Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a common liquid chamber for storing liquid, a plurality of flow paths that communicate individually with the common liquid chamber and through which liquid from the common liquid chamber flows, a plurality of ejection orifices that communicate individually with the plurality of flow paths and eject liquid supplied from the common liquid chamber, a plurality of ejection energy generating elements corresponding to the plurality of ejection orifices and generating energy necessary to cause liquid to be ejected from the plurality of ejection orifices, and a movable pressure buffer provided in the common liquid chamber and capable of absorbing a pressure wave generated by driving the plurality of ejection energy generating elements.

Abstract: The ejection driving pulse is a voltage waveform including: a first variation section; a hold section; and a second variation section. The second variation section includes: a first variation component in which the potential is varied in the second direction from the termination potential of the first variation section; an intermediate hold component in which the termination potential of the first variation component holds for a given time; and a second variation component in which the potential is varied in the second direction from the termination potential of the first variation component. The potential of the intermediate hold component is in the range from 50% to 60% of the potential of the hold section. A potential inclination of the second variation component is steeper than a potential inclination of the first variation component.

Abstract: Ink solvent having reached a buffer chamber through a manifold and a flexible portion is discharged in a direction different from the direction in which a holder opening is provided. Accordingly, the ink solvent is less likely to reach a connecting portion of a lead electrode and a COF substrate through the holder opening, a through-hole, and a support hole, through which the COF substrate extends. Thus, it is possible to make the solvent take a long time to reach the connecting portion, achieving an ink jet recording head in which the time taken to cause poor contact between the lead electrode and the COF substrate occurs is longer than that in the case where the solvent is discharged in the same direction as the direction in which the holder opening is provided.

Abstract: In a droplet ejection head, each of droplet ejection units includes: a nozzle which ejects droplets of liquid, a pressure chamber which is filled with the liquid and connected to the nozzle, a drive element which applies pressure to the liquid inside the pressure chamber, and an individual supply channel and an individual recovery channel which are connected to the pressure chamber. The liquid is supplied to and recovered from the pressure chamber through the individual supply channel and the individual recovery channel. In each of the droplet ejection units, a diameter Dn (?m) of the nozzle, a flow channel resistance R1 (Ns/m5) of the individual supply channel and a flow channel resistance R2 (Ns/m5) of the individual recovery channel satisfy: 3.247×1015exp(?0.1717 Dn)?R1?3.278×1015exp(?0.1456 Dn); and 3.247×1015exp(?0.1717 Dn)?R2?3.278×1015exp(?0.1456 Dn).

Abstract: A sub tank receives ink supplied from a main tank through a supply path. The sub tank includes a supply chamber that causes the ink to move toward a nozzle, and a pressure control chamber connected to the supply chamber through a connection part that can open/close. The pressure control chamber includes a pressure resistor that reduces the speed of the ink when the ink pressure rises in the supply path, and a volume changing member that is provided on at least a side of the connection part with respect to the pressure resistor in the ink flow direction, so that pressure in the pressure control chamber can be reduced by reducing the ink speed and increasing the volume of the pressure control chamber.

Abstract: A liquid jet apparatus is provided. The liquid jet apparatus includes a first damper chamber and a second damper chamber, a release path operatively associated with both the first damper chamber and the second damper chamber, and a control path connecting the first damper chamber, the second damper chamber, and the release path to each other.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus that is used for ejecting a liquid. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head unit that ejects the liquid, a liquid supplying path that is used for leading the liquid to the head unit, a defoaming chamber that is disposed in the liquid supplying path and is used for eliminating air bubbles inside the liquid, a broaden chamber that is disposed in the liquid supplying path and can collect the liquid due to having a cross-section area larger than that of the liquid supplying path, and a decompression unit that is used for decompressing the defoaming chamber and the broaden chamber.

Abstract: A damper control section controls a piezoelectric actuator attached to a damper, in a printing mode of jetting an ink by a pressure applied by an actuator for jetting, to suppress a pressure fluctuation in an ink storage chamber, and controls the piezoelectric actuator, in a purge mode of discharging forcibly the ink in the ink-jet head as a waste liquid, to transport the ink in the ink storage chamber to the ink-jet head.

