Flow Path Patents (Class 347/65)
-
Patent number: 8430484Abstract: A micro-fluid ejection head conveys fluid to firing elements at differing heights in differing layers. The ejection head includes a base substrate. The firing elements are configured on the substrate to eject fluid upon activation. Individual elements are arrayed closer or farther to a common fluid via. A multiple-layer covering on the substrate defines nozzles openings corresponding to each firing element. A lower layer of the covering directs fluid to either the closer or farther elements while a higher layer directs fluid to the other elements. The lower and higher layers define channels to direct the fluid from the fluid via. The higher layer covers the channels in the lower layer, while a topmost layer covers the channels in the higher layer. Also, the topmost layer defines the nozzle openings in large and small opening sizes. Holes in the underlying layers register with the nozzle openings, but are oppositely sized.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventor: Jiandong Fang
-
Patent number: 8419169Abstract: An inkjet printhead (100) and a method (200) of supplying viscous ink employ a central ink feed channel (130). The inkjet printhead (100) includes a bridge beam (110) that supports an ejector element (106), a pair of lateral ink feed channels (120) adjacent to the bridge beam (110), and a central ink feed channel (130) through the ejector element (106) and bridge beam (110). The pair of lateral ink feed channels (120) and the central ink feed channel (130) connect between an ink reservoir (140) below the bridge beam (110) and the bubble expansion chamber (104). The method (200) includes providing (210) a central ink feed channel in a bridge beam of a printhead and flowing (220) viscous ink from an ink reservoir through a combination of the provided central ink feed channel and a pair of lateral ink feed channels.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2009Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Alfred I-Tsung Pan, Erik Torniainen
-
Publication number: 20130088547Abstract: An ink jet print head is provided which can improve throughput by increasing an ink ejection frequency and prevent crosstalk among a plurality of heat application portions, realizing a capability of printing high-quality images at high speed. An opening size of the supply ports in a direction perpendicular to the array direction of the heat application portions is made greater than the length in the direction of electrothermal conversion elements. The supply ports are arranged along the array direction so that they adjoin the heat application portions in the array direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2012Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
-
Patent number: 8408678Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a substrate having an energy-generating device configured to generate energy used for ejecting a liquid from an orifice; a transparent channel wall member forming an inner wall of a channel leading to the orifice; and an intermediate layer disposed between and in contact with a surface of the substrate and the channel wall member and having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the channel wall member. The intermediate layer has a first outer end surface forming contours of a symbol as viewed in a direction from the orifice toward the substrate and making a first angle with the surface of the substrate and a second outer end surface facing the channel and making a second angle with the surface of the substrate. The first angle is an obtuse angle. The second angle is smaller than the first angle.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mitsuru Chida, Jun Yamamuro, Kenji Fujii, Tetsuro Honda
-
Patent number: 8408681Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a plurality of nozzle arrays. A concave portion is formed on a back side of a head substrate, and all supply ports are formed in the bottom of the concave portion. The head substrate and a supporting member are bonded at the bottom of the concave portion so that the supply port and an introduction port communicate with each other. According to such a configuration, a ground contact area can be sufficiently secured, so that a liquid discharge head that is highly reliable and having high heat dissipation ability, and that can be manufactured with high productivity can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toshiyasu Sakai, Masaya Uyama
-
Patent number: 8398215Abstract: An intermediate liquid chamber is formed between an ink conducting path to which ink is supplied from an ink supply source such as an ink cartridge and a common liquid chamber to which ink to be provided to a plurality of pressure chambers is supplied. The intermediate liquid chamber communicates with both the ink conducting path and the common liquid chamber. The intermediate liquid chamber includes a conducting opening which communicates with the ink conducting path and a discharge opening which is opened to the common liquid chamber. The discharge opening is formed from one edge portion to the other edge portion of the common liquid chamber along a pressure chamber arrangement direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Tetsuya Takamoto
-
Patent number: 8398213Abstract: A liquid ejecting head unit includes a flow path unit including a flow path communicating with a plurality of nozzles, a head case in which a common liquid flow path for supplying liquid to the flow path of the flow path unit is formed and to which the flow path unit is bonded, a flow path member which is bonded to the head case at the side opposite to the side to which the flow path unit is bonded and includes an upstream-side flow path for supplying liquid to the common liquid flow path, a heater which is mounted on a side face of the head case and is capable of generating heat, and a metal plate a portion of which is bonded to the heater and other portions of which are opposed to a portion of the flow path member.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2011Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Haruhisa Uezawa
