Abstract: A droplet printing apparatus using capillary electric charge concentration includes a reservoir which contains a solution, a capillary nozzle comprising a back-end part and a front-end part disposed substantially opposite the back-end part, a target member spaced apart from the front-end part of the capillary nozzle at a predetermined distance, and a voltage supplier which supplies a voltage to the solution, wherein the back-end part is immersed in the solution and transmits the solution to the front-end part.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a print head that is usable in a horizontal printer, that is small in size, that is superior in mass production, that can easily perform discharge control, that is excellent in reliability, and that is excellent in practicality to be writable in a state in which a recording medium is not bent. The print head has a discharge control unit. The discharge control unit includes a heating mechanism and a discharge portion. The heating mechanism includes a heat generation portion provided with a heat generation body and a driver IC that controls heat generation of the heat generation body. The discharge portion includes a discharge electrode disposed in accordance with the heat generation body. In the discharge control unit, the heat generation portion and the discharge portion are insulated from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and method which print a biomolecular droplet onto a solid substrate using an electric charge concentration effect comprises: a needle shaped electric field forming electrode which is made of a conductive material, is disposed vertically, and comprises an accommodating area and a nozzle formed on a bottom end of the accommodating area; a solid substrate which is electrically grounded, is disposed below the electric field forming electrode, and comprises a moisture thin film and a target surface onto which the biomolecular droplet is discharged from the nozzle of the electric field forming electrode; and an open circuit type voltage applying unit which is electrically connected to the electric field forming electrode, applies a charge to the electric field forming electrode, and causes the biomolecular droplet to be ejected onto the target surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises a toner-bearing member that bears toner and makes the toner clouded thereon. A toner passage control device including plural widthwise lines of toner passage holes in a printing medium conveyance direction is provided. Each of the toner passage holes includes a control electrode that controls passage of the toner through each of the toner passage holes toward a printing medium. a control pulse proving device provides a control pulse to the control electrode to operate. The control pulse applied to the control electrode of the one of the plural lines is different from that applied to the control electrode of the other one of the plural lines.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a liquid ejection head has at least one ejection hole, and a conveyor moves a recording medium relative to the ejection head. A deflector deflects liquid droplets ejected from the ejection hole in a direction including at least a component of a direction substantially parallel to relative conveyance direction of the recording medium. A deflection angle setter sets two or more deflection angles such that when dots mutually adjacent in the direction substantially parallel to the relative conveyance direction of the medium are formed in an overlapping fashion, directions of flight of droplets ejected consecutively are deflected such that their directions of flight become different from each other. Droplet landing time differential between the first droplet and the second droplet becomes equal to or greater than quasi-fixing time period from a landing time of the first liquid droplet until the first liquid droplet becomes quasi-fixed.

Abstract: A liquid transport apparatus includes liquid transport channels disposed on an insulating surface of a substrate, individual electrodes disposed in regions corresponding to respective ones of the liquid transport channels, and wiring portions extending along the insulating surface of the substrate. The apparatus further includes a first insulating layer disposed so as to cover the electrodes and in which the wetting angle with respect to a conductive liquid changes according to an electrical potential difference between the conductive liquid and the electrodes, a second insulating layer which is disposed so as to cover the wiring portions disposed in contact with the first insulating layer, and a potential applying unit which applies an electric potential to the electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to emulsions such as multiple emulsions, and to methods and apparatuses for making emulsions, and techniques for using the same. A multiple emulsion generally describes larger droplets that contain one or more smaller droplets therein which, in some cases, can contain even smaller droplets therein, etc. Emulsions, including multiple emulsions can be formed in certain embodiments with generally precise repeatability, and can be tailored to include any number of inner droplets, in any desired nesting arrangement, within a single outer droplet. In addition, in some aspects of the invention, one or more droplets may be controllably released from a surrounding droplet.

