Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090000735 | LAMINATION DEVICE METHOD FOR FLEXOGRAPHIC PLATE MANUFACTURING - An apparatus and related method for laminating a masking film onto a pre-press flexographic printing plate to place the plate in optical contact with the film by applying a balanced, non-distorting force to the flexographic printing plate and masking film. This method includes laminating the pre-press flexographic printing plate with the film mask by applying an optimized lamination force to achieve optical contact while minimizing lateral film distortion. | 01-01-2009 |
20100218898 | LAMINATION DEVICE METHOD FOR FLEXOGRAPHIC PLATE MANUFACTURING - A pre-press flexographic plate laminator for laminating a masking film onto a pre-press flexographic printing plate. The apparatus can be used to apply a balanced, non-distorting force to a flexographic printing plate and masking film with an optimized lamination force to achieve optical contact while minimizing lateral film distortion. | 09-02-2010 |
20100243925 | ENHANCED LIGHT DETECTOR FOR COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY - A scanning apparatus for obtaining an image from a phosphor sheet has a cylindrical drum having an inner axis and having an inner surface that is concave with respect to the axis. A light collector is coupled to a transport mechanism that is actuable to translate the light collector along a direction parallel to the axis. The light collector has a beam generator with a light source and a rotatable beam deflector that is actuable to provide a rotating scanning beam. There are first and second cylindrical hoops circumferentially disposed about the axis and spaced apart from each other along the direction of the axis to define a slot aligned with the rotating scanning beam as it scans the phosphor sheet. At least one light detector is disposed to detect light stimulated from the phosphor sheet by the scanning beam. | 09-30-2010 |
20110128337 | MEDIA TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR NON-CONTACTING PRINTING - A digital printing system for printing on a continuous web of print media includes a support structure that guides the continuous web of print media under tension through the printing system. The printing system includes a first mechanism that is affixed to the support structure that positions the print media in a cross track direction. A second mechanism is affixed to the support structure that sets tension of the print media. A third mechanism is affixed to the support structure that sets an angular trajectory of the print media. A roller is affixed to the support structure and is configured to align to the print media being guided through the printing system without necessarily being aligned to another roller located upstream or downstream relative to the roller. A drive roller is affixed to the support structure that moves the print media through the printing system. A printhead is located downstream relative to the first mechanism. The printhead is configured to selectively moisten at least a portion of the print media being guided through the printing system without contacting the print media. | 06-02-2011 |
20110128338 | MODULAR MEDIA TRANSPORT SYSTEM - A digital printing system for printing on a continuous web of print media includes a first module and a second module that guide a continuous web of print media under tension through the printing system. At least one of the first module and the second module include a digital printhead for placing marks on the print media as it travels through the module. The first module includes a first support structure. A first mechanism is affixed to the first support structure and includes structure that positions the print media in a cross track direction. A second mechanism is affixed to the first support structure and includes structure that sets a tension of the print media. The second module includes a second support structure and is positioned downstream from the first module. A mechanism that kinematically connects the continuous web of print media traveling through the first module to the continuous web of print media traveling through the second module is affixed to the support structure of the at least one of the first module and the second module. A third mechanism includes structure that sets an angular trajectory of the print media and is affixed to the support structure of the at least one of the first module and the second module. | 06-02-2011 |
20110129275 | MEDIA TRANSPORT SYSTEM FILTER MECHANISM - A digital printing system for printing on a continuous web of print media includes a support structure that guides a continuous web of print media under tension through the printing system. The continuous web of print media includes an edge. The support structure includes a first mechanism, a filter mechanism, and a section in which cross track motion of the continuous web of print media is not desired. The first mechanism is affixed to the support structure and includes structure that positions the print media in a cross track direction. The filter mechanism sets an angular trajectory of the print media, is located downstream relative to the first mechanism, and passively filters fluctuations in position of the edge of the continuous web of print media. The section in which cross track motion of the continuous web of print media is not desired is located downstream relative to the filter mechanism. | 06-02-2011 |
