Abstract: An image recording apparatus improves the operating efficiency while preventing trouble due to the contact of a recording medium with a discharging surface of a recording head. A distance sensor for detecting the distance of the leading edge of a sheet from a conveying surface is provided upstream from the inkjet head in the conveying direction of the sheet. A gap control unit controls a frame moving mechanism to move the inkjet head up so that a gap between the discharging surface and the conveying surface increases when the distance detected by the distance sensor is above a first distance, and the gap distance may be increased by different amounts depending on the distance detected by the distance sensor. A discharging control unit controls the inkjet head to discharge ink droplets after the gap is increased.

Abstract: When a printing apparatus is connected to a personal computer, an editing program for editing an object to be printed by the printing apparatus is actuated. The printing apparatus connected is set as a printing apparatus to be used, and a layout-editing screen is displayed. A layout image in which a medium set in the printing apparatus is set as a medium to be used is displayed on the layout-editing screen. When the printing apparatus is changed, or the medium set in the printing apparatus is changed while the editing program is being operated, a new layout-editing screen is displayed in which a new printing apparatus, or a new medium, is set as the printing apparatus, or the medium, to be used.

Abstract: A method for decorating an uneven surface of a dimensionally stable object is disclosed. According to the method, the object to be decorated and a digital, contactless printing head are moved in relation to one another during the printing operation and the printing head is controlled by a control unit in order to dispense ink. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: a control program is created to control the printing head in accordance with the height profile of the uneven surface to be decorated of the object; the position of the surface to be decorated is detected in relation to the printing head; and the digital printing head is controlled using the program that has been created. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording medium; and a foam application unit configured to apply foam generated by foaming a liquid and/or a gel onto the recording medium. The foam application unit includes an application part configured to apply the foam onto the recording medium, a supply opening configured to supply the foam to the application part, and a spreading part configured to spread the foam on the application part. The spreading part is disposed at an angle with respect to the movement direction of the application part; and the supply opening is disposed near the most upstream portion of the spreading part with respect to the movement direction of the application part.

Abstract: The invention provides an inkjet recording medium including a support which includes a base paper and a polyolefin resin layer provided on each side of the base paper, an ink receiving layer that is provided on a side of the support, the ink receiving layer including inorganic particles and a water-soluble resin, and a back layer that is provided on an opposite side of the support to the side on which the ink receiving layer is disposed, the back layer including starch particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inkjet recording sheet and use of a composition for improving inkjet printing properties of an inkjet recording sheet comprising wood or lignocellulosic fibre material. According to the invention the composition comprises calcium sulphate dihydrate and starch solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inkjet recording medium including: a substrate; a solvent absorbing layer, provided on the substrate, including white pigment other than silica particles, a binder, and a cationic or nonionic cellulose compound; and an ink receiving layer, provided on the solvent absorbing layer, including inorganic fine particles and a water-soluble resin.

Abstract: A printing system includes a carriage that is movable along a carriage scan direction and an optoelectronic device mounted on the carriage. A media input location, for storing a recording medium, is included along with at least one unobstructed optical path between the optoelectronic device and a plurality of regions of the media input location as the carriage is moved along the carriage scan direction.

Abstract: A method for high resolution ink-jet print using a pre-patterned substrate employs an ink-jet printing device including an ink-jet head for discharging conductive ink droplets and a driving stage for supporting a substrate to which the conductive ink droplets are hit, to draw a fine line width pattern on the substrate. The method includes (A) forming a stripe pattern with repeated stripes on a substrate surface on which a fine line width pattern will be formed, thereby preparing a pre-patterned substrate; (B) loading the substrate to the ink-jet printing device; and (C) injecting conductive ink droplets to a substrate region where the stripe pattern is formed. An equivalent interval (d) of the stripe pattern and a fine line width (D) of the drawn fine line width pattern satisfy a relation of d<<D, and the hit ink droplets are flowed in an anisotropic form within the region.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording method including recording onto a recording medium a black image of composite black using a black ink and color inks, wherein the black ink includes water, a water-soluble organic solvent, a surfactant, and a carbon black whose volume average particle diameter is 40 nm to 100 nm, and the color inks include a cyan ink, a magenta ink and a yellow ink, wherein the mass ratio (A/B) of a solid content A to a water-soluble organic solvent content B in the black ink is in the range of 1/8 to 1/15, and wherein the recording medium includes a support with a coating layer, and the amounts of purified water transferred to the recording medium at contact periods of 100 ms and 400 ms at a temperature of 23 C and a relative humidity of 50% are 2 ml/m2 to 35 ml/m2 and 3 ml/m2 to 40 ml/m2 respectively.

