Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a timepiece comprising at least one first part produced by a microfabrication or microforming method in at least one first material, said method comprising at least: a step of depositing, on said first part, without moulding, at least one second part of said timepiece in at least one second material, and a step of treating the second material in order to connect together the components on the first part.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ink jet device and to an associated method. Said device (1) comprises a chamber (60) comprising at least one ink jet head (10), an inlet (66) for a gas having a lower molar mass than air, and at least one outlet (21) for said gas, said head (10) being arranged in the chamber (60) in such a way that the gas can be injected around the head (10) and removed from the chamber along with the ink supplied by the head.

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.

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.

Abstract: A printing apparatus including an ink head having a pathway in which an ink in a liquid state is capable of flowing, the pathway being provided in the ink head and having a first end point and a second end point; a discharge port for discharging the ink, the discharge port being provided at the first end point; and a needle valve provided in the pathway and over the discharge port so that an outer surface of a needle portion of the needle valve is configured to be in contact with the ink.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aerosol printer which has at least one atomising chamber and at least one printing head with at least one nozzle, these being connected directly or via connection lines. Furthermore, the aerosol printer has process gas-, transport gas- and focusing gas lines.

Abstract: Various configurations and applications of traveling wave grids are disclosed. Systems for transporting particles to feed apertures, and/or for transporting particles from storage reservoirs are described. The systems are particularly useful for transporting toner particles in printing systems.

Abstract: There are provided a printing apparatus and printing method capable of collecting unwanted ink mist and achieving high-quality printing by fine ink droplets. According to the method, the charges of a printing medium are removed prior to printing, and an ink mist collecting unit having an electrode of a positive polarity is employed. Floating ink mist is collected such that ink mist generated from discharged ink droplets and negatively charged is moved toward the ink mist collecting unit by the electrostatic force.

Abstract: A droplet ejecting device has a droplet ejecting head, a rotating member, a recovery unit, and a negative pressure generating unit. The rotating member is disposed so as to oppose a nozzle surface of the droplet ejecting head, and is a conveying body that conveys a recording medium. The recovery unit has a suction hole provided at a region of the rotating member on which the recording medium is not loaded, and recovers, from the suction hole, liquid that becomes a mist at a time when the droplets are ejected from the nozzles. The negative pressure generating unit generates negative pressure at the recovery unit.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer, including: a casing; a head unit which is disposed in the casing and which includes (a) a carriage that moves reciprocally relative to a recording medium and (b) a recording head mounted on the carriage for ejecting ink droplets from a plurality of nozzle holes; and a pair of skirt members which are provided respectively on opposite sides of the carriage as seen in a carriage-moving direction in which the carriage moves, so as to protrude outwardly from respective first side surfaces of the carriage that are opposed to each other in the carriage-moving direction and which are flush with a nozzle surface of the recording head in which the plurality of nozzles are open, for rectifying air flows which are generated as a result of the movement of the carriage and which flow on the recording medium, each of the pair of skirt members protruding, in the carriage-moving direction, at opposite end portions thereof as seen in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the carriage-moving dir

Abstract: A printer includes a recording head having a nozzle through which ink is ejected onto a paper sheet and a waste tank in which the ink is retained as waste liquid after having been drained from the recording head. A deposit of the waste liquid is formed in the waste tank. The printer has a suction pump used for forcibly drawing and draining the ink from the nozzle. The suction pump functions also as a gas blasting device that blasts gas to the deposit in the waste tank for blowing off the deposit. This suppresses the amount of the ink consumed in maintenance of the printer.

Abstract: A method and printing system are provided. The printing system includes a liquid drop ejector, a fluid passage, and a fluid flow. The liquid drop ejector is operable to eject liquid drops having a plurality of volumes along a first path. The fluid passage includes a temperature gradient in the passage. The fluid flow source is operable to cause a fluid to flow in a direction through the passage, wherein interaction of the fluid flow and the liquid drops causes liquids drops having one of the plurality of volumes to begin moving along a second path.