Abstract: A printer (100) includes an ink tank (20), an ink-jet head (10), and a tube (30) connecting the ink tank with the ink-jet head. The ink-jet head includes a top plate (14) and a bottom plate (12). The bottom plate defines an ink storage pool (122) and an ink channel (124) therein. The top plate includes a plurality of control electrodes (142a, 142b, 142c). One end of the ink channel communicates with the ink storage pool, and the other end of the ink channel includes an ink muzzle (124a). A portion of the control electrode (142a) extends over the ink storage pool. The control electrodes are applied with impulse voltages to drive ink in the ink storage pool to move towards the ink muzzle along the ink channel.

Abstract: Provided is an inkjet nozzle arrangement which includes a wafer base defining an ink chamber with an ink inlet channel and an ink ejection port. The arrangement also includes an upper electrode plate and a lower electrode plate separated by at least one polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer within the chamber. The upper plate has a corrugated portion which concertinas upon movement of said top plate, wherein ink is ejected from the ink ejection port through the utilization of attraction and related movement between the plates when a potential difference is applied therebetween.

Abstract: An electrostatic suction type fluid discharge device supplies a drive voltage from a power source between a nozzle and an insulating substrate, so as to supply an electric charge to a discharge material supplied into the nozzle. As a result, the discharge material is discharged from the nozzle hole onto the insulating substrate. The diameter of the hole of the nozzle falls within the range between ?0.01 ?m and ?25 ?m, the power source outputs, as the drive voltage, a bipolar pulse voltage that alternates between positive and negative and has a frequency of not less than 1 Hz.

Abstract: A printing apparatus which discharges an electroconductive ink includes an ink transporting head having a head main body in which a discharge port and an individual ink channel are formed, an individual electrode which is formed on a surface defining the individual ink channel, and an insulating layer which covers the individual electrode, and a transfer drum which is rotatably supported. When a drive voltage is applied to the individual electrode, since a liquid repellent property of the insulating layer is declined due to an electrowetting phenomenon, the ink is discharged from the discharge port. Furthermore, a distance between the discharge port and the transfer drum is less than a diameter of a liquid droplet equivalent to a liquid discharged at a time from the discharge port. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus having a simple structure, and of which a size can be reduced easily.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-nozzle inkjet print head using an electrostatic field induced type. The inkjet print head in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first electrode being formed in each nozzle; and a second electrode located on a side spaced from the nozzle and arranged to block between any two adjacent nozzles and inducing an electrostatic field for discharging ink from the nozzle by forming an electric potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a pharmaceutical dose which dispenses a variable selectable quantity of at least one pharmaceutical onto a pharmaceutical receiving medium. The quantity of the dispensed pharmaceutical(s) are controllably dispensed to customize each pharmaceutical dose to suit the needs of a particular user. The apparatus is coupled by an external telecommunication network to a remote signal source for receiving pharmaceutical quantity and type data for custom manufacturing a pharmaceutical dose. In one aspect, a replaceable cartridge contains a reservoir carrying at least one pharmaceutical component and a fluid drop generator which is mountable in the fluid dispenser. The reservoir may contain a number of separate compartments, each carrying different pharmaceutical component.

Abstract: The ink jet head includes a plate-like substrate having an ejection port bored therethrough and an ejection unit for ejecting ink droplets from the port, wherein at least a part of a periphery of the port convexly projects along an ejection direction of the ink droplets. The head ejects the ink droplets from the port by causing an electrostatic force to act on ink containing charged colorant particles. The head includes an ejection port substrate as the plate-like substrate, a head substrate disposed apart from the port substrate to form an ink flow path, an ink guide that is provided in the head substrate and a tip portion of which penetrates through the port, and an ejection electrode formed in correspondence to the port and causing the electrostatic force to act on the ink. The ink jet recording apparatus records an image on a recording medium using the ink jet head.