-
Patent number: 8393714Abstract: A printhead is provided having a plurality of ejection nozzles defined on a substrate, each nozzle having a fluid chamber and ejection port, a plurality of supply channels defined through the substrate, a plurality of feed channels connecting the supply channels to the chambers thereby supplying fluid from the supply channels to the chambers, and a plurality of ejection actuators positioned in respective ones of the chambers for causing ejection of the supplied fluid from the ejection ports. Each feed channel is long and narrow relative to the dimensions of the ejection nozzles such that the fluid in the chamber is restricted from flowing into the feed channels during fluid ejection by viscous drag generated in the feed channels.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2011Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Zamtec LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
-
Patent number: 8394307Abstract: A Method for manufacturing a liquid discharge head having a flow path forming member for forming a liquid flow path which communicates with a discharge port discharging liquid, comprises; preparing a layer containing a compound having a structure represented by Formula (1) and a structure represented by Formula (2) as a main chain on a substrate, providing a solution in which a resin is dissolved in a compound represented by Formula (3) or (4) on the layer, forming a mold having the shape as the flow path from the resin, providing a layer which will become the flow path forming member so as to cover the mold, and removing the mold to form the flow path.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2009Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masumi Ikeda, Etsuko Hino
-
Patent number: 8393715Abstract: An inkjet nozzle assembly includes: a nozzle chamber having a floor and a roof spaced apart from the floor, the roof having a displaceable portion defining an ejection port; and an actuator for displacing the displaceable portion of the roof towards the floor. Displacement of the displaceable portion of the roof alters a volume of the nozzle chamber such that when the volume is altered, fluid is ejected from the ejection port.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2012Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Zamtec LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
-
Publication number: 20130057619Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a liquid discharge head including: forming a first pattern for forming the flow path on the substrate; forming a first coating layer which covers the first pattern; forming a hole in the first coating layer, through which the first pattern is exposed; forming a second pattern for forming the flow path on the first coating layer, such that the second pattern contacts with the first pattern through the hole; forming a second coating layer for covering the second pattern; forming the discharge port in the second coating layer; and removing the first pattern and the second pattern to form the flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2012Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
-
Patent number: 8388117Abstract: A method of making an inkjet printhead comprises forming a first patterned layer 20 on a surface of a first substrate 10, forming a second patterned layer 28 on a surface of a second substrate 100, bonding the first and second layers in intimate face-to-face contact, and removing the second substrate 100 from the second patterned layer 28. The first and second patterned layers 20, 28 together define at least one ink ejection chamber having at least one ink ejection nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2005Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Phil Keenan, Pat MacDermott, Kevin Dooley, Gerard Lowe, Barry Fitzgerald
-
Nozzle arrangement including active and static ink ejecting members defining variable-volume chamber
Patent number: 8388110Abstract: A nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead includes an ink inlet; a static ink ejecting member bounding the ink inlet; an active ink ejecting member having a roof defining an ink ejection port and sidewalls depending from the roof, the active ink ejecting member and the static ink ejecting member together defining a nozzle chamber; and an actuator arrangement for reciprocating the active ink ejection member relative to the static ink ejecting member. The static ink ejecting member includes a sealing structure defined along an edge thereof, the sealing structure shaped to form a fluidic seal between the active and the static ink ejecting members by surface tension of a fluid in the nozzle chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2012Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Zamtec LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook -
Publication number: 20130050349Abstract: Provided is a liquid ejection head, including: an ejection orifice for ejecting liquid; a pressure chamber communicating with the ejection orifice; a flow path for supplying the liquid to the pressure chamber; and a first heat-generating element and a second heat-generating element for generating energy to be used for ejecting the liquid, which are arranged in the pressure chamber in the mentioned order in a supply direction of the liquid from the flow path to the pressure chamber, in which a portion between the first heat-generating element and the second heat-generating element is located in an opening of the ejection orifice, when viewed from a direction in which the liquid is ejected from the ejection orifice.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2012Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Eisuke Nishitani, Toru Yamane, Tomoyuki Inoue
