Seiko Epson Corporation

Mitsutaka Nishikawa

Nobumasa Abe

Kiyoharu Momose

Yuichi Nakamura

Tsuneo Handa

Koji Watanabe

Ko Ji Watanabe

Masanao Kunugi

Katsuni Suzuki

A toner quantity measuring device, a method of measuring toner quantity and an image forming apparatus are provided that can accurately measure the toner quantity in an environmentally friendly manner, without having to make contact with a toner carrier and within a shortened period of time. The toner quantity measuring device is designed to measure the quantity of the toner T on a developing rollerwhich carries coloring agent-containing toner T in the form of a thin layer. The toner quantity measuring device is provided with a chromaticity detectorfor detecting average chromaticity of the light which is irradiated from a light sourceonto the developing rollerand then reflected by the developing roller, and a calculatorfor calculating the toner quantity based on the average chromaticity detected by the chromaticity detector

Toner quantity measuring device, method of measuring toner quantity and image forming apparatus

An ink jet recording apparatus for ejecting droplets of ink from a plurality of nozzles is provided. The recording apparatus comprises a nozzle plate having the plurality of nozzles and a pressure generator associated with each of the plurality of nozzles. The nozzles and said pressure generators are disposed in at least three groups and each of the groups are associated with a single color ink. The ink associated with one group of nozzles and pressure generators is lighter, and the ink associated with one group of nozzles and pressure generators is darker than the ink associated with the other groups of nozzles and pressure generators. The group of nozzles and pressure generators associated with the ink of the lightest color is situated furthest from the group of nozzles and pressure generators associated with the ink of the darkest color. The recording apparatus also comprises first reservoir means for storing ink formed between the nozzle plate and the pressure generating means having a first cross-sectional area, support means for supporting the pressure generating means and having a slit having a second cross-sectional area for supplying ink to the first reservoir means, and second reservoir means in fluid communication with the slit for storing ink having a third cross-sectional area wherein the first cross-sectional area is smaller than the second cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is smaller than the third cross-sectional area for promoting capillary action in ejecting droplets of ink through the plurality of nozzles.

Ink jet recording apparatus and method of manufacture

A thermal ink jet recording apparatus includes at least a substrate having at least a plurality of heating elements disposed in rows in at least two groups. Each group consists of two rows of heating elements, one row arranged on either side of the ink supply portion, each of the groups of the heating elements being associated with a single color ink. At least one nozzle plate has a plurality of nozzles disposed on the substrate where at least one nozzle plate and the substrate define a space between the nozzle plate and the substrate in registration with each group of heating elements and corresponding group of nozzles associated with a single color ink. Means are provided for independently delivering ink of one color from the ink reservoir to each of the spaces, whereby printing can be independently effected in at least two colors of ink.

Ink jet recording apparatus for ejecting droplets of ink through

A thermal ink jet recording apparatus includes a plurality of heating elements which serve as pressure generating members spaced apart from a plurality of nozzles. A reservoir, which stores ink prior to ejection through the nozzles, is formed between a nozzle plate and the pressure generating members and has a first cross-sectional area. A gap formed between a pair of substrates upon which the pressure generating members are disposed has a second cross-sectional area. An additional reservoir for storing ink is in fluid communication with the gap and has a third cross-sectional area. The first cross-sectional area is smaller than the second cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is smaller than the third cross-sectional area for promoting capillary action in ejecting droplets of ink through the plurality of nozzles.

Metal-insulator-metal devices having an insulation layer between two metal layers wherein the relative dielectric constant of the insulation layer is less than the relative dielectric constant of oxidized Ta, and

Active matrix liquid crystal display device and method for production

A thermal ink jet recording apparatus includes at least a substrate having a gap disposed over an ink reservoir on a base in communication with an ink source. A film circuit of electrodes and heating elements is formed on each substrate. A nozzle plate covering the substrates has a lower step portion and a upper step portion. The upper step portion includes nozzles substantially directly above and corresponding to the plurality of heating elements. Ink which is used for this apparatus includes ionic or non-ionic surface active agents for increasing permeability of the ink on a recording medium.

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Suwa, Japan

Mitsutaka Nishikawa