Abstract: A thermal inkjet printhead of the roof shooter type that slightly offsets the nozzle aperture centroid from the heater element centroid to correct drop trajectory misdirection caused by vapor bubble asymmetries.

Abstract: A monolithic ink-jet printhead includes a substrate having a lower ink chamber formed on an upper surface thereof, a manifold for supplying ink to the lower ink chamber formed on a bottom surface thereof, and an ink channel providing communication therebetween; a nozzle plate having a plurality of passivation layers and a metal layer sequentially stacked on the substrate, the nozzle plate having an upper ink chamber formed therein on a bottom surface of the metal layer, a nozzle in communication with the upper ink chamber formed on an upper surface of the metal layer, and a connection hole providing communication between the upper ink chamber and the lower ink chamber; a heater located between the upper ink chamber and the lower ink chamber for heating ink contained in the lower and upper ink chambers; and a conductor electrically connected to the heater to apply a current to the heater.

Abstract: Embodiments of a semiconductor device are disclosed.

Abstract: A filter plate usable with an ink jet head, an ink jet head with the filter plate, and a method of fabricating the filter plate are provided. The filter plate includes a filter substrate having a filter hole region. Filter holes having angled line shapes extend through the filter substrate of the filter hole region. Each of the filter holes may include an upper filter hole formed to have a first angle with respect to the filter substrate at an upper portion of the filter substrate, and a lower filter hole formed at a lower portion of the filter substrate to be connected to the upper filter hole and having a second angle with respect to the filter substrate different from the first angle.

Abstract: An inkjet image forming apparatus and a method to control the same are provided to prevent a reduction in the print image quality due to inkjet nozzle deformation. The trajectory direction of ink inclined by inkjet nozzle deformation is corrected by controlling the amount of heat generated by a plurality of heaters that are arranged in parallel to the conveyance direction of paper for each inkjet nozzle provided on an inkjet head chip mounted in an inkjet print head.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead is provided having a nozzle areal density of at least 40000 inkjet nozzles per square centimetre on a printing surface. Each nozzle has an ink chamber on the printing surface having an ink ejection port, and a heater for heating the ink in the chamber to cause ink ejection from the ink ejection port.

Abstract: A inkjet printhead with heater elements adjacent an array of respective nozzles for heating a water-based printing fluid to form a gas bubble for ejecting a drop of the printing fluid from the nozzle. The heater is separated from the nozzle by less than 5 ?m at their closest points and the nozzle length is less than 5 ?m. The volume of liquid between the heater and the nozzle determines the inertia of the liquid and its acceleration in response to bubble formation. Moving the heater closer to the nozzle reduces the inertia of the liquid and increases its acceleration, so a lower bubble impulse is needed to eject a drop. This allows the printhead to use smaller heater elements with lower power requirements. Viscous drag in the nozzle reduces the momentum of fluid flowing through the nozzle. The viscous drag increases as the nozzle length (in the direction of fluid flow) increases. By reducing the nozzle length, a lower bubble impulse is needed to eject a drop.

Abstract: A thermal inkjet printhead with generally planar heater elements disposed in respective bubble forming chambers such that they are bonded on one side to the chamber so that the other side faces into the chamber. Each heater element receives an energizing pulse to heat ejectable liquid above its boiling point to form a gas bubble on the side facing into the chamber, whereby the gas bubble causes the ejection of a drop of the ejectable liquid from the nozzle. The chamber has a dielectric layer proximate the side of the heater element bonded to the chamber. The dielectric layer has a thermal product less than 1495 Jm?2 K?1s?1/2, the thermal product being (?Ck)1/2, where ? is the density of the layer, C is specific heat of the layer and k is thermal conductivity of the layer. The present invention reduces the drop ejection energy and the heat dissipation into the printhead IC by improving the thermal isolation between the heater and the substrate.

Abstract: A head chip for an inkjet image forming apparatus. The head chip can include a heater formed on a substrate to generate heat, a chamber layer formed on the heater and provided with an ink chamber that receives inks, a nozzle layer formed on the chamber layer and provided with a nozzle in correspondence with the ink chamber, and a heat transfer layer transferring a part of the heat from the heater to the nozzle. According to the head chip, the inks sprayed through the nozzle are heated by the heat transferred through the heat transfer layer. Thus, the viscosity of the inks is reduced, so that the inks can be easily cut into ink droplets having a substantially spherical shape.

