Xerox Corporation

Graphic Utilities, Inc.

Other

Richard G Crystal

Andrew Gabor

Sven E Karlsson

Raymond Geffre

Stephan V Drappel

Richard L Schank

John C Dunfield

Hardy Sonnenberg

George W Bowers

James Daniel Mayo

James McConnell Duff

Nicholas K Sheridon

Gerald A Domoto

Robert W Gundlach

Enrique J Klein

Henry R Till

Joseph Michael Crowley

Michael C Weisberg

John Christopher Knights

Harold M Anderson

Gordon Sohl

Aron Sereny

John M Lennon

Rodney B Proulx

David L Bogert

Frank J Walton

A method for refilling an ink cartridge which contains an elastic bladder within the ink reservoir cavity that is connected to outside pressure. The methodology of the invention teaches how to seal and unseal the bladder and ink regions in sequential steps and how to inject ink into the ink reservoir cavity so it may be re-used and not discarded.

Method for refilling ink jet cartridges

This invention is directed to improved aqueous pigment-based ink compositions for use in ink jets and methods of enhancing and/or controlling the optical density and print sharpness of both pigment-based and dye-based inks. The improved ink compositions include a class or organic quaternary ammonium compounds which improve the optical density and print sharpness of the inks. Other improvements include the use of a polyalkylene oxide to impedence match the ink with the drop formation rate to provide drop formation rates as high as 8,000 drops per second. These high drop rates permit higher writing speeds and enhanced printer resolution. Yet another improvement to ink jet ink composition is the addition of urea, urea derivatives and thiol compounds. These compounds prevent the ink jet from accumulating dried ink thus preventing clogging of the ink jet.

Ink compositions having improved optical density characteristics

A kit for opening and sealing a cartridge having an interior ink reservoir coupled to an access port extending from a reference surface comprises a rigid plunger, a plate and a rigid spherical plug. The plate has one or more regions of varying thickness and a bottom surface which is complementary to the reference surface on the cartridge. The bottom surface of the plate may be matched to the reference surface of the cartridge in two distinct orientations such that a sealed access port may be opened, refilled and sealed with a rigid spherical plug by extension of the plunger through the plate in each orientation to a depth determined by the length of the plunger, the thickness of the plate in each orientation, the depth of the access port in the cartridge, and the diameter of the spherical plug.

Method for opening, refilling and sealing a cartridge

A method of refilling an ink jet cartridge with ink. The cartridge has a housing which encloses an internal ink reservoir extending between top and bottom ends thereof, an ink fill aperture extending through the housing near its top end, and a means for sealing the ink fill aperture. The cartridge further includes a bladder in the reservoir, an air port affixed to the top of the housing, and a spring means which biases the bladder toward a minimum volume state. According to the method, the cartridge is positioned with its top end above its bottom end, the ink fill aperture is unsealed, and the air port is sealed. The bladder is inflated to establish an internal volume in a predetermined range. Ink is then injected into the reservoir through the ink fill aperture. The ink fill aperture is then sealed, and the air port unsealed.

Kit and method for opening, refilling and sealing a cartridge

The present invention provides improved dye based ink solutions for use in ink jet printing. In one embodiment of the invention, an aqueous ink with improved water solubility and waterfastness is provided that includes a dye component and a hydroxyethylated polyethylene imine polymer, wherein the hydroxyethylated polyethylene imine polymer has incorporated therein approximately 10 to 55 percent hydroxyethyl groups by weight. Alternative embodiments of the invention include the use of hydroxypropylated polyethylene imine polymers or epichlorohydrin-modified polyethylene imine polymers. In addition, aprotic solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and tetramethylene sulfone may be added to improve the solubility and stability of the dye solution, and humectants such as 2-pyrrolidone may be added. According to the methods of the invention, an ink with improved stability, jetting characteristics, solubility and waterfastness may be provided.

Waterfast inks

Disclosed are ionographic imaging apparatuses and processes. One apparatus comprises an imaging means, means for applying to the imaging means a liquid material capable of forming a dielectric peel layer adhering to the imaging means, ionographic writing means for generating a latent image on the peel layer, means for developing the latent image on the peel layer, and means for simultaneously transferring the peel layer bearing the developed image from the imaging means to a substrate and affixing the peel layer bearing the developed image to the substrate. In another embodiment, the apparatus employs a process which comprises applying to an imaging means a liquid material capable of forming a dielectric peel layer adhering to the imaging means, forming a first latent image on the peel layer with an ionographic writing means, developing the first latent image with a first developer, forming a second latent image on the peel layer containing the first developed image with an ionographic writing means, developing the second latent image with a second developer, forming a third latent image on the peel layer containing the first and second developed images with an ionographic writing means, developing the third latent image with a third developer, and simultaneously transferring the portion of the peel layer that bears the developed images to a substrate and affixing the peel layer bearing the developed images to the substrate. A further embodiment is directed to an apparatus and process for sequentially forming and developing primary color images on an imaging means to form a full color image, followed by trasnsferring the fully formed image to a substrate, wherein the developers employed contain a release agent.

