Drop Charge Means Patents (Class 347/76)
  • Patent number: 11850849
    Abstract: An arrayed electrohydrodynamic printhead without the extraction electrodes is provided. A printhead is formed by an ink cartridge, a flow channel plate, a nozzle plate, a control electrode layer. The ink cartridge includes an ink inlet, an ink outlet, an installation hole, a flow channel layer inlet, flow channel layer outlet. The flow channel plate has the functions of guiding the ink to flow into the nozzle plate and increasing the potential difference between the nozzles, and includes a flow channel inlet, a flow channel outlet, a drainage channel, and a microfluidic channel. A body of the nozzle plate includes nozzles and nozzle electrodes. The microfluidic channel forms a voltage division unit between each nozzle, so that the voltage on the triggered nozzle is dispersed in the flow channel without affecting other nozzles, and independent and controllable injection of each nozzle is thereby achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yongqing Duan, Weili Yang, Huayang Li, Jixin Gao, Zhouping Yin
  • Patent number: 11785698
    Abstract: Provided is a static eliminator that efficiently eliminates static electricity from a tray of a droplet ejection device of a tray transport type. A static eliminator 20 includes a movable part 22 which is pushed by a tray 12 due to movement of the tray 12 and moves, and an ion generator 24 disposed on a movement path of the tray 12 and configured to generate ions according to the movement of the movable part 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11738558
    Abstract: The electrohydrodynamic print head comprises a plurality of nozzles. Each nozzle has a central nozzle duct laterally surrounded by a nozzle wall. The top end of the nozzle duct communicates with an ink feed duct. An annular trench laterally surrounds the nozzle. An extraction electrode is located around the axis of the nozzle at a level below it, and a shaping electrode located laterally outside the nozzle duct. The shaping electrode is arranged within a ring having a horizontal width of less than the vertical distance between said shaping electrode and the extraction electrode or it is located above the trench. Both these measures allow to operate the device with high voltages with reduced risk of electrical breakdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: SCRONA AG
    Inventor: Patrick Galliker
  • Patent number: 11718092
    Abstract: A recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium, includes a liquid discharge head including a plurality of element substrates each having a discharge port configured to discharge liquid and a heat element configured to heat the liquid, a channel member including a common supply channel configured to communicate with the plurality of the element substrates and to supply the liquid to the plurality of the element substrates, and a common collecting channel configured to communicate with the plurality of the element substrates and to collect the liquid from the plurality of the element substrates, wherein the common supply channel and the common collecting channel are respectively disposed out of alignment in a conveyance direction of the recording medium, and wherein, upstream of the element substrates, the recording apparatus comprises a heat unit configured to heat the liquid flowing in the common supply channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yumi Komamiya, Takaya Sato
  • Patent number: 11667116
    Abstract: A print component includes an array of fluidic actuation structures including a first column of fluidic actuating structures addressable by a set of actuation addresses, each fluidic actuating structure having a different one of the actuation addresses and having a fluidic architecture type, and a second column of fluidic actuating structures addressable by the set of actuation addresses. Each fluidic actuating structure of the second column has a different one of the actuation addresses and has a same fluidic architecture type as the fluidic actuating structure of the first column having the same address. An address bus communicates the set of addresses to the array of fluidic actuating structures, and a fire signal line communicates a plurality of fire pulse signal types to the array of fluidic actuating structures, the fire pulse signal type depending on the actuation address on the address bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott A. Linn, James Michael Gardner, John Rossi
  • Patent number: 10836163
    Abstract: A print head of a continuous ink jet printer comprising: a cavity for the circulation of jets, at least one nozzle for producing at least one ink jet or solvent in the cavity, at least one electrode for sorting drops or segments of one or several of the jets intended for printing from drops or segments that are not used for printing, an outlet slot of the cavity, open onto the exterior of the cavity and allowing the exiting of the drops or segments of ink intended for printing, a 1st gutter for recovering drops or segments not intended for printing, a 2nd gutter for recovering drops or segments that are not deflected and not intended for printing, this 2nd gutter being mobile and comprising an input slot and at least one suction channel, a motor, to actuate the 2nd gutter for recovering in movement between a retracted position, in which it does not close off the outlet slot of the cavity, and a closed position, in which its input slot faces the outlet slot of the cavity; a seal between the print head and the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: DOVER EUROPE SÀRL