Abstract: The invention provides for a nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printer. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate defining a chamber with an ink inlet and ejection port, said substrate having a CMOS drive layer, and a paddle dividing said chamber into an ink chamber and a nozzle chamber. The arrangement also includes an actuating arm coupled to the paddle by means of a paddle extension portion and a bridging portion, said arm having an outer arm portion mechanically linked to an inner arm portion via posts electrically isolating the inner arm portion from said outer arm portion The arm is pivotal with respect to the substrate during operative electrical thermal expansion of the inner arm portion displacing the paddle towards the ejection port.

Abstract: An ink jet head substrate, an ink jet head and a method of manufacturing an ink jet head substrate are provided. The ink jet head substrate includes a substrate having an ink ejection region. An interlayer insulating layer is formed on the substrate. A plurality of pressure-generating elements that generate pressure to eject ink are disposed on the interlayer insulating layer to form a predetermined array. Segment heaters that heat the substrate are disposed at predetermined positions on the substrate. The segment heaters are electrically connected to each other by heater wirings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a unit cell of a printhead. The unit cell includes a multi-layer substrate defining an ink inlet. One or more side walls extend from the substrate around the ink inlet. A nozzle plate is supported by the side walls to define a chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet. The nozzle plate defines an aperture through which ink in the chamber can be ejected. A looped and elongate heater element is suspended within the chamber. The heater element can be heated so that bubbles are generated in ink within the chamber and ink is ejected from the aperture.

Abstract: A thermal inkjet printhead. The inkjet printhead includes a heater that heats an ink in an ink chamber to generate a bubble, conductors to supply an electric current to the heater, and a bubble separation wall protuberantly formed on the heater to protect the heater by inducing an extermination position of a bubble when the bubble generated by the heater shrinks and dissipates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nozzle arrangement for a printhead integrated circuit, the arrangement having walls defining a chamber and a roof with an ink ejection port defined in a substrate that incorporates drive circuitry. The arrangement further includes a motion transmitting structure formed on the substrate and having an effort formation, a lever arm formation and a load formation. The lever arm formation is interposed between the effort formation and the load formation. A resiliently deformable sealing structure is interposed between the lever arm formation and the substrate to permit pivotal movement of the lever arm formation with respect to the substrate. A thermal bend actuator is connected to the drive circuitry and is reciprocally displaceable with respect to the substrate on receipt of a signal from said drive circuitry.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printhead which comprises a plurality of nozzles 3 each defining a nozzle aperture 5 with a nozzle axis extending through the center of the nozzle aperture 5 and normal to the nozzle aperture. An ejectable liquid inlet 31 for establishing fluid communication between the nozzle aperture 5 and an ejectable liquid supply, the inlet having a central axis substantially parallel to the nozzle axis. A bubble forming chamber 7 corresponding to each nozzle respectively. At least one heater element 10 disposed in each bubble forming chamber 7 to heat a bubble forming liquid 11 to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble 12 therein. The generation of the bubble 12 causes the ejection of a drop 16 of an ejectable liquid (such as ink) through an ejection aperture 5 in each nozzle 3, to effect printing. The heater element 10 is configured to nucleate the gas bubble at two or more regions such that each nucleation region is laterally offset from the nozzle aperture 5.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a liquid discharge apparatus adapted for discharging inks from discharge holes, which includes a control unit for controlling a discharge control unit, wherein the control unit controls the discharge control unit in such a manner that pulse current delivered to one of a pair of heating resistors is caused to be reference, and pulse current is delivered to the other heating resistor in the state where timing is shifted in a time of the range within 20% of supply time of pulse current serving as reference with respect to supply timing of pulse current serving as reference. Thus, it is possible to suppress unevenness or variation of impact positions of ink droplets discharged in the state where discharge direction has been changed. As a result, deterioration of picture quality resulting from color tone unevenness and/or white stripe, etc. is prevented. Thus, print operation can be performed at excellent picture quality.

Abstract: The invention provides for a nozzle arrangement for a printhead. The arrangement includes a wafer substrate defining a nozzle chamber, and a passivation layer formed on the substrate to define a roof wall and ink ejection port of the chamber. The arrangement also includes a paddle arranged in the chamber configured to operatively eject ink from the chamber via the ejection port, as well as a magnetic field generator fast with the wafer substrate, the generator configured to actuate the paddle to eject the ink.