-
Patent number: 8382254Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes an array of liquid dispensing elements positioned on a substrate. Each liquid dispensing element includes a liquid dispensing channel including an outlet opening. Liquid supply and return channels are positioned on the substrate in fluid communication with the liquid dispensing channel. Liquid supply and return passages extend through the substrate in fluid communication with the liquid supply and return channels, respectively. A liquid manifold includes liquid supply and return ducts in fluid communication with each liquid supply and return passage of each liquid dispensing element, respectively. A liquid supply provides liquid that flows from the liquid supply duct of the liquid manifold through each liquid dispensing element to the liquid return duct of the liquid manifold. A selectively activated diverter member, associated with the liquid dispensing channel, diverts a portion of the liquid flowing through the dispensing channel through the outlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Yonglin Xie, Joseph Jech, Jr., Qing Yang, Carolyn R. Ellinger
-
Patent number: 8382251Abstract: A nozzle arrangement for a printhead is provided which has a chamber defined on a substrate configured to hold fluid, an ejection port defined in the chamber, and an actuator for moving the ejection port relative to the substrate to eject the held fluid therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Zamtec LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
-
Patent number: 8376515Abstract: A printhead assembly extending in pagewidth direction includes an elongate support beam; an elongate shell at least partially enclosing and restraining the support beam; and a plurality of printhead integrated circuits mounted to the support beam and substantially aligned with one another in the pagewidth direction. The support beam has formed therein at least one printing fluid reservoir arranged in fluid communication with the plurality of printhead integrated circuits.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Zamtec LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
-
Patent number: 8376514Abstract: A printhead module assembly includes a printhead integrated circuit (IC) assembly having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles arranged to form staggered rows, and defining a plurality of ink channels for supplying ink to the ink ejection nozzles; a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) electrically connected to supply both power and data to the IC assembly; a support sheet defining a plurality of ink holes and to which the IC assembly is bonded so that the ink channels are aligned with the ink holes; and a channel layer mounted to the support sheet adjacent to the IC assembly, the channel layer defining a plurality of slots aligned with respective air holes defined in the support sheet.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Zamtec LtdInventor: Kia Silverbrook
-
Patent number: 8376522Abstract: A liquid ejection head is provided that is adapted, when the ejection of comparatively small ink droplets by one print head is required, to not only increase a printing speed and a printing resolution but also to prevent the occurrence of cavitation. The liquid ejection head includes: nozzles, for which heaters are formed to generate thermal energy used to eject ink; and bubble generation chambers, for which ejection ports are formed for ejecting ink upon the application of thermal energy provided by the heaters. Further, a partition wall is formed in each bubble generation chamber at a position opposite the ejection port.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaki Oikawa, Mitsuhiro Matsumoto
-
Patent number: 8376525Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a liquid discharge head including: forming a first pattern for forming the flow path on the substrate; forming a first coating layer which covers the first pattern; forming a hole in the first coating layer, through which the first pattern is exposed; forming a second pattern for forming the flow path on the first coating layer, such that the second pattern contacts with the first pattern through the hole; forming a second coating layer for covering the second pattern; forming the discharge port in the second coating layer; and removing the first pattern and the second pattern to form the flow path.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuhiro Asai, Takumi Suzuki, Masahiko Kubota, Tamaki Sato, Maki Kato
-
Patent number: 8371680Abstract: When an insulating layer is provided in order to protect an energy generating element, there arises a possibility that the layer dissolves in a contacting liquid. Therefore, in order to eject liquid, a first protection layer containing metal is provided on the insulating layer facing a substrate for a liquid-ejection head and a second protection layer containing metal is provided on the surface of a liquid supply port to which a base containing silicon is exposed.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroto Komiyama, Yoshinori Tagawa, Satoshi Ibe, Mitsuru Chida, Kazuhiro Asai
-