    Inventors: Damien Bonneton, Bruno Barbet, Jean-François Abadie, Camille Gobin, Florence Odin, Nesrine Rebzani, Lukas Glutz
  • Patent number: 10635955
    Abstract: An image forming method uses a memory, forms an image on a print medium using color materials of L colors, and includes: setting N groups associated for respective N objects including a plurality of scanning lines and reproduced with the color materials of the L colors; calculating a relative address that stores tone data representing a tone of one color material among the color materials of the L colors based on coordinates of a plurality of pixels forming the plurality of scanning lines to calculate L addresses separated by shifting the relative address using a predetermined offset address; and transmitting and receiving L tone data representing tones of respective L color materials for reproducing colors of the plurality of pixels forming the scanning lines by using the L addresses to/from the memory via L channels among M (M is an integer larger than N) communication channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Nakamura, Dongpei Su
  • Patent number: 9956769
    Abstract: A liquid injection device includes a driving circuit supplying, to an actuator, a driving signal including a prior driving pulse and a subsequent driving pulse supplied after the prior driving pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ROLAND DG CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Makinose, Keisuke Misawa, Kenji Kawagoe
  • Patent number: 9721775
    Abstract: A sample plate for an ion source is disclosed comprising a plurality of ionization regions, each ionization region comprising a first electrode and a second separate electrode separated by an insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventor: Jeffery Mark Brown
  • Patent number: 9701150
    Abstract: A visual display assembly adapted for use as an anti-counterfeiting device on paper currency, product labels, and other objects. The assembly includes a film of transparent material including a first surface including an array of lenses and a second surface opposite the first surface. The assembly also includes a printed image proximate to the second surface. The printed image includes pixels of frames of one or more images interlaced relative to two orthogonal axes. The lenses of the array are nested in a plurality of parallel rows, and adjacent ones of the lenses in columns of the array are aligned to be in a single one of the rows with no offset of lenses in adjacent columns/rows. The lenses may be round-based lenses or are square-based lenses, and the lenses may be provided at 200 lenses per inch (LPI) or a higher LPI in both directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Lumenco, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Raymond, Hector Andres Porras Soto
  • Patent number: 9636912
    Abstract: Under a condition in which bowed printing occurs, a horizontal shift is suppressed to improve print quality. Following a program stored in a ROM 12, an MPU 10 generates video data for charging print particles according to print contents data stored in a RAM 11. Based on the print contents data, the MPU 10 detects a letter to be printed last, and when the letter to be printed last is printed to end a print operation, generates video data so that based on the video data, a non-print charge voltage driving non-print particles to an extent that they do not fly over a gutter 25 is applied to non-print particles. The number of the non-print particles subjected to the non-print charge voltage is determined by the MPU 10, based on the distance from a print head 2 to a print subject 30, a letter height preset value, etc. A character signal generating circuit 18 generates the non-print charge voltage, based on the video data, and applies the generated the non-print charge voltage to a charging electrode 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuneaki Takagishi, Nobuhiro Harada, Manabu Kato, Takashi Kawano, Masato Ikegawa
  • Patent number: 9475287
    Abstract: A printing control method of a multi-nozzle binary continuous ink jet printer wherein drops of a first category and drops of a second category are formed by jet breaking. The flowpaths followed by the drops of the first and second categories are differentiated. For printing a black pixel followed by a white pixel, a drop of the first category and a drop of the second category are formed. The cumulative formation time drops of the first and second categories is equal to or higher than the running time of one pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Markem-Image Holding
    Inventor: Damien Bonneton
  • Patent number: 9387668
    Abstract: According to one example, there is provided a printing system. The printing system comprises a printhead receiver to receive a printhead, the printhead to eject printing fluid drops from an array of printhead nozzles to a first printing fluid receiving zone. The printing system further comprises an electrostatic imaging member to store a latent image comprising charged and non-charged portions representing an image to be printed. Part of the electrostatic imaging member is arranged in close proximity to the array of nozzles such that ejected printing fluid drops are electrostatically deflected by charged portions of the electrostatic imaging member to a second printing fluid receiving zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Indigo B.V.
