With Additional Feature Patents (Class 347/67)
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Patent number: 9481169Abstract: A liquid jet head includes a head portion having a supply flow path configured to allow liquid supplied from the outside to flow therethrough, a pressure chamber that communicates with the supply flow path, a driver element that drives the pressure chamber, and a nozzle that communicates with the pressure chamber for ejecting liquid droplets. A circuit portion supplies a drive waveform to the driver element. A cooling portion has a cooling flow path configured to allow the liquid to flow therethrough, and the cooling portion is coupled and fixed to the circuit portion to absorb heat energy dissipated by the circuit portion. The supply flow path and the cooling flow path communicate with each other so that the same liquid flows through both paths thereby eliminating the need for a dedicated cooling liquid system and achieving size and cost reduction.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2015Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: SII PRINTEK INC.Inventor: Yoshinori Domae
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Patent number: 9067427Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes nozzles that discharge liquid droplets, individual channels in communication with the nozzles, a liquid introducing part in communication with the individual channels, a common liquid chamber that supplies liquid to the individual channels, and a filter part arranged between the common liquid chamber and the liquid introducing part. The filter part has filter holes for filtering the liquid over a range of the individual channels in a nozzle array direction. The filter part has at least one reinforcement rib arranged in the nozzle array direction. The reinforcement rib is partially arranged over the range of the individual channels in a direction perpendicular to the nozzle array direction. Filter regions divided by the reinforcement rib are arranged to be in communication via a communication region where the reinforcement rib is not arranged, and the filter holes are arranged at the communication region.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventor: Keisuke Hayashi
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Patent number: 9061500Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printhead substrate, including forming a metal pattern, including a portion forming a pair of electrodes, on an insulating member, forming a conductive film which covers the insulating member and the metal pattern, including a first portion forming a temperature detection element and a second portion except for the first portion, etching the second portion so as to form the pair of electrodes, and etching the first portion so as to form the temperature detection element which is connected to the pair of electrodes, wherein an etching amount in the etching the second portion is larger than a thickness of the conductive film, and an etching amount in the etching the first portion is smaller than the etching amount in the etching the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2014Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ershad Ali Chowdhury, Takayuki Kimura, Kenji Makino
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Patent number: 8974040Abstract: A liquid droplet ejection head including a common liquid chamber, multiple individual liquid chambers communicating with the common liquid chamber, to which a liquid is supplied via the common liquid chamber, a nozzle plate containing multiple nozzles communicating with the multiple individual liquid chambers to eject the liquid, a filter disposed within a passageway between the common liquid chamber and the multiple individual liquid chambers to remove foreign substances from the liquid, and a through-hole provided adjacent to the filter to communicate with the multiple individual liquid chambers, and sealed by a frame member in which the common liquid chamber is formed.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Takao Kamito, Hiroya Ishida
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Patent number: 8939551Abstract: A liquid dispensing system includes a liquid dispenser array structure that includes a functional liquid transfer region located between a liquid dispensing channel and a liquid return channel. A first liquid supply provides a carrier liquid that flows continuously through the dispensing channel, functional liquid transfer region, and return channel during a drop dispensing operation. Liquid dispensers, located on a common substrate, include a second liquid supply that provides a functional liquid, immiscible in the carrier liquid, to the dispensing channel. A drop formation device, associated with an interface of the supply channel and the dispensing channel, is selectively actuated to form discrete functional liquid drops in the flowing carrier liquid. A receiver conveyance mechanism and the functional liquid transfer region are positioned relative to each other such that functional liquid drops are applied to a receiver while the carrier liquid flows through the functional liquid transfer region.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Thomas W. Palone
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Patent number: 8936353Abstract: A liquid dispenser array structure includes a liquid dispensing channel. A first liquid supply provides a carrier liquid that flows continuously through an outlet of the liquid dispensing channel during a drop dispensing operation. A plurality of liquid dispensers, located on a common substrate, includes a liquid supply channel and a second liquid supply that provides a functional liquid, immiscible in the carrier liquid, to the liquid dispensing channel through the liquid supply channel. A drop formation device, associated with an interface of the liquid supply channel and the liquid dispensing channel, is selectively actuated to form a discrete drop of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Thomas W. Palone, Jeremy M. Grace, Michael A. Marcus, Carolyn R. Ellinger, Kathleen M. Vaeth