Patent number: 8360540Abstract: A recording apparatus of the present invention includes: a recording head having ejection openings which eject liquid, a liquid supply unit which supplies the liquid to the recording head, and a supply control unit which controls the liquid supply unit. The recording head includes: a liquid supply portion and first and second discharge portions; a first passage connecting the supply portion and the first discharge portion; a second passage which branches off from the first passage and communicates with the second discharge portion; a supply passage which branches off from the second passage and which supplies the liquid to the ejection openings; and a first filter disposed nearby a position at which the second passage branches off from the first passage, which filtrates the liquid flowing from the first passage to the second passage.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takashi Ito
-
Patent number: 8356631Abstract: A fluid transport device transports fluid containing electrolytes within a flow channel. At least a portion of the inner walls of the flow channels are hydrophilic from the inlet to the outlet thereof except at at least one valve portion. The device also includes: the valve portions, which are hydrophobic and function to block transport of at least one fluid; electrodes, which are provided at the at least one valve portion and function to reduce the surface tension of the fluid; and air vents, which are provided at the at least one valve portion and function to introduce air in order to block the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2008Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignees: Riso Kagaku Corporation, University of TsukubaInventors: Hiroaki Suzuki, Wataru Satoh, Jun Nakamura
-
Patent number: 8356886Abstract: A liquid ejection head may include a first flow channel member and a second flow channel member, wherein the first flow channel member and the second flow channel member are disposed to form a liquid supply flow channel configured to supply liquid to an ejection port, a supply and discharge flow channel communicated with a supply port and a discharge port, and a communicating flow channel configured to communicate the supply and discharge flow channel to the liquid supply flow channel. The liquid ejection head may also include a seal member which constitutes a part of the supply and discharge flow channel and connects the first flow channel member to the second flow channel member in a water-tight manner. The communicating flow channel may be communicated with the supply and discharge flow channel via a filter disposed in the interior of the second flow channel member.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2009Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoichiro Shimizu
-
Publication number: 20130016161Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle plate, and a flow path member that is bonded to the nozzle plate, wherein the individual flow path includes a communicating portion that communicates with the nozzle openings and a pressure generating chamber that communicates with the communicating portion and has a width narrower than that of the communicating portion in the first direction, and wherein, in the flow path member, a first individual flow path row in which corresponding individual flow paths are arranged side by side in the first direction and a second individual flow path row where corresponding individual flow paths are arranged side by side in the first direction are arranged side by side in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, and each communicating portion of the second individual flow path row is provided between the pressure generating chambers of the first individual flow path row.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventor: Akira HOTTA
-
Patent number: 8342659Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a substrate and a flow path wall member provided on the substrate and having a wall defining a flow path connected to a discharge port for discharging liquid. The flow path wall member is provided with a cavity not connected to the flow path, when viewed in a direction from the discharge port toward the substrate, the cavity has a shape of a character, and the character corresponds to information regarding the liquid discharge head.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenji Fujii, Kazuhiro Asai, Makoto Watanabe, Yoshinori Tagawa, Yoshiyuki Imanaka, Yuuji Tamaru, Kousuke Kubo
-
Patent number: 8342658Abstract: An ink jet print head is provided which can improve throughput by increasing an ink ejection frequency and prevent crosstalk among a plurality of heat application portions, realizing a capability of printing high-quality images at high speed. An opening size of the supply ports in a direction perpendicular to the array direction of the heat application portions is made greater than the length in the direction of electrothermal conversion elements. The supply ports are arranged along the array direction so that they adjoin the heat application portions in the array direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ken Tsuchii, Masataka Sakurai, Yoshiyuki Nakagawa, Akiko Saito
-
Patent number: 8336995Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel, and a liquid return channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening that includes an upstream edge relative to a direction of liquid flow through the liquid dispensing channel. The upstream edge includes a radius of curvature when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the wall. A liquid is provided that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A liquid drop is caused to be ejected from the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel by selectively actuating a diverter member to divert a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Yonglin Xie, Joseph Jech, Jr.
