Abstract: Some embodiments relate to printing system is described that has an intermediate transfer member (ITM) in the form of a seamed endless belt for transporting an ink image from an image forming station, at which an ink image is deposited on ITM, to an impression station, where the ink image is transferred onto a printing substrate. Two drive members are provided for movement in synchronism with one another. Rotation of the drive members during installation of a new ITM serves to thread the strip through the printing system by pulling the strip from its leading end. Alternatively or additionally, indirect printing system comprising the ITM and an image forming station at which droplets of ink are applied to the ITM to form ink images thereon is disclosed. One or more blowing mechanisms (e.g. associated with the image forming station) are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Provided is a maintenance device that performs maintenance of a recording head with a nozzle face on which an opening of a nozzle for ink discharge is provided. The maintenance device includes a scraper that scrapes ink that adheres to the nozzle face, and an ink receiver that receives ejected ink that is ejected through the nozzle and scraped ink that is scraped off by the scraper. The ink receiver includes a first face and a second face that are each inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. The ink receiver receives the ejected ink at least on the first face of the first face and the second face, and receives the scraped ink on the second face. A flowability of ink on the second face is greater than a flowability of ink on the second face.

Abstract: A facility for applying a coating product including a set of printing nozzles, each nozzle including an outlet channel emerging in the downstream direction by a coating product discharge orifice, the facility further including a cleaning station for at least one nozzle of the set of printing nozzles, the station including at least one cleaning fluid injector in the outlet channel of the printing nozzle, through its discharge orifice.

Abstract: In an example, a printhead assembly includes a plurality of printheads and a printing fluid flow structure including an upper body part comprising a number of flow regulators to regulate the flow of printing fluid through the printing fluid flow structure; a lower body part comprising a number of printing fluid passages to carry the printing fluid to the plurality of printheads; and a manifold placed between the upper body and lower body to carry the printing fluid from the upper body part to the lower body part.

Abstract: A cleaning adapter cleans print heads in an installation for the printing of containers. The installation includes a printing machine having an inkjet print head and a transport system that moves the containers to be printed. The container is moved past the print head and, in so doing, is printed with liquid printing inks. The cleaning adapter is designed in such a way that it is introducible into the transport system in place of one of the containers to be printed and is moveable to the print head for cleaning purposes. The cleaning adapter comprises a container which is hollow in portions and has an opening. The cleaning adapter, in regions thereof in which the transport system acts thereon during transport, has an external form corresponding to the containers to be printed, so that the cleaning adapter is configured to be positioned utilizing the transport system.

Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a sheet feed section, an image forming section, a partition unit, an air inflow portion, a first sheet conveyance section, a second sheet conveyance section, and an air sucking and discharging section. The partition unit partitions an interior of an apparatus casing into a first space in which the image forming section is disposed and a second space in which the sheet feed section, the first sheet conveyance section, and the second sheet conveyance section are disposed. Air outside the apparatus casing is taken into the first space through the air inflow portion. The second sheet conveyance section includes a conveyance guide disposed downstream of the image forming section in a conveyance direction of a recording sheet. The air sucking and discharging section sucks air around the conveyance guide and discharges the air into the second space or out of the apparatus casing.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator includes a casing with a cylindrical chamber inside, a gas-liquid 2-phase inlet pipe which is attached to a wall of the casing and connected to the chamber, a gas outlet pipe for discharging the gas of a gas-liquid mixture flowing into the chamber, and the gas-liquid 2-phase outlet pipe for discharging the liquid as a most part of the gas-liquid mixture flowing into the chamber. A gap is formed around the gas-liquid outlet pipe in the chamber for separating the mixture into liquid and gas using the surface tension and suction force. The gas-liquid separator is installed in the inkjet recording apparatus, especially in the print head. The print head is filled with the solvent gas so as to be suctioned from the gutter to reduce the solvent consumption.

