ink is applied to at least the area of the transfer drum to which ink dots are to be applied or at least the area to which ink dots are to be applied out of the area of the recording medium to which the coagulated ink image is to be transferred.

Abstract: An offset printing apparatus for transferring a phase change ink onto a print medium having a phase change ink component for applying a phase change ink in a phase change ink image; an imaging member for accepting the phase change ink image from the phase change ink component, and transferring the phase change ink image from the imaging member to the print medium, and a transfix pressure member positioned in association with the imaging member, wherein the print medium passes through a nip formed between the imaging member and the transfix pressure member, and wherein the imaging member exerts pressure on the transfix pressure member so as to transfer and fuse the phase change ink image from the imaging member to the print medium, and further wherein the transfix pressure member includes a substrate; and an outer layer having a modulus of from about 8 to about 300 MPa, a thickness of from about 0.3 to about 10 mm, and wherein the pressure exerted at the nip is from about 750 to about 4,000 psi.

Abstract: An offset printing apparatus having a coated imaging drum for use with phase-change inks, wherein the imaging drum including a metal substrate, a conformable intermediate layer, and outer coating having an alkyd thermoset, and a heating member associated with the offset printing apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid applying apparatus can prevent an applying liquid from evaporating while an applying operation is stopped and can reliably prevent the liquid from leaking even when, for example, the posture of the apparatus is tilted. An abutting member of a holding member is abutted, under an urging force of a spring, against an applying surface of an applying roller. Thus, a liquid holding space is formed between the applying roller and a holding member to hold the applying liquid. The abutting member is annularly formed of a single member. The applying roller rotates to cause the applying liquid held in the holding space to adhere to an outer peripheral surface of the applying roller. The applying liquid is then applied to the applying medium.

Abstract: An ink jet printer has an intermediate transfer drum that rotates past a print head and a downstream transfixing station. The surface of the drum is coated with a release agent. The print head ejects ink droplets onto the coated drum surface to form images thereon. The images are identified for either simplex prints or duplex prints. The transfixing station has separate simplex and duplex operating modes. A movable transfixing roll at the transfixing station is moved into and out of contact with the drum to form a periodic transfixing nip. The nip is formed with separate timing relationships with the approach of the leading and trailing edge of a transported recording medium and the approach of the image on the drum surface, depending upon whether a simplex or duplex print is to be transfixed by the nip.

Abstract: This invention relates to a finished printed garment and a method for printing thereon. The finished printed garment may be constructed from Prepared for Dying denim which is dyed to a chosen color. The printing method incorporates the use of a dischargeable ink applied to the finished garment, which is placed on belt-style printer, such that the design, once printed on the finished garment, may be continuous, regardless of presence of seams or pockets.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus comprises: a first inkjet head which ejects ink for forming a first image to be recorded on a recording medium; a first intermediate transfer medium on which the first image is formed by the ink ejected from the first inkjet head, the first intermediate transfer medium having a structure that includes an elastic body in a first image formation area in which the first image is formed; a second inkjet head which ejects ink for forming a second image to be recorded on the recording medium; a second intermediate transfer medium on which the second image is formed by the ink ejected from the second inkjet head, the second intermediate transfer medium having a structure that includes an elastic body in a second image formation area in which the second image is formed; and a transfer recording device which transfers and records the first image and the second image to a first surface of the recording medium in contact with the first image formation area and a second surface of the recordin

Abstract: In a position deviation detecting method for an image forming device, first and second patterns formed in different colors on image supporting mediums are transferred to an intermediate transfer medium in an overlapping manner, the first patterns formed in a color with high sensor sensitivity and the second patterns formed in a color with low sensor sensitivity. The first and second patterns on the transfer medium are read using a light-receiving unit of a pattern detection sensor. An amount of position deviation in a main scanning direction between two of a plurality of colors is detected. The first patterns are set in a fixed position in the main scanning direction and the second patterns are shifted. Output values of the light-receiving unit are measured from the first and second patterns, and the amount of position deviation in the main scanning direction is computed based the measured output values.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises: an intermediate transfer body; a releasing agent supply device that supplies a releasing agent onto the intermediate transfer body; a particle supply device that supplies hydrophilic ink-recipient particles that receive an ink, onto the releasing agent supplied onto the intermediate transfer body; an ink ejection device that ejects the ink onto the ink-recipient particles supplied onto the intermediate transfer body; and a transfer device that transfers the ink-recipient particles that received the ink, onto a recording medium from the intermediate transfer body, the releasing agent comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a silicone oil, a fluorinated oil and an organic compound having a solubility parameter (SP value) of about 11 or less.