-
Patent number: 8336996Abstract: An inkjet printhead that has an array of ink chambers arranged to remove air bubbles entrained in the ink supply flow. Each of the ink chambers has a nozzle and a thermal actuator respectively, the array of ink chambers defined by sidewalls extending between a nozzle plate and an underlying wafer substrate. The printhead also has ink inlets extending through the underlying wafer substrate. Each of the ink inlets has an ink permeable trap and a vent sized such that the surface tension of an ink meniscus across the vent prevents ink leakage. The ink permeable trap has columns extending from the underlying wafer substrate to the vent to direct gas bubbles entrained in a flow of ink through the ink inlet towards the vent.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2010Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Zamtec LimitedInventor: Kia Silverbrook
-
Patent number: 8336994Abstract: A droplet ejection device includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a droplet ejection surface which has a plurality of nozzles opening thereon and a flat bonding surface which lies opposite to the droplet ejection surface. The droplet ejection surface is curved corresponding to a curved surface onto which the nozzles ejecting droplets. The second member is bonded to the bonding surface of the first member.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2009Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hiroto Sugahara
-
Patent number: 8328334Abstract: Each liquid dispensing element of an array includes liquid supply, dispensing, and return channels positioned on a substrate. The liquid dispensing channel, in communication with the supply and return channels, includes an outlet opening and is associated with a diverter member. Liquid supply and return passages, in communication with liquid supply and return channels, respectively, extend through the substrate. Liquid supply and return ducts of a liquid manifold are in communication with each liquid supply passage and liquid return passage, respectively. Liquid flows from the liquid supply duct through each liquid dispensing element to the liquid return duct. A liquid drop is ejected from the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel of one of the liquid dispensing elements by selectively actuating the associated diverter member to divert a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Yonglin Xie, Joseph Jech, Jr., Qing Yang, Carolyn R. Ellinger
-
Patent number: 8328330Abstract: A nozzle plate for bonding to a chip for configuring a printhead of a printing device is disclosed. The chip comprises a plurality of energizing elements. The nozzle plate comprises a substrate layer, an adhesive layer and a plurality of nozzle holes perforated in the substrate layer and the adhesive layer. The each nozzle hole is capable of being associated with an energizing element of the plurality of energizing elements. The each nozzle hole comprises an asymmetric flow-feature configured by ablating at least a portion of a wall of the each nozzle hole prior to bonding the nozzle plate to the chip. The nozzle plate provides a substantially symmetrical flow-feature for the each nozzle hole on bonding to the chip.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Richard Louis Goin, Christopher Elliot Lingle
-
Patent number: 8328335Abstract: A liquid dispenser is provided that includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel, and a liquid return channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening that includes a downstream edge relative to a direction of liquid flow through the liquid dispensing channel. The downstream edge is sloped relative to the surface of the wall of the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid is provided that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A liquid drop is caused to be ejected from the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel by selectively actuating a diverter member to divert a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Yonglin Xie, Joseph Jech, Jr., Carolyn R. Ellinger, Maria J. Lehmann, Ali G. Lopez, Qing Yang
-
Patent number: 8322827Abstract: A thermal inkjet printhead integrated circuit has an array of ink chambers formed on a wafer substrate, each having a nozzle aperture and a thermal actuator. The thermal actuator has a heater element extending between two contacts. The printhead IC also has CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) drive circuitry formed by a plurality of flat, metal layers interleaved with interlayer dielectric for selectively providing the thermal actuators of the array with drive signals. The CMOS drive circuitry has a top-most metal layer providing electrodes for each of the thermal actuators respectively. The electrodes each have a flat surface that the contacts of each of the thermal actuators overlie for face to face contacting engagement. The contacts and the heater element are coplanar such that the thermal actuator is an integral planar structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Zamtec LimitedInventor: Kia Silverbrook
-
Patent number: 8322825Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes liquid supply, dispensing, and return channels. A portion of a first wall of the liquid dispensing channel defines an outlet opening. A second wall of the liquid dispensing channel, opposite the first wall, extends along portions of the liquid supply and return channels. A liquid supply passage, in communication with the supply channel, extends through the second wall. A liquid return passage, in communication with the return channel, is positioned through the second wall and overlaps the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel as viewed from a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first wall of the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid supply provides liquid that flows from the supply passage through the supply, dispensing, and return channels to the return passage. A diverter member selectively diverts a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Yonglin Xie, Qing Yang
-