    Inventors: Gadi Oron, Doron Schlumm, Gil Fisher
  • Patent number: 9057994
    Abstract: Provided are methods of printing a pattern of charge on a substrate surface, such as by electrohydrodynamic (e-jet) printing. The methods relate to providing a nozzle containing a printable fluid, providing a substrate having a substrate surface and generating from the nozzle an ejected printable fluid containing net charge. The ejected printable fluid containing net charge is directed to the substrate surface, wherein the net charge does not substantially degrade and the net charge retained on the substrate surface. Also provided are functional devices made by any of the disclosed methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: John Rogers, Jang-Ung Park
  • Publication number: 20150077477
    Abstract: The visibility of a printing object using a photo-curable ink is improved. A charge control type ink jet printer includes a nozzle which continuously forms ink droplets, a charging electrode which charges each of the ink droplets, a deflection electrode which deflects the charged ink droplet, and a print head which discharges the deflected ink droplet to print the droplet onto a printed substrate. The print head has a UV light source. The UV light source has a focusing member which focuses UV light onto at least part of a flying path of the ink droplet between the print head and the printed substrate and onto a landed region of the printed substrate, and a light emission source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Masahiko OGINO, Hiroshi SASAKI, Takuya OTOWA, Tomoko MAEJIMA, Kenichi SOUMA
  • Patent number: 8979228
    Abstract: Provided is an inkjet recording apparatus capable of recording a high quality image without limiting the kinds of ink or recording media, including an inkjet head having a plurality of nozzles to eject ink droplets, wherein the ink droplets ejected from the plurality of the nozzles is charged by applying voltage between the inkjet head and the recording medium, and land on the recoding medium so as to record the image on the recording medium, wherein after a first ink droplet lands on the recording medium, a second ink droplet lands on the recording medium so as to overlap with the first ink droplet before discharging of the first ink droplet is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuo Nishi
  • Patent number: 8974029
    Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus and printing control method are provided in which when a moving speed of a printing object is changed, a difference in writing start position is reduced and printing quality is improved. The apparatus includes an ink container, a nozzle connected to the container for ejecting ink, a charging electrode to charge the ejected ink, a deflecting electrode to deflect the charged ink, a gutter to collect ink not used for printing, a writing start timing control circuit to generate a first line clock signal, a printing width control circuit to generate a second line clock signal, and a control part. The control part controls print start timing based on the first clock signal, and when the printing object reaches the printing start timing, the control part performs a width adjustment of a character string of printing content based on the second clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: An Qiu, Tsuneaki Takagishi, Takashi Kawano, Nobuhiro Harada, Shinichi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8919934
    Abstract: A voltage is applied between first and second deflecting electrodes from a deflecting voltage controller, whereby an electric field is formed between the first and second deflecting electrodes in a direction perpendicular to electrode surfaces. An electric line of force is generated from a direction perpendicular to the electrode surface of the first deflecting electrode and made perpendicularly incident on the electrode surface of the second deflecting electrode. Since the first and second deflecting electrodes are parallel to each other, a plurality of parallel electric lines of force are formed perpendicularly to the electrode surfaces of the first and second deflecting electrodes. Droplets after passing charged electrodes fly in a region where this deflecting electric field is formed, whereby charged droplets are deflected in a direction in which the charged droplets approach the second electrode having opposite charging polarity. The charged droplets form a printing pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Services Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Ikegawa, Eiji Ishii, Nobuhiro Harada, Tsuneaki Takagishi
  • Patent number: 8888256
    Abstract: A system and method of printing includes providing print and non-print drop formation waveforms to a drop formation device of a drop ejector in response to input print data to form print and non-print drops, respectively, from a liquid jet. First and second charging waveforms are provided to a charging electrode of a drop charging device when a relative motion of a receiver and the drop ejector is provided or measured at first and second speeds, respectively. The first and second charging waveforms are independent of input print data and include first and second voltage states. The drop formation device and the drop charging device are synchronized to produce print and non-print drop charge states on print and non-print drops, respectively. A deflection device causes print and non-print drops to travel along print and non-print drop paths, respectively, with the non-print drops being collected by a catcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Marcus, Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh
  • Patent number: 8794179
    Abstract: The main object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a pattern formed body by the electric field jet method, capable of stabilizing the discharge amount and the discharge direction of a liquid. The present invention achieves the object by providing a method for manufacturing a pattern formed body characterized in that a pattern is formed on a substrate by: discharging a liquid from a discharge orifice by applying a voltage between a first electrode, disposed in the vicinity of the discharge orifice of a nozzle of a discharge head, and a second electrode, disposed in between the discharge orifice and the substrate, having an opening for discharge; and adhering the liquid onto the substrate by passing through the opening for discharge of the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Tsuchiya, Masato Idegami
  • Patent number: 8797373
    Abstract: A liquid droplet ejecting method for ejecting a liquid from at least one ejection hole to form the liquid into liquid droplets, the method including: applying a vibration to the liquid in a liquid column resonance-generating liquid chamber, in which the ejection hole is formed, to form a standing wave through liquid column resonance, and ejecting the liquid from the ejection hole, which is formed in a region corresponding to an antinode of the standing wave, to form the liquid into liquid droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Norikane, Haruo Nakamura, Masaru Ohgaki, Yuko Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 8714676
    Abstract: A liquid stream is caused to jet from a nozzle. A small or large drop waveform applied to a drop forming mechanism causes the liquid stream to break up into a small or large volume drop, respectively. The small drop waveform includes a pulse having a pulse energy Es, and a period XS, where XS?1/fR, and where fR is the Rayleigh frequency of the liquid. The large drop waveform has a period XL, where XL=NXS, with the large volume drop being N times the small volume drop. The large drop waveform includes a first pulse having a pulse energy EL1, where EL1?ES and a second pulse occurring within a time period X2, where X2?XS, of an initial pulse of a subsequent small or large drop waveform, the second pulse including a pulse energy EL2, where EL2<ES.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Grace, Ronald L. Oyer, Giuseppe Farruggia
  • Patent number: 8696094
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of ejecting liquid drops includes modulating a liquid jet to cause it to break off into drop clusters, including first and second drops traveling along a path, separated on average by a drop cluster period. An input image data independent charging waveform of a charging device includes a period that is equal to the cluster period and first and second voltage states having opposing polarities. The charging device produces first and second charge states on the first and second drops, respectively, of each cluster. The first and second drops are deflected away from the path toward first and second catchers, respectively. Relative velocity of drops of a selected drop cluster is modulated in response to input print data causing the drops to form a merged drop traveling along the path having a third charge state that prevents it from being deflected to either catcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Marcus, James A. Katerberg, Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh
  • Patent number: 8684483
    Abstract: A liquid stream is caused to jet from a nozzle. A small or large drop waveform applied to a drop forming mechanism causes the liquid stream to break up into a small or large volume drop, respectively. The small drop waveform includes a pulse having a width wS, and a period x, where x?1/fR, where fR is the Rayleigh frequency of the liquid. The large drop waveform includes a period Nx, with the large volume drop being N times the small volume drop. The large drop waveform includes a first pulse having a pulse width wL1, where wL1?wS, and a second pulse occurring within a period of (fR/fC)x of an initial pulse of a subsequent small or large drop waveform, where fC is the cut off frequency of the liquid. The second pulse includes a pulse width wL2, where wL2<wS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jeremy M. Grace, Ronald L. Oyer, Giuseppe Farruggia
  • Patent number: 8672460
    Abstract: Various particle transport systems and components for use in such systems are described. The systems utilize one or more traveling wave grids to selectively transport, distribute, separate, or mix different populations of particles. Numerous systems configured for use in two dimensional and three dimensional particle transport are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Armin R. Volkel, David Biegelsen, Philip D. Floyd, Greg Anderson, Fred Endicott, Eric Peeters, Jaan Noolandi, Karen A. Moffat, Peter M. Kazmaier, Maria McDougall, Daniel G. Bobrow
  • Patent number: 8657419
    Abstract: A continuous ejection system includes a chamber containing liquid under pressure sufficient to eject a liquid jet through a nozzle. A drop formation device modulates the jet causing portions to break into drop pairs including first and second drops separated in time on average by a drop pair period. A charging device includes a varying electrical potential source providing a waveform including first and second distinct voltage states and a period equal to the drop pair period. The charging device produces first and second charge states on first and second drops of the drop pair, respectively. A drop velocity modulation device varies a relative velocity of first and second drops of selected drop pairs causing first and second drops of selected drop pairs to form combined drops having a third charge state. A deflection device causes the first, second, and combined drops to travel along different paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Michael A. Marcus, James A. Katerberg, Ali G. Lopez, Shashishekar P. Adiga, Jeremy M. Grace