Abstract: A method of printing onto a print medium using a mobile device with a printhead and sensor, the print medium comprising: a laminar substrate defining first and second opposite faces; and a data track containing first information encoded in accordance with a linear encoding scheme, the data track extending in a linear read direction across a portion of the first face of the print medium, the read direction being oriented at between 45 and 135 degrees with respect to the print direction; the method comprising the steps of: receiving the print medium into a media feed path of the mobile device; using the sensor to sense the data track at least once before or during printing onto the print medium with the printhead; and determining a lateral registration of the data track relative to the sensor.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a film formation member having a dividing wall provided on a substrate to form a plurality of partitioned sections with a film being formed within each of the partitioned sections by discharging a predetermined amount of liquid within each of the partitioned sections. The method includes identifying a position of at least one of the partitioned section as a partitioned section with nonuniform liquid affinity among the partitioned sections, and discharging the liquid over a wider discharge range inside the partitioned section with nonuniform liquid affinity than a discharge range inside a partitioned section other than the partitioned section with nonuniform liquid affinity.

Abstract: A mobile device for printing onto a print medium in a print direction, the print medium including first coded data that encodes first information, mobile device comprising: a first sensor for sensing the first coded data; processing means for decoding the coded data and extracting at least the first information; and a printhead for printing onto the print medium, wherein the printhead is controlled to print onto the print medium at least partially on the basis of the extracted first information, and printing commences prior to all of the first information being extracted.

Abstract: An ink jet recording method includes making a record on a recording medium having micropores using an ink composition containing a glitter pigment. The glitter pigment has an average particle diameter in the range of 1 nm to 100 nm, inclusive, and the recording medium has an average micropore diameter in the range of 3 nm to 200 nm, inclusive.

Abstract: A substrate includes a first and a second element arrays in each of which a plurality of elements is arrayed along a first direction of the substrate, a first and a second pad arrays in which a plurality of pads is arrayed along respective two opposite sides extending along a second direction of the substrate, a reception circuit configured to receive data for driving the elements, a data circuit configured to generate data corresponding to the first and the second element array, respectively based on the received data, a signal generation circuit configured to generate a period signal for determining a drive period of the elements based on the generated data, and an output circuit configured to output information related to the substrate.

Abstract: An inkjet receiving medium including a substrate and having a topmost layer coated thereon at solid content of from 0.1 to 25 g/m2, wherein the topmost layer comprises from 30-70 wt % of one or more aqueous soluble salts of multivalent metal cations and at least 0.05 g/m2 of a cross-linked hydrophilic polymer binder. Improved optical density, reduced mottle and improved wet abrasion resistance are provided when the receiver is printed with an aqueous pigment-based ink. In further embodiments, the topmost layer may further comprise a latex dispersion for improved image durability.

Abstract: A mobile printing system includes a print medium having coded tags printed in IR-absorbing ink over a first face, each coded tag encoding data indicative of a location of that coded tag on the first face, an identifier of the print medium and a unique digital signature associated with the identifier. A mobile device for printing on the print medium includes a sensor for capturing an image of the coded tags when the print medium is positioned in a media feed path; a processor for decoding the sensed coded tag; verifying the digital signature; authorizing use of the print medium if the digital signature is verified; and determining the position of the print medium in the media feed path using the determined location of the sensed coded tag. The mobile device has a printer for printing information in registration with the sensed coded tag.