20110129277 | PRINT MEDIA TENSIONING APPARATUS - An apparatus for maintaining uniform tension across a width of a web includes a roller, a first arm and a second arm, a plurality of devices, and a plurality of links. The roller includes a shaft, about which the roller rotates, that defines an axis of rotation. The first arm and the second arm are coupled to opposite sides of the shaft of the roller. The first arm and the second arm are coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of devices. The location of the coupling is at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the roller such that each device is allowed two degrees of rotational freedom about the arm to which it is coupled. Each of the devices is pivotably coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of links. Each link is pivotably coupled to the shaft of the roller through the device to which it is coupled such that the roller is allowed to pivot about a first axis. Each link is pivotably coupled to a stationary frame such that the roller is allowed to pivot about a second axis. | 06-02-2011 |
20110129278 | EDGE GUIDE FOR MEDIA TRANSPORT SYSTEM - An edge guide is provided. A structure includes curved surface over which a print media can travel. The print media includes a first edge and a second edge that is opposite the first edge. A first media guide is contactable with the first edge of the print media. A second media guide is contactable with the second edge of the print media. The second media guide is spaced apart from the first media guide. A relative spacing between the second media guide and the first media guide is adjustable such that a distance between the first media guide and the second media guide is variable. The second media guide includes a mechanism that applies a nesting force to the second edge of the print media to cause the first edge of the print media to move toward and contact the first media guide. | 06-02-2011 |
20110129279 | EDGE GUIDE HAVING ADJUSTABLE MAGNITUDE NESTING FORCE - An edge guide includes a fixed surface over which a print media can travel, a surface that is contactable with an edge of the print media, and a mechanism that is configured to apply a nesting force to the print media to cause it to move toward the surface that is contactable with the edge of the print media. The force, that is applied to the print media by the mechanism, has a magnitude that is adjustable. | 06-02-2011 |
20110203471 | PRINTER COMPONENT MOUNTING AND ALIGNMENT SYSTEM - A printing system includes a frame. A first printer component is mounted to the frame. A second printer component is compliantly mounted to the frame such that the second printer component is free to move in a plane. A first alignment mechanism is kinematically coupled to the first printer component and is kinematically coupled to the second printer component. A second alignment mechanism is kinematically coupled to the first printer component and is kinematically coupled to the second printer component. | 08-25-2011 |
20110206440 | PRINT MEDIA TENSIONING APPARATUS INCLUDING GIMBALED ROLLER - An apparatus for maintaining uniform tension across a width of a web is provided. The apparatus includes a frame, a roller, a first coupling, a second coupling, and a third coupling. The roller includes a shaft about which the roller rotates. The roller shaft defines an axis of rotation and includes a first end and a second end. The first coupling includes a first arm and a first joint that couples the first end of the roller shaft to the frame such that the roller shaft is free to rotate. The first joint is offset relative to the roller axis by a first distance. The second coupling includes a second arm, a second joint, and a third joint that couples the second end of the roller shaft to the frame. The second arm is free to pivot relative to the roller shaft and the frame through the second joint and the third joint. The third joint is offset relative to the roller axis by a second distance that is substantially equal to the first distance and in the same direction relative to the roller axis. The third coupling includes a third arm and a fourth joint that couples the second end of the roller shaft to the frame. The third arm is coupled to the frame through the fourth joint. The fourth joint is offset relative to the roller axis by a third distance that is substantially equal to the first distance. The offset is in an opposite direction relative to the roller axis. | 08-25-2011 |
20110278389 | MEDIA TRANSPORT SYSTEM DRIVE MODULE - A media drive module includes a drive motor. A roller, around a portion of which a web of media wraps, is connected to the drive motor such that the roller is caused to rotate. A guide is positioned to direct a leading edge of the web of media around the roller. The guide is movable between a first position adjacent to the roller to direct the leading edge of the web of media and a second position removed from the roller that provides access to at least a portion of the roller. | 11-17-2011 |
20110278390 | MEDIA TRANSPORT SYSTEM TURNOVER MECHANISM - A media turnover mechanism includes a roller. A first turn bar is positioned upstream relative to the roller at an angle relative to a direction of media motion. A second turn bar is positioned downstream relative to the roller at an angle relative to a direction of media motion. A first guide is positioned between the first turn bar and the roller to direct a leading edge of a web of media toward the roller. A second guide is positioned between the roller and the second turn bar to direct the leading edge of the web of media toward the second turn bar. A third guide is positioned to direct the leading edge of the web of media around the second turn bar. | 11-17-2011 |
20120062673 | DUPLEX WEB PRINTER WITH TURNING MECHANISM - A printing machine for printing on a web includes a plurality of guide rollers for guiding the web through a simplex and a duplex path in the printing machine. The duplex path is adjacent and laterally shifted with respect to the simplex path. An apparatus for turning or laterally shifting the web and transfer the web from the simplex path to the duplex path includes four rollers. 90° twists are present between rollers | 03-15-2012 |
20120067239 | TURNING OR SHIFTING WEB IN PRINTER - A method for turning or laterally shifting a web in a printing machine includes guiding the web successively around four rollers. Roller | 03-22-2012 |
