Binding systems using ink jet printing technology

Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatus use ink jet printer technology for binding applications by using at least some ink fluid ejectors as glue fluid ejectors. For example, in a printing device including recording head cartridges and reservoirs dedicated to each of the colors (Y, M, C, K), a user could replace the reservoirs storing ink with reservoirs storing glue. If a user desires to eject two-component glue, two reservoirs could be filled with one component of the glue and the other two reservoirs could be filled with the second component of the glue. Alternatively, a user could add additional reservoirs, channels, and corresponding ejectors to the system. After making the color images with marking components, the glue ejectors could be used for binding. Because exemplary embodiments use marking technology, such as ink jet printer technology, embodiments provide precise positioning, high metering and accurate delivery of a three pico-liter size glue drop. All components of the glue should have similar viscosity and surface tension properties, along with as many other similar properties, to the other fluid used in the fluid ejectors as possible.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.