Abstract: A damper includes a reservoir which stores a liquid and damps a pressure fluctuation in the liquid and includes a gas-liquid separation membrane which demarcates an upper portion of the reservoir, and a flexible damper film which demarcates the reservoir at a lower side of the gas-liquid separation membrane. Accordingly, there is provided a damper which is capable of improving an air-discharge efficiency while suppressing an increase in the size, and moreover improving a pressure relaxation efficiency.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head having a nozzle that ejects liquid and a pressure chamber in communication with the nozzle. A pressure generator causes pressure fluctuation in the liquid retained in the pressure chamber. The liquid ejecting head is capable of ejecting the liquid from the nozzle as a result of operation of the pressure generator. A driving signal generating section generates a driving signal having an ejection pulse for driving the pressure generator to eject the liquid from the nozzle. The ejection pulse is a voltage waveform four waveform portions having, respectively, voltage levels V1, V2, V3 and V4 that satisfy the following conditions (A) and (B). 0?V3?0.4×V2??(A) 0.

Abstract: An auxiliary passage apparatus, an attachment, a liquid discharge head, and a ink jet head are provided. The auxiliary passage apparatus is detachably attached to a liquid discharge head and includes a main body portion including, a first surface, a second surface, a supply passage formed in the first surface and through which liquid passes to a discharge head, and an ejection passage formed in the second surface and through which liquid which is ejected from the discharge head passes. A part of the supply passage includes a first annular projection formed so as to protrude in a direction orthogonal to the first surface and a first flexible film adhered to a distal end of the first annular projection. A part of the ejection passage crosses an area on the second surface which is opposed to an area surrounded by the first annular projection.

Abstract: The invention provides a damper apparatus including a housing having a valve chamber and reciprocally moving integrally with a carriage, an inlet port communicating an ink flow channel on the upstream side and the valve chamber, an outlet port communicating the ink flow channel on the downstream side and the valve chamber, and a spherical valve body stored so as to be movable in the valve chamber, wherein the valve body moves relatively to a position for closing the inlet port or the outlet port upon reception of the inertial force in association with the acceleration and deceleration to close the ink flow channel when the carriage is accelerated or decelerated, and the valve body moves relatively to a position for opening the inlet port and the outlet port under its own weight to open the ink flow channel when the carriage is not accelerated and decelerated.

Abstract: An ink-jet head is disclosed. The ink-jet head can include: a chamber for holding ink, an actuator coupled to one side of the chamber to provide pressure to the chamber, a damper portion connected with the other side of the chamber, an accelerator portion extending from a lateral surface of the damper portion, and a nozzle formed at an end of the accelerator portion. Certain embodiments of the invention can be used to increase the speed at which ink is ejected and improve the straightness of the ejection path.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes a liquid discharging head that discharges a liquid; and a damper chamber that is provided in a liquid supply flow channel, the damper chamber being an internal space that is formed by bonding a flexible member to a base member, wherein the flexible member has a bonding surface that is bonded to the base member, an opening that is formed in the bonding surface, and a swollen portion that is three-dimensionally swollen from the edge of the opening to form the damper chamber, the base member has a communicating port, through which the damper chamber and the liquid supply flow channel communicate with each other, in a state where the base member is bonded to the bonding surface of the flexible member and closes the opening, and the flexible member is disposed such that the swollen portion is swollen in a gravity direction.

Abstract: A liquid jet apparatus is provided. The liquid jet apparatus includes a first damper chamber and a second damper chamber, a release path operatively associated with both the first damper chamber and the second damper chamber, and a control path connecting the first damper chamber, the second damper chamber, and the release path to each other.

Abstract: An ink level control system includes a first dividing wall that divides a reservoir of a printhead into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first and the second chambers are each connected to the ink passages of the inkjet stack by an ink port. The first dividing wall includes an opening that connects the first chamber and the second chamber to enable ink to pass therebetween. The opening is located a predetermined distance above the bottom surface of the reservoir. An ink diverter is associated with the inlet opening that directs ink received through the inlet opening to one of the first and the second chambers in response to the reservoir being tilted in a first direction, and directs ink to the other of the first and the second chambers in response to the reservoir being tilted in a second direction.

