Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080198186 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS AND PROGRAM - A liquid ejecting apparatus that has a display and a cartridge of a predetermined liquid capacity loaded therein and can display information on the cartridge in the display. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a program for performing a reception sequence for receiving the information on the cartridge from a memory included in the cartridge, an image display sequence for displaying a capacity viewing image having a size corresponding to the liquid capacity and displaying a remaining liquid viewing image that changes in accordance with the amount of remaining liquid inside the cartridge within the displayed capacity viewing image, and a supplementary information display sequence for complementarily displaying supplementary information on the liquid capacity in addition to the image display sequence. | 08-21-2008 |
20080231646 | INK-DISCHARGING APPARATUS AND IMAGE-RECORDING METHOD USING THE SAME - An ink-discharging apparatus includes a discharge head discharging an ink, of which viscosity is increased by being irradiated with a predetermined energy ray, from a nozzle onto a recording medium; a first light source radiating the predetermined energy ray; and an irradiation mechanism which irradiates an energy ray for increasing the viscosity of the ink to the nozzle. When the energy ray is irradiated to the ink remaining in the nozzle, the viscosity on the surface of the ink is increased to thereby form a film which covers or closes the nozzle. As a result, it is possible, with the film, to prevent the ink located inside the film from leaking out from the nozzle even when any shock is imparted to the body of the apparatus. Further, it is possible, with the film, to prevent the viscosity of the ink, located inside the film, from further increasing. | 09-25-2008 |
20080252669 | LIQUID DETECTION UNIT, AND LIQUID CONTAINER USING LIQUID DETECTION UNIT - A liquid detection unit includes a unit case, a sensor, and a relay terminal. The sensor is held by the unit case. The relay terminal has a relay portion and first and second terminals that are provided on both ends of the relay portion. The second terminal is connected to the sensor. The unit case includes a first terminal holding portion, a second terminal holding portion, and a deformable portion. The first terminal holding portion holds the first terminal of the relay terminal. The second terminal holding portion holds the second terminal of the relay terminal. The deformable portion is provided between the first terminal holding portion and the second terminal holding portion, and elastically deforms in a direction in which a distance between the first terminal holding portion and the second terminal holding portion is reduced. | 10-16-2008 |
20080266335 | METHOD OF DETECTING RESIDUAL QUANTITY OF INK, PRINTING DEVICE, PROGRAM AND STORAGE MEDIUM - There are provided a method of detecting an ink residual quantity and a printing device which do not make an erroneous determination as to detection on presence/absence of ink without influence of ink mist generated in the middle of using a printing device on calibration of an optical sensor. Therefore, by performing allotment processing based upon ink tank memory element information, calibration of an optical sensor using a reflection portion equipped in the ink tank, in a state where it is determined that the ink is left in the ink tank. | 10-30-2008 |
20080273046 | Ink Supplying Device, Recording Device, Ink Supplying Method and Recording Method - Variations in the negative pressure in the print head is minimized by positively controlling the ink supply pressure. For this purpose, the pump ( | 11-06-2008 |
20080273047 | VISUALIZING AGENT QUANTITY DISPLAY SYSTEM, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - A visualizing agent quantity display control system includes a first container, a second container, a detection unit, a display unit, a control unit. The second container, which is replaceable, contains the visualizing agent to be supplied to the first container. The detection unit detects a quantity of the visualizing agent contained in the second container. The control unit causes the detection unit to detect a remaining quantity of the visualizing agent in the second container except the visualizing agent which decreases when an operation of supplying the visualizing agent in the second container to the first container has first been executed. The control unit causes a display unit to display information indicating that the remaining quantity of the visualizing agent in the second container is full regardless of the quantity of the visualizing agent which decreases when the operation has first been executed. | 11-06-2008 |
20080273048 | LIQUID CONTAINER - The invention provides a liquid container for storing liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid container is constructed such that pressurized fluid is sent to its inside so that the liquid in the inside is delivered to the outside. The liquid container includes a container body which stores the liquid in its inside. The container body includes a pressurized fluid introduction port for introducing the pressurized fluid to the inside and a liquid delivery port for delivering the liquid to the outside. A detection unit is provided in the container body and outputs an output signal which is changed in accordance with a change in pressure of the liquid in the inside of the container body. | 11-06-2008 |
20080297546 | INK JET IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An ink jet image forming apparatus, which is improved in a structure of an ink supply device so as to minimize an influence due to a pressure loss generated in an ink flow passage, is provided. The ink jet image forming apparatus includes a print head to eject an ink to a printing medium, an ink tank to store the ink, an ink circulation passage through which the ink circulates between the ink tank and the print head, a pressure controller which has an ink storage unit communicating with the ink circulation passage and an air storage unit communicating with external air, a valve mounted in the ink circulation passage between the ink tank and the pressure controller, a pump mounted in the ink circulation passage and pumps the ink, and a control unit to control operations of the valve and the pump. | 12-04-2008 |
20080303848 | LIQUID-DROPLET EJECTING APPARATUS - A liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus, including: a main tank which stores liquid; a head unit including a sub tank which accommodates the liquid supplied from the main tank, and an ejecting head which ejects droplets of the liquid supplied from the sub tank; a liquid supply passage communicating, at one end thereof, with the main tank and communicating, at the other end thereof, with the sub tank such that the liquid is supplied from the main tank to the sub tank through the liquid supply passage; a first detector configured to detect presence and absence of the liquid stored in the main tank; a second detector configured to detect presence and absence of the liquid in the liquid supply passage; and a controller configured to perform various operations for the liquid-droplet ejecting apparatus and including an empty judging section which judges that the main tank is empty of the liquid where the absence of the liquid in the main tank is detected by the first detector and the absence of the liquid in the liquid supply passage is detected by the second detector. | 12-11-2008 |
20080309689 | Delivery Pressue Compensation Methods and Apparatuses - Methods and apparatuses for compensating for changes in delivery pressure and protection of a printhead against increased ink flow resistance caused by air trapped in the felt or foam are described. In an exemplary embodiment, ink ejection flow rates are adjusted to keep delivery pressures safely at or below the maximum sustainable delivery pressure required to protect a micro-fluid ejection device of a printhead assembly. | 12-18-2008 |
20080309690 | Mixing device and mixing method - A mixing method is disclosed. The mixing method includes providing a drop generating device including a first drop ejector, a second drop ejector and a collector. The mixing method also includes ejecting a plurality of drops of a first reactant from the first drop ejector and ejecting a plurality of drops of a second reactant from the second drop ejector and collecting the drops with the collector. | 12-18-2008 |
20080309691 | LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD - A liquid ejection apparatus including a recording head capable of ejecting liquid, a first liquid storage unit which is replaceable which stores liquid to be ejected from the recording head, a second liquid storage unit which is integrally formed with the apparatus body which stores liquid to be ejected from the recording head, the liquid stored in the second liquid storage unit being the same kind of liquid as the liquid stored in the first liquid storage unit, and a selection-and-supply unit which selects at least one liquid from the liquid stored in the first liquid storage unit and the liquid stored in the second liquid storage unit and supplies the selected the liquid to the recording head. | 12-18-2008 |
20090002407 | Inkjet Printing - A carrier for an array comprising a plurality of print heads, comprises an elongate bar having an ink conduit extending through the bar in a longitudinal direction. The carrier also comprises a print head receiving area adapted to receive or mount the plurality of print heads, and a heat transfer fluid conduit extending through the bar in a longitudinal direction. The carrier is arranged so that each print head received or mounted in the print head receiving area is in fluid communication with the ink conduit, wherein the heat transfer fluid conduit is disposed adjacent both the ink conduit and the print head receiving area. The carrier may comprise two ink conduits and two heat transfer fluid conduits. Heat transfer fluid may in use be conducted along the first and second heat transfer conduits in opposite directions. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002408 | LIQUID DISCHARGING APPARATUS, LIQUID DISCHARGING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A liquid discharging apparatus includes a head that is driven in response to a driving signal to discharge liquid, a controller that drives the head by generating the driving signal, an adjustment unit that adjusts the temperature of the liquid, and a supply path that supplies the head with the liquid having the temperature adjusted by the adjustment unit. The controller alters the driving signal in accordance with a flow amount of the liquid, which flows in the supply path. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002409 | Inkjet printer and method for correcting the printing thereof - A method for correcting the printing of an inkjet printer includes the steps stated below. A first boundary and a second boundary of a printing region for the inkjet printer are set. Then, a first ink offset at the first boundary and a second ink offset at the second boundary are obtained. Next, a maximum compensative time of the inkjet printer when printing is determined according to the difference between the first ink offset and the second ink offset and a printing speed of the inkjet printer. Then, a compensative time of the inkjet printer when printing at an arbitrary location of the printing region is determined according to the first boundary, the second boundary and the maximum compensative time. | 01-01-2009 |
20090009541 | LIQUID DISCHARGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DISCHARGING LIQUID - A liquid discharging apparatus, which discharges liquid from a nozzle of a liquid discharging head on the basis of data, includes a controller and a member. When the controller is in a standby state where the liquid is not discharged from the nozzle on the basis of the data or after the controller has received a power OFF instruction, the controller performs a drawing operation in which the liquid is drawn to a side opposite to a discharge direction in which the liquid is discharged so as to at least form a space at a distal end portion of the nozzle. After the controller has performed the drawing operation, the member covers an opening of the nozzle. | 01-08-2009 |
20090021542 | System and method for fluid transmission and temperature regulation in an inkjet printing system - A system for fluid transmission and temperature regulation in an inkjet printing system comprises first and second ink supplies connected via respective first and second valves to an inlet end of a fluid supply conduit. A printhead mount includes an inlet port connected to an outlet end of the fluid supply conduit and an outlet port connected via a first fluid transmission conduit and a third valve to a waste reservoir. A printhead cartridge is mounted within the printhead mount and in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports of the printhead mount. A temperature control element and a temperature sensor are each disposed downstream of the first and second valves, and a controller is connected to the temperature control element, the temperature sensor, and to each of the first, second, and third valves. | 01-22-2009 |
20090033691 | System and method for adjusting ink jet uniformity based on drop mass history - A method for processing input document data uses a drop mass history for ink jets in a print head to adjust other document data processing. The method includes ejecting ink in a plurality of patterns onto an image substrate from a plurality of ink jets, each drop in a pattern corresponding to one drop mass history in a plurality of drop mass histories, identifying a relationship between drop masses for the drops in an ejected pattern and a reflectance parameter for the ejected pattern, measuring a reflectance value for each pattern ejected onto the image substrate, and identifying a drop mass value for each drop mass history in the plurality of drop mass histories, each drop mass value being identified from the measured reflectance value for each pattern and the identified relationships between the drop masses and the reflectance parameter for each pattern. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033692 | Method and system for dispensing liquid - A method and an apparatus for dispensing liquid are disclosed. The method includes the steps of storing one or more liquids in a thermal inkjet print head and providing a well plate having at least one well. At least one of the liquids is dispensed from the thermal inkjet print head into at least one well. The volume of the dispensed liquid is a fraction of the total required volume of the liquid in the at least one well, and the dispensing step is performed multiple times to dispense the required volume of the at least one liquid in at least one well. | 02-05-2009 |
20090040248 | INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS - An inkjet recording apparatus comprises a main body, a print head, and a cable. The main body includes an ink container for storing ink, an ink supply pump for supplying the ink, and an operation control section. The print head includes a nozzle for expelling the ink supplied from the main body as ink particles, charging electrodes for charging the ink particles, deflecting electrodes for deflecting the charged ink particles, and a gutter for collecting ink particles that have not been used for printing. The cable includes an ink supply path through which the ink is supplied from the main body to the print head, an ink collecting path through which the ink particles collected in the gutter are returned to the ink container, signal lines interconnecting the operation control section and the print head. An ink collecting pump for transferring the ink particles collected in the gutter to the ink container is disposed in the print head. | 02-12-2009 |
20090073197 | INK JET RECORDING APPARATUS - To reduce ink bleeding and growing of dot diameters for high image quality, an ink jet recording apparatus for recording a color image includes a first head group including chromatic color ink recording heads, a second head group including at least one of a transparent ink recording head and an achromatic color ink recording head, and light emitting devices for curing a photocurable ink having landed on a recording medium. The first and the second head groups are disposed along a scanning direction. The chromatic color ink recording heads of the first head group do not have the light emitting device therebetween along the scanning direction. And the light emitting device is arranged along the scanning direction between the first and second head groups and further arranged at least on a trailing side, in the scanning direction, of a trailing one of the first and second head groups. | 03-19-2009 |
20090073198 | INK JET RECORDING APPARATUS - To reduce ink bleeding and growing of dot diameters for high image quality, an ink jet recording apparatus for recording a color image includes a first head group including chromatic color ink recording heads, a second head group including at least one of a transparent ink recording head and an achromatic color ink recording head, and light emitting devices for curing a photocurable ink having landed on a recording medium. The first and the second head groups are disposed along a scanning direction. The chromatic color ink recording heads of the first head group do not have the light emitting device therebetween along the scanning direction. And the light emitting device is arranged along the scanning direction between the first and second head groups and further arranged at least on a trailing side, in the scanning direction, of a trailing one of the first and second head groups. | 03-19-2009 |
20090073199 | INK CARTRIDGE DETERMINATION SYSTEMS AND INK CARTRIDGES - An ink cartridge determination system includes a cartridge mounting portion, an optical sensor positioned at the cartridge mounting portion, at least one ink cartridge configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion, and a determiner. The optical sensor includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The optical sensor is configured to selectively output a first signal and a second signal based on an intensity of the light received by the light-receiving element. The at least one ink cartridge includes a first light altering portion, a second light altering portion, and a light passing portion, which are configured to sequentially intersect a optical path of the optical sensor when the at least one ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion, and the determiner is configured to determine a type of the at least one ink cartridge based on a time profile of a signal outputted from the optical sensor. | 03-19-2009 |
20090085939 | Liquid Jetting Apparatus and Control Method for the Same - A liquid jetting apparatus to which a liquid container is attached, the container containing a liquid and having a first device, includes a first line, a second line, a first controller and a second controller. The first controller is to be electrically connected to the first device via the first line. The second controller is to be electrically connected to the first controller via the second line. The first controller includes a processor and a junction module. The processor, in a first instance, executes a prescribed process in relation to the liquid container in response to a signal received from the second controller via the second line. The junction module, in the first instance, puts the first line and the second line into mutually electrically disconnected state and, in a second instance different from the first instance, puts the first line and the second line into mutually electrically connected state make the second controller capable with the first device. | 04-02-2009 |
20090085940 | Image forming apparatus and information recording medium - An image forming apparatus includes: a liquid tank which retains a liquid; a liquid jetting head connected to the liquid tank and having a nozzle for jetting the liquid; a carriage on which the liquid tank and the liquid jetting head are provided; a recovery mechanism which recovers the liquid jetting head; a memory which retains predetermined history information; and a controller which controls the recovery mechanism based on the history information. The recovery mechanism selectively executes a first recovery operation for discharging air from the liquid tank and a second recovery operation for discharging air from the liquid tank and for discharging the liquid from the nozzle, and the controller controls the recovery mechanism to perform the first recovery operation if the history information in the memory includes an abnormality when a power of the image forming apparatus is switched ON. | 04-02-2009 |
20090115804 | Ink Identification and Detection System With Ink For Use Therewith - An ink identification and detection system includes an imaging apparatus. An ink tank is mounted to the imaging apparatus. The ink tank has a transparent portion. An ink is contained in the ink tank. The ink includes a fluorescing material. An ink detection device is communicatively coupled to a controller. The ink detection device is configured to emit light in a non-visible spectrum of light through the transparent portion to the ink, and is configured to detect light in a visible or near-infrared spectrum of light emitted through the transparent portion by the fluorescing material in the ink. The ink detection device supplies a signal representing the detected light to the controller for identifying the ink. | 05-07-2009 |
20090128590 | Color tone control method and apparatus for printing machine - For controlling the tone of the printed matter, the measurement data is stably obtained against various error factors and the ink supply is precisely controlled. The process data | 05-21-2009 |
20090141055 | INK CARTRIDGES AND METHODS OF ADJUSTING PRESSURE IN AN INK CHAMBER OF SUCH INK CARTRIDGES - An ink cartridge includes a case including an ink chamber defined in the case and configured to store ink, and a first wall facing an exterior of the case. The first wall has a first opening formed therethrough, and a second opening formed therethrough. The first opening is configured to introduce air into an interior of the ink chamber, and the second opening is configured to supply ink from an interior of the case to the exterior of the case. The case also includes a second wall facing the exterior of the case and positioned opposite the first wall, and a third wall positioned in the case and defining a portion of the ink chamber. The third wall has a third opening formed therethrough, and the third opening is positioned closer to the second wall than to the first wall. Moreover, the case includes a particular ink path extending from the second opening to the third opening. The particular ink path is in fluid communication with the ink chamber via the third opening. | 06-04-2009 |
20090153600 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING FLUID EJECTION VOLUME - A fluid ejection device includes an actuator, moveable to actuate a fluid pump, an optical sensor, a flag, affixed to the actuator and positioned to block the optical sensor with motion of the actuator, and a controller, coupled to the actuator and the optical sensor. The controller is configured to determine a volume of fluid pumped by the pump by detecting a change in a degree of blockage of the sensor by the flag. | 06-18-2009 |
20090160885 | INKJET PRINTING APPARATUS AND INKJET PRINTING METHOD - Provided are an inkjet printing apparatus and an inkjet printing method in which a high-quality image free of peeling of an image face can be printed, while an amount of a treatment liquid consumed is reduced. For that purpose, a group of pigment-based inks excellent in wettability with respect to the treatment liquid (small in contact angle with respect to the treatment liquid) are made relatively small in a proportion of the treatment liquid applied to a position to which the pigment-based ink concerned is applied. In contrast, a group of pigment-based inks poor in wettability (great in contact angle with respect to the treatment liquid) are made relatively great in a proportion of the treatment liquid applied to a position to which the pigment-based ink concerned is applied. | 06-25-2009 |
20090167794 | LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS, LIQUID STORAGE AND CONTROL METHOD OF A LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS - To respond to variation of characteristics of light-curable liquid. In order to do that, ink information that is recorded in a contact ROM of an ink cartridge is read out, and adjustment is performed based on the read-out ink information. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167795 | LIQUID SUPPLY UNIT, LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS, AND LIQUID SUPPLYING METHOD - A liquid supply unit includes a liquid supply passage that supplies liquid from a liquid supply source on the upstream side to a liquid consuming section on the downstream side, a pump that operates using a part of the liquid supply passage as a pump chamber, and a control unit that determines the need for driving the pump after the consuming of liquid in the liquid consuming section and drives the pump on the basis of the determination. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167796 | INKJET PRINTER - The invention provides an inkjet recording device comprising an ink cartridge receiving unit configured to receive an ink cartridge and an inkjet head configured to eject an ink. The inkjet recording device further comprising an ink passage configured to transport the ink from the ink cartridge to the inkjet head and comprising a detecting unit configured to detect a type of the ink cartridge received in the ink cartridge receiving unit. The inkjet recording device still further comprising a waste ink collection unit comprising an absorber configured to absorb the ink, and comprising a discharging unit configured to discharge ink remaining in the ink passage at one of a first discharging rate and a second discharging rate. Moreover, the inkjet recording device comprising a controller configured to control the discharging unit to discharge an amount of the ink. The controller is configured to control the discharging unit to discharge ink at one of the first discharging rate and the second discharging rate corresponding to the type of the ink cartridge detected by the detecting unit. The inkjet recording device may prevent or reduce ink coagulation due to mixing of different types of inks and may prevent or reduce the overflow of the waste ink tank. | 07-02-2009 |
20090179924 | Printing apparatus - A printing apparatus is capable of forming images by overlappingly performing print processes for a plurality of colors with non-aqueous inks and an aqueous ink. When printing with the aqueous ink, it is possible to inhibit paper from being deformed and to realize a high density print process with a low see-through density. At least one of the plurality of colors is printed with a non-aqueous ink containing a water-insoluble solvent, and the remaining colors is printed with an aqueous ink containing a water-soluble solvent. The print process of the non-aqueous ink is performed in advance of the print process of the aqueous ink. | 07-16-2009 |
20090184990 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING DEPOSITED INK IN PIXEL WELLS ON A SUBSTRATE USING A LINE SCAN CAMERA - Systems and methods for measuring deposited ink in a substrate are provided. The invention includes a light source adapted to transmit light through a deposited ink on a substrate, and a camera having a CCD sensor array wherein the camera is adapted to measure the amount of light that is transmitted through the deposited ink. Numerous other aspects are provided. | 07-23-2009 |
20090189930 | FAST-DRYING, RADIOFREQUENCY-ACTIVATABLE INKJET INKS AND METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR THEIR USE - The present invention provides methods of drying radiofrequency-activatable inkjet inks, methods for customizing the radiofrequency parameters of an RF source based on pre-selected printing conditions, and methods for selecting or formulating an RF inkjet ink composition based on pre-selected printing conditions and/or printing equipment. The invention further provides radiofrequency-activatable inks having customized radiofrequency susceptibility profiles and to sets of such radiofrequency-activatable inks. | 07-30-2009 |
20090195571 | Ink Set for Ink-Jet Recording, Ink-Jet Recording Apparatus, and Method of Ink-Jet Recording - An ink set for ink-jet recording comprises a main ink and a sub ink. The main ink comprises at least one of a polysaccharide and a polysaccharide derivative. The sub ink comprises enzyme degrading at least one of the polysaccharide and the polysaccharide derivative comprised in the main ink. | 08-06-2009 |
20090207198 | Offset printing method using inkjet system and product printed thereby - An offset printing method using an inkjet system, and a printed product printed thereby. The offset printing method includes a first step of printing a UV ink image on a flat original plate by inkjet using UV-ink, a second step of irradiating the UV ink image with a UV or an electron beam while or immediately after printing the UV ink image, so as to bring the UV ink image into a semi-dried state, a third step of transferring the semi-dried UV ink image to a surface of an elastic blanket, a fourth step of offset-printing the UV ink image transferred to the elastic blanket onto a to-be-printed product, and a step of drying and fixing the offset-printed UV ink image. Viscosity of the UV ink in the first step is set as 3-100 mPaS at 30° C., and viscosity of the UV ink in the second step is set as viscosity equivalent to 0.1-300 PaS at 25° C. in standard UV ink. | 08-20-2009 |
20090237424 | Print Head Cap Vent - A print head cap includes a vent which is opened during storage of the print head against the cap, is closed during priming of fluid through nozzles of the print head and is opened to stop the priming. Pumping of fluid from the cap is started substantially immediately upon opening of the vent to stop priming. | 09-24-2009 |
20090244115 | DROPLET DISCHARGE APPARATUS - A droplet discharge apparatus includes: a tank for storing a function liquid; a first supply tube for supplying the function liquid; a plurality of pressure control valves for controlling a pressure of the function liquid supplied from the tank via the first supply tube, to a predetermined pressure and then letting out the function liquid; a plurality of droplet discharge heads for discharging the function liquid let out from the pressure control valves in the form of droplets; and a plurality of second supply tubes for connecting outlets of the pressure control valves and inlets of the droplet discharge heads so that the function liquid let out from the pressure control valves is supplied to the droplet discharge heads. Distances between the outlets and the corresponding inlets are different from one another, and lengths of the second supply tubes are equalized so that resistances of flow paths between the outlets and the corresponding inlets are equalized. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244116 | INKJET RECORDING METHOD AND INKJET RECORDING SYSTEM - An inkjet recording method is provided that includes a preparatory step of preparing an ink set comprising at least ink composition A comprising (a-1) a polymerization initiator and (b-1) a polymerizable compound, at least 65 wt % of the total weight of the polymerizable compound (b-1) being a monofunctional polymerizable compound, and ink composition B comprising (a-2) a polymerization initiator and (b-2) a polymerizable compound, at least 50 wt % of the total weight of the polymerizable compound (b-2) being a polyfunctional polymerizable compound; and a selection step of selecting, as an ink composition used, ink composition A, ink composition B, or the proportions of ink composition A and ink composition B used according to the characteristics and/or the composition of a support used. There is also provided an inkjet recording system that includes the ink set and selection means for selecting, as an ink composition used, ink composition A, ink composition B, or the proportions of ink composition A and ink composition B used according to the characteristics and/or the composition of a support used. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244117 | IMAGE FORMING METHOD AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming method includes the steps of: depositing an aggregating treatment liquid containing 10% or more and 90% or less of a water-soluble high-boiling-point organic solvent having an SP value of 30 or lower onto a recording medium; starting drying of the aggregating treatment liquid deposited on the recording medium within five seconds after the step of depositing the aggregating treatment liquid onto the recording medium; ejecting an ink containing 10% or more and 90% or less of a water-soluble high-boiling-point organic solvent having an SP value of 30 or lower in accordance with an image signal, so as to be superimposed on the aggregating treatment liquid deposited on the recording medium; and removing water contained in a solvent of the ink on the recording medium in such a manner that the water contained in the ink becomes 4 g/m | 10-01-2009 |
20090244118 | Printing Device, Print Control Device, and Printing Method - Provided is a printing device which prints an image using a metallic ink and a color ink, the device including: a recording unit which records the metallic ink and the color ink on a printing medium; an input unit which inputs image data; a metallic ink region specifying unit which specifies a region using the metallic ink, in the formation of the image according to the input image data; and a print control unit which prints the image while the color ink is formed relatively larger than that of a region without using the metallic ink, in the region using the metallic ink. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244119 | WATER-BASED INK FOR INK-JET RECORDING, INK CARTRIDGE, INK-JET RECORDING APPARATUS, METHOD OF EVALUATING WATER-BASED INK FOR INK-JET RECORDING, AND METHOD OF PRODUCING WATER-BASED INK FOR INK-JET RECORDING - A water-based ink for ink-jet recording includes a coloring agent, water, and a water-soluble organic solvent. In the water-based ink after drying, a tan δ at a frequency of about 100 (1/sec) measured at about 25° C. represented by the following Equation (1) is about 4 or more. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244120 | NON-EJECTING NOZZLE DETECTING METHOD AND DEVICE AND INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS - A non-ejecting nozzle detecting method comprises: setting a specified processing liquid deposited pattern; ejecting the processing liquid from processing liquid nozzles onto a recording medium to form the processing liquid deposited pattern; ejecting colored ink from ink nozzles corresponding to the processing liquid nozzles selected as non-ejection detection targets onto the processing liquid deposited pattern, and recording linear colored ink images on the recording medium to thereby form a processing liquid non-ejection detection pattern; detecting, based on changes in densities and line widths of the linear colored ink images, a non-ejecting processing liquid nozzle from the processing liquid nozzles selected as the non-ejection detection targets. | 10-01-2009 |
20090256870 | Printing apparatus capable of effectively heating and cooling ink - A printing apparatus is provided with a heater for heating ink and a cooler for cooling ink, and comprises: an ink circulation route including a heater side route and a cooler side route which are separately provided through the heater and the cooler respectively; a switch mechanism operable to switch the ink circulation route between the heater side route and the cooler side route; and a control unit operable to control the switch mechanism. The control unit controls the switch mechanism to switch the ink circulation route to the heater side route when the ink temperature is lower than a first reference temperature, and switch the ink circulation route to the cooler side route when the ink temperature is no lower than the first reference temperature. By this configuration, the ink heating efficiency can be improved. | 10-15-2009 |
20090262150 | INK JET PRINTING APPARATUS - An air pump is driven to supply air via an air supply tube to a sub tank, by which a predetermined quantity of the air is mixed inside the sub tank via a gas-liquid separation membrane. Next, a carriage is swayed to agitate the ink by using the air mixed inside the sub tank. Then, the air pump is driven to discharge the air inside the sub tank via the gas-liquid separation membrane. In the above-described agitating motions, since the air utilized for the agitation is discharged from an ink tank after agitation processing, it is possible to prevent the air from remaining inside the ink tank to inflate, thereby adversely influencing the pressure relationship with a printing head. | 10-22-2009 |
20090262151 | INKJET PRINTER SYSTEM AND INK SUPPLY APPARATUS - An inkjet printer system includes a print head, a sub tank, a pressure controller, and a check valve. The print head is configured to eject ink. The sub tank is connected to the print head and has a pressure control hole. The pressure controller is connected to the pressure control hole to control an inner pressure of the sub tank. The check valve is provided at the pressure control hole to prevent ink in the sub tank from flowing into the pressure control hole from the sub tank. | 10-22-2009 |
20090267976 | INKJET IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING INK FLOW - An inkjet image forming apparatus includes a print head, an ink tank to store ink, an ink feeding path to feed the ink from the ink tank to the print head, a filter disposed on the ink feeding path, and a press unit disposed on the ink feeding path between the filter and the print head, to press the ink present in the ink feeding path toward the ink tank. The press unit repeats a first operation to press the ink in the ink feeding path toward the ink tank, and a second operation to suck the ink in the ink feeding path. | 10-29-2009 |
20090295847 | PRINTING METHOD USING INKJET RECORDING METHOD AND PRINTING APPARATUS - [Problems] There is provided a printing method using an inkjet recording method for printing on non-ink-absorptive and low-ink-absorption recording media that is excellent in terms of image quality, resistance to abrasion, and discharge stability no matter how ink-absorptive recording media used therewith are. | 12-03-2009 |
20090295848 | Filling, identifying, validating, and servicing tip for fluid-ejection device - A tip to be placed on a fluid-ejection device is filled with fluid. The fluid may be introduced into a substantially hollow body of the tip at a first end of the body. The body of the tip has a second end at which a fluid-ejection mechanism is disposed to eject the fluid as controlled by the fluid-ejection device. The fluid may be introduced into the substantially hollow body of the tip through of the fluid-ejection mechanism disposed at the second end of the body of the tip. The tip may further be identified and/or serviced, and the tip and/or the fluid-ejection device may further be validated. | 12-03-2009 |
20090303267 | METHOD OF SUPPLYING INK TO INK EJECTION NOZZLES - A method of supplying ink to ink ejection nozzles on a printhead for an inkjet printer with a print engine controller for controlling the printhead operation involving the provision a printhead IC having an array of the ink ejection nozzles formed on a substrate, the provision of circuitry for electrical connection to the print engine controller, the provision of a support member for supporting the printhead integrated circuit and the circuitry within the printer, the provision of a thermoplastic polymer sealing film, and securing the polymer film to a mounting surface of the support member by applying heat and pressure for a predetermined time, mounting the printhead integrated circuit and the circuitry to the support member via the polymer film and, electrically connecting the circuitry to the printhead integrated circuit. The mounting surface has ink feed channels formed in it and the polymer film is attached to the mounting surface between the ink feed channels and the printhead integrated circuits. The polymer film has an array of apertures such that the ejection nozzles are in fluid communication with the ink feed channels. | 12-10-2009 |
20090315926 | IMAGE FORMING METHOD AND APPARATUS - The image forming method forms an image on a recording medium by using aqueous ink and treatment liquid. The ink contains coloring material, and the treatment liquid contains a component which reacts with the coloring material. The image forming method includes: a treatment liquid deposition step of depositing the treatment liquid onto the recording medium; an ink deposition step of ejecting and depositing droplets of the aqueous ink in accordance with image information, onto the recording medium on which the treatment liquid has been deposited in the treatment liquid deposition step; an ink drying step of drying an ink layer which has been formed on the recording medium by reaction between the treatment liquid deposited in the treatment liquid deposition step and the aqueous ink deposited in the ink deposition step, such that an amount of water originating from the aqueous ink and still remaining on the recording medium after the ink drying step is not more than 4.0 g/m | 12-24-2009 |
20090322804 | FLUID EJECTING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMATION METHOD - A fluid ejecting apparatus includes: a fluid ejecting unit that ejects a colored fluid and a colorless fluid toward a fluid ejection target medium; an irradiating unit that irradiates ultraviolet rays onto a fluid that lies on or over the fluid ejection target medium so as to cure the fluid; and a controlling unit that controls the fluid ejecting operation of the fluid ejecting unit and the ultraviolet ray irradiating operation of the irradiating unit. The controlling unit performs control so that the colorless fluid is ejected on an image that is made of the colored fluid that landed on the fluid ejection target medium. After the start of the agglomeration of the colorless fluid that landed on the image, the controlling unit performs control so that ultraviolet rays are irradiated onto the colorless fluid. | 12-31-2009 |
20090322805 | INKJET RECORDING METHOD AND APPARATUS - The inkjet recording method includes: a treatment liquid deposition step of depositing a treatment liquid containing an aggregating agent onto a surface of a coating layer of a coated paper having a base paper layer and the coating layer coating the base paper layer; and an ink deposition step of depositing ink onto the surface of the coating layer on which the treatment liquid has been deposited. In the ink deposition step, the ink is deposited onto the surface of the coating layer in a state where an effective pH of the aggregating agent on the surface of the coating layer is not lower than 1.67 and not higher than 7.0, and an effective pH of the aggregating agent in the coating layer is not lower than 0.1 and not higher than 1.7. | 12-31-2009 |
20100007684 | INK CONTAINER AND INK DISCHARGE DEVICE - A sub-tank ( | 01-14-2010 |
20100007685 | LIQUID CONTAINER, LIQUID JETTING APPARATUS, AND LIQUID JETTING SYSTEM - A liquid container mountable on a liquid jetting apparatus, comprises an electrical circuit including a first electrical device and a second electrical device, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The electrical circuit is constituted such that the liquid jetting apparatus is able to execute a first communication with the first electrical device and a second communication with the second electrical device using a terminal potential difference which is a difference between electric potential inputs to the first and second terminals, and that the liquid jetting apparatus is able to selectively execute either one of the first communication and the second communication by using different magnitudes of the terminal potential difference. | 01-14-2010 |
20100026739 | LIQUID SUPPLYING DEVICE, LIQUID DISCHARGING DEVICE, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING LIQUID DISCHARGING DEVICE - A liquid supplying device includes a liquid tank storing liquid that is supplied to a consumption object that consumes the liquid, a transfer pump for transferring the liquid stored in the liquid tank, an auxiliary tank temporarily storing the liquid transferred by the transfer pump before supplying the liquid to the consumption object, and a return pipe disposed so as to return the liquid to the liquid tank from the auxiliary tank when an amount of the liquid stored in the auxiliary tank becomes greater than or equal to a certain amount. | 02-04-2010 |
20100026740 | PRINT CONTROL APPARATUS, PRINT CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM THEREFOR - Provided is a print control apparatus for controlling a printing apparatus that is able to perform color printing by using coloring agents of a plurality of colors. The print control apparatus includes: a residual amount acquisition section that acquires residual amounts of the coloring agents; a print instruction receiving section that receives instruction for printing an image; a required amount information acquisition section that acquires information on required amounts of the coloring agents required for the image instructed to be printed; and a control section that performs a residual amount precedence print control for controlling the printing apparatus to preferentially perform printing of the image, among a plurality of images instructed to be printed, which requires the smaller amount of the coloring agent having the smallest residual amount on the basis of the acquired information on the required amount and the residual amounts of the coloring agents. | 02-04-2010 |
20100033519 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING A PRESCRIBED INKJET INK - A system for identifying a prescribed inkjet ink includes a controlled substrate, a quantity of ink dispensed from a printhead of an ink cartridge onto the controlled substrate which supports the dispensed ink in a freestanding form, a light emitter configured and positioned to transmit light in a first preselected wavelength bandwidth onto the freestanding dispensed ink, a light sensor configured and positioned to detect light m a second preselected wavelength bandwidth different from the first preselected wavelength bandwidth by a fluorescent additive contained in the freestanding dispensed ink, and a signal analyzer electrically connected to the light sensor and operable to produce an electrical output signal corresponding to such light emissions such that an electrical output signal above a given level is indicative of the presence of the prescribed ink in the ink cartridge. | 02-11-2010 |
20100033520 | POSITIONING METHOD - A positioning method is provided for positioning a channel forming member including a liquid chamber being opened to a surface thereof and an actuator unit including an electrode disposed on a surface thereof. The positioning is performed with respect to a surface direction so that the electrode faces the liquid chamber in a facing direction orthogonal to the surface direction. The positioning method includes taking an image of an opening of the liquid chamber; acquiring a position of a centroid of the liquid chamber in the surface direction based on the image of the opening; taking an image of the electrode; acquiring a position of a centroid of the electrode in the surface direction based on the image of the electrode; and positioning the channel forming member and the actuator unit based on the positions of the centroids of the liquid chamber and the electrodes. | 02-11-2010 |
20100045713 | PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR INK QUALITY CONTROL - An apparatus and process of controlling ink quality are provided. The process includes providing an imprinted polymer microbalance in an inkjet printer, whereby the microbalance presents an equilibrium setpoint vibratory characteristic when in contact with a setpoint ink containing at least one target compound compatible with the imprinted polymers; placing the microbalance in contact with a supply ink printer; measuring a vibratory characteristic of the microbalance; and issuing a warning when the vibratory characteristic is different from the setpoint characteristic. | 02-25-2010 |
20100053236 | INK-JET RECORDING METHOD - An ink-jet recording method is provided, which includes (i) supplying on a coated paper a treatment liquid containing 15% by mass or more of a polyvalent metal compound for fixing the components contained in an ink composition and having a viscosity at 25° C. of from 2 mPa·s to 8 mPa·s, in an amount of from −50% to +50% with respect to the value of ΔV [ml/m | 03-04-2010 |
20100053237 | DISCHARGE RATE COUNTING DEVICE AND FLUID EJECTING APPARATUS - A discharge rate counting device for counting the discharge rate of a fluid from a fluid ejecting apparatus is disclosed, in which the fluid ejecting apparatus is capable of ejecting at least one fluid onto a target at a discharge rate of multiple stages. The discharge rate counting device includes a plurality of counting sections that count the discharge rate of the fluid at the respective multiple stages based on a bit number of input data, a desired number of counting sections not exceeding 2 | 03-04-2010 |
20100053238 | RECORDING APPARATUS - A recording apparatus includes a calculator, a predictor, and a head controller. Assuming that first ejection signals are supplied to a recording head, the calculator calculates variations in total amount of liquid to be ejected, for respective constant periods of time. The predictor predicts, based on one or more calculated variations, whether a pressure difference between the atmosphere and liquid falls below a threshold value, the atmosphere and the liquid sandwiching a meniscus formed in one of the ejection openings. When the predictor predicts that the pressure difference falls below the threshold value, the head controller controls signal supply to the recording head so that second ejection signals are supplied to the recording head, the second ejection signals having a lower frequency than first ejection signals. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053239 | LIQUID APPLICATION APPARATUS AND METHOD, AND INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS - The liquid application apparatus includes: a drum which holds a sheet-shaped recording medium on a circumferential surface thereof and rotationally conveys the recording medium; a belt which is wrapped about at least a pair of rollers and makes contact with the recording medium held on the circumferential surface of the drum and rotationally conveyed; a belt travel device which causes the belt to travel; and an application liquid supply device which supplies an application liquid to a circumferential surface of the belt. The application liquid supplied to the circumferential surface of the belt is applied to the recording medium through the belt. | 03-04-2010 |
20100066773 | FLUID SUPPLY DEVICE, PRINTING DEVICE, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING A FLUID SUPPLY DEVICE - A fluid supply device, a printing device, and a control method for a fluid supply device can desirably supply a fluid while maintaining good throughput, and can reduce device size and cost with a simple construction. The inkjet printer has an expansion mechanism that enables an ink refill operation in which a movable member expands an ink chamber by moving a piston that moves in contact with a regulator panel disposed to the main device side and supplies ink from an ink cartridge, a comparison means that determines whether or not the amount of ink left in the ink cartridge is less than a specified value, and a CPU that sets a long time mode in which the ink refill operation time is long when the amount of ink left in the ink cartridge is less than the specified value. | 03-18-2010 |
20100073409 | Techniques for Adjusting a Drying Time of Digital Ink - A technique that facilitates modifying (e.g., erasing or smudging) digital ink includes selecting a digital ink drying time based on a selected digital ink type. An ink stroke associated with the selected digital ink type is then tracked. The ink stroke may then be modified, prior to an end of the digital ink drying time, without using a dedicated tool. | 03-25-2010 |
20100073410 | RECORDING APPARATUS AND RECORDING METHOD - A recording apparatus includes: an intermediate transfer member; a supply unit that supplies a curable liquid onto the intermediate transfer member, the curable liquid including at least one curable material that is cured by an external stimulus and a liquid absorbing material; a first temperature information acquisition unit that acquires temperature information related to the curable liquid; a temperature regulation unit that regulates the temperature of the curable liquid supplied onto the intermediate transfer member; an ink application unit that applies an ink onto a curable liquid layer formed on the intermediate transfer member; a transfer unit that brings the curable liquid layer onto which the ink has been applied into contact with a recording medium, and transfers the curable liquid layer from the intermediate transfer member to the recording medium; and a stimulus application unit that applies a stimulus for curing the curable liquid layer to the curable liquid layer. | 03-25-2010 |
20100079511 | LIQUID DROPLET EJECTING DEVICE - The present invention provides a liquid droplet ejecting device including a liquid droplet ejecting head; a liquid storage unit that stores a liquid; a first flow path and a second flow path that connect the liquid droplet ejecting head and the liquid storage unit, the second flow path connecting with the first flow path in the liquid droplet ejecting head; a bypass flow path connected with the first flow path and the second flow path; a liquid feed unit provided between the liquid storage unit and a connecting portion of the bypass flow path and the first flow path, and circulating the liquid in the liquid droplet ejecting head and the liquid storage unit, and a pressure control unit provided at the bypass flow path, and controlling pressure of the liquid flowing through the bypass flow path from the first flow path side to the second flow path side. | 04-01-2010 |
20100085394 | LIQUID SUPPLY DEVICE AND PRINTING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A liquid supply device includes a pressure unit configured to generate a pressure to supply liquid to a printing unit, the printing unit configured to discharge the liquid and perform printing on a printing medium; a pressure detecting unit configured to detect the pressure generated by the pressure unit; and a control unit configured to drive the pressure unit with a power corresponding to a liquid consuming speed of the printing unit if the pressure detecting unit detects a lower pressure than a predetermined pressure while the printing unit discharges the liquid. | 04-08-2010 |
20100085395 | Inkjet image-forming apparatus and method for printing - An image forming apparatus including: a print-job controller configured to receive a print job and control a printing operation based on the received print job; an ink-ejection driver configured to output a driving signal on the basis of the print job; an ink ejector configured to eject ink onto a paper sheet on the basis of the driving signal outputted by the ink-ejection driver; and an ink-temperature measuring unit configured to measure an ink temperature. When the ink temperature measured by the ink-temperature measuring unit is equal to or higher than a first reference temperature, the ink-ejection driver outputs a driving signal of a first voltage. When the ink temperature measured by the ink-temperature measuring unit is lower than the first reference temperature and is equal to or higher than a second reference temperature that is lower than the first reference temperature, the print-job controller performs the printing operation as long as predetermined conditions are satisfied for suppressing lowering of print quality possibly caused by ink ejection based on a driving signal of a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage and the ink-ejection driver outputs the driving signal of the second voltage while the printing operation is being performed. | 04-08-2010 |
20100110117 | Ink Conductivity Recovery Method for An Imaging Device - A method for restoring ink conductivity of ink in an ink reservoir comprises detecting an ink conductivity of an ink volume in an ink reservoir, and comparing the detected ink conductivity to a predetermined ink conductivity operational range. A flush routine is performed in response to the measured ink conductivity being outside of the predetermined ink conductivity operational range. The flush routine includes: disabling ink supply operations to the ink reservoir; emptying the ink reservoir of ink; refilling the ink reservoir with ink; measuring an ink conductivity of an ink volume in the refilled ink reservoir; and comparing the detected ink conductivity to the predetermined ink conductivity operational range. The imaging device is returned to a normal operating mode in response to the measured ink conductivity being within the predetermined ink conductivity operational range after a flush routine has been performed. | 05-06-2010 |
20100134539 | INK JET RECORDING APPARATUS, INK SUPPLYING MECHANISM AND INK JET RECORDING METHOD - An ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes an ink jet head having a pressure chamber facing a nozzle, and an upstream port and a downstream port connected to the pressure chamber, a main tank connected to the ink jet head via the upstream port and capable of storing ink therein, and a sub-tank connected to the ink jet head via the downstream port and capable of storing ink, wherein at least when printing by ejecting ink from the nozzle, the relation between ph, r, R and Q is held to satisfy ph−{QR×(1/(1+r))}=Pn (Pn being a constant representing a proper pressure in the nozzle), where ph represents a potential pressure in the main tank as viewed from a surface of an orifice plate where the nozzle of the ink jet head is formed, R represents a total flow path resistance from the main tank to the sub-tank via the ink jet head, a ratio of a flow path resistance from the main tank to the nozzle and a flow path resistance from the nozzle to the sub-tank is expressed by 1:r, and Q represents a flow rate of ink that circulates in a circulation path formed by connecting the ink jet head, the main tank and the sub-tank. | 06-03-2010 |
20100134540 | METHOD OF PRIMING PAGEWIDTH PRINTHEAD - A method of priming ejection nozzles of a printhead is provided in which inwardly directed force is applied on an exterior wall of a bag containing fluid for distribution to the nozzles so as to reduce an available fluid volume of the bag, thereby causing fluid to be distributed from the bag to the nozzles, and a biasing member in the bag is caused to apply outwardly directed force on an interior wall of the bag so as to restrain the reduction of available fluid volume of the bag only once the available fluid volume of the bag has been reduced to a predetermined volume. The printhead is a pagewidth printhead having a pagewidth of greater than 100 millimetres. | 06-03-2010 |
20100141694 | PRINTING APPARATUS - The printing apparatus includes: a print unit to print on a medium using a pigment ink and a dye ink; a stir mechanism capable of stirring at least the pigment ink; and a control unit to perform control to make the duration of the stirring operation executed prior to starting the printing operation longer when the pigment ink is included in the ink to be used in the printing operation than when it is not. | 06-10-2010 |
20100149231 | IMAGE FORMING METHOD - Provided is a method for forming an image using an ink-jet recording method which forms the image with a single pass printing method employing an ink comprising water in an amount of 20 to 90 weight % based on the total weight of the ink, a pigment and a water soluble resin containing an acidic group which is neutralized with ammonia or an amine compound, the method containing the steps of: applying a processing solution on a coated paper for printing; and ejecting droplets of the ink on the coated paper for printing, wherein the processing solution is capable of aggregating an ingredient of the ink or increasing a viscosity of the ink, and the coated paper for printing is heated from 40 to 60° C. during the step of ejecting the droplets of the ink. | 06-17-2010 |
20100156969 | Ink-Jet Recording Method and Ink-Jet Recording Apparatus - An ink-jet recording method includes: determining an aggregation degree G (AB) brought about when the ink A and the ink B are brought in contact with each other, at least one of the ink A and the ink B containing a pigment; judging, based on the aggregation degree G (AB), whether or not a boundary portion PC is to be formed at a boundary between a recording portion PA of the ink A and a recording portion PB of the ink B by using an ink C; forming the recording portion PA; forming the recording portion PB; and forming the boundary portion PC if it is judged that the boundary portion PC is to be formed. In the ink jet recording method, the cost is low, the recording quality of a recorded matter is excellent, and the bleeding can be effectively avoided. | 06-24-2010 |
20100182357 | Ink Stick Jam Detection and Recovery System and Method - An ink jam detection and recovery system for use in a phase change ink imaging device includes an ink stick conveyance configured move ink sticks in a forward direction toward a melt plate at a melt end of an ink stick feed path and a reverse direction away from the melt plate. A sensor system is configured to generate a first signal indicative of whether an ink stick is present at the melt plate. A controller is configured to receive the signal and to actuate the ink stick conveyance to move in at least one of the forward direction and the reverse direction in response to the first signal indicating that no ink stick is present at the melt plate. | 07-22-2010 |
20100182358 | Dual Ink Systems In A Printer - An ink jet printing system includes a first print system having a first ink system to print received print jobs, a second print system having a second ink system independent of the first ink system to print the print jobs and a control unit to receive the print jobs and determine which of the first and second print systems is to print each received print job. | 07-22-2010 |
20100182359 | INK JET HEAD AND INK SUPPLYING METHOD THEREOF - An Inkjet head according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an ink storage unit including an inner storage space, a head unit connected to the ink storage unit, and a plurality of nozzles discharging the ink, wherein the floors of the inner storage space of the ink storage unit form a step. Accordingly, in the Inkjet head of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the floors of the inner storage space of the ink storage unit form a step, and the ceiling of the inner flow space of the head unit is inclined, thereby preventing the ink vapor from being confined inside the head unit. Therefore, the ink to be discharged through the nozzle flows in a predetermined direction and does not include ink vapor, thereby preventing discharge deterioration. | 07-22-2010 |
20100194797 | METHOD OF INTERACTING WITH SUBSTRATE COMPRISING IR-ABSORBING CODING PATTERN - A method of interacting with a printed substrate comprising a coding pattern printed with an IR-absorbing ink. The method comprises the steps of: operatively positioning an optically-imaging sensing device relative to the substrate and sensing part of the coding pattern; and generating interaction data using the sensed coding pattern. The IR-absorbing ink comprises a dye of formula (I): | 08-05-2010 |
20100207972 | IMAGE CORRECTION SYSTEM AND IMAGE CORRECTION METHOD - Every time density correction information corresponding to a colorimetric value of a patch is acquired, the time when the density correction information is acquired and the type of a printing medium on which the patch is printed are accumulated in association in a memory. The type of a medium for printing is specified by a user; density correction information acquired at the most up-to-date time for each chromatic color ink available for the medium of that type is read from the memory; it is determined whether or not the most up-to-date time when the density correction information is acquired for each of the chromatic color inks available for the specified medium is the same time; if the most up-to-date times are the same, density correction is performed on image data, using a correction table that corresponds to the density correction information acquired at the most up-to-date time. | 08-19-2010 |
20100207973 | IMAGE-FORMING METHOD AND RECORD - An image-forming method includes a first image-forming step of forming an image on a fabric with a first ink composition and a second image-forming step of forming an image on the fabric with a second ink composition subsequently to the first image-forming step. The first ink composition contains a first colorant. The second ink composition contains a second colorant. The first colorant has an average particle size less than that of the second colorant. | 08-19-2010 |
20100220127 | Ink Delivery System - An ink delivery system includes a plurality of ink supplies, an air pressure source to generate ink pressure for each ink supply, an ink valve associated with each ink supply, where each ink valve is configured to prevent a reverse flow of ink from a pen to the associated ink supply, and each ink valve has a switch configured to provide an open signal when the ink valve is open, and a controller configured to determine one of a normal ink condition, an out of ink condition or a system pressure problem based on receiving the open signals and to regulate the pressure source according to the determination. | 09-02-2010 |
20100220128 | INK JET PRINTER - An ink jet printer comprising: a printing fluid cartridge receiving portion arranged to receive a printing fluid cartridge ( | 09-02-2010 |
20100231619 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF INK AND DATA DELIVERY | 09-16-2010 |
20100231620 | LIQUID HOLDING CONTAINER - A liquid holding container that supplies liquid to a liquid ejecting apparatus, includes: a liquid containing section which contains the liquid; a liquid supply port for supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus; and a supply pump which supplies the liquid contained in the liquid containing section to the liquid ejecting apparatus through the liquid supply port. | 09-16-2010 |
20100245411 | DROPLET JETTING DEVICE - A droplet jetting device that includes a recording head section, a pressure sensor and a regulation pump is provided. The recording head section includes a recording head that jets droplets from nozzles and records an image at a recording medium. The pressure sensor is provided at the recording head section and senses a pressure of liquid supplied to the recording head by a main pump from a main tank. The main tank is disposed at a position away from the recording head section. The regulation pump is provided at the recording head section that is smaller in scale than the main pump and regulates pressure of the liquid such that the pressure of the liquid sensed by the pressure sensor is constant. | 09-30-2010 |
20100245412 | IMAGE PRINTING USING SPECIALTY INK - An image is printed with an inkjet-printing device using specialty ink ( | 09-30-2010 |
20100253717 | Inkjet recording apparatus - An inkjet recording device includes a liquid-droplet ejection head having nozzles for ejecting droplets of a liquid, a flexible tube member connected to the head, a tube pump disposed on the tube member to supply the liquid to the head through the tube member, a rotational press member disposed in the pump and, while rotating in a first direction, sequentially compressing the tube member to supply the liquid to the head, and a controller communicatively connected to the pump and causes the press member to rotate in the first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction. At least one portion of the tube member is compressed with the press member while the pump is stopped. The controller, prior to rotation of the press member in the first or second direction, causes the press member to rotate in reverse with respect to the first or second direction. | 10-07-2010 |
20100271410 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS RESPONDING TO REQUEST DURING USE OF ERASABLE INK - An image forming apparatus includes: a first image forming unit configured to form an image with erasable first ink; a second image forming unit configured to share a conveying path with the first image forming unit and form an image with not erasable second ink; a recording unit configured to record a level of use of a recording medium on the recording medium; a detecting unit configured to detect the level of use; and a control unit configured to control the first image forming unit or the second image forming unit according to a detection result of the detecting unit. | 10-28-2010 |
20100271411 | INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS AND INKJET RECORDING SYSTEM - An apparatus is configured to perform recording with at least three types of inks that are similar in color and different in pigment density. The apparatus is capable of operating in a first mode for performing recording on a first recording medium using at least one of a second ink having a pigment density that is lower than that of a first ink and a third ink having a pigment density that is lower than that of the second ink, and in a second mode for performing recording on a second recording medium, which has a lower glossiness than the first recording medium, using at least the first ink. | 10-28-2010 |
20100277520 | Monitoring Ink Flow - A system for monitoring ink flow is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a printhead configured to perform a priming event, a heating element, a sensor configured to measure the temperature of a printhead die at a plurality of times, and a processor configured to determine the success of a priming event by comparing an actual cooling rate to a threshold cooling rate. | 11-04-2010 |
20100277521 | INK JET RECORDING APPARATUS AND INK JET RECORDING METHOD - When recording with the use of a multi-pass recording method, the order in which a specific ink and the other inks are applied in layers is controlled while preventing the multiple recording scans (passes) from becoming unnecessary uneven in terms of the ink recording permission ratio, and also, the ratio with which the specific ink is permitted to be applied to each unit pixel is determined for each recording scan (pass), based on the information (for example, CMYK information, RGB information, etc.) regarding the specific ink and the other inks, which are to be applied to each unit pixel. Therefore, it is possible to change the recording scan(s), to which the application of the specific ink is concentrated, based on the application conditions for the specific ink and the other inks, and therefore, it is possible to change the ratio with which the specific ink is applied before or after the other inks are applied. Therefore, it is possible to control the order in which the specific ink and the other inks are applied in layers. | 11-04-2010 |
20100283808 | INKJET PRINTER - A print head includes an ink chamber for storing ink therein, an ink propelling mechanism for propelling ink out of the ink chamber, and a temperature sensor for measuring an ink temperature in the ink chamber, an ink circulation route has a route including the ink chamber, and a print controller works at least along deactivation of an energy saving mode or upon power-on, in response to the temperature sensor having a measure of ink temperature lower than a prescribed value, for a pre-treatment to have the ink propelling mechanism make ink vibrating actions within degrees not to cause ink to be propelled out of the ink chamber, until the ink temperature becomes the prescribed value or more. | 11-11-2010 |
20100289841 | PRINTING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD OF PRINTING APPARATUS - An apparatus includes a sheet feeding unit configured to feed sheets one by one from a storing unit, a coating unit configured to apply a coating liquid on a fed sheet, and a printing unit configured to perform printing on the coated sheet. The control unit controls timing to start a sheet feeding of a next page while a current page is being printed, depending on occurrence of event of temporary interruption or delay of printing operation. | 11-18-2010 |
20100295882 | METHOD FOR MEASURING INK FLOW RATE IN AN INKJET PRINTHEAD - A method of determining the state of a printhead/cartridge in a thermal inkjet printer. An inkjet printhead undergoes a jetting operation in which a jetting frequency is selected and a corresponding steady state printhead temperature is known. The printhead is heated to the steady state temperature. Then the printhead is jetted with all nozzles for a predetermined period of time. Temperature samples from the printhead are obtained and the change in the printhead temperature for a short period of time is used to determine a slope in the temperature change. From the slope of printhead temperature changes, the ink flow rate through the printhead can be determined. The flow rate of ink through the printhead can be used to determine the various states of the printhead, including out of ink, clogged, deprimed, a taped printhead, etc. | 11-25-2010 |
20100302291 | LIQUID CONTAINER AND LIQUID SUPPLYING SYSTEM - A liquid container detachably mountable to a recording apparatus to which a plurality of liquid containers are detachably mountable, wherein the recording apparatus includes apparatus electrical contacts corresponding to the liquid containers, respectively, photoreceptor means for receiving light, and an electric circuit connected with a line which is commonly connected with the apparatus electrical contacts, the liquid container includes a container electrical contact electrically connectable with one of the apparatus contacts; an information storing portion capable of storing at least individual information of the liquid container; a light emitting portion; a controller for controlling emission of light of the light emitting portion in response to a correspondence between a signal indicative of individual information supplied through the container electrical contact and the information stored in the information storing means. | 12-02-2010 |
20100309238 | INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS - An apparatus includes a conveyance unit configured to convey a sheet, a carriage configured to support and cause a recording head to scan for performing an operation on the conveyed sheet, a curl amount acquiring unit configured to acquire a curl amount of the sheet when a leading edge of the sheet reaches a predetermined position, a threshold value acquiring unit configured to acquire a threshold value of an allowable curl amount when the sheet passes through the predetermined position, and a control unit configured to control the operation such that, when the acquired curl amount exceeds the threshold value, time taken from a start of the operation on the predetermined recording area to a point when the leading edge reaches the predetermined position is increased more than when the curl amount does not exceed the threshold value. | 12-09-2010 |
20100315451 | INKJET IMAGE FORMER - A controller works with a measure of temperature of ink at a temperature sensor within a first temperature range to have an inkjet head propel out droplets of ink at a first discharge speed for formation of images, and with a measure of temperature of ink at the temperature sensor within a second temperature range lower than the first temperature range to have the inkjet head propel out droplets of ink at a second discharge speed greater than the first discharge speed for formation of images, and the controller determines that end regions of a frame of images to be formed in regions at transfer-longitudinal ends of a sheet to be transferred in a sheet transfer system have a print ratio within a prescribed range, to execute formation of images. | 12-16-2010 |
20100321424 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - A liquid ejecting apparatus, including: a tank for storing a liquid; a liquid ejecting head that includes an inner passage having an inlet and an outlet and individual liquid channels; a supply passage connecting the tank and the inlet; a return passage connecting the tank and the outlet; a supply device to forcibly supply the liquid in the tank to the inner passage; a restrictor valve to restrict a liquid amount flowing through the return passage; and a discharge controller to drive the supply device while opening the restrictor valve, such that liquid circulation is conducted in which the liquid in the tank returns back thereto via the supply passage, the inner passage, and the return passage, in order, and configured to control the valve to restrict, during the liquid circulation, the liquid amount flowing through the return passage, for permitting a discharge of the liquid from the ejection openings. | 12-23-2010 |
20100321425 | INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS - During a cleaning operation, the following steps are executed. The steps includes a first step of pressurizing ink in a supply path to overflow the ink from a nozzle, a second step of stopping the pressurization, a third step of executing wiping while the pressurization is stopped and a negative pressure is not applied, and a fourth step of applying a negative pressure to the ink at the nozzle to generate a meniscus. | 12-23-2010 |
20100328371 | SELF-CLEANING INK SUPPLY SYSTEMS - In one embodiment, a method for controlling an ink supply system includes operating a pump of the ink supply system in a forward direction to supply ink from an ink reservoir to an ink tank, and subsequent to operating the pump in the forward direction, reversing the pump and operating the pump in a reverse direction to prevent or reduce formation of clogs within the ink supply system. | 12-30-2010 |
20110001770 | MAIL PROCESSING SYSTEM WITH PRINTER MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS TO PREVENT POTENTIAL CLOGGING OF PRINT HEAD WHEN DIFFERENT INKS ARE UTILIZED - A mail processing system and method that will that reduce clogging of the print head nozzles due to the use of different inks is provided. When an ink tank is being replaced in a mailing system, the system controller determines if the ink in the new ink tank is a known ink type that is deemed to be compatible with the ink from the ink tank being replaced. If the new ink is deemed to be not compatible with the ink from the tank being replaced, a maintenance operation is performed to remove the ink from the ink tank being replaced that may remain in the supply path and print head from the system. By removing the ink remaining from the ink tank being replaced out of the system, there is minimal ink left in the supply path or print head to mix with the new ink. | 01-06-2011 |
20110001771 | Inkjet Printer and Flow Restriction System Therefor - A system for adjusting the flow of fluid along the gutter line of a continuous inkjet printer includes a variable flow restrictor | 01-06-2011 |
20110007105 | INK JET APPARATUS AND LIQUID CIRCULATING METHOD - According to one embodiment an ink jet apparatus includes, an ink jet head, a first tank, a second tank, a third tank, a first flow channel, a second flow channel, and a flow control mechanism. The first tank is disposed upstream of the ink jet head with respect to a flow of ink. The second tank is disposed downstream of the ink jet head with respect to the flow of ink. The third tank is disposed downstream of the ink jet head with respect to the flow of ink. The first flow channel connects the first tank to the ink jet head and connects the ink jet head to the second tank and the third tank. The second flow channel connects the second tank and the third tank with the first tank. The flow control mechanism controls a pressure state of at least one of the second tank and the third tank. | 01-13-2011 |
20110007106 | INK SUPPLY SYSTEM WITHOUT PUMP, FOR INK JET PRINTER WITH INK RECIRCULATION SYSTEM - An ink supply system for an industrial inkjet printer makes use of a least one buffer vessel wherein ink at low pressure is isolated and pressurized to a high pressure suited for feeding the ink to the printhead. A recirculation ink supply system using plural buffer vessels is suited for repressurizing the ink without the use of a pump. The system avoids generation of gas bubbles due to cavitation which are present in systems using a pump for repressurizing ink. | 01-13-2011 |
20110043555 | DROP EJECTION METHOD THROUGH MULTI-LOBED NOZZLE - A method of ejecting a drop of liquid through a nozzle having a plurality of lobes. Liquid or ink is ejected through a plurality of lobes such that the liquid or ink passing through the lobes collapses into a single drop before the liquid or ink reaches a receiving substrate. A central region of the ejected drop is pinched by the lobes of the nozzle. The method is preferably implemented in an inkjet printer by providing a plurality of multi-lobed nozzles formed in a printhead of the printer. | 02-24-2011 |
20110043556 | LANGUAGE AND METHOD FOR MEASURING THE VISCOSITY OF PRINTING INK DURING THE PRINTING AND INK CORRECTION PROCESS - A System and method for measuring the viscosity of printing ink during the printing and ink correction process is presented. A Printing press comprises at least one ink supply system, with which ink can be transferred from an inlet point to the printing substrate, at least one optical measuring device for measuring actual optical values of light, in which the actual optical values are from light of selected wavelength ranges and in which the light has interacted with at least parts of the printing picture, whereby the printing press further comprises an ink mass determination device for determining the weight of at least parts of the ink which is located within an ink supply system a control and evaluation device which can be provided with measured values from the optical measuring device and with measured values from the ink mass determination device and which can be used to determine the optical deviation, that is the deviation of the actual optical values from the optical reference values, which are available as light intensity values of selected wavelength ranges, and which control and evaluation device can be used to determine on the basis of the optical deviation and the values from the weighing devices, how much corrective ink having a determined composition is fed to the printing press in order to approximate the actual optical values to the optical reference values. | 02-24-2011 |
20110050764 | HARD IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD THEREOF - An imaging method includes coating a transfer member with an adhesion promoter in a liquid state, changing the adhesion promoter on the transfer member from the liquid state to at least one of a solid state and a gel state, depositing a liquid marking agent on the solidified adhesion promoter corresponding to an image, changing a state of the adhesion promoter from the solid state to the flowable state, and transferring the liquid marking agent and the adhesion promoter in the flowable state from the transfer member to a substrate to form a hard version of the image thereon. | 03-03-2011 |
20110050765 | LIQUID DISCHARGE APPARATUS - A liquid discharge apparatus is provided, including a cartridge attaching section to which a first liquid cartridge and a second liquid cartridge smaller than the first liquid cartridge are selectively attached, a liquid discharge head having a plurality of nozzles and a plurality of driving sections individually corresponding to the nozzles, a purge mechanism which performs a purge operation, and a purge control unit which allows the purge mechanism to perform the purge operation so that a forcible ink discharge amount in a period of time in a case in which the first liquid cartridge is attached to the cartridge attaching section is smaller than a forcible ink discharge amount in a period of time in a case in which the second liquid cartridge is attached. | 03-03-2011 |
20110074840 | PRINTING MACHINE - A duplex printing machine | 03-31-2011 |
20110074841 | LIQUID SUPPLY APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A liquid supply apparatus includes: a plurality of heat exchange devices which are respectively provided in a plurality of supply paths for supplying liquids to a plurality of liquid ejection heads respectively, are supplied with a liquid medium adjusted to a predetermined temperature from a liquid temperature adjusting device, and conduct heat exchange between the liquids flowing in the plurality of supply paths and the liquid medium supplied from the liquid temperature adjusting device; a plurality of flow rate adjusting devices which are respectively provided correspondingly to the plurality of heat exchange devices and adjust a flow rate of the liquid medium supplied to each of the plurality of heat exchange devices from the liquid temperature adjusting device; and a controller which controls each of the plurality of flow rate adjusting devices to individually change the flow rate of the liquid medium supplied from the liquid temperature adjusting device to the plurality of heat exchange devices. | 03-31-2011 |
20110090267 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from an ejecting nozzle provided in an ejecting head includes a first container that contains a first liquid and a second container that contains a second liquid. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a channel that selectively communicates with either the first or second container to supply the liquid contained therein to the ejecting head, a switching unit that performs a switching operation of switching between a first communicating state in which the channel communicates with the first container and a second communicating state in which the channel communicates with the second container. In addition, if the remaining amount of the second liquid contained in the second container is less than a predetermined value, prohibits the switching unit from performing the switching operation of switching from the second communicating state to the first communicating state. | 04-21-2011 |
20110090268 | TIME LIMITED PRINTING METHOD AND DEVICE - A method of printing a time limited document is disclosed. The method includes the steps of selecting an ink having a fading time, and printing the time limited document using the selected ink. A printer and associated cartridge are also disclosed. | 04-21-2011 |
20110096109 | INKJET PRINTER - An inkjet printer includes an inkjet cartridge, an inkjet head, a controller, a viscosity adjustment device and a viscometer. The inkjet cartridge is filled with ink. The inkjet head is connected to the inkjet cartridge. The catcher plate is opposite to the inkjet head, and connected to the cartridge. The viscometer is configured for determining a viscosity of ink in the inkjet cartridge. The viscosity adjustment device is configured for adjusting viscosity of ink in the inkjet cartridge. The controller is electrically connected to the inkjet head, the viscometer, and the viscosity adjustment device, respectively. | 04-28-2011 |
20110122177 | Ink Jet Recording Apparatus - An ink jet recording apparatus comprising a color ink container having a capacity V | 05-26-2011 |
20110128313 | LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS - A liquid ejection apparatus includes a valve which adjusts the flow rate of a recording liquid in a return passage connecting an outflow opening with a tank, a pump which supplies the recording liquid from the tank to the internal passage via the supply passage, a detecting unit which detects an operating state of the pump, and a calculating unit which calculates the viscosity of the recording liquid. The calculating unit calculates the viscosity of the recording liquid based on the operating state of the pump detected by the detecting unit, while the recording liquid in the tank circulates so as to serially pass through the supply passage, the internal passage, and the return passage. | 06-02-2011 |
20110128314 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - In a liquid ejecting apparatus, when a ON/OFF detector detects that power of the liquid ejecting apparatus is switched to an ON state from an OFF state, a controller controls a liquid transfer unit such that liquid is transferred to a tank of which residual amount of liquid is smaller from a tank of which residual amount of liquid is larger based on the residual amount of liquid in a first tank detected by the first liquid residual amount detector and the residual amount of liquid in a second tank detected by the second liquid residual amount detector. | 06-02-2011 |
20110141167 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a first path through which liquid is supplied to a recording head; a second path connected to a liquid tank; a pressure-adjustment valve connecting the first path with the second path, wherein resistance inside the pressure-adjustment valve changes according to a flow rate of the liquid flowing through the first path; a third path connecting the second path with the pressure-adjustment valve, wherein the third path includes a pump; a fourth path that connects the recording head with the liquid tank and bypasses the pressure-adjustment valve; and an opening/closing valve that opens/closes the fourth path. When an environmental temperature exceeds a threshold, liquid is supplied to the recording head by operating the pump and opening the fourth path. When the environmental temperature is less than the threshold, liquid is supplied to the recording head by operating the pump and closing the fourth path. | 06-16-2011 |
20110148957 | Bidirectional Ink Pump - An ink delivery and recovery system includes a first reservoir for containing ink for delivery to a plurality of ink jets of an imaging device, a second reservoir spaced apart from the first reservoir for containing ink for delivery to the first reservoir, and a third reservoir for capturing ink emitted from the plurality of ink jets. A first conduit is connected to the first reservoir and configured to permit flow of ink in a single direction toward the first reservoir. A second conduit is connected to the third reservoir and configured to permit flow of ink in a single direction away from the third reservoir. A third conduit is connected between the second reservoir and the first conduit and second conduit, the third conduit being configured to permit bidirectional flow of ink from the second reservoir toward the first and second conduits and from the first and second conduits toward the second reservoir. A bidirectional pump is associated with the third conduit. | 06-23-2011 |
20110164077 | LIQUID SUPPLY DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - 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. | 07-07-2011 |
20110164078 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Disclosed is an image forming apparatus that includes a recording head ejecting a liquid droplet; a liquid tank storing ink to be supplied to the recording head; a first flow path communicated with the recording head and the liquid tank; a liquid feeding unit provided in the first flow path; a second flow path provided parallel to the liquid feeding unit of the first flow path; and a fluid resistance control unit provided in the second flow path. The fluid resistance control unit changes fluid resistance in accordance with the flow rate of a flowing liquid and feeds, when the liquid droplet is ejected from the recording head, the liquid from the liquid tank to the recording head with the liquid feeding unit in a state in which the recording head and the liquid tank are communicated with each other via the second flow path. | 07-07-2011 |
20110169883 | Ink Storage Reservoir for a Solid Ink Printhead - A reservoir is provided for a printhead in an ink jet printing machine, the printhead having at least one printhead inlet at a rear face thereof for flow of ink from the reservoir into the printhead. The reservoir comprises a perimeter wall sealably mounted to the rear face of the printhead and defining a chamber in communication with the printhead inlet. The chamber is open at one face and the reservoir includes a resilient flexible membrane attached to the perimeter wall and covering the one face. An inlet is provided in communication with the chamber for passage of ink into the chamber. The resilient flexible membrane has an initial relaxed condition in a first state in which the reservoir is substantially full of ink, and a flexed condition in which the membrane is collapsed into the chamber. | 07-14-2011 |
20110175955 | Printer And Printing System | 07-21-2011 |
20110187770 | Water-Based Ink for Ink Jet Recording - A water-based ink for ink jet recording, containing: a coloring agent; water; and a water-soluble organic solvent. The coloring agent contains a phosphate group-modified self-dispersing pigment. The water-based ink further contains at least one of a reducing sugar and a sugar alcohol and a calcium ion. | 08-04-2011 |
20110187771 | PARTITION MAP - An imaging material supply cartridge uses a partition map to identify access modes and encryption attributes. | 08-04-2011 |
20110193899 | LIQUID EJECTION RECORDING DEVICE AND LIQUID EJECTION RECORDING METHOD - Provided are a liquid jet recording apparatus and a liquid jet recording method, which simplify a structure for adjusting pressure of liquid supplied to nozzles. The liquid jet recording apparatus includes a liquid container ( | 08-11-2011 |
20110193900 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS AND CLEANING METHOD IN LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - The liquid ejecting apparatus includes nozzles which eject ink, an ink flow path which supplies ink from the upstream side toward the downstream side, a maintenance pump capable of suctioning and discharging ink from the ink flow path, a one-way valve which is opened in accordance with decompression on the downstream side, thereby allowing passage of ink from the upstream side to the downstream side, and a control unit which controls the driving of the maintenance pump, thereby performing a cleaning process, wherein the control unit makes the maintenance pump suction ink from a pressure-changing position in the ink flow path by performing the suction driving of the maintenance pump after making the maintenance pump discharge ink from the pressure-changing position in the ink flow path into the ink flow path by performing the discharge driving of the maintenance pump. | 08-11-2011 |
20110205263 | CONTROLLABLE MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS FOR EFFICIENT INK USE - A method of controlling in a printer the maintenance of an inkjet printhead supplied with fluid from a plurality of fluid sources, the method includes the steps of (a) monitoring the usage of the plurality of fluid sources; (b) identifying a preferred fluid source for use in a maintenance operation based on the monitored usage of the plurality of fluid sources; and (c) performing the maintenance operation using a first quantity of fluid from the preferred fluid source. | 08-25-2011 |
20110205264 | LIQUID EJECTION HEAD, CARRIAGE UNIT,PRESSURE CONTROL METHOD, AND LIQUID EJECTION RECORDING DEVICE - Provided are a liquid jet head, a carriage unit, a pressure control method, and a liquid jet recording apparatus, which are capable of increasing or decreasing pressure of liquid to an optimum value by precisely measuring the pressure of the liquid when the liquid is jetted from a nozzle. The liquid jet head includes a jetting portion ( | 08-25-2011 |
20110205265 | ABNORMALITY JUDGMENT APPARATUS AND ABNORMALITY JUDGMENT METHOD OF LIQUID SUPPLY SYSTEM - An abnormality judgment apparatus of a liquid supply system which supplies liquid from a liquid tank to a liquid ejection head via a liquid flow channel, includes: a pressure change application device which applies a pressure change to the liquid flow channel; first and second pressure measurement devices which measure a pressure in the liquid flow channel; and an abnormality judgment device which performs abnormality judgment and identification of an abnormal location in the liquid supply system, according to measurement values measured by the first and second pressure measurement devices before and after the pressure change is applied by the pressure change application device. | 08-25-2011 |
20110205266 | PRINTING SYSTEM - A printing system formed of a computer device and a large size ink jet printer transmitting and receiving a data with the computer device is disclosed, which comprises said large size ink jet printer including a printer head injecting an ink on a printing object which is to be printed; an ink pump supplying an ink to the printer head; a head controller controlling the operation of the printer head; a carriage with the printer head; a carriage driving part moving the carriage in at least one direction; a data path board receiving and analyzing the data from the computer device and transferring a control signal to the head controller for controlling the printer head; an ink supply control board controlling the operation of the ink pump; and an I/O (Input and Output) controller board receiving the data from the computer device, the data path board and the ink supply control board and analyzing and transmitting the data, and the computer device including a RIP (Raster Image Process) program converting an image/text signal into an image/text raster (bit map) image data for printing; and a carriage driving part control program controlling the operation of the carriage driving part of the large size ink jet printer. | 08-25-2011 |
20110210994 | ESTABLISHING INK USAGE OF PROCESS CHANNELS - Systems and methods for establishing ink usage of process channels are provided. Separation curves are generated that determine how multiple ink channels are used to render a corresponding process channel of an image. The separation curves are generated using process values and density measurements or estimations. A PVR curve is established to identify target densities. When a combination of ink channels are used, the model is accessed based on one of the ink channels to determine a contribution of the other ink channel to achieve the target density. Each ink channel has a corresponding curve and all of the curves collectively provide a smooth and predictable progression from zero coverage to full coverage for the ink channels. | 09-01-2011 |
20110216111 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - Disclosed is an image forming apparatus that includes a recording head, a liquid tank, a first flow path, a second flow path, a pressure regulation unit, a third flow path, and a liquid supply unit. The pressure regulation unit varies fluid resistance in accordance with a remaining amount of liquid inside the liquid tank, decreases the fluid resistance if the remaining amount of the liquid is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, increases the fluid resistance if the remaining amount of the liquid is less than the predetermined amount, and supplies the liquid with the liquid supply unit to eject liquid droplets from the recording head, thereby generating a circulation flow that flows through the third flow path and the flow path of the pressure regulation unit. | 09-08-2011 |
20110221801 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A method for controlling an image forming apparatus including a head having a nozzle for discharging a liquid droplet; a sub-tank for temporarily storing the liquid supplied to the head; a main tank for storing the liquid; a pump capable of forwardly sending the liquid from the main tank to the sub-tank and reversely sending the liquid from the sub-tank to the main tank; and a sensor for sensing a pressure in the sub-tank is provided. In the method, before sending the liquid forwardly or reversely to achieve a target negative pressure in the sub-tank, a pressure sensing function of the sensor is checked by sending the liquid with the pressure in the sub-tank being at a negative pressure range in which a meniscus of the liquid is maintained. When the pressure sensing function is determined abnormal, a control is performed not to send the liquid by the pump. | 09-15-2011 |
20110227971 | LIQUID SUPPLY APPARATUS AND METHOD, AND IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS - A liquid supply apparatus includes: a liquid supply flow channel which is connected to a liquid ejection head; a valve which is arranged in the liquid supply flow channel and opens and closes in accordance with voltage applied to an actuator of the valve; and a voltage control device which controls the voltage applied to the actuator of the valve, and gradually changes the voltage applied to the actuator of the valve from an initial voltage that is lower than a threshold voltage required for the valve to operate to a final voltage that is higher than the threshold voltage. | 09-22-2011 |
20110234656 | ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT AND MANAGEMENT METHOD - An electronic instrument is adapted to communicate with another electronic instrument. The electronic instrument includes an acquisition section, a storage section, an inquiry section and a processing section. The acquisition section is configured to acquire identification information from a managed article used by the electronic instrument, the identification information being read-only information uniquely assigned to the managed article. The storage section is configured to store the identification information acquired by the acquisition section. The inquiry section is configured to inquire another electronic instrument as to whether the identification information acquired by the acquisition section is already stored in another electronic instrument. The processing section is configured to perform processing in response to a result of inquiry by the inquiry section. | 09-29-2011 |
20110242155 | INKJET PRINTER EMPLOYING INK CIRCULATION SYSTEM - An inkjet printer employing an ink circulation system includes an ink temperature adjusting unit configured to adjust temperatures of circulating ink. The ink temperature adjusting unit includes: a first temperature-adjusting path for cooling ink connected to a first ink circulation path and a second ink circulation path; and a second temperature-adjusting path for heating ink connected to the second ink circulation path separately from the first temperature-adjusting path, connected to the first ink circulation path while joining the first temperature-adjusting path, and having a larger flow path resistance than that of the first temperature-adjusting path at least on a side near the first ink circulation path. | 10-06-2011 |
20110242156 | INKJET PRINTER - Streams of ink being returned by a circulation pump from a lower tank through an upstream flow path block to an upper tank have viscosities higher than viscosities of streams of ink being supplied from the upper tank through a downstream flow path block to an inkjet head, there being a difference in flow rate of ink developed with attendant differences in viscosity between the upstream flow path block and the downstream flow path block, while being reduced by differences between heating efficiencies in the upstream flow path block and heating efficiencies in the downstream flow path block. | 10-06-2011 |
20110267388 | LIQUID CARTRIDGE FOR IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A liquid cartridge is detachably mountable on a body of an image forming device and capable of supplying liquid to the image forming device when mounted on the body. A liquid delivery path has a first portion and a second portion positioned between a liquid accommodating unit and the first portion. The first opening/closing unit is configured so as to be capable of being switched between an open state in which the first portion is opened and a closed state in which the first portion is closed. The second opening/closing unit is configured so as to be capable of being switched between an open state in which the second portion is opened and a closed state in which the second portion is closed. The interlocking mechanism is configured so as to be capable of being operated in association with an operation of an actuator provided on the body to switch the second opening/closing unit between the open state and the closed state. The storing unit is configured to store time length data indicating a length of a prescribed time. | 11-03-2011 |
20110279495 | INK JET RECORDING APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, an ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink jet head, a first tank arranged above the ink jet head and configured to store ink to be supplied to the ink jet head, a first tank valve that opens and closes in order to switch the inside of the first tank to be opened to or shut off from the atmosphere, a second tank arranged below the ink jet head and configured to store the ink collected from the ink jet head, a second tank valve that opens and closes in order to switch the inside of the second tank to be opened to or shut off from the atmosphere, a pipe configured to connect the ink jet head, the first tank, and the second tank and form a part of a circulation shape, a pump provided in the pipe between the first tank and the second tank, a passive pressure adjusting device connected to the second tank, arranged below the first tank, and configured to generate negative pressure using the gravity, and a third tank valve provided between the second tank and the passive pressure adjusting device. | 11-17-2011 |
20110279496 | METHOD OF PRIMING PRINTHEAD - A method of priming a media width printhead, the method having controlling operation of the printhead, with a controller of a printing system having the printhead, to draw fluid in a first direction around a closed fluid flow loop from a fluid container to the printhead and controlling operation of a pump on the closed loop, with the controller, to draw fluid from the container in an opposite, second direction around the closed loop. | 11-17-2011 |
20110279497 | METHOD OF PRIMING AND DE-PRIMING PRINTHEAD - A method of priming and de-priming a media width printhead the method having controlling operation, with a controller of a printing system having the printhead, of a pump on a closed fluid flow loop interconnecting a fluid container to the printhead to draw fluid from the container in a first direction around the closed loop to prime the printhead with fluid from the container and controlling operation of a valve on the closed loop, with the controller, to allow gas to enter the closed loop via a gas inlet to cause fluid in the closed loop and the printhead to de-prime to the container in a second direction around the closed loop. | 11-17-2011 |
20110279498 | SYSTEM FOR SENSING CAPACITY STATE OF LIQUID CONTAINER - A system for sensing a predetermined pressure change at a port of a liquid container for supplying liquid to a printer, the system having a liquid delivery apparatus connected to a liquid container via a fluid line and a sensing arrangement connected to the fluid line, wherein the liquid container has an internal fluid pressure changing member configured so that contact with liquid being delivered by the liquid delivery apparatus causes the predetermined pressure change in the fluid line, and the sensing arrangement is configured to sense the predetermined pressure change in the fluid line. | 11-17-2011 |
20110285767 | PRINTING APPARATUS - A printing apparatus includes a first circulation pump which is provided in a channel between a print head and a first storage tank and which supplies ink from a second storage tank to the print head. The printing apparatus further includes a second circulation pump which is provided in a channel between the first storage tank and the second storage tank which supplies ink from the first storage tank to the second storage tank. The printing apparatus further includes a control unit which controls the driving of the first circulation pump and second circulation pump, and a detecting unit which detects the amount of ink stored in the second storage tank. The control unit controls the driving of the second circulation pump on the basis of a detection result by the detecting unit. | 11-24-2011 |
20110285768 | PRINTING SYSTEM FOR PRINTING BOTTLES OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS AND PRINTING DEVICE OR MACHINE HAVING SUCH A PRINTING SYSTEM - The invention relates to a printing system for printing bottles or similar containers, having at least one electrical print head operating according to the inkjet principle and displaceable along a transport route for the containers for printing the containers disposed at a printing position, and having a supply system for supplying the at least one print head with printing paint or ink. | 11-24-2011 |
20110292103 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF INKJET HAVING HUMIDITY ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM - According to one embodiment, an inkjet image forming apparatus includes an inkjet head configured to discharge water-based ink and form an image on a surface of a recording medium, a medium conveyance part configured to convey the recording medium, a solution imparting part that is disposed upstream of the inkjet head in a recording medium conveyance direction and uses another inkjet head to impart a solution to the surface of the recording medium on which the image is formed, and a controller configured to calculate an imparting amount of the solution to be imparted to the recording medium and control an imparting operation to the recording medium. | 12-01-2011 |
20110310139 | RECORDING APPARATUS - A recording apparatus of the present invention includes: a recording head having ejection openings which eject liquid, a liquid supply unit which supplies the liquid to the recording head, and a supply control unit which controls the liquid supply unit. The recording head includes: a liquid supply portion and first and second discharge portions; a first passage connecting the supply portion and the first discharge portion; a second passage which branches off from the first passage and communicates with the second discharge portion; a supply passage which branches off from the second passage and which supplies the liquid to the ejection openings; and a first filter disposed nearby a position at which the second passage branches off from the first passage, which filtrates the liquid flowing from the first passage to the second passage. The supply control unit controls the liquid supply unit so as to start a second liquid flow forming operation after a first liquid flow forming operation is started, the first liquid flow forming operation being a process which supplies the liquid from the supply portion to the first passage and discharge from the discharge portion; and the second liquid flow forming operation being a process which supplies the liquid from the supply portion to the first passage and discharge the liquid from the second discharge portion via the second passage. | 12-22-2011 |
20110310140 | INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS AND TREATMENT LIQUID SUPPLY METHOD - This invention provides an inkjet recording apparatus which is provided with a supply unit which supplies a treatment liquid to a recording medium fed from a container and a recording unit which supplies ink to the recording medium with the treatment liquid supplied thereto and forms an image. In the inkjet recording apparatus, the treatment liquid with a first amount per unit area is supplied from the supply unit to a first region of the recording medium, and the treatment liquid with a second amount different from the first amount per unit area is supplied from the supply unit to a second region of the recording medium. The ink with the same amount per unit area is supplied from the recording unit to the first and second regions with the treatment liquid supplied thereto. States of the recording medium and the ink in the first and second regions with the ink supplied thereto are detected, and the supply of the treatment liquid to be supplied to the recording medium is regulated based on the detected states of the recording medium and the ink. | 12-22-2011 |
20110310141 | PRINTING APPARATUS AND INK SUPPLY METHOD THEREOF - A printing apparatus, including a print head having a discharge port, a stirring portion configured to stir ink in an ink tank, a valve disposed on a supply path, a cap for capping the discharge port, and a pressure reducing unit configured to reduce pressure in the cap, executes, in parallel, a stirring operation for stirring ink in the ink tank by the stirring portion and a pressure reducing operation for reducing pressure on the print head side from the valve in the supply path by the pressure reducing unit with the valve closed. | 12-22-2011 |
20110316904 | LIQUID DROPLET CIRCULATION CONTROL APPARATUS, LIQUID DROPLET EJECTION APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM - There is provided a liquid droplet circulation control apparatus including: a first circulation controller that sets a first circulation mode in which liquid is circulated with pressure control by driving a supply side pressure generator and a return side pressure generator, the supply side pressure generator supplying the liquid to the liquid droplet ejector and the return side pressure generator returning the liquid from the liquid droplet ejector; a second circulation controller that sets a second circulation mode in which the liquid is circulated by driving the supply side pressure generator and/or the return side pressure generator, such that the liquid is made to bypass at least the liquid droplet ejector; a selector that selects one or other circulation modes; and a setting unit that sets a circulation path of the liquid based on the selected circulation mode. | 12-29-2011 |
20110316905 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS AND LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD - A liquid ejecting apparatus which is able to be mounted with a cartridge which is provided with a memory device which stores liquid usage information relating to a consumption amount or a remaining amount of liquid accommodated in the cartridge and a unique ID which uniquely distinguishes the cartridge. A control section executes a fault countermeasure process in relation to the memory device of the cartridge in a case where the relationship between a first liquid consumption amount obtained from the liquid usage information stored in the memory device of the cartridge mounted in the liquid ejecting apparatus and a second liquid consumption amount obtained from the liquid usage information stored in the non-volatile memory with regard to the cartridge is outside of a permitted range set in advance. | 12-29-2011 |
20110316906 | INKJET PRINTING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR RESTORE UNIT - An inkjet printing apparatus is provided that is capable of suppressing an increase in discarded ink by a restore operation of a restore unit. The apparatus is an inkjet printing apparatus that prints an image using a print head having a plurality of ejecting ports for ejecting ink and includes a restore unit that restores the ink ejection function of the print head, and a control unit that controls the restore unit so as to perform a restore operation depending on a parameter involving a growth rate of air bubbles existing inside the print head that is filled with ink. | 12-29-2011 |
20120001966 | Determining Whether A Flow Path Is Ready For Ejecting A Drop - A method of determining whether a flow path is ready for ejection includes supplying liquid to the flow path, which includes a pumping chamber and a nozzle, after supplying fluid to the flow path, applying energy to an actuator adjacent to the pumping chamber, measuring an electrical characteristic of the actuator to obtain a measured value, and comparing the measured value to a threshold value to determine if the flow path is ready for ejection. | 01-05-2012 |
20120001967 | Method and Apparatus for Printing Using A Facetted Drum - The disclosure generally relates to a method and apparatus for printing from a rotating source. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosure relates to a facetted drum for simultaneously printing multiple pixels. The facetted drum includes a support structure and a plurality of printheads affixed to the support structure, each printhead having at least one microporous structure for receiving a first quantity of liquid ink having dissolved or suspended film material in a carrier fluid and dispensing a second quantity of ink material substantially free of the carrier fluid. The plurality of printheads are positioned proximal to a substrate to simultaneously print a plurality of spatially-discrete and image-resolved pixels on the substrate. | 01-05-2012 |
20120013658 | FLUID CARTRIDGE FOR A PRINTING DEVICE - A fluid cartridge for a printing device includes a housing including a floor, a chamber defined in the housing and configured to store an ink therein, a capillary medium disposed in the housing and in operative communication with the chamber, and a wick disposed at least partially in an opening of the floor, the wick including a portion extending a predetermined distance into the housing such that the wick portion contacts the capillary medium. The fluid cartridge further includes an enriched pigment-confining member established inside the housing such that the confining member physically contacts the floor and surrounds at least a portion of a periphery of the wick. The confining member is configured to i) block enriched ink from the wick, and/or ii) dilute the enriched ink prior to flowing through the wick. | 01-19-2012 |
20120013659 | INK JET PRINTER HAVING INK MAINTENANCE SYSTEM - An ink jet printer performs a print process by ejecting ink for each of a plurality of ink colors. When a predetermined first circulation time elapses after starting the ink circulation, an ink agitating operation drive signal generation unit applies an ink agitating operation drive signal to an ink ejecting unit set operable to eject an ink, which has a predetermined nature, for a first ink agitating operation time in a first period, and applies the ink agitating operation drive signal to an ink ejecting unit set operable to eject an ink, which has not the predetermined nature, for a second ink agitating operation time in a second period which is shorter than the first period. It is therefore possible to perform maintenance effectively in advance of starting the print process in accordance with the nature of ink. | 01-19-2012 |
20120019574 | DISCHARGE AMOUNT CALCULATING DEVICE AND FLUID EJECTING APPARATUS - A discharge amount calculating device for calculating the discharge amount of a fluid from a fluid ejecting apparatus is disclosed, in which the fluid ejecting apparatus is capable of ejecting at least one fluid onto a target at a discharge amount of multiple stages. The discharge amount calculating device includes a plurality of calculating sections that calculate the discharge amount of the fluid at the respective multiple stages based on a bit number of input data, a desired number of calculating sections not exceeding 2 | 01-26-2012 |
20120019575 | INK SUPPLY RESERVOIR - A reservoir of an ink supply system is described. | 01-26-2012 |
20120026218 | Ink Loader with Access Synchronization - An ink loader for a phase change ink imaging device includes an automated access control system that enables ink stick insertion based on user initiated ink load requests with reference to the operating state of the imaging device. | 02-02-2012 |
20120026219 | LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS AND LIQUID EJECTION METHOD - A liquid ejection apparatus including: a liquid ejection head including: an inside channel; and ejection openings; a tank; an air communication device; a supply channel; a return channel; a supply device; an adjusting device; and a controller, wherein the controller performs a liquid circulation control for circulating the liquid through the supply channel, the inside channel, and the return channel in order by controlling: the adjusting device such that a channel resistance value of the return channel is less than a predetermined maximum value; and the supply device to supply the liquid into the inside channel, wherein, when the liquid is circulated by the liquid circulation control, the controller starts a liquid discharge control for discharging the liquid by making the channel resistance value larger than that in the liquid circulation control, and wherein the controller controls the air communication device such that an inside of the tank is interrupted from the ambient air in at least a part of a period of the liquid circulation control. | 02-02-2012 |
20120026220 | LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS - A liquid ejection apparatus including: a liquid ejection head including: an inlet opening; an outlet opening; an inside channel; and ejection openings; a tank; a supply channel; a return channel; a supply device; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the supply device to perform a circulating operation in which the liquid in the tank is transferred to the supply channel, the inside channel, and the return channel in order and returns to the tank, and wherein the controller is configured to control the supply device such that a unit-time supply amount that is an amount of the liquid to be supplied to the inside channel per unit time in a first period in the circulating operation is less than that in a second period that is after the first period. | 02-02-2012 |
20120026221 | LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS - A liquid ejection apparatus including: a liquid ejection head including an inside channel; a supply channel; a return channel; a supply device; an adjusting device; and a controller, wherein the controller starts a liquid circulation control for circulating liquid through the supply channel, the inside channel, and the return channel in order by controlling: the adjusting device such that a channel resistance value of the return channel is less than a predetermined maximum value; and the supply device to supply the liquid into the inside channel, wherein, when the liquid is circulated, the controller starts a liquid discharge control for discharging the liquid by increasing the channel resistance value, wherein, when the liquid is discharged, the controller starts a liquid-discharge stopping control for stopping the discharge by decreasing the channel resistance value, and wherein the controller controls the supply device such that a liquid amount supplied to the inside channel per unit time when the discharge is stopped is less than that in the liquid circulation control. | 02-02-2012 |
20120033003 | FLOW RATE CONTROL DEVICE, LIQUID-DROPLET EJECTING DEVICE, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM - A flow rate control device includes a pressure generating unit that delivers a liquid to a liquid reservoir unit including an ejecting port; a flow rate control unit that controls a flow rate of the pressure generating unit by performing a first flow rate control and a second flow rate control, the first flow rate control being to raise a pressure inside the liquid reservoir unit up to a target pressure at a first pressure change rate which is sufficiently high to float air bubbles adhering to a wall surface inside the liquid reservoir unit, the second flow rate control being to maintain the target pressure or to lower the pressure inside the liquid reservoir unit from the target pressure at a second pressure change rate lower than the first pressure change rate in order to eject air bubbles floating inside the liquid reservoir unit from the ejecting port | 02-09-2012 |
20120033004 | LIQUID DROPLET DISCHARGE DEVICE - The liquid droplet discharge device according to this invention has a storage portion which stores liquid, a first supply pipe which is connected to the storage portion and to which the liquid is supplied from the storage portion, a container which is connected to the first supply pipe and to which the liquid is supplied from the first supply pipe, a head which discharges the liquid supplied from the container, and a stirring member which stirs the liquid in the container, in which the capacity of the container is equal to or larger than the capacity of the first supply pipe. | 02-09-2012 |
20120044284 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING RECORDING HEAD FOR EJECTING LIQUID DROPLETS - An image forming apparatus includes a recording head, a liquid tank, a first passage, a second passage, a pressure unit, and a control valve. The first passage is connected to the head to supply liquid to the head. The second passage is connected to the tank. The pressure unit is disposed at the second passage to apply pressure to liquid in the second passage. The control valve includes an internal channel to connect the first and second passages, an expandable liquid retaining chamber connected to the internal channel to retain the liquid, and a valve member disposed in the internal channel to open and close the first and second passages and movable by a flow of liquid from the chamber to the first passage created by ejection of liquid from the head to communicate the second passage with the first passage. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044285 | PRINTING SYSTEM AND PROGRAM - If an ink amount supplied from an ink tank to an ejection head reaches a predetermined limit value, ink ejection is not permitted. If initialization data are input and the input initialization data are appropriate, a count value of the ink amount is initialized, and the ink ejection is started again. In addition, the initialization data which is input once and determined to be appropriate is determined to be inappropriate thereafter. By doing so, although ink of which the property and state are inappropriate is used for the refilling, since appropriate initialization data may not be input, it is possible to avoid the inappropriate ink from being used for the refilling. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044286 | Keying Consumables to Specific Devices - An apparatus is provided that uses a consumable item, of given type, requiring occasional renewal. The apparatus has a first operating mode in which it only works with a subset of consumable items of the given type; the apparatus also has a second operating mode in which it is not restricted to working with consumable items of the aforesaid subset. The apparatus is changed from its first mode to its second mode following a determination that the apparatus has reached a predetermined time or usage threshold for being in its first mode. The change to the second mode is preferably effected in response to a release code generated either by the apparatus itself or by a remote system following the determination that the predetermined time or usage threshold being reached. Advantageously, the consumable items can be used to pass usage data to a remote system. | 02-23-2012 |
20120069067 | PRINTING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING PRINTING APPARATUS - According to the present invention, each printing head includes chips wherein a plurality of nozzles are prepared. The density of dots formed by ejecting ink from the nozzles is detected for each chip, and when a density difference between the chips is smaller than a predetermined value, print data are corrected, and the number of dots is adjusted so as to reduce the density difference. When the density difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, first, a drive pulse for the nozzles is modulated and the volume of ink to be ejected for one dot is adjusted so as to reduce the density difference. Thereafter, the print data is corrected, and the number of dots to be formed is controlled so as to reduce the density difference. | 03-22-2012 |
20120069068 | LIQUID CARTRIDGE, LIQUID EJECTING DEVICE COMPRISING LIQUID CARTRIDGE AND MAIN BODY, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING LIQUID CARTRIDGE, AND METHOD OF REFURBISHING LIQUID CARTRIDGE - A liquid cartridge includes a liquid storing portion that stores liquid therein, a liquid path that is in fluid communication with the liquid storing portion, a sensor, and a memory. The sensor outputs a particular data corresponding to a particular value indicating that the liquid storing portion is in fluid communication with an exterior of the liquid cartridge, and a further data corresponding to a further value indicating that the liquid storing portion is not in fluid communication with the exterior of the liquid cartridge. The memory includes a first data corresponding to a first value and a second data corresponding to a second value. The first value and the second value are defined such that when the particular data and the further data are outputted, one half of a sum of the first value and the second value is between the particular value and the further value. | 03-22-2012 |
20120081421 | PRINTING APPARATUS AND PIGMENT INK STIRRING METHOD - This invention is directed to a system for stirring pigment ink whose pigment particles in a container subside without moving the container containing pigment ink, and detecting that pigment particles have been stirred satisfactorily. To achieve this, a pair of electrodes greatly different in surface area and at least one of which has an inconstant width are arranged outside a container containing pigment ink whose pigment particles subside. An AC power supply is connected to the electrodes and applies an AC voltage to them. Then, an electric field generated between the electrodes causes induced polarization in pigment particles which subside in the container. The pigment particles are attracted to a portion having high electric field intensity. Convection occurs in the container, stirring the subsiding pigment particles. Based on a voltage detected by an interelectrode voltage detector, it is detected that pigment particles are dispersed sufficiently. | 04-05-2012 |
20120081422 | INK CARTRIDGE AND RECORDING APPARATUS - An ink cartridge includes: a casing; a pyroelectric portion; a heat conductor; and an electrical interface. The casing is configured to store ink therein. The casing has a bottom wall. The pyroelectric portion is configured to output an electrical signal. The heat conductor is configured to conduct heat to the ink and the pyroelectric portion. The heat conductor has at least a portion in contact with or disposed adjacent to the bottom wall. The electrical interface is configured to output an electrical signal outputted from the pyroelectric portion. | 04-05-2012 |
20120086745 | INK-JET RECORDING APPARATUS - An ink-jet recording apparatus has a print head | 04-12-2012 |
20120105520 | INKJET IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An inkjet image forming apparatus includes print heads, a first tank, an ink circulation line, and a controller. The ink circulation line includes an ink supply line for supplying ink from the first tank to the print heads, and an ink return line for returning ink collected from the print heads to a second tank. The controller controls line elements of the ink circulation line, to adjust a magnitude relation between a first product and a second product, in accordance with the type of ink. The first product is a product of factors including a flow passage length along, a viscosity of ink in, and a fluid resistance coefficient of the ink supply line. The second product is a product of factors including a flow passage length along, a viscosity of ink in, and a fluid resistance coefficient of the ink return line. | 05-03-2012 |
20120127223 | INK JET PRINTING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING PRINTED GOODS USING INK JET PRINTING APPARATUS - An ink jet printing apparatus includes a printing unit having a printing head that discharges an ink onto a surface of a material to be subjected to printing being transported by a transport device to thereby print a predetermined pattern, and an ink fixing unit that solidifies and fixes the ink applied to the material, the fixing unit being located downstream of the printing unit in a transport direction of the material, and an ink removal unit that removes, in the case where the material has a nap on a surface thereof and a pigment ink is employed for printing, an unsolidified ink stuck to the nap. The ink removal unit is located between the printing unit and the ink fixing unit, and includes an ink removing element that contacts the nap on the surface so as to remove the ink stuck to the nap. | 05-24-2012 |
20120139979 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus includes a head tank, a main tank, a pump, and a first control unit, so that when pressure in the head tank is not restored to a predetermined pressure while liquid is supplied from the main tank to the head tank, it is determined that the state of the main tank is an empty state, causing a pump to reversely supply a predetermined amount of liquid from the head tank to the main tank, and stopping printing; and further includes a second control unit, so that when emergency printing is instructed, opening the head tank to air, supplying liquid to the head tank, closing the head tank from air, and supplying liquid from the head tank to the main tank to generate a negative pressure in the head tank are performed. | 06-07-2012 |
20120147072 | METHOD OF PRINTING MARKS ON AN OPTICAL ARTICLE - A method of printing comprising, placing a plurality of optically detectable marks on an optical article using a ink-jet printing method, wherein a mark of the plurality of marks has a thickness of less than or equal to about 1 micrometer, and wherein the plurality of optically detectable marks have uniform thickness. | 06-14-2012 |
20120176429 | DIRECT ACTING VACUUM CONTROL INK SYSTEM - A piezoelectric DOD printing system including a piezoelectric-based print engine, a micro pump, an ink line, a vacuum sensor, and control circuitry. The micro pump delivers ink from a cartridge reservoir to the print engine. The ink line fluidly connects an outlet of the micro pump with an inlet of the print engine. The vacuum sensor is fluidly connected to the ink line. The control circuitry is electrically coupled to the vacuum sensor and programmed to control operation of the print engine and the micro pump. The control circuitry activates and deactivates the micro pump based upon information from the vacuum sensor. | 07-12-2012 |
20120188298 | LIQUID DISCHARGE HEAD, LIQUID DISCHARGE DEVICE USING THE SAME, AND RECORDING APPARATUS - Providing is a liquid discharge head less susceptible to a standing wave occurred in a shared flow path; a liquid discharge device using the liquid discharge head; and a recording apparatus. The liquid discharge head includes a plurality of liquid discharge pores; a plurality of liquid pressing chambers | 07-26-2012 |
20120200619 | Fluid Circulation - Among other things, an apparatus for use in fluid jetting is described. The apparatus comprises a printhead including a flow path and a nozzle in communication with the flow path that has a first end and a second end. The apparatus also includes a first container fluidically coupled to the first end of the flow path, a second container fluidically coupled to the second end of the flow path, and a controller. The first container has a first controllable internal pressure and the second container has a second controllable internal pressure. The controller controls the first internal pressure and the second internal pressure to have a fluid flow between the first container and the second container through the flow path in the printhead according to a first mode and a second mode. In either mode, at least a portion of the fluid flowing along the flow path is delivered to the nozzle when the nozzle is jetting. The first mode has the first internal pressure higher than the second internal pressure and the second mode has the second internal pressure higher than the first internal pressure. The fluid flows from the first container to the second container according to the first mode and flows from the second container to the first container according to the second mode. | 08-09-2012 |
20120200620 | PRESSURE PULSES TO REDUCE BUBBLES AND VOIDS IN PHASE CHANGE INK - A phase change ink printer may be operated so that multiple pressure pulses are applied to the ink in an ink flow path of the printer during a time that the ink is changing phase. During the phase change, a portion of the ink in the ink flow path is in liquid phase and another portion of the ink is in solid phase. The pressure pulses are applied at least to the liquid phase ink in the ink flow path. The phase change may involve a transition from solid to liquid phase, such as during a start-up operation, or may involve a transition from a liquid phase to a solid phase, such as during a power down operation. Application of pressure during either of these operations serves to reduce bubbles and voids in the phase change ink. | 08-09-2012 |
20120200621 | COORDINATION OF PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE DURING INK PHASE CHANGE - A print head assembly for an ink jet printer includes an ink flow path configured to allow passage of a phase-change ink. A pressure unit is fluidically coupled to the ink flow path to apply a pressure to the ink. The applied pressure is controlled by a control unit during a time that the ink in the ink flow path is undergoing a phase change. During the phase change, a portion of the ink in a first region of the ink flow path is in liquid phase and another portion of the ink in another region of the ink flow path is in solid phase. A constant or variable pressure can be applied at least to the liquid phase portion of the ink during a phase transition from a liquid phase to a solid phase or from a solid phase to a liquid phase. | 08-09-2012 |
20120200622 | INKJET RECORDING DEVICE - Leakage of an ink remaining in a gutter or the like is prevented. An inkjet recording device includes an ink tank for retaining an ink, a nozzle for discharging the ink as ink particles to print on a printing object, an ink supply unit for feeding the ink from the ink tank to the nozzle, a gutter for recovering the ink particles which are not used in printing in the ink tank among the ink particles discharged from the nozzle, an ink recovery line for returning the ink particles recovered in this gutter to the ink tank, and an ink recovery unit disposed on this ink recovery line for recovering the ink in the ink tank. The inkjet recording device has a gas-liquid separation unit for separating a gas returned along with the ink particles through the ink recovery line, a gas supply line for feeding the gas to the gutter, and an atmosphere relief line for releasing the gas from the gas-liquid separation unit to the outside. | 08-09-2012 |
20120200623 | BUBBLE PURGING SYSTEM FOR A FLUID EJECTION HEAD - A method and system for purging bubbles from a fluid ejection head comprising a plurality of fluid flow channels including a first plurality of fluid flow channels flowing a first ink to a first actuator device and a second plurality of fluid flow channels for flowing a second ink to a second actuator device. During a bubble purging operation the first and second actuator devices are pulsed with different energies that depend on the viscosity of the first ink and the second ink. Heating the inks with different energies, results in the viscosity of the first ink to be same as the viscosity of the second ink. In one embodiment, a test pattern that includes a plurality of dots is printed to determine a clogged fluid ejection nozzle. Based on the determination, an actuator device corresponding to the clogged fluid ejection nozzle is pulsed. | 08-09-2012 |
20120206515 | Ink Flow Regulation Mechanism - A method is disclosed. The method includes setting a desired flow rate for ink in an ink jet printer, measuring an actual flow rate of the ink, determining if the measured flow rate is equal to the desired flow rate and adjusting the flow rate if the measured flow rate is not equal to the desired flow rate. | 08-16-2012 |
20120212525 | FLUID EJECTION SYSTEM AND METHODS THEREOF - A fluid ejection system includes a fluid receiving unit configured to receive fluid. The fluid receiving unit includes a predetermined fluid storage capacity to store the received fluid. The fluid ejection system also includes a fluid ejector unit having a plurality of nozzles to selectively eject fluid toward the fluid receiving unit at a respective frequency and a remaining fluid determination module configured to determine a remaining amount of the received fluid stored in the fluid receiving unit. The remaining amount of the received fluid is based on a respective variable fluid evaporation ratio corresponding to the respective frequency of the ejected fluid and an ejected amount of the fluid ejected toward the fluid receiving unit from the fluid ejector unit. | 08-23-2012 |
20120223981 | LIQUID DISCHARGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - When filling a printing head with ink, ink in a sub-tank is circulated through a forward path port, a forward path, the printing head, a return path, a return path port, and the sub-tank by pumping ink from the forward path port side to the printing head side by a circulation pump in a state where a plurality of nozzles is sealed by bringing a contact member of a capping device into contact with a nozzle formation surface. Thereafter, sealing of the plurality of nozzles by the capping device is released while pressurizing the sub-tank by a pressure adjusting device. | 09-06-2012 |
20120249627 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - An image forming apparatus including an image forming device forming an image on a surface of a recording material; a recording material passage; a treatment liquid applicator including a tray containing a treatment liquid, a first roller applying the treatment liquid to the surface of the recording material, and a second roller drawing the treatment liquid from the tray to supply the treatment liquid to the first roller; a liquid level inclination detector detecting whether the surface of the treatment liquid is inclined; a treatment liquid supplying device supplying the treatment liquid to the tray; and a controller connected with liquid level detector and the treatment liquid supplying device. The controller stops the operation of the treatment liquid supplying device when determining according to the detection result of the liquid level detector that the surface of the treatment liquid is inclined in a predetermined amount or more. | 10-04-2012 |
20120249628 | FLUID EJECTION DEVICE AND MOISTURIZING FLUID SUPPLY CONTROL METHOD - A fluid ejection device including: a fluid ejection head having a nozzle surface in which fluid ejection nozzles are arrayed; a head cap that covers the nozzle surface; a fluid storage unit in which an ejection fluid that is ejected from the nozzles of the fluid ejection head is stored; a moisturizing fluid supply unit that supplies to the head cap a moisturizing fluid that keeps the head cap moist; a moisturizing fluid storage unit that stores the moisturizing fluid supplied to the head cap from the moisturizing fluid supply unit; and a moisturizing fluid supply control unit that controls the amount of moisturizing fluid supplied to the head cap after the ejection fluid stored in the fluid storage unit reaches a predetermined level. | 10-04-2012 |
20120249629 | RECORDING APPARATUS - A recording apparatus, including: a tank mount on which a tank is mountable; a first casing; a second casing provided with the tank mount, connected to the first casing with a shaft, and pivotable between a close position and a distant position about the shaft; a judging section configured to judge whether a tank mount state is a middle-of-mounting state; a limitation portion configured to establish a limitation state for limiting the pivotal movement of the second casing at the close position and a release state for allowing the pivotal movement at the close position; and a limitation control section configured to control the limitation portion to establish the limitation state when the tank is in the middle-of-mounting state, and control the limitation portion to establish the release state when the tank is not in the middle-of-mounting state. | 10-04-2012 |
20120262508 | Using Low Pressure Assist (LPA) To Enable Printhead Maintenance System Simplification - A method of performing maintenance on printheads of an imaging device includes the detection of at least one missing or defective inkjet in a printhead. A first pressure is applied to ink in printheads in which at least one missing or defective inkjet was detected. The first pressure is configured to discharge ink from the plurality of apertures in an aperture plate of the printhead to reestablish fluid continuity through the inkjet. A second pressure is applied to all of the printheads to be wiped. The second pressure is configured to form a convex meniscus at the plurality of apertures in the aperture plate of all of the printheads to be wiped. A single actuator is then operated to move one or more wipers into engagement with the printheads to be wiped. During wiping the convex meniscus is encountered by a wiper to lubricate a printhead and prevent the printhead from being damaged by wiping. The single actuator then retracts the one or more wipers from the printheads. | 10-18-2012 |
20120262509 | PRINTING DEVICE, PRINTING METHOD, AND MEDIUM HAVING RECORDED PROGRAM - To provide a technique when printing using a light-shielding ink and a special glossy ink, the printing device includes an affixing part for affixing ink to a printing medium, and a controller for controlling ink volumes of a colored ink, a light-shielding ink having light-shielding properties, and a special glossy ink having special gloss. The controller has a field discriminating part for discriminating an overlap field of a light-shielding ink field and a special glossy ink field; and a part for allowing, in the overlap field, the ink volume of light-shielding ink to be brought lower than the ink volume of the light-shielding ink determined in accordance with the image data, irrespective of the overlap field. | 10-18-2012 |
20120268507 | INKJET PRINTER - An inkjet printer includes an ink circulation path, a first tank, a second tank, and a pump, first and second liquid surface detectors which respectively detect ink liquid surfaces in the first and second tanks, an ink supply unit, a supplementary feed valve a control unit, a storage unit, and a determination unit. During ink circulation, the storage unit accumulatively stores a detection result of the second detector. Based on the result, the determination unit determines occurrence of an abnormality in the second liquid surface detector. The storage unit thereafter accumulatively stores the detection result. Based on the result, the determination unit determines occurrence of the first liquid surface detector. | 10-25-2012 |
20120274684 | System and Method for Measuring Fluid Drop Mass with Reference to Test Pattern Image Data - A method measures distances between two printed lines on a rotating image receiving member to identify fluid drop mass or fluid drop velocity changes in inkjet ejectors in an inkjet printing system. An initial distance between the two lines is measured at the start of the operational life of the system. During the line of the printing system, the lines are reprinted and the distance between the two lines compared to the initial distance. If the distance has changed by more than a predetermined amount, a firing signal for the printheads that printed the lines is adjusted. | 11-01-2012 |