Abstract: Features for various embodiments of a self-contained printhead unit, including an on-board fluidic system, quick-coupling electrical and pneumatic interfacing, in conjunction with the features of various embodiments of a kinematic mounting and air bearing clamping assembly, as well as contactless integration to a waste assembly, together provide for the ready interchangeability of a plurality of printhead units in a printing system during a printing process, while at the same time preventing cross-contamination of a plurality of end-user selected inks contained in each of a plurality of printhead units.

Abstract: A printer includes a head, a wiper, a cap, a supply flow path, a supply opening/closing valve, a gas channel, a gas opening/closing valve, a waste fluid flow path, a suction portion, and a processor. The processor is configured to set a covered state in which the cap covers the at least one nozzle, supply the cleaning fluid to the cap, in the covered state, by opening the supply opening/closing valve, closing the gas opening/closing valve, and driving the suction portion, discharge the cleaning fluid, in the covered state, by closing the supply opening/closing valve, opening the gas opening/closing valve, and driving the suction portion, set an uncovered state in which covering the at least one nozzle by the cap is released, and cause the wiper to slide in contact with the nozzle surface, in the uncovered state, by moving the wiper relatively with respect to the nozzle surface.

Abstract: A liquid storing container is adapted to supply liquid to a liquid ejection section configured and arranged eject the liquid. The liquid storing container includes a liquid storage chamber, a liquid supply opening, and a vent portion. The liquid storage chamber is configured and arranged to store the liquid. The liquid supply opening communicates with the liquid storage chamber, and configured and arranged to be connected to a tube which is connected to the liquid ejection section. The vent portion communicates with the liquid storage chamber to introduce air to the liquid storage chamber. The vent portion protrudes from a side wall of the liquid storing container. The vent portion has an opening facing in a direction different from a protruding direction of the vent portion.

Abstract: The present invention suppresses the spread of a mist of a liquid ejected from a liquid ejection head. Air is blown out toward a printing medium from a blowing-out opening relatively moving together with a print head, as the liquid ejection head, with respect to the printing medium. Air on the printing medium is sucked into a suction opening relatively moving together with the print head with respect to the printing medium. An ink ejection opening of the print head, the blowing-out opening, and the suction opening are arranged in the order from an upstream side to a downstream side in a moving direction of the printing medium with respect to the print head.

Abstract: A printhead maintenance device includes a maintenance housing including a set of maintenance nozzles, an air controlling member, and a waste collector. The maintenance housing moves to selectively position the set of maintenance nozzles opposite a printhead including a nozzle surface having a plurality of nozzles to eject fluid. The set of maintenance nozzles provide fluid onto the nozzle surface of the printhead to remove residue therefrom. The air controlling member forms air flow paths to at least one of direct the fluid provided by the maintenance nozzles at an angle to the nozzle surface and direct the residue maintenance nozzles to the waste collector.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a substrate receiving member, a fluid applicator unit, and an air recirculator assembly. The substrate receiving member may selectively receive a substrate. The fluid applicator unit may selectively eject a first set of drops to the substrate received by the substrate receiving member in a print mode and a second set of drops in a maintenance mode. The air recirculater assembly may direct air to form an air barrier across the print zone to redirect at least one of aerosol and particulates from crossing through the air barrier and onto the substrate, to filter the at least one of the aerosol and particulates to form filtered air, and to form the air barrier with the filtered air.

Abstract: A wiping device has a wiping section that relatively moves along the nozzle surface, and the wiping section has: a curved surface in which a bulge is continuously formed along the identification line; a guiding section disposed such that the bulge faces the nozzle surface; a gas jetting port that applies gas to the curved surface; and a gas suction port that sucks the gas ejected from the gas jetting port and guided along the curved surface, wherein, as viewed from the direction perpendicular to the nozzle surface, the identification line which is the set of upper end points on the bulge on the curved surface intersects with the edges of the nozzle surface at an oblique angle.