  • Patent number: 8641175
    Abstract: A liquid jet includes a fundamental period of jet break off. A print period is defined as N times the fundamental period of jet break off where N is an integer greater than 1. Input image data is provided having M levels per input image pixel including a non-print level where M is an integer and 2<M?N+1. A charging device waveform, independent of the input image data, repeats during print periods and includes print and non-print drop voltage states. A drop formation device waveform, having a period equal to the print period, is selected in response to the input image data to form from the jet print drops having a volume corresponding to an input image pixel level. The devices are synchronized to produce a print drop charge to mass ratio and a non-print drop charge to mass ratio on drops breaking off from the jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Michael A. Marcus, Shashishekar P. Adiga
  • Patent number: 8628176
    Abstract: A method of driving an electromechanical converter of a print head of a continuous inkjet printer, wherein the electromechanical converter is arranged to break up a continuous stream of ink into a plurality of drops. The method includes determining a modulation voltage to drive the electromechanical converter, at least a property of the modulation voltage being controlled to take into account movement of a break up point of the continuous stream of ink, and to ensure that in a characteristic of modulation voltage versus a property at least indicative of a break up point of the continuous stream of ink, the characteristic has a predetermined gradient, or a gradient related to this predetermined gradient; and driving the electromechanical converter at the determined modulation voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Videojet Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Ammar Lecheheb, Robert Smith, Matthew Tomlin, Peter Kassner, Michael Jeffrey Stamp
  • Patent number: 8579415
    Abstract: Apparatus for depositing ink on a substrate includes a nozzle defining an outlet for the ink, with at least a portion of the nozzle being electrically conductive. A first voltage source applies a first potential to the outlet nozzle. One or more auxiliary electrodes are located adjacent the outlet nozzle, and a second voltage source applies a second potential to the auxiliary electrodes. The apparatus includes a piezo-electric or thermal actuator for expelling ink from the nozzle towards a target zone on a substrate, the ink comprising a liquid vehicle and pigment particles dispersed in the vehicle. At least the pigment particles are electrically charged, typically due to the applied potentials. In one embodiment, an auxiliary electrode is disposed coaxially around the electrode formed by the nozzle. In another embodiment, an auxiliary electrode located beyond the nozzle, on a common axis with the electrode formed by the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: PST Sensors (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: David Thomas Britton, Ekundare Ayodele Odo, Margit Harting
  • Patent number: 8540351
    Abstract: A liquid jet printing apparatus is provided having a nozzle for emitting a stream of liquid droplets toward a substrate, a charging section for providing an electrical charge to liquid droplets and a pair of electrically conductive deflecting plates for deflecting the liquid droplets to a desired location on the substrate, wherein the inside face of the deflecting plates is provided with dielectric layer to minimize problems associated with liquid droplets collecting and coalescing on the deflecting plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Franklin S. Love, III, Jeffrey J. Lillie, Daniel T. McBride, Rajib Mondal, Robert M. MacMeccan
  • Publication number: 20130229466
    Abstract: A liquid jet printing apparatus is provided having a nozzle for emitting a stream of liquid droplets toward a substrate, a charging section for providing an electrical charge to liquid droplets and a pair of electrically conductive deflecting plates for deflecting the liquid droplets to a desired location on the substrate, wherein the inside face of the deflecting plates is provided with dielectric layer to minimize problems associated with liquid droplets collecting and coalescing on the deflecting plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Franklin S. Love, III, Jeffrey J. Lillie, Daniel T. McBride, Rajib Mondal, Robert M. MacMeccan
  • Patent number: 8469496
    Abstract: A liquid jet, ejected through a nozzle, is modulated using a drop formation device to cause the jet to form drop pairs, including first and second drops, traveling along a path separated in time on average by a drop pair period. A charging device, synchronized with the formation device, produces first and second charge states on the first and second drops, respectively, using a waveform including a period equal to the drop pair period and first and second distinct voltage states. A relative velocity of first and second drops from a selected drop pair is varied using a velocity modulation device to control whether the first and second drops of the selected drop pair form a combined drop having a third charge state. A deflection device causes the first, second, and combined drops having the first, second, and third charge states to travel along first, second, and third paths, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Michael A. Marcus, James A. Katerberg, Ali G. Lopez, Shashishekar P. Adiga, Jeremy M. Grace
