Abstract: Methods and apparatus for backlit and dual-sided imaging are described. A print head array is provided comprising first and second print heads arranged along a single print head axis. The first print head is adapted to print first and second images on a substrate, and the second print head is adapted to print a coating layer between the first and second images. The coating layer may comprise a specialized printing fluid such as a layer of substantially white ink. The substrate may comprise a substantially translucent or substantially clear material.

Abstract: The invention provides an ink jet print head capable of creating a state where the direction of ink-drop ejection is not likely to be influenced by air currents generated by the ink ejection, and capable of printing an image without causing the shifting of dots. To this end, air currents 11 generated by the ejection of ink and the interference among the air currents 11 are reduced by blowing out gas in a direction parallel with the direction of the ink ejection. Accordingly, even with a print head 1708 that ejects, at high ejection frequency, ink from multiple ejecting openings 4 formed densely, the advancing direction of the ink drops is unlikely to be deflected. As a consequence, a high-quality image of uniform can be outputted.

Abstract: For a liquid applying mechanism of an ink jet printing apparatus, a liquid to be used for application to a medium is prevented from evaporating and leaking from a liquid holding member. An applying roller and the liquid holding member contact with each other to hold the liquid and apply the held liquid to a printing medium by way of the applying roller. In this configuration, the surface of the applying roller has no irregularities. Thereby, the applying roller can contact the liquid holding member to form an adequate liquid-tight seal therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inkjet printing comprising providing a printhead, providing a controller for the printhead, providing a base ink formulation stream, introducing at least one first enhancer into the base ink stream to form a combined ink stream, adjusting the printhead setpoints and printing the combined ink onto a first substrate.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus records an image onto a recording medium by using an ink containing a coloring material, and the inkjet recording apparatus has: a first treatment agent deposition device which deposits a first treatment agent having a function of suppressing permeation of liquid into the recording medium, onto the recording medium; a second treatment agent deposition device which deposits a second treatment agent having at least one of a function of aggregating the coloring material contained in the ink and a function of increasing viscosity of the ink, onto the recording medium; an image processing device which converts input image data into dot data; and an ink droplet ejection head which ejects droplets of the ink onto the recording medium in accordance with the dot data.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid supply adapted to feed a stream of liquid through the supply channel, a liquid return channel adapted to receive liquid from the supply channel, a liquid dispensing outlet opening, and a diverter member selectively movable into the supply channel to divert droplets to the dispensing outlet opening. The liquid flows from the liquid supply channel to the liquid return channel by Coanda effect when not diverted. The motion of the diverter member is substantially orthogonal to and opposes the direction of liquid flow, so that energy associated with moving the diverter member imparts no energy to the diverted droplets. The energy associated with moving the diverter member is less than 100 nJ per pL droplet volume. In some embodiments, the energy associated with moving the diverter member is less than 10 nJ per pL droplet volume.

Abstract: A cooling system of a power semiconductor module of the invention includes a temperature detection sensor provided in a semiconductor element as a heat source provided in a power semiconductor module, and a controller which estimates a change of a heat transfer coefficient from the power semiconductor module to cooling water based on output information Tj of the temperature detection sensor and drive output information Sr of a rotation speed detection sensor for a pump motor to drive a cooling pump, controls the pump motor according to this estimated result, and controls cooling capacity of the cooling water.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus which performs color image recording, including: a color ink recording head which jets photo-curable color ink droplets onto a recording medium; a transparent ink recording head which jets photo-curable transparent ink droplets onto a recording medium; and a light radiating device for radiating light rays onto the color ink droplets and transparent ink droplets, on the recording medium; a control section for judging the amount of color ink droplets to be jetted, and for controlling the amount of transparent ink droplets to be jetted, based on the determined amount.

Abstract: A method of recording control includes ejecting first liquid to a recording medium and a recessed portion that is situated at the outside of at least one of sides of the recoding medium thereby a recording is performed without a margin at the at least one of the sides of the recording medium; and ejecting second liquid to the recessed portion to wash away the first liquid in the recessed portion in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus comprises: an ink ejection device which ejects a droplet of ink toward a recording medium, the ink including a solvent and a coloring material dissolved or dispersed in the solvent; a treatment liquid deposition device which deposits a treatment liquid on the recording medium, the treatment liquid separating the coloring material from the solvent on the recording medium; a solvent absorbing device which absorbs the solvent on the recording medium; a solvent evaporating device which causes the solvent on the recording medium to evaporate; and a solvent removal selection device which selects one removal way of a first removal way where the solvent on the recording medium is removed by absorbing the solvent using the solvent absorbing device and then causing the solvent to evaporate using the solvent evaporating device, and a second removal way where the solvent on the recording medium is removed by causing the solvent to evaporate using the solvent evaporating device without using th