Abstract: An ink recording apparatus is operable to eject ink to a medium transported in a transport path in a transport direction. An ink head includes a nozzle on a bottom surface opposed to the transport path, and is operable to eject the ink from the nozzle to the medium. A holder is adapted to hold the ink head and to cover the bottom surface, and includes a first opening corresponding to the nozzle. An absorber is adapted to cover a part of the holder which is opposed to the transport path and is adjacent to the first opening, and includes a second opening corresponding to the nozzle. The second opening is adjacent to the first opening. A mask is adapted to be arranged between the absorber and the transport path, and includes a third opening corresponding to the nozzle.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes an ink jet head which ejects ink toward a recording medium to record an image thereon, a paper feed unit which feeds the recording medium, a recording medium conveyance unit which conveys the recording medium, an intake fan provided at the recording medium conveyance unit to adsorb the recording medium by negative pressure, and an exhaust fan to remove dust from between the paper feed unit and the recording medium conveyance unit. The image recording apparatus prevents the ink jet head from not discharging ink drops and discharging ink drops curvedly because of paper dust and dust in the air, and prevents ink drops from failing to land in a proper position because of an airflow to form a new flow path in the apparatus, thereby recording a high-quality image with high reliability.

Abstract: A method of monitoring gaseous accumulation within an ink flow path in fluid communication with a printhead comprising: (a) supplying a first printhead with ink using a first ink flow path; (b) mounting a first ink filter in fluid communication with the first printhead; and (c) sensing downstream from the first ink filter for gaseous components within the first ink flow path. In addition, the invention provides a printing device comprising: (a) a first printhead that includes a first set of nozzles, a first ink filter, and a first conduit between the first ink filter and the first set of nozzles for delivering filtered ink to the first set of nozzles; and (b) a sensor operative to detect at least one of bubble formation and bubble growth within the first conduit.

Abstract: A sublimation pen or cartridge for use in a dye sublimation printing system, which is to be used with sublimation inks of the type including at least a liquid carrier and solid-form pigments insoluble in the liquid carrier. The sublimation pen includes a pen main body, an ink inlet provided on the pen main body, and a variable-width ink passageway defined within the pen main body and capable of fluidly communicating with the ink inlet. The ink passageway defines a sublimation chamber vestibule adjacent to the ink inlet and capable of fluidly communicating therewith, and a sublimation chamber in fluid communication with the sublimation chamber vestibule, the sublimation chamber being wider than the sublimation chamber vestibule.

Abstract: Various venturi configurations are described that are particularly significant for ballistic aerosol marking (BAM) applications. The specific venturi geometries enable the printing of lines having sharp edges and particular widths, using relatively low pressures.

Abstract: A print media and ink supply cartridge includes a base molding and a cover molding between which there is located a deformable film. Ink is stored in a deformable volume between the deformable film and the cover molding. A number of ink outlet nozzles, which communicate with the deformable volume are formed into the cover molding whereas air inlets are formed into the base molding. Pierceable seals cover the ink nozzles and are pierced upon coupling of the cartridge to a printer. The cartridge is arranged so that the nozzles are located clear of the cartridge's print media housing in order that the nozzles are readily accessible to the printer.

Abstract: A toner gating apparatus for supplying toner through an aperture to a gas channel having a propellant stream. The toner gating apparatus has a traveling wave grid having electrodes. A first gating electrode is located proximate a first side of the aperture. A second gating electrode is located proximate a second side of the aperture. A third gating electrode is located in the gas channel. A first voltage source having a first phase is connected to both the first gating electrode and a first electrode of the travelling wave grid. A second voltage source having a second phase is connected to both the second gating electrode and a second electrode of the travelling wave grid. A third voltage source having a third phase is connected to both the third gating electrode and a third electrode of the travelling wave grid.

Abstract: An ink jet aerosol control includes a carrier frame, a carrier, at least one airflow channel and a filter. The carrier is disposed and moveable within the frame and selectively creates a high-pressure zone and a low-pressure zone. The airflow channel joins the high-pressure zone to the low-pressure zone. The filter is disposed in association with the airflow channel.

Abstract: A system and related methods for automatically identifying media type in a printing device media tray is presented. The system comprises a controller, and an optical sensor, communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor is positioned to locate and identify a code containing media type information from a next available piece of print media, and to generate a signal to the controller based, at least in part, on the identified code.