Abstract: A nozzle arrangement is, provided for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a wafer substrate assembly defining an ink inlet channel. A nozzle chamber structure is mounted to the wafer substrate assembly and defines a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet channel. The nozzle chamber structure further defines an ink ejection port through which ink in the nozzle chamber can be ejected. An electro-thermal actuator is mounted relative to the wafer substrate assembly and includes an electrically conductive heating element. A piston is coupled relative to the electro-thermal actuator so that, upon actuation of the actuator, the piston moves rectilinearly along the nozzle chamber to eject ink through the ink ejection port.

Abstract: The invention provides an ink jet device for the positioning of a substance onto a substrate, the device comprising at least a print head comprising a nozzle provided to eject a droplet comprising the substance, the ink jet device further comprising at least one heating element arranged such that the substrate can be heated prior to, during and/or after the landing of a droplet on the substrate.

Abstract: A piezoelectric sheet of an ink-jet head includes dummy individual electrodes in addition to individual electrodes which corresponds to respective nozzles. The dummy individual electrodes are in an outer periphery of the individual electrodes. FPC board applies drive voltage to the individual electrodes in a drive area, and deforms the area in the piezoelectric sheet in the direction of an ink pressure chamber, while the drive voltage is not applied to the individual electrodes of the non-drive area. When the dummy individual electrodes are formed in the non-drive area, a boundary area of the drive area and the non-drive area is uniformly fired when the piezoelectric sheet is manufactured. In the drive area, since surrounding structures of the respective individual electrodes become equal to one another, ink discharge characteristic is substantially uniform in the boundary area of the drive area and the non-drive area.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes a substrate defining a plurality of ink supply channels. CMOS micro-processing drive circuitry is positioned on the substrate and includes a pair of aligned metal contact layers. A layer of ink passivation material is positioned over the drive circuitry and defines openings to permit electrical contact with the contact layers. A plurality of nozzle arrangements is positioned on the substrate. Each nozzle arrangement includes a nozzle chamber assembly that defines an ink ejection port and a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink ejection port and a respective ink supply channel. A dynamic structure of the assembly is displaceable with respect to a static structure to reduce and subsequently enlarge a volume of the nozzle chamber so that ink is ejected from the ink ejection port. An elongate actuator is connected to the dynamic structure at one end and is fast with the substrate at another end to be connected to the metal contact layers.

Abstract: An ink printhead is provided having a plurality of nozzle assemblies. Each nozzle assembly has a nozzle and an actuator for ejecting ink through the nozzle. Each actuator has a resiliently contractible chamber.

Abstract: Provided is an inkjet printhead nozzle arrangement including side walls located on a wafer substrate with a roof layer deposited on said walls to define an ink chamber, the roof layer defining a nozzle aperture, and an inlet defined in the substrate to supply the ink chamber with printing fluid. The arrangement also includes at least one heater element having two opposite sides parallel to a plane of the ejection aperture and configured such that a gas bubble formed by that heater element is formed at both of said sides. The heater elements and associated electrodes are arranged in the chamber so that the electrodes are non-coincident and have an annular shape with a point of collapse of the bubble near a centre thereof.

Abstract: A thermal inkjet printhead with a heater element disposed in each of the bubble forming chambers wherein, the heater element has a protective surface coating that is less than 0.1 ?m thick while still being capable of ejecting more than 1 billion drops without failure. Removing most or all of the protective coatings from the heater reduces or eliminates the thermal insulation between the heater and the ink. Nucleating a bubble in the ink chamber requires a much shorter pulse of less energy thereby improving printhead efficiency.

Abstract: Provided is a pagewidth printhead with a controller, the printhead having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements. Each nozzle arrangement includes a multilayered substrate defining an ink inlet passage and walls extending from the substrate. Also included is a nozzle plate supported by the walls to define a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet passage, the nozzle plate having a nozzle rim defining an ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. Each arrangement also includes a plurality of heater elements suspended between the walls in the chamber, so that when electrical actuation energy is applied to respective heater elements a vapour bubble is formed in the fluid leading to a pressure increase in the chamber thereby ejecting the fluid via the ejection port. The controller is configured to individually actuate respective heater elements to facilitate weighted ink drop volumes to be ejected from the nozzle arrangement.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead that has an array of ink chambers, each having a nozzle, a droplet stem anchor and an actuator for ejecting ink through the nozzle. During use, the ink ejected from the nozzle is attached to the droplet stem anchor by an ink stem until the stem breaks so that the ejected ink forms a separate drop.