Abstract: An image forming method of forming an image on an image forming body includes the steps of: applying a first treatment liquid onto the image forming body, the first treatment liquid having a first pH that is lower than an aggregation pH of the ink liquid; after the step of applying the first treatment liquid, depositing droplets of the ink liquid onto the image forming body on which the first treatment liquid has been applied, the droplets of the ink liquid being deposited according to the image data; after the step of depositing the droplets of the ink liquid, applying a second treatment liquid onto the image forming body on which the droplets of the ink liquid have been deposited, the second treatment liquid having a second pH that is lower than the aggregation pH of the ink liquid and lower than the first pH of the first treatment liquid; and after the step of applying the second treatment liquid, removing solvent derived from the ink liquid on the image forming body.

Abstract: The image forming method is for forming an image on an image formation body by using an ink liquid including a coloring material and an aggregation treatment agent including a component that causes the coloring material to aggregate. The image forming method includes: an aggregation treatment layer formation step of forming, on the image formation body, a semisolid aggregation treatment layer that includes the aggregation treatment agent and has a moisture content ratio not more than 56%; an ink droplet deposition step of ejecting droplets of the ink liquid and depositing the droplets of the ink liquid onto the image formation body where the aggregation treatment layer has been formed; and a solvent removal step of removing a liquid solvent present on the image formation body after the ink droplet deposition step.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a mixture of compressed fluid and marking material and depositing the marking material in a pattern onto a substrate, includes a high pressure source of a mixture of compressed fluid and marking material. A micro-machined manifold includes a plurality of micro-nozzles, a fluid chamber, and an entrance port with portions of a first surface of the micro-machined manifold defining the entrance port with the entrance port being connected in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. Each of the micro-nozzles having an inlet and an outlet with the inlet being connected in fluid communication with the fluid chamber and the outlet being located on the second surface of the micro-machined manifold. Each micro-nozzle is shaped to produce a directed beam of the mixture of compressed fluid and marking material beyond the outlet of the micro-nozzle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle and ejecting a liquid from the nozzle, a liquid supply passage which is connected with the liquid ejecting head, and through which the liquid is supplied to the liquid ejecting head, a gas discharge passage which is connected with the liquid supply passage at two different places, and through which a gas in the liquid supply passage is discharged, a gas-permeable film which is disposed at one of the two different places, constitutes a wall which separates the liquid supply passage and the gas discharge passage from each other, and allows gases to pass therethrough but does not allow liquids to pass therethrough, a shut-off valve which is disposed at the other of the two different places, and selectively placeable in an open state to communicate the liquid supply passage and the gas discharge passage with each other and a closing state to disconnect the communication between the liquid supply passage and the gas dis

Abstract: A moving distance is determined based on the time required by a deposited fine droplet to reach a target dot diameter and the velocity at which a movable stage is moved. An aperture is located at a position spaced from a nozzle, which ejects a droplet, by a distance equal to the moving distance. A light-transmissive liquid filling the aperture functions as a liquid lens for focusing a laser beam on a blot of a droplet. The light-transmissive liquid discharged from the aperture is used to clean a nozzle surface of an ejection head.

Abstract: A device for device for applying a plurality of microdroplets onto a substrate has a plurality of nozzle orifices in a dosing head. In addition to walls for defining a liquid column of a medium to be dosed on each nozzle orifice, a pressure chamber is provided, which is adapted to be filled with a buffer medium and which is arranged in such a way that said buffer medium can simultaneously be used for applying a pressure to the liquid-column ends which are spaced apart from the nozzle orifices. A pressure generator is provided for applying a pressure to said buffer medium in such a way that a plurality of microdroplets will simultaneously be applied onto the substrate through said plurality of nozzle orifices. Finally, liquid reservoirs for the media to be dosed, which are in fluid communication with the liquid columns on the nozzle orifices are provided.