Patent number: 8317301Abstract: A printing nozzle arrangement is provided having an electrical current source, a fluid chamber having a fluid inlet and fluid ejection port, a heating element within the chamber electrically connected to the electrical current source, and a microprocessor. The heating element is configured such that electrical current applied by the electrical current source at a predetermined energy level causes resistive heating and ejection of the fluid from the fluid ejection port. The microprocessor is configured to test for faulty operation of the heating element by causing application of electrical current for a predetermined duration which does not result in fluid ejection. When faulty operation is determined, the microprocessor is configured to cause application of electrical current at an energy level significantly greater than the predetermined energy level in an attempt to clear fluid blockages associated with the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Zamtec LimitedInventor: Kia Silverbrook
-
Patent number: 8313169Abstract: A liquid-ejecting head includes a recording element substrate that includes an energy generating element generating energy for ejecting a liquid from a discharge port, a supporting member that supports the recording element substrate and has a liquid chamber supplying the liquid to the recording element substrate, a first supply port formed in one surface thereof, communicating with the liquid chamber, and having fluid communication with the recording element substrate, a second supply port being smaller than the first supply port, formed in a surface opposite the one surface at a position corresponding to a longitudinal end side of the first supply port, and communicating with the liquid chamber, and a flow passage forming member that supplies the liquid to the second supply port. The cross-section of the liquid chamber in a direction extending from the opposite toward one surfaces gradually increases in part of the extending direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2011Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaru Iketani, Kiyomitsu Kudo, Yasushi Iijima, Tomotsugu Kuroda
-
Patent number: 8308275Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes an array of liquid dispensing elements positioned on a substrate. Each liquid dispensing element includes a liquid dispensing channel positioned on the substrate. The liquid dispensing channel includes an outlet opening positioned on a wall opposite the substrate. A diverter member is associated with the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid return channel is positioned on the substrate in fluid communication with the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid supply channel is positioned on the substrate in fluid communication with the liquid dispensing channel. A liquid supply passage extends through the substrate in fluid communication with the liquid supply channel. A liquid return passage extends through the substrate in fluid communication with the liquid return channel. A liquid supply provides liquid that flows from each liquid supply channel through each liquid dispensing element to each liquid return channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Yonglin Xie, Qing Yang
-
Patent number: 8303091Abstract: A liquid dispenser is provided that includes a liquid supply channel, a liquid dispensing channel, and a liquid return channel. The liquid dispensing channel includes a wall. The wall includes a surface. A portion of the wall defines an outlet opening. Another portion of the wall defines a drain located in the wall downstream from the outlet opening. The drain includes a radius of curvature as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the wall. A liquid is provided that flows from the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel to the liquid return channel. A liquid drop is caused to be ejected from the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel by selectively actuating a diverter member to divert a portion of the flowing liquid through the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Yonglin Xie, Carolyn R. Ellinger, Maria J. Lehmann, Joseph Jech, Jr., Qing Yang
-
Patent number: 8292407Abstract: In a liquid-discharging-head substrate including a plurality of ink supply ports, if lines are provided on the substrate between adjacent elements, energy generating elements cannot be arranged in high density. A liquid-discharging-head substrate according to the present invention includes an element array in which a plurality of elements configured to generate energy for discharging liquid are arranged, a first common line, a second common line, first individual lines configured to connect the elements and the first common line, and second individual lines configured to connect the elements and the second common line. The element array is provided between the first common line and the second common line, the first individual lines are provided in an area between the element array and the first common line, and the second individual lines are provided in an area between the element array and the second common line.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nobuyuki Hirayama, Yusuke Imahashi
-
Patent number: 8291576Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head having an element which generates energy utilized for ejecting liquid and an electrode layer electrically connecting the element. The method includes the steps of: providing an electrode layer on a substrate, a width of one portion of the electrode layer being smaller than that of another portion near the one portion; providing a resist layer on a part of the electrode layer by a screen printing method or a dispense method in such a manner that an end of the resist layer is positioned at the one portion; providing another layer on another part excluding the part of the electrode layer by utilizing the resist layer as a mask; and removing the resist layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Satoshi Ibe, Hirokazu Komuro, Takuya Hatsui, Sadayoshi Sakuma
-