Abstract: Printing images on an intermediate member by jetting conductive ink containing a fluid and marking particles in an image-wise fashion onto an intermediate member. The ink is concentrated by application of radio frequency (RF) energy, focused on the ink image to remove a substantial portion of the fluid. The concentrated ink marking particle image, is then transferred to a receiver.

Abstract: A page-width inkjet printer includes a chassis. A print media feed assembly is mounted on the chassis. A page-width inkjet printhead is mounted on the chassis downstream of the feed assembly. A tubular print transfer roller is operatively positioned with respect to the printhead to receive and transfer print from the printhead to sheets of print media fed past the transfer roller. A drive mechanism is mounted on the chassis to drive the transfer roller, the drive mechanism including a drive motor and gearbox assembly received within the tubular print transfer roller.

Abstract: An offset printing apparatus for transferring a phase change ink onto a print medium having a phase change ink component for applying a phase change ink in a phase change ink image; an imaging member for accepting the phase change ink image from the phase change ink component, and transferring the phase change ink image from the imaging member to the print medium, and a transfix pressure member positioned in association with the imaging member, wherein the print medium passes through a nip formed between the imaging member and the transfix pressure member, and wherein the imaging member exerts pressure on the transfix pressure member so as to transfer and fuse the phase change ink image from the imaging member to the print medium, and further wherein the transfix pressure member includes a substrate; an underlayer positioned thereon; an intermediate layer positioned on the underlayer; and an outer layer positioned on the intermediate layer and the outer layer has a modulus of from about 1 to about 50 MPa, a t

Abstract: An offset printing apparatus for transferring a phase change ink onto a print medium having a phase change ink component for applying a phase change ink in a phase change ink image; an imaging member for accepting the phase change ink image from the phase change ink component, and transferring the phase change ink image from the imaging member to the print medium, and a transfix pressure member positioned in association with the imaging member, wherein the print medium passes through a nip formed between the imaging member and the transfix pressure member, and wherein the imaging member exerts pressure on the transfix pressure member so as to transfer and fuse the phase change ink image from the imaging member to the print medium, and further wherein the transfix pressure member includes a substrate; an intermediate layer positioned on the substrate; and an outer layer on the intermediate layer and the outer layer has a modulus of from about 1 to about 50 MPa, a thickness of from about 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface treatment apparatus containing a sheet heating unit for heating a sheet, a sheet cooling unit for cooling the sheet. The apparatus satisfying at least one of following conditions: (1) the apparatus transfers a surface quality of the contact member to a surface of the image recording layer and an interface of the thermoplastic resin layer facing the image recording layer of the sheet; (2) the apparatus further contains the contact member selecting unit which selects the contact member having a desired surface quality; (3) the apparatus further comprises a treatment control unit which controls treatment conditions of at least one of the sheet heating unit and the sheet cooling unit; and (4) the sheet heating unit includes a sheet preheating part preheating the sheet and the apparatus transfers a surface quality of the contact member to the sheet heated by the sheet preheating part.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus that includes an intermediate transfer drum, a roller surface that applies a low-viscosity liquid to the imaging member to form an intermediate liquid transfer surface on the imaging member, and a printhead for jetting ink onto the intermediate transfer drum. The liquid has a viscosity lower than 50 centistoke for use as a transfer layer on an imaging member in an offset phase change ink jet printing device.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having an imaging member having an external surface and a series of substantially equal sized cells located over such surface. The printing apparatus includes an ink jet device for selectively ejecting droplets of ink, having marking particles and liquid, into the cells of said imaging member in a desired image-wise ink pattern, a mechanism for filling the cells of said imaging member with a dielectric fluid after said ink jet device ejects droplets of ink into said cells, and transfer mechanism including a device for fractionating the marking particles in the ink from the liquid and transferring the image-wise marking particle pattern to a receiver member.

Abstract: A high speed digital printing apparatus having an imaging member, an ink jet head capable of image-wise jetting ink onto the imaging member, a mechanism for fractionating such image-wise ink on the imaging member to remove liquid therefrom, an intermediate transfer member onto which such image-wise ink is transferred from the imaging member, and a transfer member forming a nip with the intermediate transfer member for transferring a liquid-depleted image-wise ink to a receiver. An ink suitable for use in the printing press apparatus is formed by dispersing an ink concentrate with a suitable solvent.

Abstract: A system and method for drying a printed medium includes a heated roll and a transport mechanism which moves the printed medium against the heated roll to dry the printed medium.