Abstract: An ink jet printer is provided with an ink jet head, a wiper and a transferring device. The ink jet head has an ink discharging plane. A plurality of ink openings for discharging ink toward a print medium and a liquid opening for discharging liquid are formed on the ink discharging plane. The ink openings are closer to one end of the ink discharging plane than the liquid opening is. The liquid opening is closer to the other end of the ink discharging plane than the ink openings are. The wiper wipes the ink discharging plane of the ink jet head. The transferring device transfers the ink jet head and/or the wiper such that the wiper wipes the ink discharging plane from a beginning position located at the other end side of the ink discharging plane to a finishing position located at the one end side of the ink discharging plane. The liquid discharged from the liquid opening adheres to the wiper when the wiper wipes an area where the liquid opening is formed.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a jetting assembly including a plurality of nozzles for ejecting droplets on a substrate; an enclosure defining a print zone within which the jetting assembly prints on the substrate, the enclosure including an inlet for introducing a material associated with controlling an environment of the enclosure.

Abstract: A pretreatment fluid includes an effective amount of a fluorinated surfactant and a vehicle. The fluorinated surfactant is selected from at least one non-ionic fluorinated surfactant, at least one ionic fluorinated surfactant, and combinations thereof. The effective amount is selected based upon: a system in which the pretreatment fluid is used, an ink composition used in the system, system pretreatment time, pretreatment vehicle components, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system and associated methods for printing matte and glossy images on a glossy media substrate comprising an ink set that comprises at least one pigmented ink-jet ink including an anionic surface charged pigment dispersed in a first liquid vehicle and a substantially colorless matting liquid with at least one matting agent dispersed or solvated in a second liquid vehicle. Additionally, when the pigmented ink-jet ink is printed on the glossy media substrate alone, the pigmented ink-jet ink has a glossy appearance, and wherein when the colorless matting liquid is overprinted or underprinted with respect to the pigmented ink-jet ink on the glossy media substrate, the pigmented ink-jet ink combined with the matting liquid exhibits a visually perceptible matte appearance compared to the glossy appearance of the ink-jet ink printed alone.

Abstract: A printing module for a large-sized UV (ultraviolet) inkjet printer includes an inkjet head device for outputting the color inks of printed figures. It is characterized in that the two sides of the inkjet head device are respectively providing with an inkjet head for outputting primer and an inkjet head for outputting varnish. Thereby, the inkjet head of primer could output under-coat before printing and the inkjet head of varnish could apply the top-coat on printed figures after printing.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus comprises: an ink ejection device which ejects ink comprising a coloring material dispersed or dissolved in a solvent onto a recording medium; a treatment liquid application device which applies a treatment liquid which produces a charged aggregate of the coloring material by reaction with the ink onto the recording medium, in such a manner that two liquids of the ink and the treatment liquid combine on the recording medium; a conveyance device which causes the ink ejection device and the recording medium to move relatively to each other by conveying at least one of the ink ejection device and the recording medium in a direction substantially perpendicular to a breadthways direction of the recording medium; and a solvent absorbing device which is charged to a same polarity as the aggregate of the coloring material and absorbs the solvent in the ink on the recording medium, wherein: the coloring material and the solvent are separated by reaction of the two liquids which have combine

Abstract: The invention provides an ink jet printing method for printing a color image on a printing object by using a plurality of inks, wherein ink nozzles 9a through 9d which house the plurality of inks, respectively, and a dilution nozzle 8 which houses a dilute solution that can dilute the inks are used, the ink is discharged from the ink nozzle 9a by an electrostatic sucking force to form a droplet L on a printing object 4, and then the ink is discharged from the ink nozzle 9b by an electrostatic sucking force and the inks are mixed within the droplet L to form a droplet in an arbitrary additive color. In this case, primary color inks can be accurately mixed within the droplet L.

Abstract: The liquid ejection apparatus includes: a recording head which includes a nozzle and an ejection device, the ejection device ejecting an ejection liquid through the nozzle by applying pressure to the ejection liquid in the recording head; a liquid accommodation unit which is in connection with the recording head and which accommodates a gas, the ejection liquid to be supplied to the recording head, and a non-volatile liquid having a permeability to the gas lower than the ejection liquid, the ejection liquid being separated from the gas by the non-volatile liquid; and a pressure control unit which controls pressure of the ejection liquid in the liquid accommodation unit by moving the gas into and out of the liquid accommodation unit.