Abstract: A color filter fabricated by an ink jet process is disclosed. The color filter includes a substrate, a plurality of pixel regions positioned on the surface of the substrate, and a plurality of colored photoresists. Each pixel region includes a plurality of sub-pixel regions, and each colored photoresist is positioned in each sub-pixel region. The colored photoresists include a plurality of hydrophile photoresists and a plurality of hydrophobic photoresists. The hydrophile photoresists and the hydrophobic photoresists are alternately arranged to prevent an overflow of the colored photoresists.

Abstract: A recording medium detection method uses transmission and reflection photosensors to correctly detect if a recording medium having labels affixed to a liner is in the transportation path. The label printer 1 has a reflection photosensor 26 and a transmission photosensor 27 disposed to the transportation path at positions separated the distance L0 between the labels 12c. Labels 12c on the recording medium 12a can always be detected by either or both the reflection photosensor 26 and the transmission photosensor 27. Because the reflection photosensor 26 is downstream from the transmission photosensor 27, a situation in which a black mark 12d is at the detection position of the reflection photosensor 26 and reflection is not detected and only the liner 12b is at the detection position of the transmission photosensor 27 and transmission of the detection beam is detected is avoided.

Abstract: A photocurable ink composition for ink jet recording contains: a cholesteric liquid crystal polymer; a polymerizable compound; and a photopolymerization initiator.

Abstract: There is provided a printing apparatus including a printing unit for printing visual information on a non-recording surface of a rotatably driven recording medium by discharging ink droplets; and a control unit for controlling movement of the printing unit in a radial direction of the rotatably driven recording medium, and controlling a discharge timing of the ink droplets discharged from the printing unit, wherein the printing unit includes a plurality of ink droplet discharge nozzles, arrayed in a line in the radial direction of the recording medium, for discharging ink droplets of different colors by the control of the control unit, and the control unit completes the printing of the visual information by reciprocating the ink droplet discharge nozzles for plural times in the radial direction of the rotatably driven recording medium.

Abstract: A color filter ink is adapted to be used to manufacture a color filter by an inkjet method. The color filter ink includes a colorant, a liquid medium that dissolves and/or disperses the colorant, and a resin material. The resin material includes a polymer X and a polymer Y. The polymer X has a monomer component x1 represented by a prescribed chemical formula, a monomer component x2 represented by a prescribed chemical formula, a monomer component x3 represented by a prescribed chemical formula, and a monomer component x4 represented by a prescribed chemical formula. The polymer Y has a monomer component y1 represented by a prescribed chemical formula and a monomer component y2 represented by a prescribed chemical formula.

Abstract: Provided is a mobile phone having a chassis with a drive mechanism incorporated therein. A replaceable print cartridge received by the chassis is also provided. The replaceable print cartridge has a housing with ink-bearing structures and a printhead, as well as a media drive shaft rotatably mounted to the housing for driving print media past the printhead. The media drive shaft has a drive wheel driven by the drive mechanism. The drive mechanism has a piezo-electric element supported by an arm extending from the chassis. Actuation of the piezo-electric element causes an oscillating movement of the arm to contact the drive wheel upon each oscillation to thereby cause rotational movement of the drive wheel and the media drive shaft.

Abstract: The present invention prevents necessary image data from deviating from a print medium and thereby executes a good printing operation without a loss of necessary image data. For this purpose, when performing a so-called marginless printing, in which ink is applied also to an area overrunning from the print medium to form an image without leaving a blank margin at edges of the print medium, the overrunning widths of the area are made adjustable.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for printing on a sheet by a recording head, includes a sheet transport mechanism to transport the sheet in a specified direction; a paper loading unit to contain the stacked sheet before printing; a second transport mechanism to transport the sheet through a second transport path from the paper loading unit to a temporal containing unit a state where a front-back direction of the sheet is kept; and a third transport mechanism to transport the sheet through a third transport path from the temporal containing unit between the recording head and the sheet guide member in a state where the front-back direction of the sheet is kept.