Abstract: In an inkjet printer, the print head does not print images directly to the print medium. Rather, the print head prints the image to an intermediate transfer member, for example a transfer belt or drum. The transfer member then transfers the image to the print medium to produce the desired hard copy document. By printing to an intermediate transfer member and then transferring the image to the print medium, additional time is provided for the carrier fluid of the ink to evaporate or be absorbed by the transfer member before the image is transferred to the print medium. In this way, less carrier fluid is eventually deposited to the print medium than if the image had been printed directly on the print medium. Consequently, cockle formation is decreased.

Abstract: Ink jet printing is provided onto rigid panels such as foamboard and contoured material using ultraviolet (UV) light curable ink, which is first at least partially cured with UV light and then may be subjected to heating. Printhead-to-panel spacing is controllable to maintain a predetermined constant distance from the printing element to the surface of the panel where the ink is to be applied. Each of a plurality of printheads may be independently moveable to control the spacing of the printheads from the substrate surface. Sensors on the printhead carriage measure the shape, or vertical position of, the printhead's distance from the printhead carriage to the surface of the substrate being printed. The position or focal length of the UV light curing head may be varied to maintain focus of the UV light on the ink on a contoured surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording method and an ink-jet recording apparatus, wherein ink image with high quality and good abrasion resistance without generation of beading and bleeding are formed on recording media, in ink-jet recording using an intermediate transfer body, are provided. An ink image is formed by applying an image fixing component (for example reacting liquid) to an intermediate transfer body, and then applying inks of colors, Y, M, C, and K, from print heads corresponding each color. Then a supplementary liquid is applied to the ink image, and the ink image is transferred to a recording media.

Abstract: The method of forming an image formed of low viscosity ink on a recording medium includes ejecting the low viscosity ink from a printer head in the form of droplets onto an intermediate transfer medium to form the image, partially curing the image on the intermediate transfer medium, transferring the partially cured image onto the recording medium, and further curing the partially cured image on the recording medium to create a hardened image.

Abstract: A liquid applying apparatus and an ink jet printing apparatus can reduce evaporation that may occur when an application liquid is left in a liquid holding member for a long time. The liquid holding member forms a space between an elastic member and a roller to hold the application liquid. The apparatuses also are capable of preventing the leakage of the liquid from the liquid holding member regardless of a variation in the posture of the apparatus. In collecting the application liquid from the liquid holding member to a storage tank, the apparatuses switch a selector valve to allow an air communicating port and a tube to communicate with each other. The apparatuses further drive a pump to collect the application liquid from a liquid applying member and channel to the storage tank. Once the collecting is finished, the air communicating valve is closed.

Abstract: A printing device and method containing a carriage supporting print heads with a plurality of discharging elements to the image-wise forming of image dots of a marking substance on an a print medium, wherein the carriage is moveable in reciprocation in a main scanning direction and is also relatively displaceable with respect to the print medium in the sub scanning direction. Moreover, at least one radiation source is provided for irradiating the image dots of marking substance. The radiation source is designed such that the print medium with the dots formed thereon receives, in a traverse of the radiation source, a radiation dose which increases towards an edge of the dimension in the sub scanning direction of the area irradiated by the radiation source in the traverse.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: an intermediate transfer body; a liquid adhesion device which provides a first liquid having a viscosity not less than 15 mPa·s and not greater than 300 mPa·s at 25° C, on the intermediate transfer body; a droplet ejection device which ejects a second liquid containing a coloring material onto a region of the intermediate transfer body where the first liquid is provided by the liquid adhesion device, in a state where the first liquid on the intermediate transfer body has a thickness not less than 1.6 ?m; a viscosity raising device which raises a viscosity of the second liquid on the intermediate transfer body; and a transfer device which transfers an image including dots of the second liquid formed on the intermediate transfer body, onto a recording medium.

Abstract: An ink jet printer has a recording head, having a nozzle, for jetting ink to be cured by irradiating with an ultraviolet ray from the nozzle, and an ultraviolet ray irradiating device for irradiating the ink jetted by the recording head with a plurality of ultraviolet rays. The ultraviolet ray irradiating device has a plurality of ultraviolet ray sources respectively emitting a plurality of ultraviolet rays of a plurality of light emitting wavelength peaks different from one another. After the ink jetted from the nozzle arrives at a recording medium, an image is formed by irradiating the ink of the recording medium with the ultraviolet rays of the ultraviolet ray irradiating device and curing the ink.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus having: a recording head of ink jet type for jetting ink from a plurality of jet openings; a light source for emitting light to cure an ink jetted from the recording head and adhered to a recording medium; a light quantity measuring section for measuring a light quantity of the light source; and a control section for controlling the light quantity of the light source according to a measured value by the light quantity measuring section.

