An indirect printing system comprising an intermediate transfer member (ITM) and an image forming station at which droplets of ink are applied to the ITM to form ink images thereon, the image forming station including a first print bar including a first plurality of print heads and having mounted thereon a first blowing mechanism for introducing a first gas flow, having a first flow rate, into a gap between the first plurality of print heads and the ITM, and a second print bar including a second plurality of print heads and having mounted thereon a second blowing mechanism for introducing a second gas flow, having a second flow rate, into a gap between the second plurality of print heads and the ITM, the second print bar being disposed downstream of the first print bar, the second flow rate being greater than the first flow rate.

A needle-point pen apparatus and methods for administering a medication. The needle-point pen apparatus can include a barrel, a needle movably disposed within an inner channel of the barrel, the needle having a tip and an elongate shaft. A driving unit is coupled to the needle and provides a driving actuation to the needle. The driving actuation causes the needle to reciprocate within the barrel between one or more extended and retracted positions. The needle being designed to at least partially insert the medication into living tissue. A medication reservoir supplies the medication to the needle for at least partial insertion into the tissue. A computing device controls the needle actuation and the supply of the medication to the needle for controlling administration of the medication at multiple different computer-controlled depths and/or locations of the tissue.

There is disclosed a method of manufacturing a multi-layered article including a finished outer surface optionally having particular surface properties. The article can be a self-supported strip having a smooth outer surface. The method is, for example, suitable for the preparation of multi-layered articles such as a flexible intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use in an indirect printing system. Uses of such articles are also disclosed.

An intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use with a printing system, the ITM having (a) a support layer; and (b) a release layer having an ink reception surface and a second surface opposing the ink reception surface, the second surface attached to the support layer, the release layer formed of an addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material, wherein the release surface of the release layer has relatively hydrophilic properties with respect to the addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material.

An intermediate transfer member (ITM) for use with a printing system, the ITM having (a) a support layer; and (b) a release layer having an ink reception surface and a second surface opposing the ink reception surface, the second surface attached to the support layer, the release layer formed of an addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material, wherein the release surface of the release layer has relatively hydrophilic properties with respect to the addition-cured, hydrophobic silicone material.

A transfer printing system includes an ink-jet printer, a transfer-surface, and a transfer-mechanism. The ink-jet printer dispenses jettable-material in a pattern. The transfer-surface accumulates the pattern which is subsequently transferred to a substrate. The substrate is characterized by a non-uniform surface. The transfer-mechanism moves the transfer-surface containing the pattern of jettable-material into contact with the substrate whereby the pattern of jettable-material is transferred from the transfer-surface to the substrate.

Needle-point pen apparatuses and methods for marking and/or creating articles and objects. Other uses for the needle-point pen are also disclosed herein. Further needle, ink, and carriage control improvements are further discussed as well as marking and manufacturing processes. Further control, characterization and design parameters, components, and processes are disclosed. Methods for designing and manufacturing articles as well as collaboration between artists and article designers, including distributed and remote collaboration, are disclosed. New marking techniques, computer control, software, hardware and interactive techniques are further disclosed. And, designs and use of the needle-point pens are further described and illustrated.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a printing apparatus capable of collecting a liquid applied to a transfer member efficiently and maintaining the state of the transfer member satisfactorily is provided. More specifically, an inkjet printing apparatus of an intermediate transfer type using a transfer member includes two supplying rollers each applying a liquid to a region on the transfer member after an image is transferred to a print medium, and a collection roller that rotates in contact with the transfer member and collects the applied liquid.

There is provided a fuser including: an endless belt; a contacting member contacting an outer peripheral surface of the endless belt; a pressure roller contacting an inner peripheral surface of the endless belt and sandwiching the endless belt together with the contacting member; and a sliding contact member making sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt. The pressure roller includes a first porous layer impregnated with a lubricating agent, in a place contacting the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt.

There is provided a fuser including: an endless belt; a contacting member contacting an outer peripheral surface of the endless belt; a pressure roller contacting an inner peripheral surface of the endless belt and sandwiching the endless belt together with the contacting member; and a sliding contact member making sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt. The pressure roller includes a first porous layer impregnated with a lubricating agent, in a place contacting the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt.