Devices and methods are provided for ejecting a droplet from a reservoir using focused acoustic radiation having a plurality of nonsimultaneous and discrete frequency ranges. Such frequency ranges may be used to control droplet volume and/or velocity. Optionally, satellite fluid ejection from the reservoir is suppressed.

An image formation device includes a plurality of first nozzles which eject a first ink, a plurality of second nozzles which eject a second ink, a processor which forms an image of a resolution R [dpi] on the basis of print data, and a memory which stores computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform a process including performing an ejection control, when printing of adjacent DR pixels is performed by the first ink at a high density Ph [%] that is higher than a unit density Pu [%], such that total densities of the second ink ejected onto each of the pixels in the pixel array by the plurality of times of scanning are, respectively, substantially the same as a maximum density of the second ink able to be ejected at one time from the second nozzles.

An image formation device includes a plurality of nozzles arranged at an interval D [in], a processor which forms an image of a resolution R [dpi] on the basis of print data and a memory which stores computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, performs a process including performing ejection control, ejection control including relatively moving the nozzles in the sub scan direction a plurality of times from a print start position on the basis of a reference LF value, when performing printing with respect to each of pixels of adjacent pixels at a high density Ph [%], relatively moving the nozzles in the main scan direction less than a (jRD) number of times, and a total of the densities of the ink of each of the pixels of the adjacent pixels is caused to be the high density Ph [%].

A method of acoustophoretic printing comprises generating an acoustic field at a first end of an acoustic chamber fully or partially enclosed by sound-reflecting walls. The acoustic field interacts with the sound-reflecting walls and travels through the acoustic chamber. The acoustic field is enhanced in a chamber outlet at a second end of the acoustic chamber. An ink is delivered into a nozzle positioned within the acoustic chamber. The nozzle has a nozzle opening projecting into the chamber outlet. The ink travels through the nozzle and is exposed to the enhanced acoustic field at the nozzle opening, and a predetermined volume of the ink is ejected from the nozzle opening and out of the acoustic chamber.

Provided is a liquid droplet generation method capable of generating liquid droplets having a diameter of 100 ?m or more. The liquid droplet generation method for generating liquid droplets from a liquid layer 20 by using a plurality of transducers 18, the method including irradiating the liquid layer 20 with a plurality of ultrasonic waves from the plurality of transducers 18 to scatter primary liquid droplets 21A and 21B from the liquid layer 20, and causing the primary liquid droplets 21A and 21B being scattered to aggregate and grow into a secondary liquid droplet 22A.

The present invention contains a printing apparatus and a method, e.g., for ejecting inks (i.e., pure liquids, mixtures, colloids, etc.) for a very broad range of physical properties (such as viscosity). Acoustic forces 3a may be generated by an emitter 1 and a reflector 2 to detach droplets 10 from a nozzle 6. The ink may be advanced through the nozzle 6 by a standard back pressure system 5. A reflectorless chamber 7 may enhance acoustic forces 8a and the droplets 10 may be ejected at a bottom 9 of said chamber 7, so that droplets 10 may be deposited on any substrate 11.

A device for forming and ejecting drops of an ink jet of a CIJ printing machine, this device including: a cavity for containing an ink and including an end provided with a nozzle (10) for ejecting ink drops, actuator means (21, 22, 32, 41, 42), in contact with the cavity, in which device the jet velocity modulation, from the nozzle (10), has a value Vj(f.sub.t) at the operating frequency of the cavity and the actuator, and this jet velocity modulation, at the temperature of 15 C. and at the temperature of 35 C., does not vary, in a frequency range of +5 kHz about the operating frequency f.sub.t, outside the range of between 0.25Vj(f.sub.t) and 4Vj(f.sub.t).

The invention provides apparatuses and methods for acoustically ejecting the fluid from a reservoir contained in or disposed on a substrate. The reservoir has a portion adapted to contain a fluid, and an acoustic radiation generator is positioned in acoustic coupling relationship to the reservoir. Acoustic radiation generated by the acoustic radiation generator is transmitted through at least the portion of the reservoir to an analyzer. The analyzer is capable of determining the energy level of the transmitted acoustic radiation and raising the energy level of subsequent pulses to a level sufficient to eject fluid droplets from the reservoir. The invention is particularly suited for delivering fluid from a plurality of reservoirs in an accurate and efficient manner.

The present invention contains a printing apparatus and a method, e.g., for ejecting inks (i.e. pure liquids, mixtures, colloids, etc.) for a very broad range of physical properties (such as viscosity). Acoustic forces 3a may be generated by an emitter 1 and a reflector 2 to detach droplets 10 from a nozzle 6. The ink may be advanced through the nozzle 6 by a standard back pressure system 5. A reflectorless chamber 7 may enhance acoustic forces 8a and the droplets 10 may be ejected at a bottom 9 of said chamber 7, so that droplets 10 may be deposited on any substrate 11.

An electronic circuit for driving an individual print element in a print head is disclosed. The print head comprises an array of print elements, each print element having a piezo-electric actuator that is capable of generating an acoustic wave in an ink chamber of the print element, resulting in the ejection of an ink drop out of a nozzle that is in fluid connection with the ink chamber. The electronic circuit comprises a number of analog drivers for amplifying an output current at a voltage level in-between two source voltage levels, wherein the drivers can be switched into a tristate condition at a voltage level that does not equal one of the source voltage levels.