Abstract: A damper device includes a storage chamber storing a liquid, and formed: of a substrate; a pair of supporting portions which are arranged to face each other in a predetermined facing direction, which project from the substrate, and peripheral portions of which have shapes substantially same with each other; and a film which is flexible and which has a sheet shape. The film is connected to the peripheral portions of the pair of supporting portions, and the storage chamber is formed as a space having a curved surface defined by the film. Accordingly, there is provided a damper device which is capable of stably exhibiting high damper performance, and in which the layout of channels which are connected to the damper device is simple.

Abstract: A printhead that has at least one printhead integrated circuit (IC) with an array of nozzles for ejecting ink and a support structure for supporting the printhead IC. The support structure has an ink conduit for supplying the array of nozzles with ink. The conduit has a set of resonant frequencies at which ink in the conduit generates a standing wave in response to certain operating modes of the array of nozzle. A fluidic damper is incorporated into printhead, the damper having a selected resonant frequency that damps the standing waves associated with each of the set of resonant frequencies such that they have an amplitude less than a maximum threshold.

Abstract: A plurality of ink cartridges are installed to be arranged in a vertical direction. A carriage reciprocates in the vertical direction. An ink-jet head has nozzle rows arranged, in a row in the vertical direction, to be parallel mutually, and the ink cartridge is connected to the nozzle row via a tube. There is provided a vertically long and a stylish liquid jetting apparatus which can be installed vertically even in a narrow area.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a liquid discharger including a liquid discharge head configured to discharge a droplet of liquid so as to form an image. The liquid discharge head includes multiple individual channels communicating with corresponding nozzles from which the liquid is discharged; a common channel configured to supply the liquid to the individual channels; a deformable member configured to form at least one wall face of the common channel; and a vibration damping member formed of a viscoelastic material, the vibration member being provided in contact with the deformable member.

Abstract: A damping device includes an elastic membrane that serves as a wall of a part of a supply channel between a reservoir unit that contains liquid and a droplet discharging unit that discharges the liquid in the form of a droplet; a wall portion provided outside of the supply channel such that a gas chamber is provided between the wall portion and the elastic membrane; and a resistance unit provided on the wall portion, the resistance unit providing ventilation and generating a resistance force against a movement of the elastic membrane.

Abstract: A liquid jet apparatus is provided. The liquid jet apparatus includes a first damper chamber and a second damper chamber, a release path operatively associated with both the first damper chamber and the second damper chamber, and a control path connecting the first damper chamber, the second damper chamber, and the release path to each other.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head including a plurality of nozzle orifices for liquid ejection, a reservoir plate made of rolled metal rolled in a first direction which includes a liquid reservoir communicating with the plurality of nozzle orifices, and a compliance plate made of rolled metal rolled in a second direction, laminated on the reservoir plate, and having a thin portion that is formed by forming a recess which extends in the lengthwise direction in the opposite surface of the reservoir plate from the surface facing the liquid reservoir, the thin portion serving as a wall of the liquid reservoir. The second direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the recess and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head including a plurality of nozzle orifices for liquid ejection, a reservoir plate made of rolled metal rolled in a first direction which includes a liquid reservoir which extends in a longitudinal direction that is capable of communicating with the plurality of nozzle orifices, and a compliance plate laminated on the reservoir plate which is made of rolled metal rolled in a second direction, the compliance plate including a compliance portion that forms a surface of the liquid reservoir which is also capable of absorbing the pressure in the liquid reservoir. The second direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the liquid reservoir and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

Abstract: A liquid discharging head is provided. The liquid discharging head has a flow path unit in which a common liquid flow path for supplying liquid to a nozzle which discharges liquid is formed by a plurality of plates being stacked together, the plurality of plates including a damper plate of which one surface defines at least a part of a wall surface of the common liquid flow path and an area on an other surface which is opposed to the common liquid flow path across the damper plate is not in contact with the plurality of plates other than the damper plate, wherein compression stress along the wall surface is applied to a portion of the damper plate which configure a wall of the common liquid flow path.