Abstract: A printing nozzle arrangement is provided having a substrate having a CMOS layer and a chamber with a fluid inlet and ejection port, a paddle within the chamber, an actuating arm pivotally coupled between the substrate and the paddle and having an arm portion electrically connected to the CMOS layer, and a movement sensor having a moving contact element associated with the arm portion and a fixed contact element associated with the substrate. The arm portion thermally expands when an electrical current is applied thereto via the CMOS layer causing pivoting of the actuating arm thereby displacing the paddle to cause ejection of fluid from the ejection port. The moving contact completes an electrical circuit when contacted with the fixed contact element when the actuating arm pivots to a predetermined extent.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection head (26) having a nozzle (21) with an inner diameter of 15 ?m or less to eject droplets of charged solution onto a substrate; an ejection voltage supply (25) to apply an ejection voltage to a solution inside the nozzle; a convex meniscus generator (40) to form a state in which the solution inside the nozzle rises from the nozzle in a convex shape; and an operation controller (50) to control application of a drive voltage to drive the convex meniscus generator and application of an ejection voltage by the ejection voltage supply so that the drive voltage to the convex meniscus generator is applied in timing overlapped with the application of a pulse voltage as the ejection voltage by the ejection voltage supply.

Abstract: In a liquid ejection apparatus, having: a liquid ejection head having, a nozzle plate having a nozzle to eject liquid, a cavity to reserve liquid ejected form a ejection hole of the nozzle, a pressure generating device to form a meniscus of the liquid, and a ejecting voltage applying device to apply a ejection voltage to the liquid in the nozzle; a operation control device to control application a drive voltage to drive the pressure generating device and application of the ejection voltage by the ejection voltage applying device; and a counter electrode opposite to the liquid ejection head; wherein in the liquid ejection device in which the liquid is ejected by a static electric attraction force generated between the liquid in the nozzle to which a voltage is applied by the ejection voltage applying device and the counter electrode, and by a pressure generated in the nozzle, the pressure generating device to form the liquid meniscus forms the meniscus having a height of equal to or more than 1.

Abstract: A fluid ejecting integrated circuit includes a wafer substrate. A drive circuitry layer is positioned on the wafer substrate. A protective passivation layer is positioned on the drive circuitry layer. A nozzle chamber wall extends from the passivation layer and a roof wall is positioned on the nozzle chamber wall such that the nozzle chamber wall and the roof wall define a nozzle chamber and a fluid ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. A fluid ejecting member overlies the passivation layer within the nozzle chamber and is configured to be displaced to eject fluid through the fluid ejection port. A pair of spaced apart electrodes is connected to the drive circuitry layer so that the drive circuitry layer can create a potential difference between the electrodes, with one of the electrodes fast with the fluid ejecting member to displace the fluid ejecting member as a result of the potential difference.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head having: a nozzle for ejecting a liquid; a flat nozzle plate on which the nozzle is provided; a cavity to store the liquid to be ejected from an ejection hole of the nozzle; a pressure generating section which generates pressure on the liquid in the nozzle and forms a meniscus of the liquid in the ejection hole of the nozzle; an electrostatic voltage applying section which applies electrostatic voltage between a base material and the liquid in the nozzle and the cavity, and generates electrostatic suction force; and an operation control section which controls applying of the electrostatic voltage by the electrostatic voltage applying section, and controls applying of drive voltage to drive the pressure generating portion, wherein a volume resistivity of the nozzle plate is 1015 ?m or more.

Abstract: An ink transporting head includes a plurality of common channels, a plurality of common electrodes formed on each of the common channels, a plurality of individual channels branched from each common channel, a plurality of individual electrodes arranged on each of the individual channels, and an insulating layer which is arranged to cover each of the individual electrodes, and on which an ink may exist only when an electric potential difference between the ink and the individual electrode becomes not less than a predetermined critical electric potential difference. Further, the individual electrodes provided to each ink channel correspond to individual electrodes provided at the same positions of another ink channel, and the corresponding individual electrodes are in mutual conduction. Accordingly, there is provided a liquid transporting head and a liquid transporting apparatus having a simple and small sized formation, in which a matrix drive is possible.