Abstract: A method for producing an inkjet head may include, the inkjet head having: a head substrate having a plurality of piezoelectric elements, a wiring substrate having wiring lines through which electric power is fed to the respective piezoelectric elements through the drive electrodes, the method having: pressure-welding the wiring substrate to the head substrate by heat through resin adhesive sections made of a thermosetting resin so that the drive electrodes are electrically connected to the wiring lines through solder bumps; and joining the head substrate to the wiring substrate, wherein a melting point TB[° C.] of the solder bumps and a cure initiation temperature TR[° C.] of the resin adhesion sections meet a relation (TR[° C.]?TB[° C.]?TR+30[° C.]).

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a first heating unit which heats liquid ejected onto a medium for recording; a first collecting unit which is provided at a position facing a first face of the medium for recording at a portion at which a heating process is performed with respect to the liquid using the first heating unit; and a second collecting unit which is provided at a position facing a second face of the medium for recording at a portion at which the heating process is performed, in which the first collecting unit and the second collecting unit include a vapor collecting unit which collects vapor which is generated in the heating process from a vapor intake port, and a vapor liquefying unit which liquefies the collected vapor.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes feeding mechanism that feeds a recording medium in a first direction, a head including nozzles that eject liquid; and a humidifying mechanism. The humidifying mechanism includes a humidified air generating device that generates humidified air, an output portion that outputs the humidified air generated by the humidified air generating device, and a receiving portion that receives the humidified air output from the output portion. The output portion includes a first opening and a second opening. An area of the second opening is greater than an area of the first opening, and the first opening is separated from the second opening in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The head is disposed between the output portion and the receiving portion in the first direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ink jet device and to an associated method. Said device (1) comprises a chamber (60) comprising at least one ink jet head (10), an inlet (66) for a gas having a lower molar mass than air, and at least one outlet (21) for said gas, said head (10) being arranged in the chamber (60) in such a way that the gas can be injected around the head (10) and removed from the chamber along with the ink supplied by the head.

Abstract: Container handling machine for printing onto containers with a transport device optionally configured as a carousel for transporting said containers, with direct printing heads and with a cleaning device for cleaning the direct printing heads, the cleaning device including at least one cleaning unit for dispensing cleaning fluid to a direct printing head and a collection device for discharging spent cleaning fluid.

Abstract: An inkjet marking module includes an inkjet marking device adapted to jet droplets of an inkjet marking material to form an image on recording substrate; and an evaporation device arranged for evaporating a solvent to a gaseous medium. The evaporation device includes an aerosol generator for creating an aerosol of the solvent in the gaseous medium; and a droplet eliminator for removing droplets from the aerosol, the droplet eliminator being arranged downstream of the aerosol generator. A printing system includes such an inkjet marking module and a method is disclosed for controlling the relative degree of saturation of a solvent vapor in a gaseous medium in an inkjet marking module.

Abstract: In a method for determining a maintenance performance of a maintenance unit of an inkjet printing system, the inkjet system comprises an inkjet print head having an orifice surface, the orifice surface comprising an orifice, which orifice is in fluid communication with an ink chamber. The method comprises operating the maintenance unit to perform a maintenance operation on the orifice surface of the inkjet print head and detecting the presence of a wiper element or amount of ink over the orifice by detecting a pressure wave in the ink chamber and analyzing the detected pressure wave to determine the maintenance performance of the maintenance unit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a supply unit having a humidifying portion that supplies humidified gas near a nozzle array of a line-type recording head. In correspondence to displacement of the recording head in a direction of the nozzle array, at least one of an introducing direction and an introducing position of the supplied humidified gas can be changed.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a conveyor mechanism for conveying a recording medium in a conveying direction; a head including an ejection face including an ejection opening region having ejection openings; a capping unit; an air supply opening and an air discharge opening; a humidification unit; and a recording control unit. The recording medium is conveyed so as to avoid areas within first and second avoidance distances respectively from the air discharge opening and the air supply opening in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The sum of the first and second avoidance distances is greater than a value obtained by subtracting a length of the ejection opening region from a separation distance between the supply and discharge openings in the perpendicular direction and not greater than a value obtained by subtracting the width of the recording medium in the perpendicular direction from the separation distance.