Abstract: Ink jet printheads and printhead components having a body that include a flow path, a piezoelectric actuator having a piezoelectric layer fixed to the body and an impedance feature in the flow path are described. The impedance feature includes a plurality of posts arranged in a first row, at least one post in the first row of posts having a downstream surface that is concave.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes: a reservoir provided along a direction, the reservoir including a first area and a second area of a width smaller than that of the first area in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the pressure generating chambers are parallelly-arranged; and compliance member provided in an area corresponding to the reservoir. The compliance member includes a first compliance section formed at one of the upper and lower surface sides of the reservoir and a second compliance section formed at the other of the upper and lower surface sides of the reservoir. The first compliance section is formed at an area corresponding to both the first area and the second area of the reservoir, and the second compliance section is not formed in at least an area corresponding to a part of the first area.

Abstract: A cartridge is constituted by a plurality of absorbing materials for retaining liquid, an interface formed by press-contact between opposing surfaces of the absorbing materials, an introducing portion for supplying the liquid out of the absorbing materials, and a filter provided at an end portion of the introducing portion. The absorbing materials press against the filter so that an end portion of the interface reaches the filter.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting method includes ejecting a liquid through a liquid ejecting head. Viscosity of the liquid falls within a range from 6 mPa·s to 15 mPa·s. The liquid ejecting head includes a nozzle that ejects the liquid, a pressure compartment that causes a change in the pressure of the liquid to eject the liquid through the nozzle, and a supply unit that communicates with the pressure compartment and supplies the liquid to the pressure compartment. A channel flow resistance of the supply unit ranges from equal to or higher than a channel flow resistance of the pressure compartment to equal to or lower than twice the channel flow resistance of the pressure compartment. A channel length of the pressure compartment ranges from equal to or longer than a channel length of the supply unit to equal to or shorter than twice the channel length of the supply unit.

Abstract: There is provided a liquid ejecting head including a plurality of pressure generating chambers, a first substrate having a reservoir unit, and a second substrate having a compliance unit, the second substrate being combined with one surface of the first substrate via an adhesive layer. The reservoir unit has a first area and a second area whose width in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the pressure generating chambers is smaller than a width of the first area, the compliance unit is provided to seal the reservoir unit and the surrounding of the compliance unit is fixed by the adhesive layer, and a width of the compliance unit corresponding to the second area of the reservoir unit is formed so as to be larger than the width of the second area.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid droplet ejection head capable of securing sealing of a common liquid chamber and realizing a high damper effect while suppressing a driving energy of the liquid droplet ejection head. A passage unit includes manifold plates, and a damper plate which is stacked on the manifold plates and has a damper wall facing a common liquid chamber. The damper plate is constituted by a base portion having a damping space at a position corresponding to the manifold holes in plan view, and a resin portion stacked on the base portion. The resin portion is formed to cover at least a portion above and around the damping space to constitute the damper wall, be smaller in a contour shape than the common liquid chamber in plan view, and be stored in the manifold holes.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead includes: a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzle apertures and ink supply conduits for supplying ink to the nozzle apertures. Each of the ink supply conduits has a conduit wall defined by part of the nozzle plate. Each of the conduit walls includes a plurality of pressure-dampening structures for dampening pressure fluctuations experienced at the nozzle apertures.

Abstract: A cartridge is constituted by a plurality of absorbing materials for retaining liquid, an interface formed by press-contact between opposing surfaces of the absorbing materials, an introducing portion for supplying the liquid out of the absorbing materials, and a filter provided at an end portion of the introducing portion. The absorbing materials press against the filter so that an end portion of the interface reaches the filter.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes a substrate having a fluid channel, a flexible membrane supported by the substrate and extended a length of the fluid channel, an actuator provided on a first portion of the flexible membrane, and a reinforcement member provided on a second portion of the flexible membrane such that the actuator is adapted to deflect the first portion of the flexible membrane relative to the fluid channel, and the reinforcement member supports the second portion of the flexible membrane.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a printhead integrated circuit (IC) with an array of nozzles for ejecting ink on to print media; an ink supply reservoir for storing ink; an ink supply line defining a flow path from the ink supply reservoir to the printhead IC; a valve in the ink supply line proximate the printhead IC selectively closing the flow path to the printhead IC; an ink purge actuator for forcing a volume of ink out of the printhead under pressure; a printhead maintenance system having a collection roller for rotating such that the collection roller surface collects ink purged from the printhead and draws the ink away; and a pressure regulator provided in the ink supply reservoir downstream from the ink supply reservoir. The pressure regulator is normally biased shut, and operable to open upon a threshold pressure difference between ink upstream of the pressure regulator and ink downstream of the pressure regulator.

