Droplet deposition apparatus comprising an array of fluid chambers defined by a pair of opposing chamber walls, and in fluid communication with a nozzle for droplet ejection therefrom; a cover member is joined to the edges of the chamber walls and thus seals one side of the chambers. The cover member has a ratio of cover thickness to chamber wall separation less than or equal to 1:1.

Droplet deposition apparatus

An image-forming machine comprising image carrier means (6), electrostatic latent image forming means (8) for forming an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier means (6), developing means (20) for developing the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier means (6) into a toner image, transfer means (12) for transferring the toner image on the image carrier means (6) onto a sheet material, cleaning means (24) for removing the toner remaining on the image carrier means (6) after the toner image on the image carrier means (6) has been transferred onto the sheet material, and toner recycling means (26) for recycling the toner removed from the image carrier means (6) by the cleaning means (24) into the developing means (20). The developing means (20) includes a developing agent container (28) for containing a developing agent (68) that comprises the toner and carrier particles, developing agent application means (56) for applying the developing agent (68) in the developing agent container (28) onto the image carrier means (6), toner replenishing means (124) for replenishing the developing agent container (28) with the toner, toner concentration detection means (66) for detecting the toner concentration of the developing agent (68) contained in the developing agent container (28), and toner replenish control means (188) for controlling the operation of the toner replenishing means (124) by comparing a value detected by the toner concentration detection means (66) with a threshold value.

Image-forming machine

Optical measurement is made for each nozzle (56) position of a printhead (38-44) relative to each printhead of an inkjet printing device (10). Alternatively, the measurement is made for each nozzle relative to a reference point. The reference point, for example, is a datum projection or indentation (i) on the printhead (e.g., 72-78), (ii) integral to the pen body (e.g., 82-88), or (iii) on the pen carriage. The measurement data subsequently is stored for later access. Alternative storage schemes include local storage in electronic memory associated with the pen and physical storage via bar code, magnetic stripes or physical markings. The stored alignment data thereafter is retrieved and input to printhead nozzle management software to adjust the timing for firing respective nozzles. The timing is adjusted to compensate for misalignment and achieve accurate dot placement on a media sheet.

Inkjet printhead alignment via measurement and entry

A printer having mechanically-assisted ink droplet separation and method of using same, for separating an ink meniscus from an ink nozzle orifice while clearing-away particulate matter from about the orifice. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a heater surrounds an orifice formed by the nozzle, the orifice having an ink meniscus residing therein. As the heater heats the ink meniscus, surface tension of the ink meniscus decreases, thereby causing the ink meniscus to extend outwardly from the orifice to define an extended ink meniscus. A cutter, which is disposed near the orifice, includes a plate member disposed opposite an outside surface of the nozzle so as to define a passage between the outside surface and the plate member. The plate member has an opening aligned with the orifice and in communication with the passage. A gas pressure regulator in communication with the passage supplies pressurized gas into the passage, which gas flows along the passage an through the opening. As the gas flows through the opening, it impinges the extended ink meniscus to separate the extended ink meniscus from the orifice. As the extended ink meniscus separates from the orifice, it forms an ink droplet that travels to a receiver medium, so that an ink spot is placed onto the receiver medium. Moreover, as the gas flows through the opening, the gas clears-away particulate matter from about the orifice.

Printer having mechanically-assisted ink droplet separation and method of using same

A one-shot air purge apparatus for an inkjet cartridge for removing air accumulated within the cartridge. The inkjet cartridge comprises a print cartridge base and a replaceable ink receptacle. The replaceable ink receptacle comprises an ink supply coupled to an ink supply seal and a vacuum chamber coupled to an air purge seal. The print cartridge base comprises a printhead, a sub-receptacle coupled to the printhead and an ink supply needle which has an eyelet, an air pocket reserve in which the air accumulates coupled to an air purge needle that has an eyelet. The ink supply needle eyelet is coupled to the ink supply seal before the air purge needle eyelet is coupled to the air purge seal of the vacuum chamber.

One shot air purge for replaceable ink supply

An ink jet printer includes a compact ink drop generating module (10) comprising an ink jet print head (14) mounted to a body (12) which contains high and low frequency ink pressure transient suppressing mechanisms (90, 68, 80). These mechanisms inhibit the ingestion of air into print head (14) and formation of print head clogging air bubbles. The body (12) also includes a purgeble bubble trap (72). Head (14) may be of the air assisted type. Air supplied to the head pressurizes ink at one side (82) of the diaphragm (80) and at the other side (84) of the diaphragm to increase the fluid capacitance of the diaphragm. The module (10) is easy to replace as a unit.

Ink jet printing apparatus having an ink pressure transient suppressor system

A vacuum media capturing and retention system for a drum type printer or recorder is disclosed. The apparatus includes a vacuum drum with two regions of vacuum passages, one for capturing the leading edge of the media and the second for retaining the trailing edge of the media. When the leading edge of the media is initially captured the vacuum level in the drum is at one level. After the leading edge of the media is captured the vacuum level is dropped to a lower level until the trailing edge of the media is captured. Following the capture of the media trailing edge, the vacuum level within the drum is again increased to retain the media thereto during the copying or recording operation of the overall device.

Air density adaptive vacuum controller

Apparatus for adjusting the position in two dimensions of a device relative to a support. At least one strut is pivotally connected to the device and is connected to the support. The length of the strut between the device and support is controlled to translate and rotate the device to adjust its position.

Two-dimensional ink jet adjustment mechanism

Method and device for mounting media on a vacuum drum

not available for EP0176179Abstract of corresponding document: US4570168Apparatus for adjusting the position in two dimensions of a device relative to a support. At least one strut is pivotally connected to the device and is connected to the support. The length of the strut between the device and support is controlled to translate and rotate the device to adjust its position.

David B. Kreitlow

Papers

Ink jet printing apparatus having an ink pressure transient suppressor system

Air density adaptive vacuum controller

Two-dimensional ink jet adjustment mechanism

Method and device for mounting media on a vacuum drum

Two-dimensional adjustment mechanism for ink jet print heads