20120281034 | SINGLE PASS INKJET PRINTING METHOD - A single pass inkjet printing method includes the steps of: a) providing a radiation curable inkjet ink set containing at least a first and a second radiation curable inkjet ink having a dynamic surface tension of no more than 30 mN/m measured by maximum bubble pressure tensiometry at a surface age of 50 ms and at 25° C.; b) jetting a first radiation curable inkjet ink on an ink-jet ink-receiver moving at a printing speed of at least 35 m/min.; c) at least partially curing the first inkjet ink on the ink receiver within the range of 40 to 500 ms after the first inkjet ink landed on the ink receiver; d) jetting a second radiation curable inkjet ink on the at least partially cured first inkjet ink; and e) at least partially curing the second inkjet ink within the range of 40 to 500 ms after the second inkjet ink landed on the first inkjet ink. | 11-08-2012 |
20120293573 | Print Head Hydration System - A printer is disclosed. The printer includes an ink jet print head having a plurality of nozzles to mark a printable recording medium with ink and an ink system to provide ink to the nozzles. The ink system includes a print head capping system to cap the nozzles whenever the nozzles are not in use and a hydration system to supply a hydration fluid to the print head capping system to provide moisture to the ink at the nozzles while the nozzles are capped. | 11-22-2012 |
20120299988 | CONTROL DEVICE, METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR MANUFACTURING TRANSFER MEDIUM - A control device is adapted to control a recording device provided with a nozzle for discharging a color ink and a nozzle for discharging an adhesive fluid. The control device is configured to generate color image data representing a color image made up from color dots formed by the color ink, to generate adhesion image data representing an adhesion image made up from adhesion dots, which are dots formed by the adhesive fluid, wherein the adhesion image data is generated such that the adhesion dots are arranged so that the adhesive fluid is applied at an amount that corresponds to the amount of the color ink applied per unit area and the adhesion dots are arranged so that, when the amount of the color ink applied per unit area is zero, the amount of the adhesive fluid applied differs between inside and outside of a region of the adhesion image. | 11-29-2012 |
20120299989 | MEASURING SYSTEM IN A FLUID CIRCUIT OF A CONTINUOUS INKJET PRINTER, RELATED FLUID CIRCUIT AND BLOCK DESIGNED TO IMPLEMENT SAID MEASURING SYSTEM - The invention concerns a measuring system in a fluid circuit of a continuous inkjet printer. According to the invention, a system for measuring the quantity of ink is realized using a continuous sensor ( | 11-29-2012 |
20120306949 | DEVICE FORMING A CONTINUOUS INKJET PRINTER CABINET WITH REDUCED CONCENTRATIONS OF SOLVENT VAPOR INSIDE AND AROUND THE CABINET - The invention concerns a device forming a continuous inkjet printer cabinet comprising a combined ventilation system for the electronic compartment ( | 12-06-2012 |
20130002741 | Image Forming Apparatus Feeding Ink in Coping with Change of Ink Viscosity and Control Method for Same - An image forming apparatus may include a pump mechanism for feeding ink to a recording head, a time counting unit capable of measuring a stop time determined by calculating a duration of time for which the ink was stopped from being fed to the recording head, an ink temperature detection unit, a first liquid feed control unit and a second liquid feed control unit. The first liquid feed control unit may instruct the pump mechanism to execute a preliminary purge when the measured stop time is not shorter than a first time. The second liquid feed control unit may instruct the pump mechanism to execute a main purge. And the second liquid feed control unit may set a flow rate in the main purge based on both the measured stop time and the detected ink temperature. | 01-03-2013 |
20130002742 | Inline Calibration of Clear Ink Drop Mass - An imaging device includes a plurality of ink jets that eject drops of substantially clear ink onto print media. One of the print media and the substantially clear ink has a fluorescent characteristic and the other of the print media and the substantially clear ink is substantially non-fluorescent. The imaging device includes a fluorescence sensor that illuminates the print media and detects a fluorescence intensity of light received from the print media alone and from the print media and the drops of substantially clear ink ejected onto the media. A controller modifies an operating parameter of the imaging device with reference to ink drop masses identified with reference to the detected fluorescent intensities. | 01-03-2013 |
20130021396 | INKJET RECORDING DEVICE, COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - An inkjet printer ( | 01-24-2013 |
20130021397 | INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS - An inkjet recording apparatus capable of determining an amount of bubbles in an ink flow path and performing suction recovery operation at an appropriate timing is provided. The inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head including a nozzle for discharging ink and a flow path forming member forming an ink flow path for supplying the ink to the nozzle, a suction unit configured to suck the ink from the recording head, and a temperature detection unit configured to detect a temperature in the recording head. The inkjet recording apparatus includes a control unit configured, based on an amount of gas in the flow path forming member before the ink is filled in the ink flow path, and an amount of gas in equilibrium in the flow path forming member after the ink is filled in the ink flow path, to control the operation of the suction unit. | 01-24-2013 |
20130027448 | PRINTING DEVICE - A communicating section communicates with a memory element of each of first cartridges via first mount sections. The communicating section has first terminals and second terminals. First signal lines connect the first terminals with the first mount sections. Second signal lines connect the second terminals with the first mount sections. | 01-31-2013 |
20130044148 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A disclosed image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, a recording head, a sub tank, a carriage, a main tank, and a fluid feeding unit supplying fluid from the main tank to the sub tank, in which the sub tank includes a displacement member displaced depending on a remaining amount, the carriage includes a first detecting unit detecting the displacement member, the apparatus main body includes a second detecting unit detecting the displacement member,the image forming apparatus detects and stores a differential supply amount corresponding to a displacement amount of the displacement member between positions detected by the first detecting unit and the second detecting unit, respectively, and the differential supply amount of liquid is supplied to the sub tank after the first detecting unit detects the displacement member when liquid is supplied without using the second detecting unit. | 02-21-2013 |
20130057604 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING RECORDING HEAD FOR EJECTING LIQUID DROPLETS - An image forming apparatus includes a body, a recording head, a sub tank, a carriage, a main tank, a liquid feed unit, a displacement member, first and second detectors, first to third calculation units, a determination unit, and a supply control unit. When the first detector detects the displacement member, the determination unit determines a main scanning position of the carriage at which consumption amount of the liquid is equal to an amount corresponding to a difference calculated by the second unit, based on a relation calculated by the third unit. The control unit causes the feed unit to start supply of the liquid from the main tank to the sub tank when the carriage arrives at the main scanning position, and stop the supply when the liquid is supplied at an amount corresponding to a difference detected by the first unit after the first detector detects the displacement member. | 03-07-2013 |
20130057605 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING RECORDING HEAD FOR EJECTING LIQUID DROPLETS - An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a recording head, head tanks, main tanks, liquid feed pumps, a first driving source, a drive control unit, and a drive switching assembly. The drive switching assembly includes a second driving source, a cam, a slider member, a switching gear, switching position detected portions, and a detector. The detected portions are disposed at the cam so as to correspond to switching positions of the liquid teed pumps. One of the detected portions has a greater width in a rotation direction of the cam than any other detected portion. When a time from when the detector detects one of the detected portions to when the detector detects another one of the detected portions is shorter than a threshold value, the drive control unit determines, as a home position, a position of the cam on detection of the another one with the detector. | 03-07-2013 |
20130063504 | INKJET PRINTER AND INK CIRCULATION CONTROL METHOD - According to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided an inkjet printer which causes ink to flow in a circulation path communicating from an upstream ink tank to a downstream ink tank via an inkjet head, and is able to discharge the ink, wherein the inkjet printer includes an ink temperature measuring unit adapted to measure an ink temperature in the upstream ink tank and the downstream ink tank; an ink temperature adjustment portion adapted to gradually raise the ink temperature of the upstream ink tank and the downstream ink tank; a circulation control unit adapted to circulate ink filling the circulation path in a room temperature state for a planned time; and an ink temperature control unit adapted to raise the ink temperature of the upstream ink tank and the downstream ink tank up to a preset temperature while circulating the ink after the planned time elapses. | 03-14-2013 |
20130063505 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRINTING, IN PARTICULAR FOR PRINTING CONTAINERS IN SEVERAL COLORS - An apparatus for printing containers in several colors on an outer container surface with an imprint formed by a print image includes printing head units, a pair of transport systems for moving the head units along a first direction on a closed path, container receptacles, a second transport system moving the receptacles between a feed and a discharge. The transport systems form a printing section between the feed and discharge. One of the transport systems causes controlled and independent motion of the printing head units or receptacles along a motion path thereof. | 03-14-2013 |
20130076809 | PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY PRIMING - In one example, a liquid dispensing device includes a printhead assembly having a liquid port through which liquid may move between a removable liquid container and the printhead assembly and an air port through which air may flow to and from the container. A pressure source is operatively connected to the air port to pressurize the container to push liquid from the container through the liquid port into the printhead assembly. A vent is operatively connected to the air port to vent the pressurized container to draw froth from the printhead assembly through the liquid port into the container. In another example, a method for priming a printhead assembly includes pushing liquid from a container into the printhead assembly through a liquid port and then pulling froth from the printhead assembly into the container through the liquid port. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076810 | LIQUID SUPPLY DEVICE, LIQUID DISCHARGE DEVICE, AND IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS - A pressure buffering unit is reduced in size, and thereby the effect of a flexible membrane is suppressed while the performance of the pressure buffering unit is maintained. A liquid supply device includes: a liquid supply passage which communicates with a recording head in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged; a liquid pressure applying part provided in the liquid supply passage that applies a predetermined pressure to liquid; and a pressure buffering unit provided en route in the liquid supply passage and being configured to include a liquid chamber having a supply port and a discharge port through which the liquid flowing through the liquid supply passage flows in and out, a gas chamber provided to oppose the liquid chamber, and a flexible membrane interposed therebetween, wherein the flexible membrane is provided with initial bending in advance. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076811 | INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS - An inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head configured to discharge ink, a first ink tank configured to store ink to be supplied to the recording head, a circulation path configured to circulate ink between the first ink tank and the recording head, a measurement unit configured to measure an ink temperature in the circulation path, a second ink tank configured to replenish ink to the circulation path, and a control unit configured to control replenishment of ink from the second ink tank to the circulation path based on the ink temperature measured by the measurement unit. | 03-28-2013 |
20130100183 | VISCOSITY MODULATED DUAL FEED CONTINUOUS LIQUID EJECTOR - A continuous liquid ejector includes a structure including a wall. A portion of the wall defines a nozzle having a first fluidic resistance R | 04-25-2013 |
20130106929 | INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS | 05-02-2013 |
20130113852 | LIQUID DISCHARGE APPARATUS AND LIQUID CIRCULATION METHOD - Disclosed herein is a liquid discharge apparatus including a transporting unit to transport a medium, a storage unit to store liquid, a head unit to discharge the liquid onto the medium, a plurality of supply flow paths to supply the liquid from the storage unit to the head unit, a plurality of bypass flow paths, and a controller that causes alternately to repeat a transport operation which transports the medium by the transporting unit and a liquid discharge operation which discharges the liquid from the head unit, thereby to form an image on the medium, and to circulate, when the liquid is not discharged during execution of the image forming process, the liquid within a circulation flow path constituted only by the supply flow paths and the bypass flow paths among the storage unit, the head unit, the supply flow paths, and the bypass flow paths. | 05-09-2013 |
20130113853 | Printing Apparatus - A printing apparatus includes a printing material container | 05-09-2013 |
20130113854 | PRINTING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CIRCULATING WHITE INK - A printing apparatus includes a transporting unit which transports a medium, a head unit which discharges a plurality of types of ink onto the medium, a storage unit which stores white ink of the plurality of types of ink, a plurality of supply flow paths for supplying the white ink from the storage unit to the head unit, a plurality of bypass flow paths which are bridged between different supply flow paths from each other, and a controller which repeatedly performs a transport operation by the transporting unit, a color print operation and a white print operation to perform an image forming process on the medium and circulates the white ink in a circulation flow path formed only of the supply flow paths and the bypass flow paths among the storage unit, the head unit, the supply flow paths and the bypass flow paths, during the color print operation. | 05-09-2013 |
20130127936 | GAS REMOVAL FROM A FLUID DELIVERY SYSTEM - Systems and methods of automatically bleeding air from a primary ink delivery system, so little or no air is mixed with the ink once it reaches a secondary ink system containing print heads. An air bleeder return assembly with a flow restrictor orifice that is configured to remove air from ink pumped to the carriage of print heads, thereby minimizing jet dropouts. Additionally, this setup provides the added advantage of the ability to run the bulk bags dry without ingesting large quantities of air to the ink delivery system. | 05-23-2013 |
20130127937 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING RECORDING HEAD FOR EJECTING LIQUID DROPLETS - An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a recording head, a sub tank, a carriage, a main tank, a liquid feed device, a displacement member, a first detector, a second detector, a detection retainer, a liquid consumption amount measuring device, and a supply controller. The measuring device measures a consumption amount of liquid in the sub tank when the displacement member displaces from a first position in a direction in which the consumption amount of liquid in the sub tank decreases. When a detection output of the first detector continues to be, for a predetermined time or number of times, in a detection state in which the first detector detects the displacement member and shifts from the detection state to a non detection state in which the first detector does not detect the displacement member, the measuring device starts measuring the consumption amount of liquid in the sub tank. | 05-23-2013 |
20130135367 | PRINTHEAD MAINTENANCE BASED ON INK SUPPLY INTERRUPTION - A method of controlling a maintenance operation in an inkjet printer, the method includes detecting that ink supply connection to a printhead has been interrupted; detecting that ink supply connection to the printhead has been restored; measuring a time interval between the interruption and the restoration of the ink supply connection to the printhead; and selecting a level of the maintenance operation, depending upon a length of the time interval. | 05-30-2013 |
20130155132 | PRINTER AND LIQUID TRANSFER METHOD - A printer includes an ink storage unit that stores an ink; a head unit that ejects the ink onto a medium; a plurality of supply flow channels for supplying the ink from the ink storage unit to the head unit; a plurality of bypass flow channels hung between the supply flow channels which are respectively different; a maintenance solution storage unit that stores a maintenance solution; and a controller that causes the ink to circulate inside a circulation flow channel which is configured only by the supply flow channel and the bypass flow channel among the ink storage unit, the head unit, the supply flow channel and the bypass flow channel, and that causes the maintenance solution to flow from the maintenance solution storage unit into a section located further to the downstream side of the supply flow channel than the circulation flow channel, and into the head unit. | 06-20-2013 |
20130162706 | INKJET PRINTER FOR SEMI-POROUS OR NON-ABSORBENT SURFACES - Inkjet printers are provided, in one aspect, an inkjet printer has an inkjet print engine that prints an image by jetting drops of hydrophilic liquid to form an inkjet image on a surface of at least one of a semi-absorbent recording medium or a non-absorbent recording medium; a transport system to transport the printed surface to a toner printer having a toner print engine to generate a liquid management toner image with toner particles that are at least in part hydrophilic and to transfer the toner image onto the recording medium where an unabsorbed volume of the inkjet ink will be present on the recording medium. A control system causes the inkjet printer to generate the inkjet image on the surface and causes the toner printer to generate a liquid management toner image that provides toner particles to manage an unabsorbed volume of the liquid. | 06-27-2013 |
20130169708 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS AND MAINTENANCE METHOD THEREOF - A liquid ejecting apparatus includes heating portions for heating liquid, a liquid ejecting head for ejecting the liquid heated by the heating portions, and a maintenance device for performing maintenance of the liquid ejecting head by causing the liquid to be discharged from the liquid ejecting head through sucking operation. The maintenance device performs a first suction for cleaning the liquid ejecting head by causing the head to discharge the liquid, waits until liquid is heated by the heating portions, and then performs a second suction with a suction force weaker than that of the first suction. | 07-04-2013 |
20130182022 | ON-CHIP FLUID RECIRCULATION PUMP FOR MICRO-FLUID APPLICATIONS - A micro-fluid ejection head has fluid ejection elements formed as thin film layers on a substrate. Fluid flow features on the substrate channel fluid from a fluid source to ejection chambers surrounding the ejection elements. A pump on the substrate circulates the fluid from the source to the ejection chambers and back again to the source. The flow refreshes the fluid in the chambers to minimize deleterious effects of evaporation. A controller coordinates the flow rate of the pump and other variables to optimize system productivity. Other embodiments contemplate pump locations, pump types, pump enumeration, and fluidic features, such as pathways, diffusers, chokes and dimensions, to name a few. | 07-18-2013 |
20130182023 | INK SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR PRINTER - An ink supply system for printer to supply ink to a printer head includes an ink reservoir, a filter connected to an outlet end of the ink reservoir, a pump arranged at a front end of the filter, a pressure chamber connected to a front end of the pump, a valve arranged at a front end of the pressure chamber, a pressure sensor connected to the valve by a tube, and a controller for controlling the pump and the valve. The pressure sensor is arranged adjacent to the printer head to detect the ink pressure in the tube, and transmits a pressure signal to the controller. The pump can pump the ink forward to increase ink pressure or rearward to decrease ink pressure. | 07-18-2013 |
20130194324 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INK RECIRCULATION - A method for recirculating ink in an inkjet printer includes applying air pressure to an ink supply to expel liquid ink through a plurality of inkjets in the printhead. An ink receptacle that is positioned at a predetermined distance from the inkjets collects the expelled ink. The ink receptacle moves into fluid communication with an ink supply, and the ink collected in the ink receptacle enters the ink supply. | 08-01-2013 |
20130194325 | PRINTING APPARATUS - Disclosed is a printing apparatus capable of safe high-speed leakage detection and contact detection of a printhead. The leakage detection and contact detection are executed in the apparatus which prints on a printing medium by scanning a removable printhead mounted to a carriage. When the printhead is mounted, connection with a capacitor used in normal printing is disconnected, a lower voltage is applied to drive a printing element and monitor the voltage. If the monitored voltage is not less than a predetermined threshold, occurrence of a poor contact is determined. This is performed for electric contacts one by one. During the operation, a lower voltage is applied at a predetermined timing to drive a printing element and monitor the voltage. If the monitor voltage is not higher than a predetermined threshold, occurrence of current leakage is determined. | 08-01-2013 |
20130194326 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a liquid ejecting head having nozzles that eject a liquid; a plurality of liquid flow passages where the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejecting head flows; and a heating portion that heats the liquid in the liquid flow passages, in which the liquid flow passages include circulation passages where at least a part of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head is circulated to upstream of the heating portion by being discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the nozzles; and non-circulation passages where the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head is not able to be circulated to upstream of the heating portion by being discharged from the liquid ejecting head without passing through the nozzles, and in which the circulation passages are disposed at outer sides of the other liquid flow passages. | 08-01-2013 |
20130201230 | LIQUID DROPLET JETTING APPARATUS - There is provided a liquid droplet jetting apparatus configured to jet liquid droplets onto an object, including: | 08-08-2013 |
20130208033 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a change detection device detecting a change in a relative position between an ink cartridge and a recording head, and when the change in the relative position exceeds a certain threshold value, a printer controller closes a valve mechanism so that the destruction of a meniscus in the nozzle is prevented. | 08-15-2013 |
20130208034 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THEREOF - A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting head having a pressure generation chamber in which a liquid is charged, a pressure generation unit which generates pressure change in the liquid inside the pressure generation chamber with supply of a driving signal, and a nozzle opening which ejects the liquid inside the pressure generation chamber according to the pressure change; and a control unit which has an expansion element expanding the pressure generation chamber and a contraction element contracting the pressure generation chamber, and supplies a micro-vibration driving signal to a piezoelectric element so as to generate the micro-vibration of the liquid to the inside of the pressure generation chamber without ejecting the liquid from the nozzle opening, wherein the micro-vibration driving signal is formed so that the inclination of the expansion element is greater than the inclination of the contraction element. | 08-15-2013 |
20130215167 | Printing Apparatus and Printing Method - A printing apparatus that prints onto a printed object using a special glossy ink and a color ink includes a control unit that executes the print adding the special glossy ink to a region, in pixels of a night scene formed by the color ink, that is lighted. | 08-22-2013 |
20130215168 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND ARTICLES RELATED TO MACHINE-READABLE INDICIA AND SYMBOLS - A system employs combinations of marking media, each with respective distinguishing spectral characteristics to encode human comprehensible information in, and read human comprehensible information from, machine-readable indicia or symbols. Machine-readable indicia may be a single dot encoding information only in the combinations. Machine-readable symbols may be linear or two dimensional, spatially encoding information in the combinations, as well as spatially. A symbology may map at least the combinations to human-readable symbols or characters. A printer may form indicia or symbols with combinations of marking media. A reader may read indicia or symbols and decode information from at least the combinations of marking media. Different combinations may be visually homogenous, for example gray. | 08-22-2013 |
20130235099 | IMAGE FORMING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD - In a stand-by state, when an instruction unit issues the printing instruction, a control unit is switched in a maintenance state, in the maintenance state, the control unit closes an air valve and operates a first pump, and when a sensor detects that the ink of a second tank is reduced by discharging the ink from a nozzle by the pressure of a second tank, the control unit opens the air valve to be switched in a printing state, and when a predetermined time elapses after an operation of the first pump before the sensor detects the reduction of the ink of the second tank, the control unit excludes the solidified ink from the nozzle, and in the printing state, the control unit is switched in the stand-by state when the ink is discharged from the nozzle of the head based on a printing instruction. | 09-12-2013 |
20130235100 | LIQUID-DISCHARGING DEVICE, LIQUID STIRRING METHOD, AND LIQUID FILLING METHOD - A liquid ejection device includes a head section, a first liquid reservoir section, a supply passage, a second liquid reservoir section, an outgoing passage that sends liquid from the first liquid reservoir section to the second liquid reservoir section and includes a shared passage shared with the supply passage, a return passage that sends the liquid from the second liquid reservoir section to the first liquid reservoir section, and a controller. After the controller performs a stirring process of stirring the liquid by causing the liquid in the first liquid reservoir section to pass through the outgoing passage and subsequently causing the liquid in the second liquid reservoir section to pass through the return passage, the controller performs a process of flowing out a part of the liquid in the first liquid reservoir section toward the shared passage. | 09-12-2013 |
20130241979 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CIRCULATING LIQUID - A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a storage unit which stores liquid, a head unit which ejects the liquid onto a medium, a plurality of supply flow paths which supplies the liquid to the head unit from the storage unit, a plurality of bypass flow paths which straddles the supply flow paths which are different from each other, and a controller which circulates the liquid in a circulating flow path which is configured only by the supply flow path and the bypass flow path among the storage unit, the head unit, the supply flow path, and the bypass flow path. | 09-19-2013 |
