Abstract: A phase change ink composition is disclosed. The composition comprises a crystalline component including a diamide compound with an aromatic ring core; an amorphous component; and optionally a colorant. Methods of printing the phase change ink composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A melting device melts solid ink into liquid ink by passing alternating current through an electrical conductor arranged in coils around a housing. The liquid ink passes from a reservoir, through a spool valve arrangement, and into first and second chambers. The spool valve arrangement only allows liquid ink into one chamber at a time. While the first chamber is being filled, pressure is applied to the second chamber. The pressure applied to the second chamber forces the liquid ink in the second chamber through a filter and an outlet. When the first chamber is filled to a predetermined level, pressure is no longer applied to the second chamber and is applied to the first chamber. The pressure applied to the first chamber moves the spool valve arrangement to block the first chamber. While pressure is applied to the first chamber, the second chamber is filled with liquid ink.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a heated drum within a continuous web printer includes operating an actuator to rotate a drum that is heated to a first temperature. The drum rotates in a process direction of a media web contacting the drum and heats the media web as the media web moves over a portion of the drum. The method also includes stopping movement of the media web, heating the drum to a second temperature that is greater than the first temperature, and operating the actuator to rotate the drum against a portion of the stopped media web to transfer ink from the drum to the portion of the stopped media web.

Abstract: A solid ink stick configuration efficiently provides functional features for use of the ink stick in a phase change ink printer without adversely impacting the volumetric content of the ink stick and its appearance.

Abstract: A liquid ink transport assembly mitigates the migration of ink dye from one conduit in a plurality of conduits to another conduit in the plurality of conduits. The liquid ink transport assembly includes a plurality of conduits, each conduit in the plurality having a first end and a second end, the conduits in the plurality being arranged in a parallel configuration with at least one conduit being spatially separated from an adjacent conduit by a first distance that is greater than a second distance spatially separating other conduits in the plurality of conduits, and a heater, the plurality of conduits being positioned proximate to a first side of the heater to enable the heater to heat ink being carried between the first and the second ends of the plurality of conduits.

Abstract: An apparatus and method disclosed for delivering solid-ink pellets in an image-forming device comprises a hopper that houses solid-ink pellets. The hopper defines a vent and is provided with a mechanism to regulate the passage of the solid-ink pellets through the vent. A restrainer member configured to receive the solid-ink pellets defines a restrainer surface and a spreading arrangement to evenly spread the solid-ink pellets on its surface. Positioned below the vent, the restrainer retains the solid-ink pellets and is configured to transmit heat to solid-ink pellets causing them to melt evenly.

Abstract: A solid ink stick enables identification of the ink stick in a variety of different orientations, while preventing the ink stick from being inserted into an ink loader in an orientation in which the ink stick cannot be identified. The ink stick includes two polygon end surfaces opposite one another. Each edge of the end surfaces has a first and a second identifier, which are identical to one another to enable the ink stick to be inserted into an ink loader without regard to the orientation of the edges.

Abstract: A container for storing phase-change ink includes a housing that is comprised primarily of a thermally insulating material and an inductive heater element positioned within the housing. The inductive heater element is formed in a manner that increases the surface area of the heater and enables frozen ink in the vicinity of a reservoir outlet to melt quickly to enable printing operations.

Abstract: A variable resistive heater element enables current to flow through a first resistive heater element and a second resistive heater element based on the temperature of the variable resistive heater element. Current flows through the first resistive heater element, and is restricted through the second resistive heater element, when the variable resistive heater element is less than a predetermined temperature. Current flows through the first and second resistive heater elements when the variable resistive heater element is at or greater than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A process for preparing a phase change ink including (a) subjecting a white colorant to acoustic mixing at an acceleration of from about 30 to about 110 g; (b) optionally, adding a dispersant and subjecting the white colorant and dispersant to further acoustic mixing at an acceleration of from about 30 to about 110 g; (c) separately melt mixing an optional antioxidant, an optional synergist, and a phase change ink carrier comprising (i) a branched triamide and (ii) a polyethylene wax, a Fischer Tropsch wax, or a mixture or combination thereof, to form a melt mixture; (d) adding the melt mixture of (c) to the acoustically mixed white colorant of (a) or (b) with stirring; (e) optionally, adding a fluorescent dye with stirring; and (d) optionally, filtering the phase change ink.

Abstract: Approaches to remove bubbles from ink in an ink jet printer are described. Bubble removal may be implemented using at least one temperature dependent element disposed along an ink flow path. The temperature dependent element is configured to change shape responsive to a change in ink temperature. The change in shape causes a volumetric change in a portion of the ink flow channel.

Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus includes a recording head having a nozzle capable of ejecting inductive ink including water, a first intermediate transfer body having a conductive surface on which an ink image is to be formed by temporarily forming a liquid-column bridge between the conductive surface and the nozzle, the liquid-column bridge being made of the inductive ink, a voltage application unit applying a voltage between the inductive ink and the conductive surface so that water included in the liquid-column bridge is electrolyzed, and a transfer unit transferring an ink image formed on the first intermediate transfer body to a recording medium.

Abstract: A phase change inkjet printer is equipped with an agitator to prevent settling of metal particles in melted magnetic phase change ink. The agitator operates to agitate the melted magnetic phase change ink as the ink enters the printhead to maintain the metal particles in suspension within the melted ink.

Abstract: A release agent application system includes an image receiving member, a release agent applicator roller, a release agent pad, a release agent reservoir, and an actuator. The actuator operates the release agent applicator roller to move it between a resting position, where the roller absorbs release agent from the pad, and an application position, where the roller engages a surface of the image receiving member and to transfer release agent to the image receiving member.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes multiple inkjets arranged in a jetstack of the printhead. Each inkjet includes an inkjet nozzle and an actuator that controllably dispenses drops of a heat activated phase change ink according to a predetermined pattern. One or more heaters are arranged along the jetstack to heat the phase change ink to a temperature above the melting point of the ink. The printhead includes at least one pulsating heat pipe thermally coupled to the jetstack.

Abstract: A phase change ink composition including an ink vehicle; an optional colorant; and ethylene vinyl acetate in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 10 percent by weight based on the total weight of the phase change ink composition.

Abstract: A method has been developed to enable a controller to select between two angles at which to position a wiper configured to wipe release agent from an image drum. The controller selects the position of the wiper with reference to the number of times the wiper has wiped the image drum and the number of media sheets that have contacted the image drum.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and method for supplying uninterrupted flow of solid-ink pellets to an image-forming device. The apparatus includes a container for retaining solid-ink pellets, and a selectably-inflatable bladder disposed within the container. Further, the apparatus includes a tube communicating the bladder with a pressure supply.

Abstract: Curable solid inks and low shrinkage curable solid inks which are solid at room temperature and molten at an elevated temperature at which the molten ink is applied to a substrate. In particular, the solid inks of the present embodiments retain the advantages of handling, safety, and print quality usually associated with conventional solid phase change inks but provide additional breakthrough performance characteristics such as enhanced curing and robustness, lower jetting temperature, and ultra-low shrinkage upon crystallization, which allow the inks to be used as novel materials in inkjet-based print applications.

Abstract: In an inkjet printer, an ink reclamation apparatus receives ink emitted from at least one printhead. The ink reclamation apparatus includes an ink receptacle and a liquid path member that extends from the ink receptacle to contact the face of at least one printhead proximate to a plurality of inkjets in the at least one printhead. The liquid path member draws liquid ink from the plurality of inkjets and the liquid ink enters the ink receptacle. The ink reclamation apparatus returns the ink to a reservoir in the printhead and reduces or eliminates wasted ink during operation of the at least one printhead.

Abstract: A printing process identifies conditions for operating an image receiving member to transfer a plurality of ink images from the image receiving member to a plurality of media sheets between applications of release agent to the image receiving member. The printing process transfers a first ink image from the image receiving member to a first media sheet, identifies a size of a second ink image, and forms the second ink image entirely within a portion of the surface of the image receiving member that carried the first ink image. The printing process enables printing with acceptable quality while reducing the consumption of release agent and wear on components in the printer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ink composition including: (a) a phase change ink carrier which has at least one curable monomer, oligomer, or prepolymer; (b) an initiator; (c) an infrared-absorbing taggant; and (d) an optional colorant, the ink being curable upon exposure to radiation, the ink absorbing radiation in the infrared region.

Abstract: A phase change magnetic ink and process for preparing same including comprising a phase change ink carrier; an optional colorant; an optional dispersant; an optional synergist; an optional antioxidant; and a polymer coated magnetic nanoparticle comprising a magnetic core and a polymeric shell disposed thereover.

Abstract: A solid ink stick enables identification of the ink stick in a variety of different orientations, while preventing the ink stick from being inserted into an ink loader in an orientation in which the ink stick cannot be identified. The ink stick includes two polygon end surfaces opposite one another. Each edge of the end surfaces has a first and a second identifier, which are identical to one another to enable the ink stick to be inserted into an ink loader without regard to the orientation of the edges.

Abstract: A solid ink composition suitable for ink jet printing, including printing on coated paper substrates. In embodiments, the solid ink composition comprises both a crystalline compound and an amorphous compound, and a fatty acid, which provides for a robust ink wherein the phase change ink crystallizes faster from the liquid state than the same composition without the fatty acid.