Abstract: A color filter being precisely and easily manufactured while solving an alignment problem is provided. Further, a method for manufacturing a color filter structure formed in a display panel that has front and rear substrates opposed to each other is provided.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive is applied to a side of a fibrous sheet 1 (e.g., nonwoven fabric) with an applicator 2 to form an adhesive layer 3. Ink drops are ejected from an inkjet head 5 onto either (1) the adhesive layer 3 on that side of the fibrous sheet or (2) the opposite side of the fibrous sheet within the area corresponding to the adhesive layer 3.

Abstract: A print medium for ink-jet printing can comprise a base substrate; an ink-receiving layer comprising metal oxide particulates or semi-metal oxide particulates and a binder; and a gloss layer comprising colloidal silica and greater than 5 wt % of a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone. The ink-receiving layer can be positioned between the substrate and the gloss layer.

Abstract: To provide an ink jet recording method including: performing image recording on a recording medium to obtain an ink adhesion quantity of 15 g/m2 or less of an ink containing at least a colorant, the recording medium having at least one coating layer on at least one surface of a substrate including cellulose pulp; and dry-to-touch drying the recorded image and bringing a heat source into direct contact with the recording medium for image fixing, wherein the recording medium is formed such that a transfer quantity of pure water into the recording medium in a contact interval of 100 ms that is measured with a dynamic scanning liquid absorptometer is 1 mL/m2 or more to 30 mL/m2 or less and a transfer quantity of pure water into the recording medium in a contact interval of 400 ms is 2 mL/m2 or more to 35 mL/m2 or less.

Abstract: A high quality ink jet recording medium with a printed image non-vulnerable and excellent in scratch resistance is obtained with an ink jet recording using a water pigment ink. An ink jet recording medium having a substrate and an ink receiving layer including an inorganic particle and a binder on the substrate is provided. A surface of the ink receiving layer has (a) a projected valley portion depth (Rvk) of not less than 20 nm and not more than 100, (b) an arithmetic average roughness (Ra) of not less than 5 nm and not more than 100 nm, and (c) an average spacing (S) of local peaks of not more than 1.0 ?m.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a record head having nozzles that discharge liquid; a transporting path along which a medium is transported; a transporting mechanism that transports the medium along the transporting path; a sensor including a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element and disposed at a first position on the transporting path, the first position being located upstream relative to the record head in a transporting direction of the medium, the sensor outputting a signal in accordance with presence or absence of the medium at the first position; and a control unit that controls supply of power to the sensor and detects the presence or absence of the medium through the sensor. The control unit stops the supply of power to the sensor when the control unit detects a downstream end of the medium in the transporting direction, and resumes the supply of power to the sensor when the control unit detects an upstream end of the medium in the transporting direction.