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Patent number: 8936354Abstract: A liquid dispensing system includes a liquid dispenser array structure. A first liquid supply provides a carrier liquid that flows continuously through an outlet of a liquid dispensing channel during a drop dispensing operation. A plurality of liquid dispensers, located on a common substrate, includes a second liquid supply that provides a functional liquid, immiscible in the carrier liquid, to the liquid dispensing channel through a liquid supply channel. A drop formation device, associated with an interface of the liquid supply channel and the liquid dispensing channel, is selectively actuated to form discrete drops of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel. A receiver conveyance mechanism and the liquid dispenser array structure are positioned relative to each other such that the discrete drops of the functional liquid are applied to a receiver.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Thomas W. Palone, Jeremy M. Grace, Michael A. Marcus, Carolyn R. Ellinger, Kathleen M. Vaeth
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Patent number: 8926848Abstract: Provided are a method of forming a through hole, which can inhibit misalignment between central axes of holes in both surfaces of a substrate, which is free from metal contamination, and which inhibits notching so as to improve the dimensional accuracy, the method including: preparing a silicon substrate; preparing a supporting substrate for supporting the silicon substrate; fixing the silicon substrate and the supporting substrate to form a composite substrate; and carrying out dry etching to the composite substrate from a silicon substrate side of the composite substrate toward a supporting substrate side of the composite substrate to form a through hole in the silicon substrate, in which the supporting substrate in the preparing a supporting substrate has a hole formed at a region corresponding to a region of the through hole to be formed in the silicon substrate, on a surface of the supporting substrate facing the silicon substrate.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoichi Ikarashi
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Patent number: 8919938Abstract: A droplet generator (100, 600, 700) having a bubble purging fluidic architecture comprises a firing chamber (110, 610, 710); an inlet (155, 655) fluidically connecting the firing chamber (110, 610, 710) to a fluid reservoir (140, 640, 740); and an outlet (120, 400, 620, 720) configured to pass fluid droplets being ejected from the firing chamber (110, 610, 710). The geometry of the outlet (120, 400, 620, 720) and the geometry of the inlet (155, 655) are configured such that the outlet (120, 400, 620, 720) geometry has a substantially lower barrier to expansion or motion of a bubble (300, 310, 410) than the inlet (155, 655) geometry.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Garrett E. Clark, Angela Bakkom
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Patent number: 8888250Abstract: A thermal bubble jetting device including a substrate. A superoleophobic, textured surface is positioned on the substrate. The textured surface comprises one or more gaps configured for holding a gas. A receptacle is positioned in fluid communication with the textured surface. Both an inlet and nozzle are in fluid communication with the receptacle. The device includes a heater mechanism configured to expand a gas in the one or more gaps so as to sufficiently increase pressure in the receptacle to force liquid through the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Kock-Yee Law, Jun Ma, Hong Zhao, Peter M. Gulvin
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Patent number: 8770722Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a first liquid supply that provides a carrier liquid under pressure that flows from the first liquid supply through a first liquid supply channel through a liquid dispensing channel through a liquid return channel and back to the first liquid supply continuously during a drop dispensing operation. A second liquid supply provides a functional liquid to the liquid dispensing channel through a second liquid supply channel. A drop formation device, associated with an interface of the second liquid supply channel and the liquid dispensing channel, is selectively actuated to form a discrete drop of the functional liquid in the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel. The functional liquid is immiscible in the carrier liquid. A drop ejection device is selectively actuated to divert the discrete drop of the functional liquid and a portion of the carrier liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel toward the outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Yonglin Xie, Carolyn R. Ellinger, Michael A. Marcus, Thomas W. Palone
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Patent number: 8757783Abstract: A fluid ejection assembly includes a fluid slot formed in a first substrate and a channel formed in a chamber layer disposed on top of a second substrate. The bottom surface of the second substrate is adhered to the top surface of the first substrate and fluid feed holes are formed between the fluid slot and the channel. A fluid ejection element is at a first end of the channel and a pump element is at a second end of the channel to circulate fluid horizontally through the channel and vertically through the fluid feed holes.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2010Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Alexander Govyadinov, Erik D. Torniainen, Robert Messenger
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Patent number: 8757780Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber. The first liquid chamber includes a nozzle. A heater is associated with the second liquid chamber. A flexible corrugated membrane is positioned to separate and fluidically seal the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber from each other.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2012Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Yonglin Xie, Qing Yang, James A. Katerberg