Abstract: A liquid jet apparatus is provided. The liquid jet apparatus includes a nozzle plate which has a nozzle opening communicating with a pressure generation chamber; a flow channel substrate which has a liquid reservoir supplying a liquid to a plurality of pressure generation chambers; and a seal plate which covers at least a part of the liquid reservoir and which has a first damper chamber and second damper chamber. The seal plate has a connection cavity which connects the first damper chamber with the second damper chamber, and the connection cavity is connected to a release path communicating with the air.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head and a liquid ejection head capable of preventing corrosion of electrodes are provided. The method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head includes: a step of forming porous silicon areas in portions of a silicon substrate where the liquid paths are to be formed; a step of forming in layers in the porous silicon areas a protective layer, a heating resistor layer, an electrode layer and a heat accumulation layer; a step of forming ink ejection openings in the silicon substrate; and a step of removing the porous silicon areas.

Abstract: A liquid container includes: a bubble trapping section, disposed upstream of the upstream buffer chamber. The bubble trapping section includes: a bubble trapping chamber, adapted to trap bubbles upside by allowing the liquid level to be lowered with reduction in an amount of remaining liquid at a time of consuming the liquid; an inlet, communicating at a vertical upper position of the bubble trapping chamber to introduce the liquid at the time of consuming the liquid; and an outlet, communicating at a vertical lower position of the bubble trapping chamber to discharge the liquid at the time of consuming the liquid.

Abstract: A printhead for an inkjet printer that has a printhead integrated circuit with nozzles for ejecting ink, and a support structure for supporting the printhead IC. The support structure has ink conduits for supplying the nozzles with ink and a fluidic damper containing gas for compression by pressure pulses in the ink within the ink conduits to dissipate the pressure pulse. Damping pressure pulses using gas compression can be achieved with small volumes of gas. This preserves a compact design while avoiding any nozzle flooding from transient spikes in the ink pressure.

Abstract: An inkjet printer is provided. The printer comprises an inkjet printhead having a plurality of nozzles; at least one ink reservoir; and an ink supply system for supplying ink from the reservoir to the plurality of nozzles, the ink supply system comprising at least one pressure-dampening structure for dampening pressure fluctuations experienced by the nozzles. A distance between the pressure-dampening structures and at least one of the nozzles is less than 100 microns.

Abstract: A long-life pump capable of simultaneously conveying plural liquids and an inkjet printer having the pump are provided. The liquid pump includes: a liquid storage unit having liquid chambers trapping at least two types of liquids with each chamber corresponding to the type of the trapped liquid; a coupling member for connection to each liquid chamber of the liquid storage unit; a pressure adjusting mechanism, connected to the coupling member, for alternately switching between a negative pressure and a positive pressure of an internal pressure of the liquid chamber; an inlet valve capable of passing the liquid to the liquid chamber; an outlet valve discharging the liquid in the liquid chamber; and a pass resistance variable mechanism adjusting an amount of the liquid trapped in the liquid chamber depending on a level of the liquid in the liquid chamber.

Abstract: There is provided an inkjet print head including: a reservoir storing a first ink drawn in through an ink inlet; a pressure chamber storing the first ink drawn in from the reservoir and transferring the first ink to a nozzle by a driving force of an actuator; and a damper disposed between the pressure chamber and the nozzle and allowing the first ink to be mixed with a second ink drawn through an ink flow path for the second ink.