Imaging apparatuses and processes

Disclosed is a process for forming images which comprises (a) incorporating into a thermal transfer printing apparatus a multi-use thermal transfer element comprising a substrate upon which is situated a porous sponge layer filled with ink; (b) applying heat imagewise to a portion of the substrate to heat the ink contained in the porous sponge layer, thereby enabling transfer of the ink in imagewise fashion from the porous sponge layer to a receiver sheet in contact with the porous sponge layer; (c) thereafter separating the receiver sheet of step (b) from the transfer element, (d) subsequently contacting the porous layer situated on the portion of the substrate heated in step (b) with a receiver sheet; and (e) thereafter applying heat imagewise to the portion of the substrate previously heated in step (b) to heat the ink contained in the porous sponge layer, thereby enabling transfer of the ink in imagewise fashion from the porous sponge layer to the receiver sheet of step (d). Also disclosed is a thermal transfer printing process with a multi-use thermal transfer element comprising a substrate and a porous sponge layer filled with ink, wherein the process employs resistive heating of the substrate of the transfer element by applying voltage to the substrate. In one embodiment, the ink contains a dye salt resulting from the reaction of a dye and a fatty acid.

Thermal transfer printing processes with multi-use transfer elements

Disclosed is a thermal transfer printing element which comprises a substrate upon which is situated an ink composition comprising a liquid crystalline material and a colorant. Diluent materials can also be contained in the ink. Also disclosed is a process for forming images with a thermal transfer printing apparatus which comprises incorporating into a thermal transfer printing apparatus a thermal transfer element which comprises a substrate upon which is situated an ink composition comprising a liquid crystalline material and a colorant and applying heat imagewise to the substrate to transfer ink imagewise from the substrate to a receiver sheet.

Thermal transfer printing elements with mesomorphic inks

Disclosed is a thermal transfer printing process which comprises incorporating into a thermal transfer printing apparatus with a thermal printhead a transfer element comprising a substrate upon which is contained an ink, contacting the transfer element with a receiver sheet, applying heat imagewise from the printhead to the transfer element, and applying a field between the transfer element and the receiver sheet to enhance imagewise transfer of the ink from the transfer element to the receiver sheet. The applied field may be either electric or magnetic in nature.

Magnetically and electrostatically assisted thermal transfer printing

Disclosed is an ink coating composition for impact printing ribbons comprised of a sponge with an ink composition dispersed therein, which ink is comprised of pigment particles and a dimer acid.

Ink compositions for impact typewriter ribbons

An impact mechanism for an improved serial impact printer for delivering a printing force to drive a character element against a platen by means of a print tip movable toward and away from the platen. The print tip is supported upon a carriage mounted upon the printer for reciprocating movement in a path substantially parallel to the axis of the platen. The impact mechanism includes a bail bar extending substantially across the printer and mounted for rocking movement toward and away from the platen, its axis of rocking being substantially parallel to the axis of the platen. A prime mover is connected to the bail bar for imparting controlled rocking movement thereto. The print tip and the bail bar are interconnected so as to move the print tip toward and away from the platen as the bail bar is rocked.

Impact mechanism for quiet impact printer

A serial impact printer including a novel hammer mechanism for applying a printing force against a character element to drive it in sequence against a marking medium, a mark receiving support, such as a sheet of paper, and the print line on a platen. The hammer mechanism delivers its impact force against a character element along a line forming an angle with a line normal to the surface of the platen at the point of contact of the character element with the platen. This arrangement enhances the ink release of single strike ribbons and multi-part carbon forms. By urging the hammer mechanism against the character element for an extended dwell time of at least 1 millisecond, which is substantially greater than that in conventional printers, the ink release of multi-strike ribbons, fabric ribbons and correctable ribbonsd may also be enhanced. By incorporating both the oblique impact and the extended dwell, the ink release characteristics of all conventional ribbons and multi-part forms will be enhanced.

Impact printer with application of oblique print force

An impacting element for an impact printer having a platen, selectable character elements and means for driving the impacting element to impart a printing force to a selected character element, to drive it against said platen for a contact period, the impacting element including a sensor thereon for generating a signal indicative of the initiation of the contact period.

Print tip contact sensor for quiet impact printer

A printwheel, for use in a serial printer, in which the spokes pass in contact with a printwheel alignment member, which contact is a noise generation and wear inducing source. The printwheel is designed to include a noise and wear reducing element. The printwheel spokes terminate in character pads bearing type faces on one side thereof and are hammered on their opposite side. A wiping element is secured to the printwheel hub and lies adjacent to the spokes on the hammered side. The wiping element includes a ring of continuous, low mass, flexible material, having a wear resistant surface. The ring is located immediately radially inwardly of the character pads. P

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Los Altos, CA, United States of America

Richard G Crystal