Patent classifications
B41J2/175
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS CAPABLE OF PERFORMING PROCESSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH OPERATION MODE SET THEREFOR
An image forming apparatus includes: a main casing; a supply cartridge attachable to the main casing; a printing mechanism; a display; and a controller configured to perform: determining, based on information inputted into the controller, whether an agreement is made for the image forming apparatus; setting, when an agreement is made for the image forming apparatus, an operation mode for the image forming apparatus to a pre-contract mode; determining under the pre-contract mode whether a type of the supply cartridge attached to the main casing is a normal type or a subscription type; displaying, when the type of the supply cartridge attached to the main casing is the normal type, information related to the pre-contract mode on the display; and setting, when the type of the supply cartridge attached to the main casing is the subscription type, the operation mode from the pre-contract mode to a formal contract mode.
EXPANSION MEMBERS
In some examples, an apparatus can include a cartridge flange, and a grip structure including an inner surface to receive an expansion member included in an imaging device, where the expansion member is to expand from a first diameter to a second diameter to be received by the grip structure.
FLUIDIC INTERFACES WITH SHUTTER LOCKS
Examples of a fluidic interface for a printing device are described. In some examples, the fluidic interface may include a shutter lock to prevent movement of a shutter covering a needle to engage a print substance supply. In some examples, the fluidic interface may also include a supply key opening to receive a supply key of the print substance supply that engages the shutter lock to permit movement of the shutter to expose the needle.
FLUIDIC INTERFACES WITH SHUTTER LOCKS
Examples of a fluidic interface for a printing device are described. In some examples, the fluidic interface may include a shutter lock to prevent movement of a shutter covering a needle to engage a print substance supply. In some examples, the fluidic interface may also include a supply key opening to receive a supply key of the print substance supply that engages the shutter lock to permit movement of the shutter to expose the needle.
Intermediate transfer member for a digital printing system
A system includes: (a) a flexible intermediate transfer member (ITM) including multiple layers and markers including: (i) a structure engraved, in at least one of the layers, at respective marking locations along the ITM, and (ii) at least part of the structure is filled with a filling material that changes one or both of optical and magnetic properties of the ITM, the ITM includes an outer layer for receiving ink droplets, and transferring the ink image to a target substrate, (b) sensing assemblies disposed at respective predefined locations relative to the ITM, and configured to produce signals indicative of respective positions of the markers, and (c) a processor, which is configured to receive the signals, and based on the signals, to control a deposition of the ink droplets on the ITM, and the processor is configured to detect a deformation of the ITM based on the first and second signals.
Intermediate transfer member for a digital printing system
A system includes: (a) a flexible intermediate transfer member (ITM) including multiple layers and markers including: (i) a structure engraved, in at least one of the layers, at respective marking locations along the ITM, and (ii) at least part of the structure is filled with a filling material that changes one or both of optical and magnetic properties of the ITM, the ITM includes an outer layer for receiving ink droplets, and transferring the ink image to a target substrate, (b) sensing assemblies disposed at respective predefined locations relative to the ITM, and configured to produce signals indicative of respective positions of the markers, and (c) a processor, which is configured to receive the signals, and based on the signals, to control a deposition of the ink droplets on the ITM, and the processor is configured to detect a deformation of the ITM based on the first and second signals.
RECORDING APPARATUS
A recording apparatus includes a conveyance unit that conveys a recording medium in a first direction toward a recording head for ejecting a liquid, a tank including a containing chamber containing the liquid to be supplied to the recording head, and an injection port through which the liquid is injected into the containing chamber, the tank being disposed downstream of the conveyance unit in the first direction, a rotatable lever that holds a tank cap for closing the injection port, and a cover that rotates about a rotation shaft between an open position for exposing the lever and a closed position for covering the lever, the rotation shaft being disposed upstream of the conveyance unit in the first direction. The cover includes a sliding portion that is provided on a surface facing the lever and comes into contact with the lever while the cover is rotating toward the closed position.
MAINTENANCE OF PRINTING DEVICES
Determining a need for maintenance of a printing device in large format printing is described in which historical performance data including ink consumption data relating to the printing device may be obtained. Threshold data based on the obtained historical performance data indicative of a need for maintenance of the printing device may be identified. Current performance data of the printing device may be monitored and may be used to determine whether the current performance data exceeds the identified threshold data indicative of a need for maintenance of the printing device.
LIQUID STORAGE CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
A liquid storage container includes a container main body that is capable of storing a liquid and at least a portion of which includes a translucent outer wall; a support member that is integrally formed with the container main body; and a rotation member that is rotatably supported by the support member. The rotation member includes a float that rotates due to fluctuations in a liquid level of the liquid, and a display member that rotates in conjunction with the float and is capable of displaying a position of the float to an outside through the translucent outer wall.
CAPILLARY STRUCTURES
An example fluidic device comprises a fluid reservoir and a capillary structure. The fluid reservoir has a porous media arranged within and the capillary structure is in fluid communication with the porous media reservoir and the fluid reservoir. The capillary structure has tuned parameters corresponding to parameters of the porous media. An internal fluid path of the capillary structure enables three or more fill readings based on a height of a fluid within the capillary structure and further based on the tuned parameters of the capillary structure.