Abstract: Inkjet printing methods are provided that deflect and guide a condensation reducing airflow between a printing module and a receiver without disrupting inkjet drop placements.

Abstract: Inkjet printing methods are described that create a combination of higher resistance flow areas and lower resistance flow areas to allow a vaporized carrier fluid reducing airflow to flow between a printing module and a receiver without disrupting inkjet drop placements. Removal of the vaporized carrier fluid reduces condensation.

Abstract: Inkjet printing systems are described that have deflection surfaces to guide a condensation reducing airflow between a printing module and a receiver without disrupting inkjet drop placements.

Abstract: Methods for operating an inkjet printing system are provided. In one method, a cross-module airflow is used to limit concentrations of an evaporated inkjet carrier fluid between barrier that is between inkjet printheads of a printing module and a receiver. In the method, inkjet droplets are printed along a first print line and a second print line as the receiver is moved past the first print line and as the receiver is moved past the second print line. A co-linear airflow that flows along with ink droplets to the receiver is also supplied. Between the first print line and the second print line the receiver is moved to create an integration area in which the cross-module airflow and co-linear airflow can integrate and flow from between the printing module and the receiver without disrupting the travel of ink droplets.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a conveyor mechanism for conveying a recording medium in a conveying direction; a head including an ejection face including an ejection opening region having ejection openings, the region being longer than the recording medium in a conveyance perpendicular direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; a capping unit for selectively establishing a sealing state or an open state; an air supply opening and an air discharge opening; a humidification unit for performing a humidifying maintenance; a recording control unit for performing image recording; and a flushing control unit. The conveyor mechanism conveys the recording medium in the image recording such that one of opposite end portions of the ejection opening region and one of opposite edge portions of the recording medium are opposed to each other in the conveyance perpendicular direction when seen in a direction perpendicular to the ejection face.

Abstract: A liquid collection device includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid, a suction-delivery unit that sucks the liquid from the liquid ejecting head and delivers the sucked liquid, a liquid collection unit that collects the liquid delivered from the suction-delivery unit, and a gas delivery unit that delivers gas to the liquid collection unit.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes a head for ejecting liquid, a cap unit for sealing an ejection surface of the head, a humidified air supply mechanism for performing a humidifying operation; a forcible discharge mechanism for performing a forcible discharge operation of forcibly discharging liquid from the ejection ports, a measuring unit for measuring a lapse time after a power supply becomes off and until the power supply becomes on, and a control unit for controlling the humidifying operation when the power supply becomes off, and controlling the forcible discharge operation when the power supply becomes on. When the power supply becomes on, the control unit controls the humidifying operation before performing the forcible discharge operation based on whether the lapse time measured by the measuring unit exceeds a predetermined time.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a head having an ejection face; a capping mechanism including: a separator having a lip member enclosing the head; a facing member facing the ejection face to form an ejection space; and a moving mechanism for moving the lip member between a contact position and a distant position; and a humidifying mechanism including: a humid air producer; a first projecting portion extending along a first side face of the head and extending in a direction away from the first side face; a supply opening defined by the first projecting portion and the separator, for supplying humid air into the ejection space; and an air discharger disposed on an opposite side of the ejection face from the supply opening and configured to discharge air from the ejection space. At least one cutout is formed in an edge portion of the first projecting portion.