Abstract: An ink jet printing method and an ink jet printing apparatus are provided in an embodiment of the present invention using an intermediate transfer body. With each of the apparatus and the method, it is possible to form a high-quality image in an ink jet printing system. In the embodiment of the invention, color ink and an auxiliary liquid are supplied to ink-attracting portions each having a certain area, the ink-attracting portions being surrounded by an ink-repellent portion. Subsequently, ink dots are transferred to a printing medium, the ink dots being formed by the supplied ink and the supplied liquid. Here, the ink-attracting regions have an area in which a plurality of droplets of the ink and the liquid in total can be received.

Abstract: An offset printing apparatus having a coated imaging member for use with phase-change inks, has a substrate, an optional intermediate layer, and thereover an outer coating with a fluorosilicone material, and an optional heating member associated with the offset printing apparatus.

Abstract: An offset printing apparatus having a coated imaging member for use with phase-change inks, has a substrate, an optional intermediate layer, and thereover an outer coating having an elastomer of monomers selected from the group consisting of halogenated monomers, polyorganosiloxane monomers, and mixtures thereof, and an optional heating member associated with the offset printing apparatus

Abstract: A coating liquid application apparatus is provided which can apply a coating liquid, such as a coating agent for improving a weatherability of a printed surface, to the printed surface of a print medium automatically and at high speed. For this purpose, this invention uses application mechanisms to apply the coating liquid to the print medium that was ink-printed with an image. Each application mechanism has a pair of rollers supplied with the coating liquid. Multiple stages of such application mechanisms are provided. The print medium is passed between the paired rollers successively from one application mechanism to another to apply the coating liquid to the print medium in a plurality of stages.

Abstract: The ink jet recording apparatus includes an image forming device for forming an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink containing a solvent and color particles dispersed in the solvent, a fixing device for fixing the image formed on the recording medium by the image forming device, a collecting device for selectively collecting air containing the solvent from an atmosphere in proximity to the fixing device, and a removing device for removing the solvent from the solvent-containing air collected by the collecting device.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has a section which forms an image by ejecting an ultraviolet radiation curable ink from an ink jet recording head onto a recording material and a section which exposes ultraviolet radiation to an ink image formed on the recording material, and the ink jet recording apparatus has a plurality of recording modes having a different image recording speed in each mode, and further an exposure intensity of ultraviolet radiation exposing to the ink is variable. An ink jet recording method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A printing apparatus 10 exposes an image onto a photosensitive medium 14, having a printhead 20 with a linear array of exposure sources 40, each exposure source 12 operable at a variable intensity. A shuttle mechanism 16 moves the printhead 20 over the photosensitive medium 14 in a reciprocating motion between one end of a carriage assembly 72 and the other. An encoder 38 is coupled to the shuttle mechanism (16) for providing an index encoder pulse 60 at each of a plurality of increments of position of the shuttle mechanism 16 along the carriage assembly 72. Exposure control logic calculates a shuttle velocity according to index signal timing and adjusts the variable intensity of each exposure source 12 according to the shuttle velocity.

Abstract: A printing process for the transfer of printing substance (8) from an ink carrier (2) onto an imprinting material, in which the printing substance (8) undergoes a change in volume and/or position by means of an induced procedure of an energy-releasing apparatus, and thereby a transfer of a printing point onto the imprinting material takes place. The invention further includes a printing machine suitable for practicing the process.

Abstract: A block of intermediate transfer material for use in a printing apparatus having an intermediate transfer member, said intermediate transfer member being equipped with a heater to heat said intermediate transfer member to a temperature of at least about 40° C., said intermediate transfer member having a surface with a first shape, a marking material applicator situated to apply marking material in an imagewise pattern to the intermediate transfer member, and a transferring apparatus to transfer the imagewise pattern of marking material to a final recording substrate, said block of intermediate transfer material comprising a silicone polymer containing monomers of the formula wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, x, y, and z are as defined herein, wherein the monomers can be directly bonded to each other or bonded through spacer groups, said block of intermediate transfer material having a surface with a second shape substantially the complement of the first shape.

Abstract: A latching mechanism is provided on a Drum Maintenance Unit (drum maintenance unit). The latching mechanism releasably secures the drum maintenance unit to a media device when installed in the media device and provides an electrical connection. The latching mechanism contacts with a locking tab and a data connection that may be located on a receiving portion of the media device. This arrangement allows the latching mechanism to simultaneously latch and connect with a receiving portion of the media device. The latching device of the connection device may be provided to releasably lock with the media device until a predetermined amount of force is applied.