Abstract: A printhead having a circulation device to create a directed flow of ink and a separator to divert particulate matter, which can be present in the ink, to a location where the particulate matter falls out of the directed flow. The circulation device can include a heater configured to provide the directed flow of ink and the separator can include a divider to provide a location for particulate matter to be separated and screened from the ink and a bin to catch particulate matter falling from the ink during circulation.

Abstract: An ink removal system includes a drip bib and a flexible member. The drip bib collects melted ink flowing down the face of a printhead and the flexible member captures ink dropping from the drip bib after an ink receptacle has received most of the ink collected by the drip bib. When the ink receptacle returns to the position where the receptacle catches melted ink from the drip bib, the receptacle also bends the flexible member and releases the captured ink, which falls into the ink receptacle.

Abstract: A solid ink printer is configured to learn the identity of solid ink sticks for printer operation. The solid ink printer includes a feed channel having an insertion opening configured to receive solid ink sticks, a sensor positioned near the insertion opening of the feed channel and configured to obtain solid ink stick type data from a solid ink stick inserted into the insertion opening of the feed channel, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor to receive the solid ink stick type data, the controller being configured to store the solid ink stick type data in a memory in response to an initialization signal and to operate the solid ink printer with reference to the solid ink stick type data stored in the memory by the controller.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a phase change ink composition including at least a first semi-crystalline material having a high amorphous content; and at least a second semi-crystalline material having a high crystalline content, such that the phase change ink has a viscosity ranging from about 0.1 cps to about 15 cps at a temperature ranging from about 60° C. to about 145° C. and the phase change ink composition has excellent robustness when forming images or printing on a printing substrate.

Abstract: A phase change inkjet printer including a heated phase change ink reservoir configured to reduce or prevent improper jetting of ink from a printhead. The reservoir includes a vent to atmosphere to provide substantially consistent and accurate jetting of the heated ink. A selective barrier, such as a filter, disposed adjacent to the vent substantially prevents ink from entering the vent while still enabling the vent to direct a pressure into the reservoir during printing and during purging.

Abstract: A printer has a print head arranged to jet molten ink onto a surface, a transfix surface arranged to provide the surface for the print head, the transfix surface having a core and an outer shell of a predetermined grade of aluminum arranged on the core, the outer shell forming the surface for the print head. The printer also has a transport subsystem to transport a print substrate past the transfix surface such that the molten ink transfers from the transfix surface to the print substrate.

Abstract: A phase change ink composition including a carrier; a colorant; and an acidic wax which is present in an amount of 0.1 to less than about 6 percent by weight based on the total weight of the phase change ink composition.

Abstract: A leveling and spreading system has been developed that enables the speed and position of the web to be determined from a sensor on a first roller. In a duplex print process, the first roller also reduces a temperature of the media web and an ink image printed in the first side print operation to within a first predetermined temperature range. A second roller modulates the temperature of the media web and ink ejected onto the media web immediately before the web enters the leveling and spreading system to within a second predetermined temperature range to enable uniformity of the ink and web temperatures for spreading the ink in a nip formed with a third roller.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to curable phase change inks, such as radiation-curable phase change inks, and their use in forming images, such as through inkjet printing. More specifically, this disclosure is directed to radiation-curable phase change inks, such as ultraviolet-light-curable phase change inks, that an ink vehicle and at least one crystalline polyester resin.

Abstract: A phase change magnetic ink including a phase change ink carrier; an optional colorant; an optional dispersant; an optional synergist; an optional antioxidant; and a carbon coated magnetic nanoparticle comprising a magnetic core and a carbon shell disposed thereover.

Abstract: A printer includes an image drum temperature regulation system that helps reduce thermal gradients on the image drum surface. The image drum temperature regulation system includes a feedback controller and a feed-forward controller. The image drum temperature regulation system operates the heaters and fan of the image drum with reference to a temperature difference between actual temperature of the image drum and a temperature setpoint and to the thermal effect of ejecting an ink image onto the image drum.

Abstract: A phase change magnetic ink including a phase change ink carrier; an optional colorant; an optional dispersant; an optional synergist; an optional antioxidant; and a surfactant coated magnetic nanoparticle having a magnetic core and a shell disposed thereover.

Abstract: A solid ink stick delivery apparatus uses a rotating member mounted within a plurality of hollow sleeves to transport solid ink sticks to a melting device. The interior surface of the hollow sleeves are configured with a surface that frictionally engages the rotating member, but enables the member to slip past the interior surface when the hollow sleeve is stopped from proceeding along the length of the member.