Abstract: A stray ink collection apparatus includes an air duct facing to a nozzle, a collection box, an absorber received in the collection box, and a pump mechanism. The air duct and the pump mechanism are secured to two opposite sides of the collection box. The pump mechanism is capable of generating a suction force to suck stray ink from the nozzle to the collection box via the air duct, and the absorber is capable of absorbing the stray ink.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a printer chassis, an inkjet head attached to the printer chassis, a belt connected to the inkjet head, a motor, and an ink collection device. The motor is secured to the printer chassis and meshes with the belt. The motor drives the belt in a first moving direction or a second moving direction to move the inkjet head back and forth. The ink collection device is secured to the printer chassis and includes a fan module driven for bringing undeposited ink particles generated in printing. The fan module is configured to be rotated by the belt in a single constant direction notwithstanding the direction of movement of the belt.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a printhead includes providing a jetting module including a plurality of nozzles and a drop forming mechanism associated with the plurality of nozzles. A gas flow deflection mechanism is provided and includes a gas flow duct in fluid communication with a gas flow pressure source. A flow of liquid is provided through the nozzles at a pressure sufficient to form jets of the liquid. Liquid drops are formed from the liquid jets using the drop forming mechanism. At least some of the liquid drops are caused to enter the gas flow duct using the gas flow pressure source. Liquid from the liquid drops that entered the gas flow duct is caused to wet at least a portion of the gas flow duct. The liquid is removed from the gas flow duct.

Abstract: In one example, an air barrier system for a printhead assembly includes a source of pressurized air and multiple channels operatively connected to the air source to channel multiple streams of air between two printheads in the printhead assembly.

Abstract: In one example, an air barrier system for a printhead assembly includes a source of pressurized air and multiple channels operatively connected to the air source to channel multiple streams of air between two printheads in the printhead assembly.

Abstract: In an inkjet printing apparatus, a heater heats a drip bib that is located below a plurality of inkjets in a printhead to a temperature that melts ink collected on a surface of the drip bib. Pressurized air is directed toward the surface of the drip bib to remove the melted ink from the surface of the drip bib.

Abstract: A method of maintaining a printhead includes providing a jetting module including a plurality of nozzles and a drop forming mechanism associated with the plurality of nozzles. A gas flow deflection mechanism is provided and includes a gas flow duct in fluid communication with a gas flow pressure source. A flow of liquid is provided through the nozzles at a pressure sufficient to form jets of the liquid. Liquid drops are formed from the liquid jets using the drop forming mechanism. At least some of the liquid drops are caused to enter the gas flow duct using the gas flow pressure source. Liquid from the liquid drops that entered the gas flow duct is caused to wet at least a portion of the gas flow duct. The liquid is removed from the gas flow duct.

Abstract: In an inkjet printing apparatus, a heater heats a drib bib that is located below a plurality of inkjets in a printhead to a temperature that melts ink collected on a surface of the drip bib. Pressurized air is directed toward the surface of the drip bib to remove the melted ink from the surface of the drip bib.

Abstract: In a method to regenerate during operation ink in nozzles of at least one inkjet print head operating according to drop on demand in an inkjet print apparatus, nozzles of the print head that generate print dots on a printing substrate are activated such that the nozzles output first ink droplets of a predetermined volume in a direction towards the printing substrate. Nozzles that are not being currently used to generate print dots on the printing substrate are activated such that they output at least one second ink droplet of a smaller volume in comparison to the first ink droplets volume. During at least the outputting of the second ink droplet, a suction flow is generated between the inkjet print head and the printing substrate of such strength that the second ink droplet is deflected so it does not arrive at the printing substrate.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for creating a color and optical density selectable visible mark on an anodized aluminum specimen. The method includes providing a laser marking system having a laser, laser optics and a controller operatively connected to said laser to control laser pulse parameters and a controller with stored laser pulse parameters, selecting the stored laser pulse parameters associated with the desired color and optical density, directing the laser marking system to produce laser pulses having laser pulse parameters associated with the desired color and optical density including temporal pulse widths greater than about 1 and less than about 1000 picoseconds to impinge upon said anodized aluminum.

Abstract: A wiping apparatus having a gas injection aperture that injects gas, and a guide section that has a convexly curved surface and has an apex and over which gas injected from the gas injection aperture is blown, and, in this wiping apparatus, foreign substance adhering to a nozzle plate of an ink-jet head placed above the guide section is blown away by gas guided along the curved surface of the guide section.

Abstract: A humidification unit has a structure in which a first humidification chamber and a second humidification chamber are connected in series. Humidified gas produced in the humidification unit and having a high humidity is supplied to a space where nozzles of a recording head are exposed and produces a flow current.

Abstract: A liquid ejection device includes a liquid ejection head and a capping mechanism. The liquid ejection head includes nozzles for ejecting a liquid. The capping mechanism covers the nozzles and receiving the liquid, the capping mechanism being selectively disposed in a contacting state in which the capping mechanism contacts with a nozzle formation surface of the liquid ejection head or in a separated state in which the capping mechanism is separated from the nozzle formation surface. The capping mechanism includes a cap member forming a space in which openings of the nozzles are hermetically sealed in the contacting state, and a pressurizing unit configured to increase pressure in an inner space surrounded by the nozzle formation surface and an inner surface of the cap member.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a non-contact print head cleaning device includes an elongated cavity underlying a print head and a vacuum port connected to the elongated cavity and generating a low pressure in the elongated cavity. A slot in a wall of the elongated cavity has a geometry that varies along its length to produce an airflow with a substantially uniform velocity into the slot. The airflow sucks contaminants off the print head into the slot. A method for non-contact print head cleaning is also provided.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus, including: a head having an ejection face having at least one ejection opening for ejecting liquid; a sealing mechanism configured to selectively establish one of a sealing state in which the sealing mechanism seals an ejection space and an open state in which the sealing mechanism does not seal the ejection space; an air introduction opening configured to open in an area that faces the ejection space in the sealing state; a humid air supplier configured to supply a humid air from the air introduction opening to the ejection space in the sealing state; a cleaner configured to clean the liquid contacting at least a part of an area of the head and the sealing mechanism, the area facing the ejection space; and a controller configured to control the cleaner to clean the liquid before the supply of the humid air supplier.

Abstract: Hard imaging devices and hard imaging device operational methods are described. According to one arrangement, a hard imaging device includes a pen adjacent to a first location of a media path and configured to eject a plurality of droplets of a liquid marking agent in a direction towards the media moving along the media path to form hard images using the media, the ejection of the droplets of the liquid marking agent from the pen creating aerosol droplets of the liquid marking agent, and a gas injection system adjacent to a second location of the media path which is downstream from the first location with respect to a direction of movement of the media along the media path, and wherein the gas injection system is configured to inject a gas towards the media.

Abstract: A cleaner unit to clean an inkjet head, ejecting ink onto a recording medium, and an ink conveyer tube, conveying the ink to the inkjet head, of an inkjet printer in cleaning liquid, is provided. The cleaner unit includes an air-liquid two-phased cleaner conveyer tube, which conveys air-liquid two-phased cleaner, and a cleaner spout, which is connected to an upstream-side end of the ink conveyer tube and to a downstream-side end of the air-liquid two-phased cleaner conveyer tube with respect to a fluid flow, and through which the air-liquid two-phased cleaner is supplied to the ink conveyer tube.

Abstract: A printing device has a gas source, a printhead having a nozzle plate with nozzles in the nozzle plate, the nozzles are fluidly connected to corresponding pumping chamber and a gas outlet positioned adjacent to the nozzle plate. The gas outlet is in fluid communication with the gas source and the gas outlet is configured to provide gas to an exposed surface of the nozzle plate so that the gas flow is substantially parallel to the surface of the nozzle plate. Fluid that is ejected out of the nozzles has a UV curable component. After the fluid has been ejected out of the nozzle and onto a receiver, the fluid is irradiated and cured.

Abstract: A fluid discharging apparatus including a head that has a nozzle which discharges fluid from the nozzle and a sheet shaped wiping member for wiping a nozzle surface of the head. The wiping member is moved relative to the nozzle surface so that portions of the wiping member are sequentially in contact with the nozzle surface in order to wipe the nozzle surface.