  • Patent number: 8465129
    Abstract: A liquid ejection system ejects a liquid jet through a nozzle. A drop formation device modulates the jet causing portions to break off into drop pairs, including first and second drops, separated on average by a drop pair period, and modulates the jet to cause portions to break off into larger third drops separated on average by the same period. A charging device includes a varying electrical potential source providing a waveform including first and second distinct voltage states and a period equal to the drop formation period. The charging device and the formation device are synchronized to produce first, second, and third charge to mass ratios on the first, second, and third drops, respectively. A deflection device causes the first, second, and third drops to travel along first, second, and third paths, respectively. The first and third charge to mass ratios and paths are substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Michael A. Marcus, James A. Katerberg
  • Patent number: 8425015
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid ejecting apparatus including: an ejection target medium supporting section that is disposed to face the liquid ejecting section, and supports the ejection target medium and wherein in at least one of plural types of ejection target mediums having different thicknesses, a gap between the first surface of the ejection target medium supporting section and a rear surface facing the first surface in the ejection target medium is set to be smaller than a gap between a second surface facing the ejection target medium in the liquid ejecting section and a front surface facing the second surface in the ejection target medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Yamada, Kiyoteru Katsuki, Masaru Kobashi, Daisuke Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8382259
    Abstract: A liquid jet is modulated using a drop formation device to selectively cause portions of the liquid jet to break off into drop pairs and third drops traveling along a path. The third drop is larger than the drops of the drop pair. A charging device and the drop formation device are synchronized to produce a first charge to mass ratio on a first drop of the drop pair, produce a second charge to mass ratio on a second drop of the drop pair, and produce a third charge to mass ratio on the third drop. A deflection device causes the first drop having the first charge to mass ratio to travel along a first path, the second drop having the second charge to mass ratio to travel along a second path, and the third drop having a third charge to mass ratio to travel along a third path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Michael A. Marcus, James A. Katerberg
  • Publication number: 20120299999
    Abstract: A liquid jet is modulated using a drop formation device to selectively cause portions of the liquid jet to break off into drop pairs and third drops traveling along a path. The third drop is larger than the drops of the drop pair. A charging device and the drop formation device are synchronized to produce a first charge to mass ratio on a first drop of the drop pair, produce a second charge to mass ratio on a second drop of the drop pair, and produce a third charge to mass ratio on the third drop. A deflection device causes the first drop having the first charge to mass ratio to travel along a first path, the second drop having the second charge to mass ratio to travel along a second path, and the third drop having a third charge to mass ratio to travel along a third path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Michael A. Marcus, James A. Katerberg
  • Publication number: 20120299998
    Abstract: A continuous liquid ejection system includes a liquid chamber in fluidic communication with a nozzle. The liquid chamber contains liquid under pressure sufficient to eject a liquid jet through the nozzle. A drop formation device is associated with the liquid jet. The drop forming device is actuatable to produce a modulation in the liquid jet to selectively cause portions of the liquid jet to break off into one or more pairs of drops traveling along a path. Each drop pair is separated on average by a drop pair period. Each drop pair includes a first drop and a second drop. The drop formation device is also actuatable to produce a modulation in the liquid jet to selectively cause portions of the liquid jet to break of into one or more third drops traveling along the path separated on average by the same drop pair period. The third drop is larger than the first drop and the second drop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Michael A. Marcus, James A. Katerberg
  • Publication number: 20120300001
    Abstract: A method of ejecting liquid drops includes providing liquid under pressure sufficient to eject a liquid jet through a nozzle of a liquid chamber. The liquid jet is modulated to cause portions of the liquid jet to break off into a series of drop pairs traveling along a path using a drop formation device. Each drop pair is separated in time on average by the drop pair period. Each drop pair includes a first drop and a second drop. A charging device is provided that includes a charge electrode associated with the liquid jet and a source of varying electrical potential between the charge electrode and the liquid jet. The source of varying electrical potential provides a waveform that includes a period that is equal to the drop pair period. The waveform also includes a first distinct voltage state and a second distinct voltage state. The charging device is synchronized with the drop formation device to produce a first charge state on the first drop and to produce a second charge state on the second drop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Michael A. Marcus, James A. Katerberg, Ali G. Lopez, Shashishekar P. Adiga, Jeremy M. Grace