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Patent number: 8733903Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes first and second liquid chambers. The second liquid chamber is in fluid communication with liquid supply and liquid return channels. A flexible membrane separates and fluidically seals the first and second liquid chambers from each other. The flexible membrane, residing in a first position, includes a residual compressive stress that exceeds an onset buckling stress of the flexible membrane. A heater, associated with the second liquid chamber, is selectively actuated to create a pressure pulse in a liquid that causes the flexible membrane to move from the first position to a second position to eject liquid through a nozzle of the first liquid chamber. In one embodiment, a liquid supply provides liquid that flows continuously from the liquid supply through the liquid supply channel through the second liquid chamber through the liquid return channel and back to the liquid supply during a drop dispensing operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Zhanjun Gao, Yonglin Xie
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Patent number: 8727501Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber. The first liquid chamber includes a nozzle. A liquid supply channel is in fluid communication with the second chamber. A liquid return channel is in fluid communication with the second chamber. A heater is associated with the second liquid chamber. A flexible membrane is positioned to separate and fluidically seal the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber relative to each other. A liquid supply provides a liquid that flows continuously from the liquid supply through the liquid supply channel through the second liquid chamber through the liquid return channel and back to the liquid supply.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2012Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Yonglin Xie, Qing Yang
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Patent number: 8696092Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a first liquid chamber and a second liquid chamber. The first liquid chamber includes a nozzle. The second chamber is in fluid communication with a liquid supply channel and a liquid return channel. A flexible membrane is positioned to separate and fluidically seal the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber from each other. The flexible membrane includes a bimorph actuator that causes the flexible membrane to move from a first position to a second position to eject liquid through the nozzle of the first liquid chamber. In one example embodiment, a liquid supply provides a liquid that flows continuously from the liquid supply through the liquid supply channel through the second liquid chamber through the liquid return channel and back to the liquid supply during a drop dispensing operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Zhanjun Gao, Yonglin Xie
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Patent number: 8668306Abstract: A liquid ejecting head including: a head unit having a nozzle forming surface on which a plurality of rows of nozzles ejecting a liquid are arranged and of which the nozzle forming surface is wiped by a wiping member along an arrangement direction of the nozzle rows; and a fixing member, wherein the fixing member has a fixing plate section on which an exposure opening section exposing the nozzles of the nozzle forming surface is formed and of which an upper surface is joined to the nozzle forming surface as a fixing reference surface in a state where the nozzle is exposed into the exposure opening section, and a cutout section, which opens the exposure opening section in the wiping direction and exposes an edge portion of the nozzle forming surface, is formed downstream of the wiping member in the wiping direction in the exposure opening section.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Masayuki Eguchi, Shigeki Suzuki
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Patent number: 8636337Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus, including: a head having an ejection surface; a head holder; a capping mechanism for capping the ejection surface, having: a facing member with a facing surface to face the ejection surface; and a protrusion provided on the head holder for isolating, from an external space, an ejection space formed between the ejection surface and the facing surface when a tip of the protrusion contacts the facing surface; and a humidifying mechanism having: a circulation passage whose first and second ends are open to the ejection space through openings thereof provided in one of the head and the head holder; and a humidifier for humidifying an air in the passage, the humidifying mechanism being configured to collect an air in the ejection space from the opening of the first end and to supply an air humidified by the humidifier into the ejection space from the opening of the second end.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2011Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akira Shinoda
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Patent number: 8616689Abstract: A fluid droplet ejection apparatus includes a printhead having a fluid supply and a fluid return. A substrate is attached to the printhead, and the substrate includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet on a surface of the substrate proximate to the fluid supply and fluid return. Nozzles are in fluid communication with the fluid inlet. The fluid inlet of the substrate is in fluid communication with the fluid supply, and the fluid outlet is in fluid communication with the fluid return. A first circulation path through the substrate is between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The fluid supply is in fluid communication with the fluid return through a second circulation path that is through the printhead and not through the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Kevin von Essen, Paul A. Hoisington, Andreas Bibl