Abstract: An ink receptor sheet for ink jet printing, an ink jet printing system including an ink receptor sheet and a transfer element, a process for preparing an image on permanent support by ink jet printing, and an imaged article made by such process. By incorporation of a photopolymerizable layer into an ink receptor sheet, the handling latitude during lamination and peeling steps of ink jet printing processes was enhanced and durable and resistant images made by such ink jet printing processes were provided.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a housing that defines a receiving formation for a media tray assembly. A chassis is positioned in the housing. A media tray assembly is displaceably engageable with the chassis to permit the tray assembly to be received in, and withdrawn from, the receiving formation. The media tray assembly and the housing define a print medium feed path. The media tray assembly includes a media tray in which a stack of print medium sheets can be stored. A feed mechanism is positioned on the media tray to feed the sheets from the tray. A printhead assembly is positioned downstream of the media tray to carry out a printing operation on the sheets as the sheets are fed from the tray.

Abstract: A printing unit include a plurality of ink supply members for supplying inks different from each other to a printing area or printing area-like portion, and a plurality of detecting systems, each detecting an amount of the corresponding ink accumulated on the printing area or printing area-like portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording an image using a transfer-type recording mechanism are such that a layer of an intermediate transfer element is removably formed on a surface of an intermediate transfer medium. The intermediate transfer element includes an ultraviolet stabilizer and a powder mixture. The intermediate transfer layer is capable of being dissolved and swelled by applying an ink liquid on the intermediate transfer medium and enables a viscosity of the ink liquid residing thereon to be increased. An image is produced on the intermediate transfer medium by supplying the ink liquid thereon. The image is then transferred to the recording medium, so that a high quality image is produced without any blurring, mixing or penetration of the ink liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a page-width printhead for a print engine having a a motorized transfer roller located adjacent to the printhead. The transfer roller is also adjacent to the sheet media path of the device which uses the engine. The printhead is oriented to print directly onto the transfer roller. The engine has a second roller closely adjacent to the transfer roller and on an opposite side of the path for pressing the sheet onto the transfer roller. In some embodiments, the printhead has a surface adjacent to the transfer roller that carries capping seals on either side of the ink ejecting area. The printhead is held off of the transfer roller by a solenoid but parked against the transfer roller when not in use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ink-jet printing including an intermediate transfer medium, a transfer medium, and an ink-jet print head to jet ink toward the intermediate transfer medium, to transfer an ink image from the intermediate transfer medium to media with an optimum image transfer and optical density. The optimum image transfer and optical density is accomplished by generating uniform pressure across a nip generated by the intermediate transfer medium and the transfer medium, and control of a release coating thickness resident on the intermediate transfer medium and a time delay between a jetting of ink toward the intermediate transfer medium and transfer of jetted ink resident on a surface of the intermediate transfer medium to the media.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ink-jet printing onto an intermediate drum in a helical pattern while correcting for image skew and aliasing. A plurality of ink-jet print heads place an image on an intermediate drum, impervious to ink, in a helical patter. To compensate for helical printing, the image is altered by nozzle placement and image manipulation to correct for skewing errors, and thereafter, the nozzle timing is adjusted to correct for aliasing. The plurality of print heads move parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum while the drum is simultaneously rotating, causing the image to be placed in a helical pattern. Once the entire image is placed on the drum, paper is rolled against the drum under pressure and the image is transferred thereto.

Abstract: A drum maintenance unit (drum maintenance unit) to reduce build up of electrostatic charge within a printer device. The drum maintenance unit may have a static shield positioned to reduce the build up of an electrostatic charge and to act as a physical barrier by preventing discarded oil from becoming airborne and returning to the oiling roller unfiltered. The static shield may also be utilized to retain and house the filtration system of the drum maintenance unit thus reducing part count and manufacturing time.

Abstract: The invention provides a protective layer-transferring film for ink jet having a transferable protective layer which is relasably formed on a heat-resistant film and which is to be heat transferred onto recorded matter having thereon an image formed by an ink jet recording system, in which the transferable protective layer is formed from a plurality of aqueous resin emulsions different in minimum film-forming temperature.

Abstract: A system for applying a liquid to a support surface in an imaging apparatus comprises an application surface that applies liquid to the support surface; and a filter positioned in relation t the application surface such that liquid removed from the support surface passes through the filter to the application surface.