  • Publication number: 20120300000
    Abstract: A continuous liquid ejection system includes a liquid chamber in fluidic communication with a nozzle. The liquid chamber contains liquid under pressure sufficient to eject a liquid jet through the nozzle. A drop formation device is associated with the liquid jet and is actuatable to produce a modulation in the liquid jet that cause portions of the liquid jet to break off into a series of drop pairs traveling along a path. Each drop pair is separated in time on average by a drop pair period. Each drop pair includes a first drop and a second drop. A charging device includes a charge electrode associated with the liquid jet and a source of varying electrical potential between the charge electrode and the liquid jet. The source of varying electrical potential provides a waveform that includes a period that is equal to the drop pair period. The waveform also includes a first distinct voltage state and a second distinct voltage state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Michael A. Marcus, James A. Katerberg, Ali G. Lopez, Shashishekar P. Adiga, Jeremy M. Grace
  • Patent number: 8289570
    Abstract: A method relating to ascertaining and adjusting friction between media pages in a document feeder. The method includes: detecting slipping of a media page when traversing from a stack of media pages to passing through a path defined by the document feeder; and sending a signal to a fluid-containing cartridge to spray small drops of fluid onto the slipping media page soon after the slipping is detected while the media page passes through the document feeder. A system and apparatus are also associated with the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Troy Roberts
  • Patent number: 8226199
    Abstract: A jet break-off length measurement apparatus for a continuous liquid drop emission system is provided. The jet break-off length measurement apparatus comprises a liquid drop emitter containing a positively pressurized liquid in flow communication with at least one nozzle for emitting a continuous stream of liquid. Heater resistor apparatus is adapted to transfer pulses of thermal energy to the liquid in flow communication with the at least one nozzle sufficient to cause the break-off of the at least one continuous stream of liquid into a stream of drops of predetermined volumes. A sensing apparatus adapted to detect the stream of drops of predetermined volumes is provided. A control apparatus is adapted to determine a characteristic of the stream of drops of predetermined volumes that is related to the break-off length. Further apparatus is adapted to inductively charge at least one drop and to cause electric field deflection of charged drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gilbert A. Hawkins, Michael J. Piatt, John C. Brazas, Stephen F. Pond
  • Patent number: 8220907
    Abstract: A fluid droplet characterizing apparatus and method includes a pressurized source of a non-conductive fluid in fluid communication with a nozzle channel and a characterization electrode. The pressurized source is operable to form a jet of the non-conductive fluid through the nozzle channel. At least one portion of the characterization electrode is electrically conductive and contactable with first portion and thereafter a second portion of the non-conductive fluid jet. The at least one electrically conductive portion of the characterization electrode is operable to transfer a first electrical charge to a region of the first portion of the non-conductive fluid jet and transfer a second electrical charge to a region of the second portion of the non-conductive fluid jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kodak Graphic Communications Canada Company
    Inventors: Thomas W. Steiner, Fernando Luis de Souza Lopes
  • Patent number: 8191994
    Abstract: Provided is a continuous-type charge deflection liquid ejection head that is suitable for higher-density and multiple nozzles. This liquid ejection head includes: an orifice plate having a plurality of nozzles arranged in a two-dimensional manner; a charging electrode plate having a charging electrode to charge ink droplets from each of the plurality of nozzles; and first and second deflection electrode plates each having a deflection electrode to deflect each of the ink droplets charged by the charging electrode, in which each of the charging member, the first deflection member, and the second deflection member has through-holes that ink droplets pass through, and the charging member, the first deflection member, and the second deflection member are laminated in this order in an ejecting direction of the ink droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Nakakubo, Takahisa Kato, Haruhito Ono, Suguru Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 8182068
    Abstract: A printhead includes a first nozzle bore, a liquid chamber, and a second nozzle bore. The liquid chamber is positioned between the first nozzle bore and the second nozzle bore and extends beyond the opening of the first nozzle bore. The first nozzle bore is in liquid communication with the second nozzle bore through the liquid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Hrishikesh V. Panchawagh, Edward P. Furlani