Abstract: A variable resistive heater element enables current to flow through a first resistive heater element and a second resistive heater element based on the temperature of the variable resistive heater element. Current flows through the first resistive heater element, and is restricted through the second resistive heater element, when the variable resistive heater element is less than a predetermined temperature. Current flows through the first and second resistive heater elements when the variable resistive heater element is at or greater than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An ink delivery system for transporting thermally treated ink from different ink reservoirs to multiple print he ads of an imaging device includes a rigid injector assembly, and multiple pliable tubes attached to the injector assembly. The injector assembly includes two T-shaped members made of a conducting material, positioned one a top the of her. Each of the two members has grooves provided within it. The grooves within one of the members align with the grooves within the other member, to create channels, which carry ink to the pliable tubes. The pliable tubes are made of a flexible material, such that the lower end of each pliable tube is freely movable with respect to the injector assembly. A heating mechanism surrounds the injector assembly and the pliable tube, and remains in thermal communication with the system, to keep the ink in molten state all through the transportation path within the ink delivery system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for maintaining flowability of solid-ink pellets when delivering solid-ink pellets from a container to an image-forming apparatus. The apparatus includes an extraction tube inserted into the container and connected to a vacuum source. Suction from the vacuum source impels pellets into the extraction tube through an extraction inlet, but pellet agglomerations may clog the system. Such a clog produces an immediate pressure spike within the extraction tube, an event detected by the clog detector. An actuator, responsive to the clog detector, drives an agitating structure that breaks up agglomerations and restores smooth pellet flow. Alternative embodiments can include devices having only the clog detector or the agitating structure. Alternative implementations of the agitating structure provide means for accomplishing pellet break up. The accompanying method detects the occurrence of a clog and responds by operating the agitating structure to break up agglomerations.

Abstract: A multi-channel image is printed on a web receiver by a plurality of printing modules. The receiver is entrained around a take-up roll on a movable transport. During printing, the transport moves past the printing modules while the take-up roll holds the receiver in position with respect to the transport, and then the transport comes to a stop and the take-up roll draws the receiver across the transport. A cutter downstream of the take-up roll cuts off the printed portion of the web receiver to provide a printed sheet.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to curable phase change inks, such as radiation-curable phase change inks, and their use in forming images, such as through inkjet printing. More specifically, this disclosure is directed to radiation-curable phase change inks, such as ultraviolet-light-curable phase change inks, that an ink vehicle and at least one crystalline polyester resin.

Abstract: A curable phase change ink composition that includes an ink vehicle including at least one isosorbide monomer having at least one functional group. Also described is an ink printing device that includes a curable phase change ink composition for printing onto a substrate, an ink jetting device, and a curing device providing radiation that cures the curable phase change ink composition. The curable phase change ink composition of the ink printing device includes an ink vehicle including at least one isosorbide monomer having at least one functional group.

Abstract: A transfix roller is adapted for use with a thin walled image receiving member in an indirect printer. The transfix roller is centrally supported to present a more uniform pressure profile in the nip formed with the image receiving member. An interference fit between the central shaft and the roller sleeve enables the transfix roller to be made without an additional process to secure the shaft to the sleeve.

Abstract: A method for delivering molten ink to a printing mechanism alternates between a first and second reservoir receiving molten ink from a receiving ink reservoir while providing ink from the other of the first and second reservoirs to a printing mechanism. The alternation of the two reservoirs is achieved with coordinated operation of two actuators operatively connected to two seal members.

Abstract: A phase change inkjet printer is equipped with an agitator to prevent settling of metal particles in melted magnetic phase change ink. The agitator operates to agitate the melted magnetic phase change ink as the ink enters the printhead to maintain the metal particles in suspension within the melted ink.

Abstract: A phase change ink imaging device includes a fluid transport apparatus that facilitates flow of fluid from a source to a receptacle. The fluid transport apparatus includes a deforming member positioned proximate a fluid transport conduit to deform a portion of the fluid transport conduit selectively and propel fluid through the fluid transport conduit, and a restoring member positioned proximate the fluid transport conduit to exert a force against the fluid transport conduit that opposes the deforming of the fluid transport conduit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and method for maintaining the flowability of solid-ink pellets in a system for delivering the pellets to an image-forming device. The apparatus includes a container storing the solid-ink pellets, and an extraction assembly for extracting the solid-ink pellets. The extraction assembly includes a tubular housing, extending from the bottom portion of the container, and an auger member rotatably placed within the tubular housing. The tubular housing receives the solid-ink pellets from the container and the auger member rotates to break up the obstructions to pellet flow.

Abstract: In a method of operating a printer, a release agent application system is operated to conserve release agent. The method of operation rotates the image receiving member that receives the release agent at a slower speed to reduce the amount of release agent applied to the image receiving member at select times. Thus, the release agent supply in the release agent application system lasts longer. For every page that is preceded by this method of image receiving member preparation, image gloss is increased and simplex and duplex image transfer efficiency is improved.