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Patent number: 8608287Abstract: A printhead including a body; an actuator attached to the body, and an enclosed space between the actuator and the body forms a chamber; an opening defined by the body for releasing pressure in the chamber; and a seal attached to the opening to seal the chamber while permitting pressure to be released.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2013Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Duby, Robert L. Wells, Todd Severance, Carl Tracy
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Patent number: 8602531Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a substrate. A first portion of the substrate defines a liquid dispensing channel including an outlet opening. A second portion of the substrate defines an outer boundary of a cavity. Other portions of the substrate define a liquid supply channel and a liquid return channel. A liquid supply provides a continuous flow of liquid from the liquid supply through the liquid supply channel through the liquid dispensing channel through the liquid return channel and back to the liquid supply. A diverter member is selectively actuatable to divert a portion of the liquid flowing through the liquid dispensing channel through outlet opening of the liquid dispensing channel. The diverter member includes a MEMS transducing member anchored to the substrate. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Carolyn R. Ellinger, James A. Katerberg, James D. Huffman
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Patent number: 8573749Abstract: A printhead (10) for use in an inkjet printing process includes a substrate (12) having at least one ink feed opening (14) defined therein, an ink chamber (16) in operative and fluid communication with the ink feed opening(s) (14), and a nozzle plate (18) disposed on a portion (P1) of the substrate (12). The nozzle plate (18) has a plurality of orifices (20) defined therein. The printhead (10) further includes a firing resistor (22) disposed on another portion (P2) of the substrate (12) and proximate to the ink feed opening(s) (14) and a barrier structure (24) disposed on the other portion (P2) of the substrate (12) and positioned adjacent to the firing resistor (22).Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2009Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Alfred I-Tsung Pan, Erik D. Torniainen
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Patent number: 8550599Abstract: A process for producing a liquid ejection head including a recording element substrate, an electrical wiring substrate provided with plural lead terminals, a support member provided with a concavity and a joining surface, and a sealant control wall arranged between a side surface of the recording element substrate and a side surface of the support member, the process including preparing a liquid ejection head in which the concavity and recording element substrate are mutually fixed, the joining surface and electrical wiring substrate are mutually fixed, and the lead terminals and connection terminal are mutually connected, and filling the sealant between the side surface of the recording element substrate and the side surface of the sealant control wall on the side of the recording element substrate followed by filling the sealant between a side surface of the sealant control wall on the side of the lead terminals and the lead terminals.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirotaka Miyazaki, Toshiaki Kaneko, Satoshi Kodama
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Patent number: 8500233Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a member having ejection ports and dummy ejection ports. The ejection ports are provided in correspondence with energy-generating elements used in ejecting liquid. The dummy ejection ports are provided in correspondence with a light-receiving element outputting current whose level changes in accordance with the intensity of light applied thereto. By detecting the level of current that is output from the light-receiving element, the shapes of the ejection ports are estimated.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2011Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masataka Nagai, Yoshinori Tagawa, Satoshi Ibe, Kazuhiro Asai, Hiroyuki Murayama, Mitsuru Chida
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Patent number: 8454115Abstract: A chip used for dispensing a fluid such as ink provides ink-dispensing ejectors having an ink cavity over a supporting substrate, and further provides a heater for heating the ink in the cavity. The heater can be interposed between the substrate and the ink cavity to provide direct heating of ink as it is being dispensed. Various embodiments further comprise the use of the heater structure as a temperature probe to measure the temperature of the ink in the ink cavity. Other embodiments provide a chip having both a temperature probe and a heater as separate structures interposed between the ink cavity and the substrate. Further described is a temperature probe and/or heater which traverses a majority of a width of a substrate, and surrounds each drop ejector on at least two sides.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Peter M. Gulvin, Andrew W. Hays
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Patent number: 8430481Abstract: A plurality of liquid ejection heads is attached to a head attachment member with respect to a support drum for supporting an ejection-receiving medium and rotating about a rotation shaft. The head attachment member includes a plurality of attachment surfaces to which a plurality of head groups each including a plurality of liquid ejection heads is attached. Each of the attachment surfaces is arranged so as to be parallel to a tangent line which is tangent to a peripheral surface of the support drum at an intersection point of a line segment which connects the center of the support drum and the center on the first attachment surface between the head groups attached to the first attachment surface. The attachment surfaces are integrally and continuously formed.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2011Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Ishii, Hiroyuki Hagiwara