Abstract: A conventional ink jet recording device has a phenomenon of such that a transverse pitch between longitudinal dot column of a first line and that of a second line of character lines to be printed becomes narrower than that between other longitudinal dot columns when printing out on a printing object traveling in high speed. Consequently, an ink jet recording device of the invention makes an interval between ink droplets on the longitudinal dot column of the first line and those on the longitudinal dot column of the second line longer than an interval between the ink droplets on the longitudinal dot column of a subsequent line following the second line.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head for an electrostatic ink jet including an insulating ejection substrate in which through holes are bored to form ejection openings for ejecting droplets; an insulating support substrate arranged while facing the ejection substrate with a predetermined distance therebetween; a solution flow path provided between the ejection substrate and the support substrate; ejection electrodes, respectively provided corresponding to the through holes, for exerting electrostatic forces on the solution; and a shield electrode, provided corresponding to at least one of the through holes on a solution ejection side with respect to the ejection electrodes, for preventing electric field interferences between the through holes. Plural flow path wall portions contacting the ejection substrate stands in the solution flow path, and at least one of electrode lines connected to the ejection electrodes and electrode lines connected to the shield electrode are contained in the flow path wall portions.

Abstract: A method of printing droplets using capillary electric charge concentration includes: providing a capillary nozzle comprising a back-end part and a front-end part disposed substantially opposite the back-end part; spacing a target member apart from the front-end part of the capillary nozzle at a predetermined distance; immersing the back-end part in a solution; and supplying a voltage to the solution. The back-end part transmits the solution to the front-end part.

Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit includes a silicon substrate; a CMOS layer having drive and control circuitry; a passivation layer covering the CMOS layer; and nozzle assemblies disposed on the passivation layer. Each nozzle assembly includes a nozzle chamber having a nozzle opening and a droplet ejection actuator associated with each of the chambers. The droplet ejection actuator is electrically connected to the drive circuitry and adapted to eject a droplet of the ejectable liquid from the nozzle opening. Each chamber comprises a roof and sidewalls extending from the passivation layer to the roof. The roof and sidewalls are both comprised of a glass material.

Abstract: A recording head includes a main body and electrodes. The main body has a nozzle plate. The electrodes are arranged on the front surface of the nozzle plate. A current sensor is connected to the electrodes through connection terminals, and measures a current value flowing in the respective electrodes. The electrodes correspond respectively to the colors of inks to be discharged. Each of the electrodes is separated from the edge of the nozzle hole by 1 ?m to 5 ?m. The nozzle plate has a water repellent layer on the front surface. The electrodes connect a plurality of nozzle holes in series.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing an image on an object that includes electronic image storage for storing an image to be printed on a image surface of the object, and a print head positioned in spaced-apart relation to the object for receiving electronic data representing the image to be printed through the ink jet print head and applying the image to object using an ink that is applied with a predetermined electrical charge polarity. A voltage generator generates an electrical charge having an opposite polarity charge in relation to the predetermined charge polarity of the ink, and applies the opposite charge proximate the object and at a position to accelerate the ink being applied from the print head onto the object.

Abstract: A device for printing a droplet onto a substrate includes: a droplet generating member which is needle-shaped and comprises a receiving portion disposed vertically to receive a solution, and a discharge hole connected to the receiving portion and formed on a bottom of the receiving portion so that the solution can be discharged from the receiving portion; a substrate disposed below the droplet generating member, the substrate includes a target portion to which the droplet discharged from the discharge hole of the droplet generating member is dropped and attached; a voltage applier applying a voltage to the droplet so that the droplet can be dropped onto the target portion of the substrate; a volume measuring unit measuring the volume of the droplet; and a droplet control unit maintaining the volume of the droplet at a predetermined level based on the measured volume of the droplet.