Patent number: 8287103Abstract: An ink jet print head is provided which has a reduced size and still can prevent an overall temperature increase in a printing element board. To this end, among ink supply port arrays formed on both sides of each nozzle array, the heat resistance of the portion (beams) of the printing element board between the adjoining ink supply ports is lowered in those arrays that are close to the end portions of the common liquid chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2012Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akiko Saito, Ken Tsuchii
-
Patent number: 8287072Abstract: A method for using a processor to process image data received from an image data source in preparation for multipass printing, comprising multitoning the image data to produce a multitoned image, using the multitone level of a pixel in the multitoned image to select a plane of a print mask, using the location of the pixel in the multitoned image to select a cell of output pixels in the selected plane of the print mask, and copying the selected cell of output pixels to corresponding locations within a print buffer.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Christopher Rueby, Douglas W. Couwenhoven
-
Patent number: 8287102Abstract: A micro-droplet ejection apparatus includes a substrate, a droplet-ejecting layer, and a plurality of bubble generators. A liquid storage space is formed between the substrate and the droplet-ejecting layer. The liquid storage space has no spacer connecting the substrate and the droplet-ejecting layer. That is, the liquid storage space has no individual chambers. The droplet-ejecting layer has a plurality of through holes arranged in an array, and each through hole is used as a nozzle for pushing out ink. The plurality of bubble generators is disposed above the substrate, and corresponds to and is disposed under the through holes. The bubble generators on two sides of a designated bubble generator generate at least one limit bubble, limiting the growth of a main bubble generated by the designated bubble generator.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: National Tsing Hua UniversityInventors: Fan Gang Tseng, I Da Yang
-
Patent number: 8287101Abstract: A method for forming drops includes providing a jetting module that includes a nozzle plate, portions of the nozzle plate defining a nozzle; a thermal stimulation membrane including a plurality of pores and one or more heating elements; and an enclosure extending from the nozzle towards the thermal stimulation membrane, the enclosure defining a liquid chamber positioned between the nozzle and the thermal stimulation membrane, the liquid chamber being in fluid communication with each of the nozzle and the plurality of pores; providing liquid under pressure sufficient to cause the liquid to divide into a plurality of portions as the liquid flows through the thermal stimulation membrane; each portion of the liquid flowing through a pore of the plurality of pores; jetting an individual stream of the liquid through the nozzle; and causing a liquid drop to break off from the individual stream of the liquid by applying a pulse of thermal energy to each portion of the liquid as each portion of the liquid flows througType: GrantFiled: April 27, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Yonglin Xie, Michael F. Baumer, Ali G. Lopez
-
Patent number: 8287100Abstract: In order to hermetically seal more surely a gap between a back surface of a liquid discharge substrate and a front surface of a support member, and an electrode portion etc., without adversely affecting discharge performance, a liquid discharge head includes a first sealing resin coated on a portion between the liquid supply port and the pad on the support surface so as to surround a tip end portion at the liquid supply port of the support member and a second sealing resin for sealing a gap between the support member and the liquid discharge substrate, and a peripheral part of the liquid supply port.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2010Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Seida, Riichi Saito
-
Patent number: 8277029Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit includes: a plurality of nozzle chambers disposed on a substrate; a heater element positioned in each nozzle chamber; drive circuitry for supply power to each heater element; and a plurality of ink supply channels defined in the substrate for supplying fluid to the nozzle chambers. Each heater element consists of solid material having a mass of less than 10 nanograms. In use, the solid material is heated to cause formation of a gas bubble inside each nozzle chamber.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Zamtec LimitedInventor: Kia Silverbrook
-
Publication number: 20120242753Abstract: A first member and a second member constituting flow passage member are joined at a first joining region that surrounds the periphery of a liquid flow passage and a second joining region that is further to the outside than the first joining region, and in a state where the second joining region has a gas barrier property higher than that of the first joining region, the second joining region seals a gap between the first member and the second member, wherein the liquid ejecting head includes a communication hole that communicates a space between the first member and the second member with the outside, which is surrounded by the first joining region and the second joining region.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Hajime Nakao, Keiji Hara
-
Patent number: 8262204Abstract: Methods and an apparatus are disclosed, wherein a print head die includes a slot and ribs across the slot. The ribs are recessed from one or both sides of the die.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: David M. Braun, Siddhartha Bhowmik, Swaroop K. Kommera, Richard J. Oram, Phillip G. Rourke, Joshua W. Smith, Christopher C. Aschoff
-
Patent number: 8251496Abstract: The invention provides, between a discharge element substrate and a supply member, a support member containing a mixture that contains: a material having an affinity for a material forming the supply member; and another material.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2009Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shozo Hattori, Masashi Miyagawa, Ryoichi Matsumoto, Toshiaki Kaneko