Abstract: An ink-media set, comprising an ink composition and a recording medium, wherein the ink composition comprises a polymer fine particle containing a dye and an inorganic pigment particle, a water-soluble solvent, and water, and has a surface tension of 20 mN/m to 35 mN/m at 25° C., and the recording medium comprises a support and a coating layer on at least one side of the support, and the amount of pure water transferred to the recording medium is no less than 2 ml/m2 and less than 35 ml/m2 at a contact period of 100 ms and the amount of pure water transferred to the recording medium is no less than 3 ml/m2 and less than 40 ml/m2 at a contact period of 400 ms by measurement of a dynamic scanning absorptometer.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes: a setting portion on which a recording medium is set; a feeder which feeds the recording medium from the setting portion in a feed direction; a recording head which ejects ink so that an image is recorded on the recording medium fed by the feeder; a gap changing device which changes a gap between the recording head and the recording medium; a judgment portion which judges a setting direction of the recording medium on the setting portion; and a changing control portion which controls the gap changing device to change the gap between the recording head and the recording medium, according to the judged setting direction of the recording medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a material set for recording, including: an ink including a recording material, an organic solvent, and water; and ink receiving particles including an organic resin including hydrophilic monomer components and one or more hydrophobic monomer components, the hydrophilic monomer components including a monomer component having a hydroxyl group and a monomer component having a dissociable group, an absolute value of a difference between a solubility parameter (SP value) of the organic solvent included in the ink and a solubility parameter (SP value) of monomer components included in the organic resin, other than the monomer component having a dissociable group, being less than 5.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inkjet recording medium having at least an ink-receiving layer, the ink-receiving layer containing at least fumed silica, a hydroxycarboxylic acid ester having the I/O value of 1.5 or more as determined in accordance with an organic conceptual diagram, and a polyvinyl alcohol, and an amount of the hydroxycarboxylic acid ester with respect to 1 kg of the fumed silica in the ink-receiving layer being from 0.1 moles to 2 moles. The present invention further provides an inkjet recording medium having at least a support and an ink-receiving layer provided on the support, the ink-receiving layer containing at least a chloride ion-containing zirconium salt, a water-soluble aluminum salt, a hydroxy acid derivative, inorganic fine particles, and a water-soluble resin.

Abstract: An inkjet recording medium and a coating composition for forming an inkjet recording medium. In accordance with one aspect, an inkjet recording medium is disclosed comprising an inkjet-receptive coating on a coated paper substrate.

Abstract: An inkjet recording medium and a coating composition for forming an inkjet recording medium. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an inkjet recording medium is disclosed comprising an inkjet-receptive coating on a paper substrate. The inkjet-receptive coating contains a synergistic combination of pigments and binder such that the inkjet recording medium exhibits improved inkjet print properties, particularly when printed with a high speed inkjet printer using pigmented inks. In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, the inkjet recording medium further comprises a top coat of a multivalent metal salt which further enhances image quality of the inkjet printing.

Abstract: An improved large-format inkjet printer that is capable of providing more efficient and higher quality printing on a variety of print media, including for example, paper, fabric, corrugated media, and plywood. The improved printer provides improvements to the platen assembly, rail assembly, service station assembly, printhead assembly and vacuum assembly to provide improved printing capability. In addition the printer provides a table assembly that can be integrated into the platen assembly to provide a secure and flush surface for supporting various types of print media.

Abstract: In the present invention, a provision of a method for manufacturing a color filter capable of forming a highly sophisticated pattern, to be formed easily at a low cost is desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inkjet recording sheet for forming an image using aqueous pigment ink comprising: a substrate; and an ink-receiving layer formed on the substrate, wherein the ink-receiving layer is obtained by applying, on the substrate, a coating composition containing: a cationic acrylic silicone emulsion-based resin having a hydrolyzable silyl group as a crosslinking component; a cationic polyether-based urethane resin; and a carbodiimide group-containing resin, followed by curing the applied coating composition, and wherein, in the coating composition, the content of the cationic acrylic silicone emulsion-based resin is 2 to 7% by mass, the content of the cationic polyether-based urethane resin is 88 to 94% by mass, and the content of the carbodiimide group-containing resin is 2 to 6% by mass in terms of solid matter.

Abstract: A multi-functional sensor for deriving information on a recording sheet material comprising an impact-applying unit for applying an external mechanical force onto the recording sheet material, a signal-detecting unit for detecting a signal of response of the recording sheet material to the external mechanical force, a signal-processing unit for processing the signal, and a signal-judging unit for deriving a property of the recording sheet material by comparison of a signal from the signal-detecting unit or the signal processing unit with information memorized preliminarily, wherein the signal-processing unit comprises a separation section for separating the signal from the signal-detecting unit into output signals on the properties of the recording sheet material, and a processing section for deriving, by statistical treatment, a correlation equation showing a correlation between the separated output signal and the properties of the recording sheet material.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-aqueous jet printing ink which has printability (abrasion resistance and resistivity to wiping with alcohol) suitable for recording media made of plastics such as polyvinyl chloride and which is excellent in safety and can be used without problematic odor, and a method of ink-jet recording with the ink. The non-aqueous jet printing ink is characterized by containing, as the essential components, a pigment, a pigment derivative having an acid group, a fixing resin, and a compound (A) consisting of one or more members selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the general formulae (1) and (2).