20130241980 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS HAVING INK JET HEAD AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING MAINTENANCE OF THE SAME - An image forming apparatus includes an ink jet head, having a pressure chamber, a flow path and a nozzle, which ejects ink in the pressure chamber through the nozzle, a first tank connected to the flow path, a supply unit which supplies ink in the first tank to the pressure chamber through the flow path, a second tank connected to the flow path, a discharge unit which moves ink in the pressure chamber to the second tank through the flow path, and a control section which activates the supply unit and the discharge unit so that ink in the pressure chamber is discharged to the second tank by the discharge unit, ink in the first tank is charged to the pressure chamber by the supply unit and the liquid surface of ink supplied to the pressure chamber is projected from the nozzle. | 09-19-2013 |
20130249978 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CARRYING AND DISPENSING AN INK USEFUL IN PRINTING - An apparatus, method and system are provided for carrying and dispensing an ink into a printing system. A system configured to dispense an ink comprises an ink carrying apparatus having a container, a movable cover, a unit monitor, a film, and a locking tab. The system also comprises a docking station configured to accept the ink carrying apparatus and engage the locking tab when the movable cover is in an open position. The system further comprises a processor configured to communicate with the unit monitor to facilitate a movement of the movable cover from a closed position to the open position. Based on a detection of a type of ink in the container, the movable cover is allowed to be moved from the closed position to the open position so as to facilitate removal of the film and cause the ink to be dispensed. | 09-26-2013 |
20130271517 | ROTATABLE PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY - A printing assembly includes a pressure control tank and a printhead assembly. The printhead assembly is in fluid communication with the pressure control tank while the printhead assembly and the pressure control tank are selectively rotatable into a plurality of different positions relative to one another. | 10-17-2013 |
20130278654 | Inkjet Recording Apparatus - Conveyance of a sheet in an inkjet recording apparatus may be stopped under various conditions. In one example, a control device of the inkjet recording apparatus may stop conveyance on the sheet depending on the image to be formed in one or more portions of the sheet. Alternatively or additionally, conveyance may be stopped based on an amount of ink ejected or to be ejected onto a sheet, or portion thereof. The conveyance stoppage control may be used in conjunction with a corrugate mechanism in some arrangements. | 10-24-2013 |
20130286061 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING RECORDING HEAD AND HEAD TANK - An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a recording head, a head tank, a displacement member, an air release unit, a main tank, a liquid feed device, a body-side detector, and a supply controller. The supply controller controls a normal filling operation to start feeding liquid from the main tank to the head tank without opening the air release unit when a consumption amount of the liquid in the head tank is a threshold amount or greater, and stop feeding the liquid from the main tank to the head tank when the body-side detector detects an arrival of the displacement member at a normal fill position. When the body-side detector detects the displacement member at a start of the normal filling operation, the supply controller corrects the normal fill position to a position at which the liquid feed device can feed the liquid to the head tank. | 10-31-2013 |
20130286062 | System and Method for Removing Air From and Inkjet Cartridge and Ink Supply Line Therefor - A printing system includes an inkjet cartridge, an ink reservoir, and a reversible pump. A method and system of operating the printing system are providing in which first fluid line couples the ink reservoir and an input port of the inkjet cartridge. A second fluid line couples the reversible pump and an output port of the inkjet cartridge. The reversible pump is operated in a first direction to supply ink from the ink reservoir to the ink jet cartridge via the first fluid line. The reversible pump is a second direction to supply ink from the ink reservoir to the inkjet cartridge via the second fluid line. The reversible pump is operated in the first direction and the second direction repeatedly and sequentially for a predetermined duration. | 10-31-2013 |
20130286063 | INK FILLING METHOD AND INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS - An inkjet recording apparatus includes a recording head including a discharge port, a carriage configured to perform reciprocating scanning with the recording head mounted thereon, a main tank configured to store ink, a sub-tank configured to be supplied with ink from the main tank via a tube, a supply tube configured to connect the recording head and the sub-tank, and a control unit configured to control the carriage, wherein the control unit controls acceleration of the carriage such that a dynamic pressure of ink inside the supply tube becomes greater than a pressure resistance to an ink movement and a pressure resistance to an air movement in the tube. | 10-31-2013 |
20130286064 | Fluid Tilt Sensor Within Ink Tank Supply Item for Micro-Fluid Applications - A container for holding a volume of fluid and having a housing defining an interior for retaining the volume of fluid; at least one in-tank tilt sensor connected to a controller and disposed inside the housing for generating a signal corresponding to a level of fluid inside the housing; and a support material attached to the housing and connected to the at least one in-tank tilt sensor to mechanically support the at least one in-tank tilt sensor such that the at least one in-tank tilt sensor is not in direct contact with the fluid inside the housing. The in-tank tilt sensor detects a change in fluid level which may only be caused by tilting of the imaging device. When tilting is registered, protective action is taken to prevent fluid from leaking. | 10-31-2013 |
20130293603 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IN-LINE GEL INK MIXING - Systems and methods for controlling ink component concentration for optimizing ink for use on specific media types, such as paper or plastic, include an in-line ink delivery system for mixing and delivering ink. The ink delivery system includes a first ink supply, a second ink supply, a mixing chamber or pot, and a print head connected to a print head reservoir. The ink delivery system may be configured to mix ink according to one of stored setpoints or acquired media data for media on which ink is to be printed. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293604 | INKJET HEAD DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING INKJET HEAD - According to one embodiment, an inkjet device includes: an ink circulating device configured to communicate with an inkjet head to form an ink circulating system; an arithmetic unit configured to calculate, on the basis of pressure detected from the ink circulating system, pressure in an ink discharge port section according to an arithmetic expression set in advance; a pressure determining unit configured to determine, with proper nozzle pressure in the ink discharge port not discharging ink set as a reference value, whether a value calculated by the arithmetic unit is positive pressure or negative pressure with respect to the reference value; and a negative pressure regulator configured to communicate with the ink circulating system and perform, if the pressure determining unit determines that the value is the positive pressure, an ink reducing operation in the ink circulating system and increase a negative pressure value on the ink discharge port. The pressure determining unit changes the reference value to a negative pressure side. | 11-07-2013 |
20130300784 | PRINTING APPARATUS - There is provided an ink jet printing apparatus, in which vibrations can be suppressed to a low level without local concentration of abrasion between a carriage and a guide shaft. The ink jet printing apparatus makes the carriage reciprocate along the guide shaft without ejecting ink, thus achieving a stirring operation in which the ink reserved in an ink tank is stirred. At least either one of a limited range in one direction, in which a stirring operation is performed, and a portion of the guide shaft that contacts the carriage when seeing from the direction, is changeable. | 11-14-2013 |
20140002518 | Ink Stick Transport System | 01-02-2014 |
20140015876 | DEVICE FOR LEVELING INK UNDER A THERMAL GRADIENT - A method of leveling ink that is printed on a substrate includes establishing a thermal gradient across a thickness of the substrate, the thermal gradient characterized in that it is less than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink across most of the substrate. | 01-16-2014 |
20140035975 | Methods and Apparatuses for Direct Deposition of Features on a Surface Using a Two-Component Microfluidic Jet - The object of the invention is the provision of methods and apparatuses for controlled direct printing of continuous films or discreet structures using a two-component liquid jet issuing from an orifice. The two liquids may be miscible or immiscible, and form an annularly propagating flow along the axis of a deposition head. The flow consists of an outer sheath liquid with a boiling point temperature that is approximately 10 to 40 degrees lower than that of an inner sample liquid. The exit channel of the head is heated so that the pressurized outer sheath liquid is raised to a temperature greater than the boiling point of the sheath liquid at the local atmospheric pressure. The outer liquid is evaporated as the jet exits the orifice and falls at atmospheric pressure. Deposited sample line widths are produced in the range from approximately 1 to 1000 microns. | 02-06-2014 |
20140043381 | INKJET RECORDING APPARATUS - An inkjet recording apparatus which can make a distribution tank compact and has excellent pressure-control precision is provided. | 02-13-2014 |
20140043382 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - A liquid ejecting apparatus, including: a tank for storing a liquid; a liquid ejecting head including an inner passage having an inlet, an outlet and individual liquid channels; a supply passage connecting the tank and inlet; a return passage connecting the tank and outlet; a supply device to forcibly supply the liquid in the tank to the inner passage; a restrictor valve to restrict a liquid amount flowing through the return passage; and a controller to drive the supply device while placing the restrictor valve in an open state, where the liquid in the tank returns back thereto via the supply passage, the inner passage, and the return passage, in order, and to drive the supply device to keep circulation and control the restrictor valve to restrict, during the circulation, the amount of the liquid that flows through the return passage, for discharging the liquid from the ejection opening. | 02-13-2014 |
20140063088 | DROPLET EJECTION APPARATUS AND MAINTENANCE METHOD THEREOF - A maintenance method of a droplet ejection apparatus is provided, which droplet ejection apparatus includes: a droplet ejection head including a plurality of head modules, each head module being configured to be replaced independently; and a liquid circulation and supply unit configured to circulate and supply liquid to be ejected from each head module, to each head module. The maintenance method includes circulating and supplying the liquid to the head modules other than the head module that is a replacement target, when replacing the head module. | 03-06-2014 |
20140098145 | IMAGE RECORDING APPARATUS AND LIQUID CARTRIDGE - An image recording apparatus includes a liquid chamber, a first path having a flow resistance R, a second path, a recording head configured such that a predetermined operation of the recording head causes liquid to flow to the recording head at a flow rate greater than or equal to a minimum flow rate I, a pressure responsive portion including a membrane configured to move in response to the internal pressure of the second path and configured to move when a pressure differential between inside and outside of the membrane is greater than or equal to a minimum pressure differential ΔP, a detector configured to detect a position of the membrane, and a controller configured to determine presence of the liquid in the liquid chamber based on detection by the detector. The following condition is satisfied: flow resistance R≧(minimum pressure differential ΔP/minimum flow rate I). | 04-10-2014 |
20140098146 | PRINTING DEVICE, AND PRINTING DEVICE MAINTENANCE METHOD - A printing device includes a first ink reservoir unit configured and arranged to store a first ink having sedimentary properties, a head provided with nozzles, a plurality of first ink supply paths configured and arranged to supply the first ink to the head from the first ink reservoir unit, a stirring unit configured and arranged to stir the first ink existing inside an upstream region in a supply direction of the first ink supply paths, and a control unit configured to execute again an again stirring process after a prescribed time has elapsed from a previous stirring process of the first ink by the stirring unit, and, after execution of that the again stirring process, to eject from the nozzles the first ink that is unstirred existing inside the region further downstream in the supply direction than the upstream region of the first ink supply paths, and inside the head. | 04-10-2014 |
20140111568 | METHODS AND CASSETTES FOR DISCARDING INK - Methods and cassettes for discarding ink are disclosed. An example cassette includes a housing having a form factor to be received in a printer; a container to receive the discarded ink; and a memory to receive usage data from the printer, the usage data being indicative of an amount of the discarded ink received by the container. | 04-24-2014 |
20140111569 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING RECORDING HEAD FOR EJECTING LIQUID DROPLETS - An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a recording head, head tanks, main tanks, liquid feed pumps, a first driving source, a drive control unit, and a drive switching assembly. The drive switching assembly includes a second driving source, a cam, a slider member, a switching gear, switching position detected portions, and a detector. The detected portions are disposed at the cam so as to correspond to switching positions of the liquid feed pumps. One of the detected portions has a greater width in a rotation direction of the cam than any other detected portion. When a time from when the detector detects one of the detected portions to when the detector detects another one of the detected portions is shorter than a threshold value, the drive control unit determines, as a home position, a position of the cam on detection of the another one with the detector. | 04-24-2014 |
20140118429 | INK DELIVERY SYSTEM - An ink delivery device, method and non-transitory computer readable medium, the device may include a first closed pathway for a first ink flow through a multi-nozzle printhead in a first direction, and a second closed pathway for a second ink flow through the multi-nozzle printhead, the second pathway configured to move the second ink flow in a second direction. The device may further include a first shunt between the first closed pathway and the second closed pathway at a first end of the multi-nozzle printhead, the first shunt allowing some of the first ink flow to merge with the second ink flow, and a second shunt between the first closed pathway and the second closed pathway at a second end of the multi-nozzle printhead, the second shunt allowing some of the second ink flow to merge with the first ink flow. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118430 | FLUID EJECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS THEREOF - Fluid ejection systems and methods thereof are disclosed in the present disclosure. The method includes establishing fluid communication between an ejection chamber and a fluid supply chamber of the fluid ejection system such that the ejection chamber includes a nozzle and an ejection member to selectively eject the fluid through the nozzle. The method also includes detecting at feast one impedance in the fluid by a sensor unit haying a sensor plate, and identifying the characteristic of the fluid by a fluid identification module based on the at least one detected impedance value t obtain an identified fluid characteristic. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118431 | FLUID EJECTION DEVICE WITH FLUID DISPLACEMENT ACTUATOR AND RELATED METHODS - In an embodiment, a method of circulating fluid in a fluid ejection device includes generating compressive and expansive fluid displacements of different durations from a first actuator located asymmetrically within a fluidic channel between a first fluid feedhole and a nozzle while generating no fluid displacements from a second actuator located asymmetrically within the channel between the nozzle and a second fluid feedhole. | 05-01-2014 |
20140125718 | A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING LIGHTNESS IN COLORED INKJET INKS BY MEANS OF A TRANSPARENT WHITE INK COMPOSITION - A transparent white ink composition is formulated to brighten, lighten and or dilute full-tone primary inkjet colors: cyan; magenta; yellow and black, eliminating the need for ‘light ink’ primary color inks. The transparent white ink is jetted concurrently with reduced amounts of full-tone inks in lighter tonal areas conventionally supported by ‘light ink’ primary inks. Printing ‘light ink’ primary colors using a transparent white ink composition may reduce the number of print channels needed to print all four primary colors and the four ‘light ink’ primary colors. Embodiments of the transparent white ink composition may be solvent- or water-based, drying by evaporation of the carrier fluid. Other embodiments may be radiation-curable ink compositions. An inkjet printer includes print carriage and print head assemblies configured for jetting a primary color ink and the transparent white ink in the same pass in correct proportions to achieve a desired effect. | 05-08-2014 |
20140132653 | PRINTING DEVICE, AND PRINTING DEVICE MAINTENANCE METHOD - A printing device is equipped with a head, a first reservoir unit, a second reservoir unit, a first flow path connected to the head and the first reservoir unit, a second flow path connected to the first flow path and the second reservoir unit, a third flow path connected to the second reservoir unit and the second flow path, a first pressure supply unit provided on the second flow path, a second pressure supply unit, and a control unit for stirring the sedimentary ink by returning the sedimentary ink inside the second reservoir unit to the first reservoir unit using the second pressure supply unit after moving the sedimentary ink inside the first reservoir unit to the second reservoir unit using the first pressure supply unit. | 05-15-2014 |
20140146100 | Method For Operating A Printer To Print Recycled Ink With Process Black Neutralization - A method for recycling ink in an inkjet printer includes combining purged inks having two or more colors with black ink to form a mixed ink. The printer identifies an optical characteristic of the mixed ink and compares it to the optical characteristic for black ink. A controller for the printer adjusts the operation of the printer to form ink images having an optical characteristic that is closer to black ink than ink images formed with the mixed ink alone. | 05-29-2014 |
20140168295 | LIQUID SUPPLY DEVICE AND LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - Provided is a liquid supply device that includes a liquid storage portion that stores liquid containing sedimenting components which are sedimented in solvent, a liquid supply path that extends from the liquid storage portion to a liquid ejecting portion and through which the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejecting portion can flow, a liquid flowing portion that is operated to cause the liquid to flow through at least part of the liquid supply path, a temperature detection portion that can detect the temperature of at least part of the liquid in the liquid supply path, and an operation control portion that controls an operation of the liquid flowing portion in correspondence with a detected temperature of the liquid, which is detected by the temperature detection portion, such that a flow condition of the liquid in the liquid supply path changes. | 06-19-2014 |
20140168296 | LIQUID DISCHARGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - When filling a printing head with ink, ink in a sub-tank is circulated through a forward path port, a forward path, the printing head, a return path, a return path port, and the sub-tank by pumping ink from the forward path port side to the printing head side by a circulation pump in a state where a plurality of nozzles is sealed by bringing a contact member of a capping device into contact with a nozzle formation surface. Thereafter, sealing of the plurality of nozzles by the capping device is released while pressurizing the sub-tank by a pressure adjusting device. | 06-19-2014 |
20140184673 | Three-dimensional ink-jet printing by home and office ink-jet printer - A new method for printing raised letters or images has been introduced, which is inexpensive, green and noiseless. The method can be carried out via personal computers (PC) or common ink-jet printers. A standard portable ink-jet printer is controlled by PC and common graphical softwares, that provide raised printing for different purposes such as Braille prints, security, packaging, advertising and printing of warning signs. The 3D ink-jet printing method comprises steps of providing two or more fluids having different formulation as inks. The mixture is cured and raised by jetting two inks in a controlled amount and mixing of inks on the substrate, without using electromagnetic radiation such as ultra violet (UV) or infra red (IR) or heating procedure. The prepared inks are water based, non-toxic, environmental friendly and have different compositions with optimum physical. | 07-03-2014 |
20140198143 | FLUORESCENT PHASE CHANGE INK COMPOSITIONS - A phase change ink composition comprising an amorphous component, a crystalline material, a fluorescent material and optionally, a non-fluorescent colorant, which are suitable for ink jet printing, including printing on coated paper substrates. The novel phase change ink formulation allows the ink to change color when exposed to UV light, reversibly and multiple times, providing an ink suitable for use in security applications. | 07-17-2014 |
20140198144 | BACKPRESSURE CONTROL UNIT, LIQUID EJECTING HEAD, AND LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - A backpressure control unit that introduces a liquid from an external liquid holding unit and supplies the liquid to a main head unit for ejecting the liquid via a nozzle opening includes a flow channel member having an introduction channel, a valve member, and a supply channel, and a cover that that combines a base portion and a cover portion and houses the flow channel member therewithin. This provides a backpressure control unit that improves yields by absorbing discrepancies in properties of backpressure control valves to the greatest extent possible while at the same time making it possible to change designs in a flexible manner. | 07-17-2014 |
20140204136 | CONTROL OF INK TEMPERATURES FOR RADIANT DRYING - Systems and methods for tuning Key (K) black ink printed by a production printer. In one embodiment, an ink tuning system is implemented in a printing system. The printing system includes a production printer that is operable to print color ink onto a continuous-form medium, and includes a radiant dryer that is operable to dry the ink that is applied to the medium. The ink tuning system identifies areas of K black ink designated for printing on the medium by the production printer, and applies a liquid agent to the areas of K black ink to increase the liquid mass of the K black ink before the medium enters the radiant dryer. | 07-24-2014 |
20140240382 | PRINTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING PRINTING DEVICE - A printing device includes a head that has a plurality of nozzles, a reversing section for reversing a front surface and a back surface that are facing surfaces of a printing medium facing the head, and a control section for causing the head to execute an ejection operation of forming an image forming dot for printing an image designated as a print target and a flushing dot other than the image forming dot on the facing surface by moving either one of the printing medium and the head so as to relatively change the positions of the printing medium and the head and ejecting liquid from each of the nozzles. The control section calculates a liquid amount of the liquid ejected onto each of the two facing surfaces of the printing medium so as to form the image forming dot, predicts occurrence of warpage due to a curl phenomenon in which warpage of the printing medium occurs in one direction by absorbing the ejected liquid based on the liquid amount, and controls the ejection operation of forming the flushing dot such that a difference in the liquid amounts ejected onto the two facing surfaces is equal to or less than a prescribed amount. | 08-28-2014 |
20140247296 | LIQUID CONTAINER - In the liquid container which includes the detection member having a liquid outlet, a contact portion, and an input receiving unit, the liquid outlet and the input receiving unit of the detection member are provided at a position apart from each other on the same bottom surface, and the contact portion is provided in the opposite side to the side where the input receiving unit is provided. It is possible to suppress foreign substances from becoming attached to the input section by providing the input receiving unit at the position apart from the any one of the liquid outlet and the contact portion since the liquid outlet and the contact portion have a section where foreign substances (liquid and chips) are easily generated. | 09-04-2014 |
20140253615 | Addressing for a Memory Device Used in an Image Recording Apparatus - Many devices, such as printers, work with one or more removable unit. Often, the removable units have an electronic circuit that used to communicate with the device. It may be desirable to provide a replacement unit in these devices. The replacement unit must include an electronic circuit that is able to communicate with the original device. Disclosed is a method and apparatus where a replacement unit is provided with a new electronic circuit and a used electronic circuit. The new electronic circuit is electrically connected to the used electronic circuit and uses the used electronic circuit to facilitate communication with the host device. | 09-11-2014 |
20140285544 | PROVIDE PRINTING FLUID TO PRINTHEAD - A method includes identifying a sufficient amount of printing fluid for a printhead to print a current swath and determining whether the sufficient amount of printing fluid is equal to or greater than a volume threshold value based on at least a second printing fluid volume capacity of a second region. The method also includes providing an amount of time after printing a previous swath and prior to a completion of printing the current swath for a second region to be supplied with an additional amount of printing fluid from a first region in response to a determination that the sufficient amount of printing fluid is equal to or greater than the volume threshold value. | 09-25-2014 |
20140292843 | DEPOSITION OF PRINT TREATMENT - The present disclosure is related to deposition of print treatments. In an example, treatment is to be deposited on substrate dot locations to receive ink according to selected treatment-to-ink regimes. The selected treatment-to-ink regimes include a variable treatment-to-ink regime and a constant treatment-to-ink regime. The variable treatment-to-ink regime is for depositing a variable amount of treatment dependent on the amount of ink to be deposited in a substrate dot location when the ink amount in the substrate dot location is below a threshold. The constant treatment-to-ink regime is for depositing a selected constant amount of treatment in a substrate dot location and an area surrounding the substrate dot location when the ink amount in the substrate dot location is above the threshold. Other examples are illustrated herein. | 10-02-2014 |
20140340438 | INK JET RECORDING APPARATUS AND INK JET RECORDING METHOD - An ink jet recording apparatus performs recording by discharging an ink composition onto a recording medium. The apparatus includes an ink jet head including a pressure-generating chamber containing an ink composition and applying a discharge pressure to the ink composition, a discharge port from which the ink composition is discharged, and a communicating path for communicating between the pressure-generating chamber and the discharge port. The ink composition is discharged from the discharge port at a discharge rate of 5 m/sec or more and 15 m/sec or less. The communicating path has a length of 40 μm or more and 600 or less. The ink composition contains a self-dispersible pigment and an organic solvent having a Hansen solubility parameter of 14 (cal/cm | 11-20-2014 |
20140354716 | INK JET PRINTING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING MOISTURE CONTENT OF PRINT SHEET - In an ink jet printing apparatus of the present invention, a moisture content of a print sheet is estimated without decreasing productivity of the printing apparatus and appropriate conditions of printing operation in the subsequent printing process are specified. More specifically, by measuring a change in thickness of the print sheet after printing, a state of moisture content is estimated. Estimating a state of moisture content allows determination of appropriate conditions of printing operation such as a minimum drying time required for printing a high-quality image on various types of print sheets such as print coated paper or coated paper. | 12-04-2014 |