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Patent number: 8414109Abstract: A head array unit includes plural heads that discharge liquid droplets; a head supporting member on which the plural heads are disposed; and intermediate members, fixed to the head supporting member, having positioning reference parts configured to position the heads, wherein the heads are mounted on the intermediate members detachably from an opposite side of the intermediate members with respect to the head supporting member.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Akira Saito
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Patent number: 8414117Abstract: According to the present invention, the size of a droplet ejected to a target area is minimized to obtain high printing resolution, and effects of attraction and adhesive forces acting between a nozzle and air resistance can be minimized so that the target area is finely controlled to obtain high printing precision. An inkjet printing apparatus according to the present invention includes an ejecting device ejecting a droplet of a solution to a target area; and a light irradiating device irradiating light onto the droplet at an acute angle with respect to a line going through the ejecting device and the target area to heat and evaporate a part of the droplet before the ejected droplet reaches the target area, so that the droplet is accelerated along the line.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Medikan Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hee-Young Lee
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Patent number: 8408682Abstract: An insulation container has an insulation material, a filter arranged to encase the insulation material, the filter of a material that prevents escape of the insulation material while allowing air to pass through, and a container arranged to encase the filter, the container being heat sealable. A printer has an ink supply, a print head arranged to receive ink from the ink supply and configured to receive electrical signals from a controller and to dispense ink in accordance with the electrical signals onto a print substrate, and an insulator to absorb heat from the print head.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: David Paul Platt, Joseph Andrew Broderick
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Patent number: 8403460Abstract: A printhead including a body; an actuator attached to the body, and an enclosed space between the actuator and the body forms a chamber; an opening defined by the body for releasing pressure in the chamber; and a seal attached to the opening to seal the chamber while permitting pressure to be released.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Duby, Robert L. Wells, Jr., Todd Severance, Carl Tracy
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Patent number: 8382231Abstract: A print head having high printing reliability, in which temperature unevenness is suppressed even when printing is performed using a print head having an increased length and density of an ejection opening array, can be provided. Specifically, a temperature equalizing member such as a heat pipe and a cooling liquid passage is disposed between a first support substrate and each of second support substrates or is disposed inside the first support substrate. This makes it possible to equalize temperature among the plurality of second support substrates and further equalize temperature among the printing element substrates bonded to these support substrates. In addition, the temperature equalizing member is made close to the printing element substrate, thus making it possible to efficiently equalize temperature.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsuhiko Takano, Manabu Sueoka, Junji Yasuda, Shigeo Takenaka, Katsumasa Nishikawa
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Patent number: 8382255Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes a substrate having a recessed cavity formed therein. The cavity has a continuous sidewall around the perimeter of the cavity. The printhead includes a heating element formed onto the sidewall of the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Peter Mardilovich, Lawrence H. White
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Patent number: 8356885Abstract: A fluid sensor for detecting fluid in a chamber, has a MEMS sensing element of conductive material with a resistance that is a function of temperature, and electrical contacts for connection to an electrical power source for heating the sensing element with an electrical signal, so that control circuitry can measure the current passing through the sensing element during heating of the sensing element; and determine the temperature of the sensing element from the known applied voltage, the measured current and the known relationship between the current, resistance and temperature. As the temperature of the element will be greater if it is in the presence of gas rather than liquid, the sensor determines if there is liquid or gas in the chamber. This is particularly useful to detect if the chambers of an inkjet printhead are primed with ink.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2010Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Zamtec LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Gregory John McAvoy, Angus John North, Samuel George Mallinson, Mehdi Azimi
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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
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Patent number: 8336993Abstract: A print head includes a nozzle plate, a fixing plate fixed to the nozzle plate, an oscillation sheet, and a security assembly. The fixing plate defines a receiving groove. The oscillation sheet is fixed between the fixing plate and the nozzle plate and covers the receiving groove. The security assembly includes a fixing component, an elastic component, a fixing element, an anti-detachable component, and a pointed tip extending from a distal end of the anti-detachable component. The security assembly is fixed to the fixing plate, the elastic component and the anti-detachable component are received in the receiving groove with the pointed tip pointed towards the oscillation sheet. A first end of the compressed elastic component resists against the fixing component and a second end of the elastic component resists the anti-detachable component.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chen-Hsing Chen, Chang-Lun Tai, Hsing-Yi Hu