Abstract: A method and apparatus a digital ink-jet printer are presented. A radiation-curable ink is continuously applies to successive locations on a substrate along a print line extending across the substrate. Concurrently with the continuous application of the radiation-curable ink along the print line, first curing radiation of a predetermined first intensity is continuously applied to the applied ink on the successive locations on the substrate along said print line, with a certain time delay, constant for all the locations on the substrate, between the applications of ink and the first curing radiation. Second curing radiation of a predetermined second intensity is applied to the locations on the substrate a certain time period, constant for all the locations on the substrate, after the application of the first curing radiation to said locations.

Abstract: An image forming device comprises: an image forming unit adapted to execute image formation on a recording medium; and a writing unit adapted to be able to execute at least an information writing operation in a non-contact manner to a non-contact IC added to the recording medium. It is controlled whether or not the image forming unit should execute the image formation on the recording medium, according to a result of the information writing operation executed by the writing unit to the non-contact IC added to the recording medium.

Abstract: An ink jet recording medium having an ink receiving layer containing a binder which containing an acrylonitrile butadiene type copolymer, the butadiene concentration of the copolymer is 50 weight % or more, and an inorganic pigment on one or two sides of a base paper mainly composed of wood pulp, wherein the concentration ratio of the acrylonitrile butadiene type copolymer to 100 parts by weight of the inorganic pigment is from one part by weight to eight parts by weight, while 60 weight % or more of the inorganic pigment is kaolin with particles of 0.4 ?m or more and below 4.2 ?m which account for 64% or more as the cumulative value of the volumetric basis when measured using a laser diffraction method, and the surface roughness of the ink receiving layer is from 0.6 ?m to 1.4 ?m when a hard backing is used at a clamp pressure of 1,000 kPa according to JIS P8151.

Abstract: An inkjet recording element comprising a support extrusion coated with a porous hydrophilic material. The composition comprises a hydrophilic thermoplastic polymer and blends thereof. Also disclosed are methods for making and a method of printing on the inkjet recording element.

Abstract: A method for printing images on food and packaging for the food. The method includes the step of moving a plurality of food products along a first production line to a first printing station. The method also includes the step of moving a plurality of containers along a second production line to a second printing station. This step is performed during the step of moving the plurality of food products. The method also includes the step of printing a first image on at least one of the food products during the step of moving the plurality of food products. The method also includes the step of selecting a second image from a plurality of differing images in response to the first image. The second image is complementary to the first image. The method also includes the step of printing the second image on one of the containers during the step of moving the plurality of the containers. This step is preformed concurrently with the step of printing the first image.

Abstract: A recording head is operable to eject ink toward a recording medium. A carriage mounting the recording head is operable to carry the recording head in a first direction. At least one infrared ray heater is provided on the carriage so as to oppose the recording medium. An input energy of the infrared ray heater is 60 W or less.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for stamping a piece of ePaper. A grid is positioned within a selected distance to a first side of the piece of ePaper. A grounding pin conductively connects a conductive backing plate located on a second side of the piece of ePaper. The grounding pin completes a voltage path from the grid through the piece of ePaper to the conductive backing plate. A voltage is supplied to the grid and supplying the voltage to the grid changes the appearance of the piece of ePaper to form a stamped image.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a recording apparatus, which includes a sensor having a plurality of light-emitting elements and a plurality of light-receiving elements. The sensor can be configured to perform a detection operation. The detection operation includes at least two of an operation for detecting an edge of a recording medium, an operation for detecting a distance between a recording head and the recording medium, an operation for detecting the density of an image formed on the recording medium, and an operation for detecting the kind of the recording medium.