Abstract: A liquid jet apparatus is provided. The liquid jet apparatus includes a nozzle plate which has a nozzle opening communicating with a pressure generation chamber; a flow channel substrate which has a liquid reservoir supplying a liquid to a plurality of pressure generation chambers; and a seal plate which covers at least a part of the liquid reservoir and which has a first damper chamber and second damper chamber. The seal plate has a connection cavity which connects the first damper chamber with the second damper chamber, and the connection cavity is connected to a release path communicating with the air.

Abstract: An ink tank includes a first channel extending in the form of a groove on an external part of the tank in connection with an atmospheric communicating port. The tank also includes a second channel which branches off from the first channel and joins this again and which has a capillary force greater than that of the first channel. Even when some amount of ink has flowed out of the atmospheric communicating port, the capillary force generated in the second channel acts to hold the ink in the channel. Additionally, even when ink is stored in the second channel, the first channel is not closed, and the pressure in the tank is therefore kept in equilibrium with the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, there is little possibility that the ink in the second channel will be pushed out even when the ambient temperature changes.

Abstract: An ink-jet printer, including: a recording head which ejects ink onto a recording medium; a main tank which stores the ink to be supplied to the recording head; a sub tank configured to be extended and contracted in a vertical direction and including first and second ink flow holes provided in a lower portion of the sub tank, such that the first ink flow hole communicates with the recording head while the second ink flow hole communicates with the main tank; and a communication tube which is connected, at one of opposite ends thereof, to the second ink flow hole and which has, at the other of opposite ends thereof, an opening positioned in an inside space of the sub tank, whereby the second ink flow hole and the inside space of the sub tank communicate with each other via the communication tube, wherein the communication tube is configured such that the opening of the communication tube is displaced downwardly in accordance with the contraction of the sub tank.

Abstract: A recording head includes a recording element substrate having a discharge port facilitating discharging a liquid droplet, an energy generating element configured to generate energy for liquid discharge, and a supply opening facilitating supplying the discharge port with a liquid. The recording head also has a support member having a supply path formed by laminating a plurality of plate-shaped members including an opening portion. The support member supports the recording element substrate and includes a chamber communicating with the supply path and adapted to hold air.

Abstract: A liquid ejection head including: a head main body including: a cavity unit including a passage forming base plate forming a liquid passage from a common liquid chamber to a nozzle opening via a pressure chamber; and a pressure generating source generating a change of pressure of liquid in the pressure chamber to eject the liquid in the pressure chamber as a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening; and a case member to which the head main body is attached and which includes: a first member provided with a first atmosphere opening passage; and a second member laminated on the first member and provided with a second atmosphere opening passage, wherein the first and second atmosphere opening passages communicate with each other under the laminated state and are opened to atmosphere.

Abstract: An ink-jet head according to the present invention includes a passage component, a filter, and a sealing member. The passage component defines an ink passage which includes a middle hole having an opening. The filter partitions the middle hole of the passage component into a first space and a second space. The sealing member seals the opening. The sealing member has a first region which is opposed to the filter with respect to the vertical direction. The filter is mounted to the passage component in such a manner that ink passing through the filter flows from the first space upward into the second space. A surface of the first region of the sealing member facing the ink passage has a portion which is inclined relative to a horizon.

Abstract: In one embodiment an ink pen for an inkjet printer includes: an ink filter chamber; a pressure regulator chamber downstream from the ink filter chamber along a path of ink flow through the pen; a pressure regulator in the pressure regulator chamber; a filter in the ink filter chamber; an inlet to the ink filter chamber upstream from the filter along the ink flow path; and an outlet from the ink filter chamber to the pressure regulator chamber downstream from the filter along the ink flow path such that ink flowing from the inlet to the outlet passes through the filter. In another embodiment a method implemented in an ink delivery system for an inkjet ink pen includes: chambering ink in the pen; filtering the chambered ink; and then regulating the pressure of filtered ink.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead is provided. The printhead comprises a plurality of nozzle assemblies; a nozzle plate covering the plurality of nozzle assemblies; an ink supply system for supplying ink to the plurality of nozzle assemblies, the ink supply system comprising at least one conduit wall defined by part of the nozzle plate; and at least one pressure-dampening structure positioned in the part of the nozzle plate. The pressure-dampening structures dampen ink pressure fluctuations in the ink supply system.