20130077126 | CONFIGURING A MODULAR PRINTING SYSTEM - A method for configuring a modular printing system is disclosed. The system has a plurality of modules that are configured to be selectively interconnected to form different printing system configurations. The method includes providing printing system modules and associated configuration information for each module; selecting and interconnecting modules to produce a particular printing system configuration and communicating the associated configuration information for the selected modules to a system controller; and using the system controller to automatically determine a printing system configuration that includes operational parameter ranges for at least one of the selected modules. The method further includes storing the printing system configuration so that the modular printing system is ready to operate. | 03-28-2013 |
20130078022 | OPERATING A SELECTIVELY INTERCONNECTED MODULAR PRINTING SYSTEM - A method for operating a selectively interconnected modular printing system is disclosed. The method includes providing a selectively interconnected modular printing system that is responsive to an operational preference setting and associated configuration information for each module; communicating the associated configuration information for the selectively interconnected modules to a system controller; and using the system controller to automatically determine operational parameters based on the associated configuration information. The method further includes determining a set of operational preferences from the operational parameters; selecting at least one operational preference setting; using the system controller to determine specific operational parameters based on the selected operational preference setting; and storing the specific operational parameters so that the modular printing system is effective for operation. | 03-28-2013 |
20130113857 | MEDIA TRANSPORT SYSTEM INCLUDING ACTIVE MEDIA STEERING - A digital printing system, for printing on a continuous web of print media, includes a media operation zone in which an operation is performed on the print media. A support structure guides a continuous web of print media under tension through the media operation zone. The support structure includes a first mechanism and a second mechanism. The first mechanism, located upstream relative to the media operation zone, includes structure that positions the print media in a cross track direction so as to establish center justification of the print media as the print media enters the media operation zone. The second mechanism, located downstream relative to the media operation zone, includes structure that positions the print media in a cross track direction so as to maintain center justification of the print media as the print media travels through the media operation zone. | 05-09-2013 |
20130152807 | TURNBAR AND TURNOVER MODULE FOR PRINTING SYSTEMS - A turnbar for use in a turnover module in a printing system includes one or more air-cushioned sections and one or more friction sections. Each air-cushioned section includes holes formed in a portion of a perimeter of the turnbar. Each friction section includes a friction-inducing material disposed over or affixed to another portion of the perimeter of the turnbar. Pressurized air or gas is output through the holes to produce a cushion of air or gas between a print media and the air-cushioned section. The turnbar can include one or more pistons within the turnbar, or one or more sleeves within or around the turnbar, or a combination of pistons and sleeves, to adjust airflow through the air-cushioned section. | 06-20-2013 |
20130153618 | METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING PRINT MEDIA - A turnbar for use in a turnover module in a printing system includes one or more air-cushioned sections and one or more friction sections. Each air-cushioned section includes holes formed in a portion of a perimeter of the turnbar. Each friction section includes a friction-inducing material disposed over or affixed to another portion of the perimeter of the turnbar. Pressurized air or gas is output through the holes to produce a cushion of air or gas between a print media and the air-cushioned section. The turnbar can include one or more pistons within the turnbar, or one or more sleeves within or around the turnbar, or a combination of pistons and sleeves, to adjust airflow through the air-cushioned section. | 06-20-2013 |
20130284846 | METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY-ADJUSTING WEB MEDIA TENSION - A method for automatically adjusting a level of tension in web media being transported in a roll-fed web media transport system, comprising: receiving web media from a source roller, feeding the web media through an S-shaped media path in an automatically-adjusting tensioning mechanism where the web media is wrapped around curved surfaces on first and second tensioning shoes, and pulling the web media through the automatically-adjusting tensioning mechanism using a feed mechanism. The tensioning mechanism includes: a bracket assembly mounted to a frame which is adapted to freely pivot around a pivot axis. A pivot angle of the bracket assembly automatically adjusts in response to differences in a coefficient of friction between the web media and the tensioning shoes such that the tension in the web media has a reduced level of variability relative to configurations where the bracket assembly is held in a fixed position. | 10-31-2013 |