Abstract: A double-sided printable image recording apparatus including a conveyer for conveying a recording medium, a fixed recording head for ejecting an aqueous ink and a treating liquid having nature of aggregating a colorant contained in the aqueous ink to a recording medium conveyed by the conveyer, which is arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to a conveying direction of the recording medium, and has a printing region of a recording medium width, and an ejection controller for controlling ejection of the aqueous ink and the treating liquid from the fixed recording head based on image information, wherein the ejection controller, in a double-sided printing mode of printing on both sides of the recording medium, controls an ejection amount of a treating liquid ejected per recording medium to a smaller amount than that of a single-sided printing mode of printing only on one side, at least on a surface of a recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to methods and architecture for depositing one or more self-assembled monolayer(s) onto a print nozzle orifice plate surface. In particular, the servicing fluid includes a self-assembled monolayer-forming agent and is applied using a wiper. The wiper is configured to service and maintain an orifice plate surface having a pre-existing self-assembled monolayer, or for initial application of a self-assembled monolayer to an orifice plate.

Abstract: A printer for digital printing in which conductive ink is deposited in metered amounts on a substrate. The printer includes a wheel rotatable by a shaft of a motor, an idler disposed in a paint reservoir, and a segment of wire disposed around the wheel and the idler. A computer controls movement of the wire by controlling the rotation of the wheel. As the motor rotates the wheel, conductive ink contained within the paint reservoir coats the wire and is drawn by the wire in front of an air stream, which pulls the conductive ink from the wire and carries it toward the substrate. The digital printing of conductive ink can be used to form conductive patterns, such as circuit elements, on the substrate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a conveyance device which conveys an ejection receiving medium; and an ejection head which ejects and deposits droplets of liquid on the ejection receiving medium conveyed by the conveyance device, the deposited droplets of the liquid constituting an image on the ejection receiving medium, wherein the following conditions are satisfied: ?S??L; and d??{square root over (2)}×l, where ?S is a surface energy of the ejection receiving medium, ?L is a surface energy of the liquid, d is a diameter of each of the droplets of the liquid deposited on the ejection receiving medium, and l is a maximum of a resolution pitch of the image.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inkjet printing apparatus (1) with at least one printing head (2). Several tanks (3, 4) for inks and/or a cleaning medium are arranged in front of a connection opening (7) for the printing head (2), and the tanks (3, 4) are connected by feed lines (5) with the connection opening (7) for the printing head (2), whereby a stop element (6) is arranged between each tank (3, 4) and the connection opening (7).

Abstract: The inkjet recording apparatus has: an ink droplet ejection device which ejects a droplet of an ink containing a coloring material; a treatment liquid deposition device which deposits a treatment liquid that causes the coloring material contained in the ink to aggregate so as to create a coloring material aggregate; and an absorbing body which absorbs a solvent of a mixed liquid including the ink ejected as the droplet by the ink droplet ejection device and the treatment liquid deposited by the treatment liquid deposition device, wherein solvent absorption holes having an opening diameter larger than a spreading width of the coloring material aggregate in the mixed liquid on a surface of a recording body are formed in a surface of the absorbing body.

Abstract: Inkjet heads and methods of fabricating and exchanging the same. The inkjet head includes a substrate having a liquid supply hole; a nozzle plate disposed on an upper surface and provided with a nozzle hole to eject the liquid; a fluid channel forming layer disposed between the substrate and the nozzle plate and providing a chamber and a fluid channel to connect the chamber and the liquid supply hole; a heat-generating body disposed at the chamber to generate energy to eject the liquid; and a filler filled in the fluid channel to prevent air from being introduced into the fluid channel and allowed to cause phase transition into liquid. When the fluid channel forming layer and the nozzle plate are disposed on the substrate to constitute the head, the gel is injected into the fluid channel in the fluid channel forming layer to prevent air from being introduced into the fluid channel.

Abstract: The inkjet recording apparatus which forms an image on a recording medium by applying a first liquid containing coloring material and a second liquid containing no coloring material or the coloring material of not greater than 0.1 wt %, on the recording medium, includes: a liquid application device which applies the second liquid on the recording medium and then ejects droplets of the first liquid toward the second liquid applied on the recording medium; and an electron beam irradiation device which radiates an electron beam on the first liquid and the second liquid on the recording medium, wherein: at least one of the first liquid and the second liquid contains a polymerizable compound which is polymerized when irradiated with the electron beam; and the electron beam irradiation device radiates the electron beam at an acceleration voltage of 40 kV through 60 kV.