Abstract: A liquid drop ejector comprising a jet stack, thin film or thick film heaters formed on the surface of the jet stack, and at least one thin film or thick film temperature sensor operative to provide feedback temperature control for the thin film or thick film heater elements is provided. In one form, the liquid drop ejector also has the thin film or thick film heater elements grouped in segments that are operative to be individually controlled. In addition, in another form, the signal lines provided to the liquid drop ejector are patterned to allow for more uniform resistance over the span of the liquid drop ejector.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead chip includes an elongate wafer substrate that incorporates a drive circuitry layer. A plurality of nozzle arrangements is positioned side-by-side on the wafer substrate. Each nozzle arrangement has a generally rectangular layout when viewed in plan with longer sides extending from one longitudinal edge of the wafer substrate to an opposite longitudinal edge. Each nozzle arrangement includes a nozzle chamber structure that defines a nozzle chamber and an ink ejection port and that incorporates an active ink ejection member that is displaceable relative to the substrate to eject ink from the ink ejection port. An actuator arm is connected to the active ink ejection member. The actuator arm includes at least one passive anchor and a passive portion extending from the passive anchor and at least one active anchor and an active portion extending from the active anchor.

Abstract: A nozzle arrangement for a pagewidth inkjet printhead assembly includes a substrate that defines an ink supply channel. Walls define an ink chamber in fluid communication with the ink supply channel and an ink ejection port in fluid communication with the fluid chamber and having an ink spreading prevention rim. A thermal actuator mechanism is arranged in the substrate and is configured to eject ink from the chamber via the ejection port. The mechanism has a thermal actuator arm capable of deflection as a result of relative thermal expansion. Control logic architecture is on the substrate for controlling the thermal actuator arm. The architecture has a number of successive shift registers each having a data input and a data output. A transfer register is arranged to receive the data output from a last shift register. A firing control gate has an enabling input and a gate data input that receives an output from the transfer register.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes a “first part” wafer assembly. The wafer assembly defines an elongate ink supply channel and an ink inlet extending from the ink supply channel. A “second part” chamber roof layer is supported by the wafer assembly. The chamber roof layer defines an elongate ink conduit in fluid communication with the ink supply channel and nozzle chambers in fluid communication with the ink conduit. In addition, the chamber roof layer includes a row of nozzle apertures, aligned with the ink conduit and through which ink from nozzle chambers can be ejected. Heater elements contained within the two parts are suspended within nozzle chambers which, upon actuation, eject ink from the chambers out through the nozzle apertures.

Abstract: The present invention relates a printhead for an inkjet printer. The printhead has a plurality of nozzle arrangements, with each arrangement having a substrate defining an ink inlet channel leading to a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet channel and an ink ejection port through which ink from the nozzle chamber is ejected. Each arrangement also includes an ink ejection paddle extending across the nozzle chamber between the ink inlet channel and the ink ejection port, and a thermal bend actuator configured to operatively actuate the paddle. Also included is a sealing structure interposed between a working end of the actuator arm and a proximal end portion of the paddle.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head having a plurality of heat evolving elements formed on an integral substrate without being divided into more than one part, so that it is capable of controlling the direction of liquid ejection. The liquid ejecting head has heat-energy evolving elements (22) that evolve heat energy to eject liquid. The heat-energy evolving elements (22) are constructed of an integral substrate, assume a zigzag pattern (in plan view), and have conductors or electrodes (36) connected thereto at the turnaround part of the zigzag pattern, so that they are divided into main parts (22a, 22b) to evolve heat energy to eject liquid. Each of the heat-evolving elements has thereon a nozzle through which liquid is ejected.

Abstract: A thermal inkjet printhead with heater elements formed from a self passivating transition metal nitride, but it oxidizes readily. By introducing an additive that allows the metal nitride to self passivate, the heater element forms a surface oxide layer, where the oxide has a low diffusion coefficient for oxygen so as to provide a barrier to further oxidation. With enhanced oxidation resistance, coatings to protect the heater from oxidative failure become unnecessary and the energy needed to form a bubble is reduced.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes a fluid chamber, a fluid restriction communicated with the fluid chamber, and a fluid channel communicated with the fluid restriction, wherein a width of the fluid restriction is in a range of approximately 8 microns to approximately 16 microns, and a length of the fluid restriction is in a range of approximately 5 microns to approximately 20 microns.