  • Patent number: 8136900
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a nozzle, a charging electrode, a deflecting electrode, a storage device, and an authentication device. The nozzle atomizes a supplied ink into ink particles by exciting and ejecting the supplied ink. The charging electrode electrically charges the ink particles. The deflecting electrode forms an electric field that deflects the ink particles electrically charged. The storage device storing therein a program(s) that implements a predetermined printing function(s). The predetermined printing function(s) becomes executable upon connection of an authentication key to the authentication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Iwasaki, Masahiko Sakuraba, Nobuhiro Harada, Shinichi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8104170
    Abstract: A charge plate and a method for fabricating a charge plate for an ink jet printhead includes the steps of removing portions of conductive material from a dimensionally stable substrate with a coating of conductive material to form at least a first and second electrode on a first face with a first space between the first and second electrodes, removing portions of conductive material from the dimensionally stable substrate with a coating of conductive material to form a first electrode extension which engages the first electrode on the conductive charging face, and a second electrode extension which engages the second electrode on the conductive charging face, whereby the first and second electrode extensions are electrically isolated from each other, additionally forming a first space between the electrode extensions, which connects with the first space between the electrode extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian G. Morris, Richard W. Sexton, Michael F. Baumer, James E. Harrison, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8047638
    Abstract: In a liquid ejecting apparatus using the electrostatic attraction method or electric field assist method, a liquid ejecting apparatus where discharging of a nozzle plate is securely performed and appropriate liquid ejecting is possible is provide. The liquid ejecting apparatus is provided with an electrode; a liquid ejecting head, having, a nozzle plate including a nozzle opposed to the counter electrode to eject liquid, a pressure generating device to rise a meniscus of liquid at a ejecting port of the nozzle, and a charging electrode opposed to the counter electrode via the nozzle plate, an electrostatic voltage applying device to apply electrostatic voltage onto the liquid in the nozzle; a discharging device to discharge the charged nozzle plate; and a control device to control the electrostatic voltage applying device and the discharging device; wherein the discharging device provides a conductive discharging member detachable to an whole area of the nozzle plate opposed to the counter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Masakazu Date, Nobuhiro Ueno
  • Patent number: 7988250
    Abstract: A printer includes a printhead and a source of liquid. The printhead includes a nozzle bore. The liquid is under pressure sufficient to eject a column of the liquid through the nozzle bore. The liquid has a temperature. A thermal modulator is associated with the nozzle bore. The thermal modulator is operable to transiently lower the temperature of the liquid as the liquid is ejected through the nozzle bore. An electrical pulse source is in electrical communication with the thermal modulator. The electrical pulse source is operable to provide a series of pulses to the thermal modulator that control the transient temperature lowering of the liquid. The series of pulses includes a first pulse applied at a first power level for transferring heat to the liquid, a second pulse applied at a second power level for transferring heat to the liquid, and a third pulse applied at a third power level for transferring heat to the liquid. The third power level is in between the first power level and the second power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Gilbert A. Hawkins, Siddhartha Ghosh, Christopher N. Delametter, Edward P. Furlani
  • Publication number: 20110109705
    Abstract: A method includes forming drops of first size by applying drop-forming pulses during unit time period, ?0; forming drops of second size by applying drop-forming pulses during second size drop time period, ?m, wherein the second sized drop time period is a multiple, m, of the unit time period, ?m=m*?0, and m?2; providing timing between drops for printing consecutive pixels is equal to ?i=a*?0 where a is an integer?m and is a function of print media speed; forming the corresponding plurality of drop forming pulse sequences so as to form non-print drops and print drops according to the liquid pattern data; delaying the timing of the drop forming pulses sent to the transducers of the second group relative to the drop forming pulses sent to the transducers of the first group by a delay time ?L which is approximately equal to ?i/2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Kim W. Montz, Todd R. Griffin, David L. Jeanmaire, Robert Link
  • Patent number: 7837307
    Abstract: In an ink-jet printing a succession of ink droplets are projected along a longitudinal trajectory at a target substrate. A group of droplets is selected from the succession in the trajectory, and this the group of droplets is combined by electrostatically accelerating upstream droplets of the group and/or decelerating downstream droplets of the group into a single drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: KBA-Metronic AG
    Inventor: Peter Schmitt