Abstract: The ink-jet recording apparatus includes: a conveyer that conveys a recording medium; a recording head that ejects an ink and a processing solution; an ejection controller that controls ejection of the ink and the processing solution from the recording head; and a double side printer that prints on both surfaces of the recording medium to forming an image on each surfaces. Respective ejection of the ink and the processing solution is controlled so that respective amounts of the ink and the processing solution applied per unit area is less under a double-sided printing mode than the respective amount of the ink and the processing solution applied per unit area under a single-sided printing mode, and so that a reduction ratio of the amount of the ink applied per unit area is larger than one of the processing solution per unit area.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus is provided for formation of a high-quality image without irregularity in the image density independently of the infiltration time of the pretreatment liquid or the delivery speed of the plain paper sheet for the printing. The interval between a pretreatment liquid applicator 30 and printing heads 21-24 is adjusted by a stepping motor 98 driven by a stepping motor control circuit 34 based on the delivery speed data read by a memory controller 68. Thereby an endless belt 90 is allowed to circulate in the direction of the arrow-C or arrow-D. This circulation movement of the endless belt displaces the applicator holder 82 or the pretreatment liquid applicator 30 at an intended distance in the arrow-A direction or the reverse direction along the guide rail 86,88.

Abstract: An introducing liquid for an ink jet head in the invention is used to fill the ink jet head before introducing ink into the ink jet head. The introducing liquid has a surface tension satisfying the following equation (1), and a contact angle of not more than 25 degrees with respect to an ink passage member of the ink jet head to be applied. An ink jet head of the invention is to be filled with the introducing liquid. 6mN/m<(St10?St1000)<16mN/m ??(1) where St10 is a surface tension in a lifetime of 10 msec, and St1000 is a surface tension in a lifetime of 1000 msec.

Abstract: A non-direct contact ink-jet style printer is disclosed herein, which uses a superfluid cryogenic fluid such as superfluid helium as the ink medium. Superfluid helium is non-viscous thus enabling the print head of the present invention to print nanoscale characters onto a substrate. In one exemplary embodiment, dopants are injected into the ink droplets to load the droplets with dopants, which then deliver the dopants onto the substrate. Multiple nozzles and different dopants may be used with the embodiments disclosed herein to provide different outputs on the substrate. Spent or un-used droplets and dopants may be educted away and discarded or scrubbed for reuse. Methods for printing using superfluid helium are also discussed herein.

Abstract: The invention is related to a coating delivery system that includes at least one pressure vessel operable in sealed and unsealed conditions, a deliverable substance including a coating component interspersed with at least one of liquefied carbon dioxide and supercritical carbon dioxide, and a pressurizing fluid. The deliverable substance is disposed in a first pressure vessel of the at least one pressure vessel, and the pressurizing fluid directly exerts a pressure on the deliverable substance to effect transport thereof when the pressure vessel is in the unsealed condition. The deliverable substance may be spray discharged.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus is provided with a recording head that ejects ink droplets, an ink tank that supplies ink to the recording head, a waste ink recovering mechanism that recovers ink droplets ejected from the recording head as waste ink, a waste-ink tank, which is connected to the waste-ink recovering mechanism and stores the waste ink, a diluent tank which is communicated with the waste-ink tank and accommodates a diluent that dilutes the waste ink, and at least one of diluent supplier, that is, one of a first diluent supplier which supplies the diluent in the diluent tank to the waste-ink tank to make the conductivity of the waste ink in the waste-ink tank substantially the same as the conductivity of the ink stored in the ink tank and a second diluent supplier which supplies the diluent in the diluent tank to the waste-ink tank to make the specific gravity of the waste ink in the waste-ink tank substantially the same as the specific gravity of the ink stored in the ink tank.

Abstract: A droplet ejection apparatus includes: a droplet ejection head that ejects droplets; a conveying member that retains a recording medium and conveys the recording medium with facing the recording medium to the droplet ejection head; a coating member that coats the conveying member with a lubricant; and a cleaning member that cleans the conveying member. The droplet ejection apparatus satisfies the following formulae (1) L2?L1 ??(1) wherein, in the formulae (1): L1 is the width, in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, of the cleaning of the conveying member by the cleaning member; and L2 is the width, in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, of coating the lubricant on the conveying member by the coating member.

Abstract: An adhesive application mechanism for a printer is provided. The adhesive application mechanism comprises first and second adhesive applicators, the adhesive applicators being mutually opposed and configured to apply adhesive simultaneously onto opposite faces of sheets of print media fed therebetween, wherein a media feed path is defined between the first and second adhesive applicators.

Abstract: The ink set for inkjet recording includes: a first liquid which contains at least a water-soluble solvent, water, and pigment particles dispersed and retained in a medium including the water-soluble solvent and the water; and a second liquid which does not contain coloring material but contains at least a water-soluble solvent, water, and a liquid composition which enhances printing characteristics, wherein: an image is formed by making the first liquid and the second liquid come into contact with each other on a recording medium; and a ratio of pigment particles having a particle diameter of not less than 150 nm is not greater than 2 volume percent with respect to a whole of the pigment particles contained in the first liquid.