Abstract: There is provided a printing head which improves durability and increases reliability by reducing stress occurring in a bonding part between an electrode pad and an inner lead at cooling. The electrode pad and the inner lead are electrically connected in such a manner that in the bonding portions between the electrode pad and a stud bump, only a part of contacting portions between the electrode and the stud bump is bonded.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device that can be used for inkjet heads is described. A large actuator with a small stroke in combination with hydraulic pressure transfer by means of essentially relatively incompressible fluid is used in order to generate a large stroke of a small membrane. Further the ink is ejected during the actuation phase of the actuator enabling a better control of the droplet dynamics.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus can improve an accuracy of conveyance of a recording medium with a simple structure and prevent a reverse flow of mist so as to stably form a high-quality image. A conveyance belt (21) conveys a recording medium (12) by attracting the recording medium by an electrostatic force generated by electric charges applied thereto. A recording head (7) discharges droplets of a recording liquid toward the recording medium (12). An amount of electric charges induced on a surface of the recording medium (12), which has been conveyed to a recording position where the droplets of the recording liquid are discharged from the recording head (7) toward the recording medium (12), is adjusted in accordance with a resistance value of the recording medium (12).

Abstract: The liquid ejection head comprises: a plurality of pressure chambers which are provided correspondingly to a plurality of ejection holes formed on a first wall defining the pressure chambers, the ejection holes being two-dimensionally arranged and ejecting liquid toward a liquid receiving medium, the pressure chambers accommodating the liquid to be ejected from the ejection holes; a common liquid chamber which supplies the liquid to the pressure chambers; a plurality of piezoelectric elements which are provided correspondingly to the pressure chambers and are arranged on a second wall defining the pressure chambers opposing the first wall, the piezoelectric elements each having individual electrodes to which drive signals are applied; a plurality of extending electrodes which extend from the individual electrodes of the piezoelectric elements and are electrically connected to the individual electrodes; a structural member which is bonded to a first surface of the second wall reverse to a second surface thereo

Abstract: The mist ejection head includes: a nozzle which ejects liquid; a nozzle plate which has electrical conductivity and in which the nozzle is formed; a liquid chamber connected to the nozzle; an ultrasonic wave generating element which generates an ultrasonic wave applied to the liquid in a vicinity of the nozzle; and an electrode which is provided on a wall of the liquid chamber other than the nozzle plate, wherein an electric field applied between the nozzle plate and the electrode is controlled.

Abstract: A supply system capable of providing a working fluid is provided. The supply system includes an access device, a first energizer, a second energizer, a third energizer and an output device. The access device utilized to access the working fluid includes a connecting port. The first energizer provides a first energy to energize the working fluid, thereby expelling the bubbles from the working fluid. The second energizer provides a second energy to energize the working fluid received in the access device, thereby expelling the working fluid through the connecting port of the access device. The output device is connected to the access device, thereby receiving and outputting the working fluid. The third energizer provides a third energy to heat the working fluid passing through the access device and the output device.

Abstract: With a micro nozzle in which the fluid discharge head has a nozzle with a micro hole having a diameter of 0.01 ?m to 25 ?m, the drive voltage during discharging operation is reduced. Further, by disposing an electrode section for applying a drive voltage to a discharge fluid on an external wall of a nozzle section, a distance between the electrode section and the nozzle hole is shortened. With this structure, the subject invention achieves both miniaturization of nozzle and reduction in drive voltage in an electrostatic suction type fluid discharge device. The subject invention also achieves an increase in discharge limit frequency while allowing use of materials with higher resistance for the fluid to be discharged.

Abstract: A method of printing onto one or more sides of a mesh fabric, such a polyester mesh typically used for flags and banners, using a drop on demand ink printer, wherein the printer is operated at a fluid pressure of between 1 and 3.5 bar and that the image forming composition has a viscosity of less than 100 cp.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus comprises: an ejection head which ejects ink having electrorheological properties onto a recording medium; an electric field application device which applies an electric field to a droplet of the ink deposited on the recording medium; a fixing promotion device which performs fixing promotion process for promoting fixing of the ink on the recording medium; and a timing control device which controls a time difference between an electric field application cessation timing at which an application of the electric field to the ink on the recording medium by the electric field application device is ceased and a fixing promotion process timing at which the fixing promotion process is performed by the fixing promotion device.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, an AC bias is supplied to a conveyance belt, and the amount of charge on the printing side of a recording sheet is decreased. The charge of positive polarity and the charge of negative polarity which are different from each other are generated on the printing side of the sheet, so that both the charges are cancelled by each other and the charge on the printing side of the sheet is eliminated. Moreover, the charge eliminator eliminates the charge on the printing side of the sheet by the time the sheet is electrostatically attached to the conveyance belt and conveyed to a position where the sheet confronts the head.