Abstract: The present invention provides a print head that allows the characteristics of ejected ink to be adjusted for each ejection port in spite of a variation in the distance from an ink supply port to the heating element. In the print head according to the present invention, the area of the heating element decreases with increasing distance from the ink supply port and increases with decreasing distance from the ink supply port. The heating element is shaped like a rectangle that is longer in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the plurality of ejection ports are arranged than in the direction in which the plurality of ejection ports are arranged. The aspect ratio of the heating element depends on the length of an ink channel through which ink is introduced into the bubbling chamber.

Abstract: Provided is a pagewidth inkjet printhead which has a plurality of ink ejection devices. Each of these devices includes a substrate defining a fluid chamber having a fluid outlet nozzle and a fluid supply channel respectively defined in opposite walls of the chamber. The chamber also defines chamber wall edge portions. Each ejection device also includes a thermal actuator and a nozzle paddle operatively located in the chamber between the edge portions. The paddle is operatively displaceable upwards by the actuator to eject ink from the fluid outlet nozzle, with the paddle spaced from the chamber wall edge portions so that ink is able to flow between a front and rear of the paddle to allow refilling of the chamber with ink via the supply channel. The paddle is further formed with a series of protrusions in a central portion thereof, the protrusions aiding in reducing outward ink flow from the centre of the paddle as the paddle moves upward.

Abstract: A print head, which ejects ink by using a method whereby a bubble generated by a heat generating element communicates with the air, and for which the occurrence of cavitation is deterred and the durability is improved, is provided. According to the print head, a bubble grows until the maximum volume is attained, and then, at a volume reduction step, communicates with the air. As a result, a liquid in a bubble generation chamber is ejected. An ejection port and the heat generating element are arranged so that the center of the ejection port is shifted away from the center of the heat generating element in a direction leading from an ink supply port to the ejection port.

Abstract: In an ink-jet apparatus employing an ink-jet head having a plurality of heaters corresponding to one ink ejection opening and performing printing by ejecting an ink from the ink-jet head, timings of bubble forming are mutually shifted at respective heaters of the plurality of heaters upon application of respective pulses to the plurality of heaters and based on information relating to an ink temperature of the ink-jet head. The ejection amount can be controlled by forming bubbles in the ink to eject the ink through the ink ejection opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printer. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate assembly defining an inlet channel. A nozzle chamber wall and a roof wall are collectively positioned on the wafer substrate to define a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the inlet channel. The roof wall defines an ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. A thermal actuator is mounted to the substrate assembly and extends into the nozzle chamber to terminate in a free end. The thermal actuator includes a pair of actuating members spaced apart to form a gap and a heat sink assembly positioned in the gap. One of the actuating members is connected to an electrical supply so that differential expansion between the actuating members can cause movement of the free end and results in the ejection of ink in the nozzle chamber from the ejection port.

Abstract: Provided is a pagewidth inkjet printhead assembly having a plurality of nozzle arrangements. Each nozzle arrangement includes walls defining an ink chamber having an ink supply channel and an ink ejection port. The ink ejection port includes an ink spreading prevention rim. Each nozzle arrangement also includes a thermal actuator mechanism configured to operatively eject ink from the chamber via the ejection port. The actuator mechanism includes an actuator arm having two layers which are formed from a resiliently flexible conductive material. The arm includes the two layers surrounding a central material layer so that said two layers are in thermal balance with the arm in a quiescent state.

Abstract: Provided is an inkjet printhead having a plurality of nozzle arrangements. Each nozzle arrangement includes walls defining an ink chamber. The chamber includes an ink supply channel and an ink ejection port with an ink spreading prevention rim. Each nozzle arrangement also includes a thermal actuator mechanism configured to operatively eject ink from the chamber via the ejection port. The ink spreading prevention rim defines a pit for preventing ink from flowing across a surface of the ink jet printhead and affecting operation of said printhead.

Abstract: A thermal inkjet printhead with generally planar heater elements disposed in respective bubble forming chambers such that they are bonded on one side to the chamber so that the other side faces into the chamber. Each heater element receives an energizing pulse to heat ejectable liquid above its boiling point to form a gas bubble on the side facing into the chamber, whereby the gas bubble causes the ejection of a drop of the ejectable liquid from the nozzle. The chamber has a dielectric layer proximate the side of the heater element bonded to the chamber. The dielectric layer has a thermal product less than 1495 Jm?2K?1s?1/2, the thermal product being (?Ck)1/2, where ? is the density of the layer, C is specific heat of the layer and k is thermal conductivity of the layer. The present invention reduces the drop ejection energy and the heat dissipation into the printhead IC by improving the thermal isolation between the heater and the substrate.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical device for ejecting liquid, such as ink, having a plurality of nozzle arrangements, each nozzle arrangement having a nozzle chamber, an actuator for ejecting the liquid from the nozzle chamber, and a heater to raise the temperature of the liquid to a predetermined temperature prior to ejection.