Abstract: The image recording method for forming an image on a recording medium, includes the step of applying droplets of stimulus-responsive ink which responds to a stimulus so that the stimulus-responsive ink converts from a sol state to a gel state, on the recording medium, wherein each of the droplets of the stimulus-responsive ink has a volume of 0.5 pl to 2.5 pl.

Abstract: Various venturi configurations are described that are particularly significant for ballistic aerosol marking (BAM) applications. The specific venturi geometries enable the printing of lines having sharp edges and particular widths, using relatively low pressures.

Abstract: An ink-jet recording ink set, comprising at least one recording liquid containing a colorant and a polymerizable compound and an ink spread suppressing liquid containing at least one surfactant and substantially no colorant, wherein all of the following conditions (A), (B) and (C) are satisfied, and an ink-jet recording method using the same: (A) the surface tension of the ink spread suppressing liquid is smaller than that of at least one recording liquid contained in the ink-jet recording ink set; (B) at least one of the surfactants contained in the ink spread suppressing liquid satisfies the following relationship: ?s(0)??s(saturated)>1 mN/m; and (C) the surface tension of the ink spread suppressing liquid satisfies the following relationship: ?s<(?s(0)+?s(saturated)max)/2.

Abstract: A droplet jetting apparatus having a droplet jetting head including a nozzle opening formed in a nozzle formation surface, from which droplets of a predetermined liquid are jetted, and a capping device for capping the nozzle opening of the head. A moisture retentive liquid supply device connected to the capping device is provided for supplying a moisture retentive liquid with respect to the predetermined liquid to a space formed by the nozzle formation surface and the capping portion. The weight and the size of the head and its periphery, which is a movable body, are not specifically increased, and accordingly, increase in the cost for motors for driving the droplet jetting head is prevented, thereby effectively avoiding clogging in the nozzle opening of the droplet jetting head. In addition, it is unnecessary to move the droplet jetting head when the moisture retentive liquid is supplied.

Abstract: A liquid droplet of a first liquid and a liquid droplet of a second liquid are mixed upon landing on a substrate, and then the reaction is initiated between the first and second liquid droplets. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid the problem which would have been caused when the two liquids are mixed in advance before the usage that the reaction between the two liquids is advanced before the liquids are actually coated. Further, since the ink-jet system is employed, it is possible to precisely control the liquid-droplet amount and the landing position, thereby landing the first and second liquids on a same position with high precision. Accordingly, a highly integrated pattern can be formed. Furthermore, since the mixing ratio of the first and second liquids can be precisely controlled, the film quality can be stabilized.

Abstract: A recording head has a channel forming member and an element substrate. A discharge port through which liquid is discharged is formed in the channel forming member. An energy generating element for discharging the liquid is formed in the substrate. A gap forming member is arranged above the channel forming member. A moisture retention liquid retention portion which retains moisture in the vicinity of the discharge port is formed between the gap forming member and the channel forming member so as to be opened toward the discharge port side. Even if the state in which the liquid is not discharged continues, the liquid in the discharge port can be prevented from drying with the recording head having the above configuration.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead and a method for increasing the shelf life thereof are herein disclosed. The inkjet printhead has one or more nozzles for dispensing a colorant. These nozzles are fluidically connected to a reservoir. A first colorant substantially fills the nozzles while a second colorant is reserved in the reservoir.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead is provided comprising ink ejection nozzles arranged to eject ink from respective ink chambers onto media through respective apertures of the ink chambers and respective passages spaced from the apertures, and a fluid director arranged to direct a fluid into the space between the apertures and passages so as to pass through the passages. The fluid director is configured to direct the fluid into the space so that a fluid pressure within the space is less than a fluid pressure within the space without the fluid.

Abstract: Image quality is improved by adjusting the ejection amount of quality enhancing ink based on the ejection amount of colored ink containing colorant. When a relatively high gross printing medium is used, the quality enhancing ink is ejected in an image area where virtually no colored ink is ejected, thereby improving unevenness in gloss within the print image. When a relatively low gross printing medium is used, on the other hand, the quality enhancing ink is ejected in an image area where the colored ink is ejected on virtually all pixels, thereby improving unevenness in color within the print image. The relationship between the ejection amounts of the quality enhancing ink and the colored ink may be modified by the user.