Abstract: Disclosed are a droplet ejection device and method using an electrostatic field. The droplet ejection method includes: setting a separate electric field direction in each of a plurality of nozzles; supplying one of ink and ink containing particles to each nozzle; and forming and ejecting a plurality of separate ink droplets. The droplet ejection device includes a deposition part having electrode layers and insulating layers deposited toward a nozzle. Therefore, it is possible to readily perform droplet ejection without a heater or diaphragm vibration device. In addition, it is possible to reduce impact applied to the ink and obtain good print quality, since the ink is ejected using the electrostatic field.

Abstract: A droplet formation method of a mixed liquid is a method that the droplets 71, 72 and 73 are each delivered from each capillary tip to form the droplet 74 of the mixed liquid consisting of a raw material liquid on a substrate by applying a pulse voltage between the raw material liquids stored for each of a plurality of capillaries 1, 2 and 3 and the substrate disposed opposite to each capillary tip. In addition, a droplet formation device of the mixed liquid is provided with a plurality of capillaries for realizing formation of the droplet 74 of the aforementioned mixed liquid, a substrate, a voltage applying device for applying a pulse voltage and a controller for controlling the voltage applying device.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes ejection ports ejecting as droplets a solution containing colorant particles dispersed therein and a device that makes uniform ejection of the solution from respective ejection channels in an ejection channel region where the ejection ports are arranged. A liquid ejection head of electrostatic type makes an electrostatic force to act on the solution containing charged particles dispersed therein as the colorant particles to eject the droplets.

Abstract: To provide an electrostatic actuator that generates high pressure under a given voltage and includes an insulating film exhibiting excellent insulation resistance, a droplet discharge head that includes the electrostatic actuator and a method for manufacturing the droplet discharge head, a droplet discharge apparatus that includes the droplet discharge head and has excellent printing performance, and a device that includes the electrostatic actuator and has excellent driving performance. A diaphragm 12, a counter electrode 17 opposite to the diaphragm 12 with a gap interposed therebetween, and an insulating film 16 on a surface of the diaphragm 12 opposite to the counter electrode 17 are included. The insulating film 16 includes at least a dielectric film 16a formed of a substance having a higher relative dielectric constant than silicon oxide.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus comprises: an ejection head which ejects droplets having electro rheological effects onto a recording medium; a holding device which holds the recording medium, the holding device being disposed at a position facing an ejection side surface of the ejection head, the recording medium interposing between the ejection head and the holding device; a pair of electrodes which is disposed on the holding device, the pair of electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode; and a voltage application device which applies a voltage to the pair of electrodes.

Abstract: The ink jet head ejects ink droplets by exerting an electrostatic force on ink having dispersed charged particles, and includes an insulating ejection substrate having through holes, ejection electrodes, each being arranged in each through hole and ink guides, each passing through each through hole. Each ink guide includes a support part and a tip end part that extends from an end portion of the support part, the tip end part is formed so that a back surface of the tip end part is flush with a back surface of the support part, and the tip end part is thinner than the support part to form a step on a front surface side and is gradually narrowed toward the ink droplet ejection side, and the electrostatic force has at least a component directed toward a tip end of an ink guide along the tip end part. The image recording apparatus includes the ink jet head and records an image on a recording medium.