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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
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Patent number: 8313168Abstract: A micro-fluid ejection device defines a print gap from an ejection head to a print media. An ejection zone of the head ejects fluid across the print gap during use. At least one wind baffle adjacent the ejection zone modifies airflow in the print gap as the head scans. In various designs, multiple wind baffles reside on either sides of the ejection zone to provide a cascading airflow effect from one wind baffle to the next. Baffle shapes, spacing and locations define multiple embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2010Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.Inventors: Sam Norasak, Adam Neal Chalin, David Weatherly, Eric Spenser Hall, Shirish Mulay
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Patent number: 8287104Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes a die having a heating element formed thereon. The inkjet printhead also includes a graded die carrier. The graded die carrier is coupled to the die. The graded die carrier has lands that are separated by an ink slot. Each of the lands is graded such that its proximity to the die varies.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Alok Sharan, Robert N K Browning
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Patent number: 8287089Abstract: A print head is provided in which influence on ink to be ejected from an ejection port by an air flow generated by ink previously ejected from the ejection port is suppressed evenly for respective ejection ports in the print head. A print head has an ejection port for ejecting ink. On an ejection port forming face formed with the ejection port, a projection projecting from the ejection port forming face is formed. The projection is arranged at a position where the distance from a center of the ejection port is within the maximum of a diameter of a vortex core of a vortex that is formed when liquid droplets are ejected in the case without a projection.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yumi Kimura, Ken Tsuchii, Hiroshi Arimizu, Shinji Kishikawa, Arihito Miyakoshi, Nobuhito Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 8277044Abstract: A mobile telephone includes an optical sensing arrangement enabling the telephone to decode tags of coded data printed on media fed through the telephone via internal and external media pathway defined by a body of the telephone; a beam splitter deflecting incoming light onto an image sensor of the telephone; a first infrared LED directing light onto media present in the external pathway; a filter and lens arrangement receiving and directing light reflected from the external media onto the beam splitter; a second infrared LED directing light onto media present in the internal pathway; and a mirror arrangement directing light reflected from the internal media into the beam splitter. The coded data contains printing instructions for the printhead, and the filter and lens arrangement includes an infrared filter for removing non-infrared ambient light, whereby a signal to noise ratio of the reflected light is improved.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Gregory Michael Tow
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Patent number: 8262197Abstract: A liquid ejecting head unit includes liquid ejecting heads, each having a row of nozzles that eject liquid. The liquid ejecting heads are anchored to a base plate. An anchoring plate is anchored to the base plate and positions the liquid ejecting heads relative to the base plate. A reference mark is formed in the anchoring plate and a positioning mark is formed in the base plate for positioning the anchoring plate relative to the base plate. The positioning marks are formed along the direction in which the nozzles are arranged in a row. A related manufacturing method includes selecting the positioning mark in accordance with a predetermined resolution and anchoring the anchoring plate to the base plate so that the reference mark and the selected positioning mark are in the same relative positional relationship. The liquid ejecting heads are anchored to the base plate using the anchoring plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Hagiwara, Shunsuke Watanabe
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Patent number: 8235500Abstract: A method of forming an enclosed fluid path in a print head includes providing a die member and a truncated nozzle plate spaced from the upper surface of the die member. The die and nozzle plate are formed on a print head substrate having an aperture formed therein. A sacrificial material is seated over the aperture of the print head substrate and joins a terminal end of the truncated nozzle plate. The sacrificial material is encapsulated from the terminal end of the nozzle plate to a surface of the print head substrate. Removal of the sacrificial material defines the fluid path from the aperture of the print head substrate to the nozzle plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2010Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Peter J. Nystrom, John P. Meyers
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Patent number: 8226201Abstract: The ejection positions of a plurality of pre-processing agent ejection nozzles and the ejection positions of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles as seen in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of a recording medium are in a one-to-one correspondence with each other. A controller causes the process of ejecting ink of a first color from the ink ejection nozzles onto the recording medium subjected to the ejection from the plurality of pre-processing agent ejection nozzles so as to form a failure detection printing pattern which is a printing pattern formed by providing a time lag between the processes of ejecting the ink from adjacent ones of the plurality of ink ejection nozzles. An ejection failure in the pre-processing agent ejection nozzles is detected by judging that a pre-processing agent ejection nozzle corresponding to a region where bleeding results suffers the ejection failure.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Dainippon Screen MFG Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ryuhei Sumida, Masanori Fujiwara