20140354717 | Fluid Circulation - Among other things, an apparatus for use in fluid jetting is described. The apparatus comprises a printhead including a flow path and a nozzle in communication with the flow path that has a first end and a second end. The apparatus also includes a first container fluidically coupled to the first end of the flow path, a second container fluidically coupled to the second end of the flow path, and a controller. The first container has a first controllable internal pressure and the second container has a second controllable internal pressure. The controller controls the first internal pressure and the second internal pressure to have a fluid flow between the first container and the second container through the flow path in the printhead according to a first mode and a second mode. In either mode, at least a portion of the fluid flowing along the flow path is delivered to the nozzle when the nozzle is jetting. The first mode has the first internal pressure higher than the second internal pressure and the second mode has the second internal pressure higher than the first internal pressure. The fluid flows from the first container to the second container according to the first mode and flows from the second container to the first container according to the second mode. | 12-04-2014 |
20140354718 | PRINTING DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING PRINTING DEVICE - Provided is a printing device including: nozzles which discharge a first aqueous ink for printing a main image; nozzles which discharge a second aqueous ink for printing a background image; and a control unit which controls printing of an image on a medium having an aqueous ink absorption property based on one selected from a first mode for printing the main image using the first aqueous ink and a second mode for superposing and printing the main image using the first aqueous ink and the background image using the second aqueous ink, wherein the amount of first aqueous ink dischargeable per unit area of the medium when the main image is printed on the medium in the second mode is less than that when the main image is printed on the medium in the first mode. | 12-04-2014 |
20140368564 | Ink Stick Identification System - A solid ink stick identification system enables accurate and efficient identification of solid ink sticks in a solid ink imaging device. The solid ink identification system includes an actuator configured to move one of an optical source and an optical sensor between a plurality of predetermined positions. The optical source emits light toward a face of the ink stick, and the optical sensor generates signals corresponding to an amount of reflected light received. A controller identifies features on the solid ink stick based on the signals as the one of the optical source and optical sensor is moved between the plurality of predetermined positions. | 12-18-2014 |
20150022570 | System And Method For Optimized Application Of Release Agent In An Inkjet Printer With In-Line Coating - An inkjet printer and method therefore including a detector to monitor a quantity of release agent applied to a spreader drum. The inkjet printer includes a drum maintenance unit which applies the release agent to the spreader drum with a metering device, such as a metering blade, and determines a flow rate of unused release agent returned to a release agent sump. The determined flow rate of release agent provides a determination of the quantity of release agent applied to the spreader drum. Upon the determination that too much release agent has been applied based on the flow rate, an alert signal is generated indicating that the metering blade should be inspected and replaced if necessary. Monitoring the amount of release agent applied to the spreader drum in this way enables a more robust printing and in-line coating system. | 01-22-2015 |
20150029242 | Colorant Transfer Systems - Colorant transfer, involving a colorant supply, and impeding colorant from exiting the colorant supply, a motion device, and providing a passage out of the colorant supply. | 01-29-2015 |
20150029243 | INKJET PRINTER HAVING BYPASS LINE - An inkjet printer includes: an ink container having an outlet port and a return port; a printhead having a first ink port and a second ink port; a first ink line interconnecting the outlet port and the first ink port; a second ink line interconnecting the return port and the second ink port; a bypass line interconnecting the first and second ink lines; a valve system for controlling fluid flow through the first ink line and the bypass line; and a controller for controlling the valve system. During printing, the controller is configured to open the first ink line and the bypass line. | 01-29-2015 |
20150062208 | COLOR MIXING DETECTION METHOD, COLOR MIXING DETECTION APPARATUS, AND PRINTING APPARATUS FOR INKJET PRINTING HEAD - An ink color mixing in an inkjet printing head can be securely detected without being influenced by foreign matters such as the existence of dust and without requiring a complicated image processing. To realize this, the occurrence of a color mixing is detected when a printing density-changed part of a printed image of an inspection pattern continuously extends over a predetermined range or more in a direction in which the printing head is moved relative to the printing medium during the printing of the inspection pattern. | 03-05-2015 |
20150070415 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS AND LIQUID CIRCULATION METHOD OF LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid from an ejection portion; a tank that stores the liquid; a circulation transportation portion that includes a first transportation portion for transporting liquid from the tank to the liquid ejecting head, and a second transportation portion for transporting the liquid from the liquid ejecting head to the tank; an actuator that circulates the liquid of the circulation transportation portion; and a control portion that controls the actuator so as to maintain pressure in the liquid ejecting head to be negative pressure with respect to atmospheric pressure when circulation of the liquid in the circulation transportation portion is started and to start the circulation of the liquid after the pressure in the liquid ejecting head is increased. | 03-12-2015 |
20150085003 | LIQUID EJECTION APPARATUS - A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection head including (i) an ejection opening portion, (ii) a supply flow passage, and (iii) an actuator, a first tank connected to the liquid ejection head to supply liquid to the supply flow passage; a pump for forcing the liquid in the first tank into the supply flow passage; and a controller. The controller executes: a first control for driving the actuator, or the actuator and the pump such that all the liquid in the first tank flows to the supply flow passage; and a second control for, after a completion of the first control, driving the actuator in a state in which the pump is stopped, to discharge the liquid in the supply flow passage from the ejection opening portion such that an amount of the liquid in the supply flow passage falls within a predetermined range. | 03-26-2015 |
20150085004 | INK JET PRINTING APPARATUS AND INK JET PRINTING METHOD - An ink jet printing apparatus includes a print head configured to be able to eject an ink fed from an ink tank that contains the ink in a closed space so as to apply a negative pressure to the ink, a communication path configured to allow a liquid chamber in the print head to communicate with an outside of the liquid chamber, an opening and closing unit configured to open and close the communication path, and a control unit configured to open the communication path in accordance with a pressure in the print head via the opening and closing unit, to bring the liquid chamber and the outside into communication with each other. | 03-26-2015 |
20150091956 | Inkjet Printer - A first ink air chamber is in communication with an air layer in a first ink tank for an ink of a first viscosity in communication with a first inkjet head. A second ink air chamber is in communication with an air layer in a second ink tank for an ink of a second viscosity in communication with a second inkjet head. A first on-off valve opens or closes communication between the first and second ink air chambers. A second on-off valve opens or closes communication between the second ink air chamber and the atmosphere. A pressure adjuster is configured to adjust a pressure in the second ink air chamber without intervention of the first ink air chamber. A controller is configured to drive the pressure adjuster to increase the pressure in the second ink air chamber with the first and second on-off valves being closed. | 04-02-2015 |
20150097881 | LIQUID SUPPLY DEVICE - A liquid supply device includes a first container storing liquid; a second container to which the liquid is supplied from the first container; at least one flow path to connect the first and second containers; a valve in the flow path to allow or interrupt the flow of the liquid in the flow path by opening or closing the valve; a pump provided to the flow path to transfer the liquid from the first container to the second container; and a control unit to operate the pump under a state in which the valve is opened to transfer the liquid in the first container to the second container, then close the valve and stop the pump, and then open the valve under a state in which the pump is stopped to transfer the liquid in the second container to the first container. | 04-09-2015 |
20150097882 | LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - Provided is a liquid ejecting apparatus which includes a plurality of liquid receiving portions in which the same kinds of liquid are received, a switching unit which switches the liquid receiving portion that supplies the liquid to a liquid ejecting head, and a controller which performs a maintenance process including discharging the liquid through the liquid ejecting head, in which, when a liquid residual amount of the liquid receiving portion that supplies the liquid to the ejecting head, which is calculated by a residual amount estimation portion, is less than a determination value, the controller performs the maintenance process in a state where the liquid receiving portion to supply the liquid to the liquid ejecting head is selected among the plurality of liquid receiving portions and the liquid is supplied from the selected liquid receiving portion to the liquid ejecting head. | 04-09-2015 |
20150124011 | INKJET PRINTING SYSTEM, FLUID EJECTION SYSTEM, AND METHOD THEREOF - An inkjet printing system, fluid ejection system and method thereof are disclosed. The fluid ejection system includes a fluid ejection device and a determination module to determine a supply condition based on the count value output by the converter module. The fluid ejection device includes a fluid supply chamber to store fluid, an ejection chamber including a nozzle and a corresponding ejection member to selectively eject the fluid through the nozzle, a pressure sensor unit having a sensor plate to output a voltage value corresponding to a cross-sectional area of an amount of fluid in the ejection chamber. The fluid ejection system also includes a converter module to output a count value corresponding to the voltage value output by the pressure sensor unit. | 05-07-2015 |
20150290947 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING LIGHT EMISSION OF INK CARTRIDGE - Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for controlling light emission of an ink cartridge. The method includes: an ink cartridge control unit ( | 10-15-2015 |
20150306869 | PRINTING SYSTEM AND PRINTING METHOD - 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. | 10-29-2015 |
20150352856 | CONSUMABLE SUPPLY ITEM WITH FLUID SENSING FOR MICRO-FLUID APPLICATIONS - A consumable supply item for an imaging device holds an initial or refillable volume of ink. A housing defines an interior having a pair of opposed electrodes. The electrodes have a capacitance that varies in response to an amount of liquid between them. A controller energizes one electrode and receives an output reading from the other. The controller processes the reading on board the housing and supplies it as a digital data stream to the imaging device during use. A memory stores calibration values for an empty and full housing. The controller writes back to the memory present fluid levels obtained from the output reading of the electrode. An enable output allows operation or not of a fluid pump in the imaging device. Materials, construction, modularity, and fluid communication ports are further embodiments, to name a few. | 12-10-2015 |
20150352857 | Liquid Ejecting Apparatus and Maintenance Method Thereof - A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising a liquid ejection head that ejects a liquid via nozzles; a first passage that communicates with the liquid ejection head, the first passage being configured to supply the liquid to the liquid ejection head; a second passage that communicates with the first passage in the liquid ejection head, the second passage forming, in cooperation with the first passage, a circulation passage; and a liquid driving unit provided in the circulation passage, the liquid driving unit being configured to move the liquid in the circulation passage when driven. The liquid is moved, by the driven liquid driving unit, at a first flow rate that maintains a meniscus of the liquid inside the nozzles after the liquid is moved at a second flow rate that is faster than the first flow rate. | 12-10-2015 |
20150375518 | INK CIRCULATION TYPE INKJET PRINTER - Upon supply of inks to second tanks of a plurality of printing units with the second tanks in communication with each other via a negative-pressure common air chamber in an air-tight state and with a negative-pressure force applied to the second tanks and the negative-pressure common air chamber, a controller is configured to drive ink supply units of the plurality of printing units to supply the inks such that times in which the inks flow into the second tanks in the plurality of printing units do not coincide with each other. | 12-31-2015 |
20150375520 | ABNORMALITY SENSING METHOD FOR PRESSURE SENSOR, AND LIQUID DISCHARGE DEVICE - The liquid discharge device includes a supply path which guides a liquid accumulated in a liquid accumulating unit to a liquid ejection head, a supply pump which feeds a liquid to the liquid ejection head from the liquid accumulating unit through the supply path, a damper which has a liquid chamber and an air chamber sectioned via a flexible membrane, and a pressure sensor, a pressure value is acquired from the pressure sensor in a state where the air chamber is open to atmosphere, and whether or not there is abnormality in the pressure sensor is determined based on comparison between a hydraulic head pressure between the damper and the pressure sensor, and the pressure value. | 12-31-2015 |
20160001566 | INKJET RECORDING DEVICE - An inkjet recording device includes: a head; an ink tank which is connected with the head through a supply channel and a collection channel; a deaeration module which is provided on a side of the supply channel; a main tank; and a supply control unit which controls supply and collection of the ink, where: a supplement flow rate from the main tank to the ink tank is assumed as L1 (ml/sec), a consumption flow rate of ejection from the head is assumed as L2 (ml/sec), and, in the case of L101-07-2016 | |
20160009105 | Print Control Device, Printing Device, Data Processing Method, and Print Control Device Configuration Method | 01-14-2016 |
20160016407 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS AND LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - A sub-tank is pressurized by a pump, with head valves closed. Then, one of the head valves is opened to perform a first purge on a first head. After the one head valve is closed, a different one of the head valves is opened to perform a second purge on a second head different from the first head. After these purges, an open-to-atmosphere valve is opened, with the head valves closed, to decrease the pressures inside the heads which are increased by the purges. This allows a selective purge on only a head which requires a purge. As a result, the amount of ink forced out is suppressed during the pressurized purges. After the sub-tank is made open to the atmosphere, a depressurizing pump depressurizes the sub-tank to form ink menisci in the heads. This prevents air bubbles from being drawn into nozzles during the formation of the ink menisci in the nozzles after the purges. | 01-21-2016 |
20160031225 | LIQUID SUPPLY SYSTEM, LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS, AND LIQUID SUPPLY METHOD - A liquid supply system includes a common mounting portion into which a first liquid storage body capable of storing a liquid and a substitute mounting body which is connected to a second liquid storage body capable of storing a liquid can be exchangeably mounted, a mounting target detection unit capable of detecting whether or not the first liquid storage body and the substitute mounting body are mounted to the common mounting portion, a pressurization supply unit which supplies the liquid which is stored in the second liquid storage body to the substitute mounting body under pressure, and a control unit which drives the pressure supply unit when a plurality of control conditions are satisfied. | 02-04-2016 |
20160039215 | LIQUID CONSUMING APPARATUS - A liquid consuming apparatus includes a liquid container, a detector, and a controller. The liquid container includes a movable member, and the movable member includes a detection portion. The detector is configured to output a detection signal based on the presence or absence of the detection portion in a detection position. The controller is configured to measure, based on the detection signal output from the detector, a physical quantity, based on which a velocity of the detection portion can be specified, and is configured to determine whether the physical quantity is within a threshold range. | 02-11-2016 |
20160052289 | PRINTING APPARATUS AND INK AMOUNT DETECTION METHOD - A printing apparatus includes a main tank for containing ink; a sub tank for containing ink supplied from the main tank and containing ink to be supplied to a print head; a detection unit configured to detect an ink amount in the sub tank; and a filling unit configured to perform ink filling operation that fills the sub tank with ink from the main tank by driving a driving unit, in a case where the detection unit detects the ink amount in the sub tank that is less than a first predetermined amount, wherein in a case where the ink amount in the main tank is less than a second predetermined amount, the filling unit drives the driving unit at smaller drive amount than that in a case where the ink amount in the main tank is greater than the second predetermined amount. | 02-25-2016 |
20160059564 | INKJET APPARATUS THAT CONTROLS A FLOW RATE OF LIQUID CIRCULATED THEREIN - An inkjet apparatus includes a head configured to discharge liquid through a plurality of nozzles, a tank configured to store the liquid, a circulation device positioned between the tank and the head and including a supply passage by which the liquid is circulated from the tank to the head and a return passage by which the liquid is circulated from the head to the tank, a temperature detecting unit configured to detect a temperature of the circulated liquid, and a control unit configured to control a flow rate of the circulated liquid, based on a detection result of the temperature detecting unit. | 03-03-2016 |
20160059573 | LIQUID TANK AND LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS - A liquid ejecting apparatus informs a user when an ink tank is substantially mechanically attached so as to prevent an attaching operation from being stopped by a user before completion of attachment of the ink tank. A board is provided with a light emitter, and a control unit for controlling the light emitter according to a conductive state between an electrode and a counterpart electrode. The liquid tank is moved by force P, a second engaging portion is locked to a second locking portion, and then, the liquid tank is attached to a holder at an attachment completion position. The non-conductive state between the electrodes is changed to a conductive state before the second engaging portion engages with the second locking portion, and then, the liquid tank is fixed at the attachment completion position during movement in a reverse direction after the liquid tank passes the attachment completion position. | 03-03-2016 |
20160059574 | LIQUID TANK AND INK EJECTION DEVICE - Notification is made to a user when mechanical engagement of an ink tank has been ensured such that the user does not stop a mounting operation before completion of mounting of the ink tank. A substrate includes a light emitting unit and a control unit configured to control the light emitting unit in accordance with a conduction state between an electrode and a corresponding electrode. A liquid tank is moved by force, a second engagement unit is locked to a second lock unit, and the liquid tank is mounted into a holder at a mounting completion position. In the movement, after the liquid tank has gone past the mounting completion position and a second engagement unit has shifted to a state of being partially engaged with the second lock unit, the electrodes shift from a non-conductive state to a conductive state. | 03-03-2016 |
20160059577 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image processing apparatus includes a status monitor; and a printer driver. The status monitor includes an ink consumption amount data storage unit configured to monitor an ink usage status of a user and store data of a consumption amount of ink of the user, and an ink consumption amount control unit configured to select an ink consumption amount reduction measure for a particular color to equalize the consumption amounts of ink of respective colors based on the stored data of the consumption amount of ink. The printer driver includes a drawing unit configured to perform image processing when a drawing instruction to a printer is received, and send a print instruction to the printer, and a UI unit configured to receive a print setting change. | 03-03-2016 |
20160067962 | METHOD FOR MANAGING INK QUALITY OF AN INKJET PRINTER VERSUS TEMPERATURE - A method for managing the quality of an ink of an inkjet printer versus temperature resorting to the management of the viscosity of the ink versus temperature, the ink comprising a solvent or a mixture of solvents and the solvent or mixture of solvents representing at least 50% by mass of the total mass of the ink, wherein the viscosity of the ink at a temperature T is calculated from the following parameters: the viscosity of the ink at a single reference temperature T | 03-10-2016 |
20160067980 | INK CARTRIDGE CHIP, INK CARTRIDGE, AND INK CARTRIDGE ADAPTIVE FRAME - An ink cartridge chip includes an interface unit, a control unit, and a storage unit, wherein the interface unit is configured to receive a light control command sent from an imaging device, and the light control command includes ink cartridge identification information; the storage unit is configured to store autogenic identification information and a state flag, and the state flag includes an executable state or a non-executable state; the control unit is configured to execute the light control command; and the control unit is is configured to, when the interface unit receives the light control command, control the light-emitting unit to execute the light control command based on the type of the light control command and the state flag in the storage unit to re-determined the state flag. | 03-10-2016 |
20160067983 | LIQUID DISCHARGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING PRESSURE OF LIQUID THEREIN - A liquid discharge apparatus includes a head, a first tank to which liquid is recovered from the head, a second tank that is connected to the first tank and from which liquid is supplied to the head, a pressure regulator configured to adjust a pressure of the liquid, and a controller configured to control the pressure regulator. The pressure regulator includes a first cylinder connected to an upper portion of the first tank, a first piston movable in the first cylinder, a first valve configured to open and close a path between the first tank and the first cylinder, depending on a position of the first piston, a second cylinder connected to the first cylinder, a second piston movable in the second cylinder, and a second valve configured to open and close a path between the second cylinder and an atmosphere, depending on a position of the second piston. | 03-10-2016 |
20160075144 | INK CIRCULATION TYPE INKJET PRINTER - A controller, upon a pressure of one tank of a positive pressure tank and a negative pressure tank reaching a setting pressure of the one tank prior to a pressure of the other tank reaching a setting pressure of the other tank after driving an air pump, sets an air opening valve opening time at each unit time according to a difference between the pressure of the one tank and the pressure of the other tank, and repeatedly drives one of a positive-pressure-side air opening valve and a negative-pressure-side air opening valve corresponding to the one tank to switch to and hold an air open state of the one tank for the set air opening valve opening time within the unit time, until the pressure of the other tank reaches the setting pressure of the other tank. | 03-17-2016 |
20160089894 | INK TANK AND PRINTING APPARATUS - A light emitting portion of an ink tank emits light after a delay time in accordance with a mounting speed of the ink tank has elapsed after connecting second electrode pads on an ink tank side and a second contact on a holder side. | 03-31-2016 |
20160089896 | INK CIRCULATION TYPE INKJET PRINTER - An inkjet printer includes: a positive pressure space for a positive pressure for circulating ink along a circulation path to be applied; a negative pressure space for a negative pressure for circulating the ink along the circulation path to be applied; a positive-pressure-side air opening valve configured to selectively open and close the positive pressure space to a positive-pressure-side air opening path; a negative-pressure-side air opening valve configured to selectively open and close the negative pressure space to a negative-pressure-side air opening path; and a control unit configured to, when terminating circulation of the ink in the circulation path, drive the positive-pressure-side air opening valve to open the positive pressure space to the positive-pressure-side air opening path and then drive the negative-pressure-side air opening valve to open the negative pressure space to the negative-pressure-side air opening path. | 03-31-2016 |
20160089912 | RECORDING APPARATUS - A recording apparatus includes: a mount base having a mount surface on which a sheet discharged through a medium discharge outlet is mounted, the mount surface facing the recording surface of the sheet; a projection rib that is provided in the mount base, is projectable from the mount surface, and extends along a discharge direction of the sheet discharged through the medium discharge outlet, through a center of the sheet in a width direction crossing the discharge direction of the sheet; and a projection mechanism that causes the projection rib to project from the mount surface to a rib height according to a dimension of the sheet in the width direction discharged through the medium discharge outlet. | 03-31-2016 |
20160121625 | RECORDING DEVICE AND CURL DETERMINATION METHOD - There is provided a recording device including a transport section that transports paper along a support surface; a recording section; a determination region setting section; a liquid volume ratio calculation section; a determination section; and a recording position adjustment section that, when the determination section determines that the average value is larger than the threshold, adjusts a distance of the recording section from the support surface to a distance which is longer than a case in which the average value is not larger than the threshold. | 05-05-2016 |
20160129697 | Liquid Ejecting Apparatus and Maintenance Method Thereof - A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising a liquid ejection head that ejects a liquid via nozzles; a first passage that communicates with the liquid ejection head, the first passage being configured to supply the liquid to the liquid ejection head; a second passage that communicates with the first passage in the liquid ejection head, the second passage forming, in cooperation with the first passage, a circulation passage; and a liquid driving unit provided in the circulation passage, the liquid driving unit being configured to move the liquid in the circulation passage when driven. The liquid is moved, by the driven liquid driving unit, at a first flow rate that maintains a meniscus of the liquid inside the nozzles after the liquid is moved at a second flow rate that is faster than the first flow rate. | 05-12-2016 |
20160167392 | INK CARTRIDGE FOR INK JET PRINTER | 06-16-2016 |
20160250860 | CONTROLLING AN INK FLOW TO A PRINT HEAD | 09-01-2016 |
20190143708 | METHOD AND EVALUATOR FOR DETERMINING THE STATE OF A DEGASSING DEVICE | 05-16-2019 |