20130286071 | COLOR-TO-COLOR CORRECTION IN A PRINTING SYSTEM - A method for performing color-to-color correction while printing multiple copies of a print job having one or more documents includes printing one or more copies of the print job and determining at least one color registration error for at least one type of color registration error produced during the printing of the one or more copies of the print job. A color plane correction value is then determined for each document in the print job and for each color plane error produced during the printing of the one or more copies of the print job. One or more subsequent copies of the print job is printed using the color plane correction values, where the color plane correction values used for each document are the correction values determined for that document. The color plane correction values can be updated periodically, at select times, or after each copy is printed. | 10-31-2013 |
20130286072 | CORRECTING WEB SKEW IN A PRINTING SYSTEM - A printing system includes multiple lineheads that each jet ink onto a print media while the print media is transported through the printing system. Imaging devices are positioned to capture one or more images of each side of the print media. A method for correcting for web skew and front-to-back registration includes determining a skew positional error for each color plane in a printing module and determining one or more skew positional correction values based on the skew positional error. A registration positional error can be determined and one or more registration positional correction values can be determined based on the registration positional error. A setting or operation of at least one printing system component is automatically adjusted based on at least one registration positional correction value or at least one skew positional correction value. | 10-31-2013 |
20130287465 | AUTOMATICALLY-ADJUSTING WEB MEDIA TENSIONING MECHANISM - An automatically-adjusting tensioning mechanism for use in a roll-fed web media transport system, the tensioning mechanism adding tension to the web media, comprising a bracket assembly being adapted to freely pivot around a pivot axis, and first and second tensioning shoe having curved surfaces attached to the bracket assembly. The web media feeds through the tensioning mechanism in an S-shaped media path where the web media is wrapped around the first and second tensioning shoes. The pivot angle of the bracket assembly automatically adjusts in response to differences in a coefficient of friction between the web media and the tensioning shoes such that the tension in the web media has a reduced level of variability relative to configurations where the bracket assembly is held in a fixed position. | 10-31-2013 |
20130293646 | DRYING PRINTED MEDIA MOVING ALONG MEDIA PATH - Apparatus for drying media in a printer includes first and second successive printing stations with a first rotatable member that contacts the wet side of the media between them. Each prints on one side of the media. A media-path extender between the first printing station and the first rotatable member includes a dry-side rotatable member and a wet-side rotatable member around which the media path passes in that order. An extension media path is defined from the first printing station past the dry-side member, the wet-side member, and the first rotatable member, in that order, to the second printing station. The printer selectively transports the media either along a bypass media path or along the extension media path. The wet-side member is farther past the first printing station than is the first rotatable member. | 11-07-2013 |
20140002524 | CORRECTING WEB SKEW IN A PRINTING SYSTEM | 01-02-2014 |
20140002529 | CORRECTING WEB SKEW IN A PRINTING SYSTEM | 01-02-2014 |
20140118433 | WEB SKEW COMPENSATION IN A PRINTING SYSTEM - A printing system includes one or more lineheads that jet ink onto a first side of a print media. At least one roller supports a second side of the print media as the print media is transported through the printing system. A roller deformation adjustment mechanism abuts at least one roller and is configured to apply a force to the roller to deform the roller. The deformation of the roller compensates for web skew by changing the relative timing of ink flight times from the linehead to the first side of the print media. The linehead can be disposed on a movable support. The printing system can also include one or more linehead skew adjustment mechanisms configured to move the movable support to adjust a skew of the linehead. | 05-01-2014 |
20140375723 | STAGGERED PRINTHEAD PRINTER WITH CONTOURED MEDIA GUIDE - A printing system including a staggered inkjet printhead including at least two inkjet nozzle arrays arranged along first and second print lines in an alternating pattern, wherein the inkjet nozzle arrays along a particular print line alternate with non-printing regions. A media guide including first and second media guide surfaces is used for guiding receiver media along a media path past the first and second print lines of the inkjet printhead. At least one of the media guide surfaces is contoured such that it is closer to the staggered inkjet printhead along portions of the associated print line that correspond to the associated inkjet nozzle arrays than it is for at least some portion of the associated print line that corresponds to the non-printing regions. | 12-25-2014 |
20140375724 | INKJET PRINTER WITH CONTOURED MEDIA GUIDE ROLLER - A printing system including a staggered inkjet printhead including at least two inkjet nozzle arrays arranged along first and second print lines in an alternating pattern, wherein the inkjet nozzle arrays along a particular print line alternate with non-printing regions. A media guide including first and second rollers is used for guiding receiver media along a media path past the first and second print lines of the inkjet printhead. A center roller having a contoured media guide surface is positioned between the first and second rollers for guiding the recording media along the media path between the first and second print lines, wherein the diameter of the center roller is smaller for portions of its length corresponding to the inkjet nozzle arrays of the first print line than it is for at least some portion of its length corresponding to the non-printing regions of the first print line. | 12-25-2014 |