Abstract: A unit cell is provided for an inkjet printhead. The unit cell includes a multilayered substrate defining an ink inlet passage. Walls extend from the substrate. A nozzle plate is supported by the walls to define a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet passage. The nozzle plate further includes a nozzle rim bounding an aperture in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. Dual looped and elongate heater elements are suspended within the nozzle chamber which, when heated, cause ink in the nozzle chamber to be output through the aperture.

Abstract: A filter capable of separating or filtering micro foreign particles in a flow passage is provided. A first mask and a second mask are formed on a silicon substrate by dry etching. Before performing the dry etching, a resist of the first mask is subjected to a heat treatment performed at a temperature equal to or higher than a glass transition point. A resist of the second mask is not subjected to such a heat treatment. This processing simultaneously forms in the substrate a groove portion and a wall having a hole that is located in the groove portion. A silicon material located beneath a wide portion of the first mask remains as a wall portion separating the holes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing system for controlling the printing head of a conventional printing cartridge designed for water-based printing ink. Said printing head comprises ink discharging elements arranged in a matrix, and the actuatable heating element of an ink discharging element is activated by means of an address signal operating as a line signal and by means of a starting signal operating as a column signal. The starting pulses of the starting signal (SS2) have a lower signal amplitude than the address pulses of the address signal (AS1) and the printing ink in the printing cartridge (5) has a high alcohol content.

Abstract: A liquid discharging apparatus includes a plurality of liquid channels each having a discharge port, a control electrode extended on a surface defining the liquid channel from the discharge port toward an upstream side in a direction of flow of a liquid, an insulating film which coats the control electrode, and an electric potential control section which controls an electric potential of the control electrode with respect to the liquid. When a predetermined electric potential difference are set between the liquid and the control electrode, a liquid repellence of a surface of the insulating film is lowered due to an electrowetting phenomenon so that the liquid can move toward the discharge port on an area of the liquid channel in which the insulating film is formed. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the liquid discharging apparatus which is capable of discharging a liquid by a simple structure.

Abstract: Micro-fluid ejection heads and methods for extending the life of micro-fluid ejection heads. One such micro-fluid ejection head includes a substrate having a plurality of thermal ejection actuators. Each of the thermal ejection actuators has a resistive layer and a protective layer thereon. A flow feature member is adjacent the substrate and defines a fluid feed channel, a fluid chamber associated with at least one of the actuators and in flow communication with the fluid feed channel, and a nozzle. The nozzle is offset to a side of the chamber opposite the feed channel. A polymeric layer having a degradation temperature of less than about 400° C. overlaps a portion of the at least one actuator associated with the fluid chamber and positioned less than about five microns from at least an edge of the at least one actuator opposite the fluid feed channel.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head including at least one head chip including a plurality of heating elements on a surface of a substrate, a nozzle sheet having nozzles disposed on the respective heating elements, a barrier layer disposed between the head chip and the nozzle sheet, reservoirs disposed between the heating elements and the nozzle sheet, the reservoirs being defined by part of the barrier layer, a common flow path communicating with the reservoirs, and a liquid storage chamber disposed on at least one region of the surface of the substrate excluding a region on which the reservoirs are disposed, the liquid storage chamber being defined by part of the barrier layer and communicating with the common flow path and the reservoirs, the liquid storage chamber storing liquid such that part of the nozzle sheet is in contact with the liquid.

Abstract: An ink jet recording method includes the steps of providing an ink jet recording head having a plurality of discharge openings for discharging ink, a plurality of liquid passageways for holding ink and a plurality of heat generating members. Each of the heat generating members corresponds to a liquid passageway and each heat generating member has a pair of electrodes for driving the heat generating member individually and the electrodes and corresponding heat generating member form a U-shaped wiring portion. The recording head may be manufactured using a cutting process. A voltage is applied to selected pairs of electrodes for driving selected heat generating members individually for providing thermal energy to the ink in the liquid passageway for abruptly forming a bubble and discharging ink from the discharge opening and recording on a recording medium.