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Patent number: 8215747Abstract: A printhead assembly includes an elongate support structure; a series of wall sections extending a length of a first surface of the elongate support structure, the series of wall sections delineating ink supply channels therebetween; a plurality of carriers positioned end-to-end in the gap and supported by said edges of the walls, the carriers defining therethrough ink supply passages in fluid communication with the ink supply channels; a printhead integrated circuit mounted on each carrier to receive ink from respective ink supply channels; and a serrated channel extending a length of a second surface of the elongate support structure, the serrated channel for receiving fastening means therein.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Zamtec LimitedInventor: Kia Silverbrook
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Patent number: 8109584Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes an energy-generating element arranged on a semiconductor substrate, a barrier layer deposited on the semiconductor substrate for forming a liquid chamber in the periphery of the energy-generating element, and a nozzle sheet bonded on the barrier layer and having a nozzle formed at a position opposing the energy-generating element, in which the liquid ejection head ejects liquid contained in the liquid chamber from the nozzle as liquid droplets by the energy-generating element, and the barrier layer is provided with a plurality of depressions, each having an independent contour, arranged within a range, which is separated from the border of the barrier layer, on an adhesive region adhering to the nozzle sheet.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Takeo Eguchi, Shogo Ono, Kazuyasu Takenaka, Atsushi Nakamura, Yuichiro Ikemoto, Shigeyoshi Hirashima, Atsushi Nakayama, Shota Nishi, Yuji Yakura, Shigeyoshi Fujiki, Manabu Matsuda
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Patent number: 8110611Abstract: A composition for image recording includes a curable material that is curable by an external stimulus, and an oil absorbing material.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiro Yamashita, Ken Hashimoto
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Patent number: 8100510Abstract: An inkjet nozzle array includes a plurality of nozzles. Each nozzle includes a chamber having an input aperture adapted to receive ink into the chamber and an output aperture through which ink is ejected from the chamber. Each chamber further includes a window adapted to receive electromagnetic radiation and operable to heat ink in the chamber responsive to the electromagnetic radiation and eject an ink droplet through the output aperture.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Marvell International Technology Ltd.Inventors: Gregory Frank Carlson, Ronald Gregory Paul, Steven Michael Goss, Todd Alan McClelland
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Publication number: 20120013685Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes a substrate having a recessed cavity formed therein. The cavity has a continuous sidewall around the perimeter of the cavity. The printhead includes a heating element formed onto the sidewall of the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2009Publication date: January 19, 2012Inventors: Peter Mardilovich, Lawrence H. White
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Patent number: 8087742Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus that is capable of setting a proper deflection amount for deflecting an ink discharge direction even when the distance between the ink discharge surface and the ink landing surface of print paper varies and method of using same. The liquid discharge apparatus includes a head in which a plurality of nozzle-incorporated ink discharge sections are arrayed, discharge direction deflection means for deflecting the discharge direction of an ink discharged from a nozzle of each ink discharge section in the direction of ink discharge section arrangement, distance detection means for detecting the distance between the ink discharge surface of the head and the ink landing surface of print paper and discharge deflection amount determination means for determining the ink discharge deflection amount (discharge angle) to be provided by the discharge direction deflection means in accordance with the results of detection by the distance detection means.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2007Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Soichi Kuwahara, Iwao Ushinohama, Manabu Tomita, Yuichiro Ikemoto
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Patent number: 8087741Abstract: A liquid discharge apparatus that is capable of setting a proper deflection amount for deflecting an ink discharge direction even when the distance between the ink discharge surface and the ink landing surface of print paper varies and method of using same. The liquid discharge apparatus includes a head in which a plurality of nozzle-incorporated ink discharge sections are arrayed, discharge direction deflection means for deflecting the discharge direction of an ink discharged from a nozzle of each ink discharge section in the direction of ink discharge section arrangement, distance detection means for detecting the distance between the ink discharge surface of the head and the ink landing surface of print paper, and discharge deflection amount determination means for determining the ink discharge deflection amount (discharge angle) to be provided by the discharge direction deflection means in accordance with the results of detection by the distance detection means.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2007Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Soichi Kuwahara, Iwao Ushinohama, Manabu Tomita, Yuichiro Ikemoto