Abstract: A serial signal for generating a plurality of recording waveform signals is transmitted serially from a signal transmission circuit to a head river. A serial-parallel converting circuit parallely converts the serial signal and generates a plurality of kinds of the recording waveform signals. A selector in the head driver selects a predetermined recording waveform signal from the plurality of kinds of the recording waveform signals based on a selection signal corresponding to each of actuators. The drive pulse of the selected recording waveform signal is outputted to a recording head and carries out dot recording.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a droplet jetting apparatus using electrostatic force, a manufacturing method thereof and an ink providing method thereof. The droplet jetting apparatus using electrostatic force includes a lower electrode unit in which a nozzle and a lower electrode positioned in the nozzle equipped in the upper part of a first substrate, and an ink inflow channel equipped in the lower part of the first substrate are integrally formed; an upper electrode unit having an upper electrode formed on the top surface of a second substrate and an ink discharge hole formed by being penetrated to the upper electrode from the bottom surface of the second substrate; and a bonding layer for bonding the lower electrode unit and the upper electrode unit with each other so that the nozzle is vertically aligned with the ink discharge hole.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a liquid ejecting head that has a conductive nozzle plate and discharges liquid from openings of the nozzle plate to recording material; an absorbing member that is arranged opposite the nozzle plate in a direction in which the liquid is discharged and has electrical conductivity to absorb liquid not attached to the recording material; an electrode member that is adjacent to a rear face of a face facing the nozzle plate in the absorbing member; and a potential difference generating means that generates a potential difference between the nozzle plate and the electrode member to electrically attract the liquid toward the electrode member.

Abstract: A printhead that has an array of ink ejection nozzles, an array of chambers adapted to store ink for ejection through each of the nozzles respectively, a plurality of ink inlet channels for feeding ink the array of chambers, and a plurality of actuators, one of the actuators being positioned in each of the chambers respectively for ejecting drops of ink through the nozzle. A plurality elongate ink feed channels is connected to the ink inlet channels. Each of the ink inlet channels is long and narrow relative to the dimensions of the chamber such that ink in said chamber is restricted from flowing out during ink drop ejection by viscous drag generated by the ink inlet channel. This enhances the droplet ejection efficiency as less of the pressure pulse generated by the actuator is lost to ink back flow.

Abstract: A sheet material conveying apparatus for conveying a sheet material under attraction to a conveying belt has an attraction unit for attracting the sheet material to the conveying belt, and which exerts a attraction in succession from a front end to a rear end of the sheet material in a conveying direction thereof and from a position in the front end toward both ends in the direction of width, or in succession from an end at either side in the direction of width of the sheet material and a front end in the conveying direction thereof toward a rear end thereof, and from the either end toward an end at the other side.

Abstract: The ink jet head ejects ink droplets onto a recording medium and includes an ejection port substrate having ejection ports for ejecting the ink droplets and a control device that controls ejection of the ink droplets from the ejection ports. Each of the ejection ports has an outer opening formed on a side facing the recording medium and an inner opening formed on a side opposite to the side facing the recording medium. At least the inner opening has a shape anisotropy. A first opening area of the outer opening is larger than a second opening area of the inner opening. The ink jet recording apparatus includes the above ink jet head and a supporting device that supports the recording medium and the ink jet head is used to record an image corresponding to image data on the recording medium supported by the supporting device.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for electrorheological printing. The apparatus includes a pressurized ink chamber, a stimulator, and an electrode arrangement. The pressurized ink chamber is configured to retain an electrorheological ink and, under certain circumstances, discharge the electrorheological ink through one or more nozzles in a nozzle array. The stimulator is configured to generate a synchronization signal to increase the pressure of the electrorheological ink in the pressurized ink chamber. The electrode assembly is configured to create an electric field at each of the nozzles in the nozzle array. The electric field within the volume of a single nozzle acts as an electrorheological valve to change the viscosity and control the flow of the electrorheological ink within the nozzle. The absence of an electric field allows the electrorheological ink to fully discharge. A strong electric field stops the flow of the electrorheological ink.