Abstract: An inkjet printer for printing on a print medium includes at least one print cartridge, a carriage shell adapted to hold the at least one print cartridge and traverse the print medium, and a carriage skirt extending from the carriage shell. The at least one print cartridge includes a printhead having a scan axis and a plurality of ink orifices formed in a front face thereof. The carriage shell traverses the print medium along the scan axis during printing and the carriage skirt extends from the carriage shell substantially parallel with the front face of the printhead in a direction of the scan axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a substrate is disclosed in which a propellant stream is passed through a channel and directed toward a substrate. Substrate pre-marking or post-marking treatment material is controllably introduced into the propellant stream and imparted with sufficient kinetic energy thereby to be made incident upon a substrate. A multiplicity of channels for directing the propellant and treatment material allow for high throughput, high resolution in-situ treatment. Marking materials and treatment materials may be introduced into the channel and mixed therein prior to being made incident on the substrate, or mixed or superimposed on the substrate without registration. One example is a single-pass, full-color printer.

Abstract: In a ballistic aerosol marking device or the like, marking material flows from a material reservoir to a delivery channel via a port. Flow of marking material is facilitated by the provision of electrostatic marking material moving structures in or near the walls of the marking material reservoir. Marking material may be set into a continuous motion past the port and controllably extracted from the reservoir into the channel.

Abstract: A device for the transport of particulate marking material includes a plurality of interdigitated electrodes formed on a substrate. An electrostatic traveling wave may be generated across the electrodes to sequentially attract particles of marking material, and thereby transport them to a desired location. The electrodes may be integrally formed with driving circuitry, and may be staggered to minimize or eliminate cross-talk.

Abstract: Reproducing a predetermined pattern on a medium, by for example, an apparatus that includes in combination a source of colored ink, a primary source of compressed air, a spray head including a housing having an inner ink chamber in flow communication with the source of ink, an outer air chamber in flow communication with the source of air and surrounding the inner ink chamber, a spray nozzle having an outside diameter and an internal longitudinal bore connected to the inner ink chamber and extending forward of the housing. A spray shield has an outer surface adjacent the medium and an inner surface positioned adjacent to and spaced from the housing and has a transverse opening therethrough in alignment with the nozzle. An auxiliary air supply has a pressure significantly less than the pressure of the air from the primary source of compressed air.

Abstract: An image printing apparatus for forming an image on a printing medium includes: a printing head including two ink chambers and a shutter; a heater provided under the two ink chambers; a charging electrode provided between the printing medium and the two ink chambers; a back electrode provided on a side of the printing medium which is opposite a side on which the image is formed; a controller associated with the shutter, the heater and the charging electrode.

Abstract: Reproducing a predetermined pattern on a medium, by for example, an apparatus that includes in combination a source of colored ink, a primary source of compressed air, a spray head including a housing having an inner ink chamber in flow communication with the source of ink, an outer air chamber in flow communication with the source of air and surrounding the inner ink chamber, a spray nozzle having an outside diameter and an internal longitudinal bore connected to the inner ink chamber and extending forward of the housing. A spray shield has an outer surface adjacent the medium and an inner surface positioned adjacent to and spaced from the housing and has a transverse opening therethrough in alignment with the nozzle. An auxiliary air supply has a pressure significantly less than the pressure of the air from the primary source of compressed air.

Abstract: An aerosol reduction system collects stray ink aerosol generated by inkjet printheads includes ventilation and collection components. During printing and purging, the printhead ejects ink to generate a desired ink droplet and a by-product comprising floating ink satellites. The aerosol collection system may be either passive or active, with the passive devices relying upon carriage motion to bring the collection elements into contact with the aerosol collection location. The passive systems have collection elements mounted on the carriage, including a rigid electrostatic filter, a billowing sail shaped filter geometry, or electrically charged plates. The active systems use some additional mechanism to bring the aerosol and the collection location together, such as the carriage-mounted aerosol removal or extraction fans illustrated. The collection location of these active systems may be mounted at the carriage, or well behind the carriage.

Abstract: An image forming system for making enlarged prints, such as billboards, which utilizes a recording medium mounted on a rotating cylinder and which is supported so as to prevent deflection, utilizing a plurality of computer controlled spray heads having flow adjusting means which traverse the width of the recording medium and spray a deposition medium onto the recording medium in accordance with scanning signals from an original image to reproduce the image on the recording medium. The invention also includes apparatus and processes for mirror image forming on opposite sides of the recording medium and/or forming images on the recording medium using a translucent recording medium.

Abstract: A color video printer having a printer head portion and a cartridge detachable for supplying a solid dye to the printer head portion. The head portion vaporizes the solid dye and transfers the vaporized dye to a substrate. The cartridge is attached to the printer head portion when the supply of the dye is necessary. When the dye is supplied from the cartridge, the solid dye in the cartridge is liquefied and the liquefied dye is supplied to the printer head portion by capillarity.