Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080258382 | CALIBRATION OF SHEET VELOCITY MEASUREMENT FROM ENCODED IDLER ROLLS - A system and method are provided to calibrate a sheet velocity measurement derived from a drive nip system incorporating idler encoders. Testing has found that the velocity from an idler encoder system is subject to systematic errors, for example, errors that occur when the system is running media of different thicknesses. The system uses one or more nips with encoders mounted on the idlers and a number of point sensors that are spaced apart in the process direction. The point sensors are used to measure the transmit time of the sheet (lead edge or trail edge) between two sensor positions. The transit time is used to calculate the average sheet velocity. The average sheet velocity is compared with the velocity derived from the idler encoders to derive a correction factor. The velocity sensor are used to calibrate the idler-encoder velocity sensors, providing a worthwhile improvement to idler-encoder technology for media handling (e.g., feeding, transport, and finishing) in direct marking systems. | 10-23-2008 |
20100090391 | NIP RELEASE SYSTEM - Methods and system for reducing sheet skew in a sheet transport system are disclosed. A sheet transport system may include an idler wheel, a drive wheel a drive motor and an actuator. The idler wheel may have a substantially rigid outer layer. The drive wheel may have a compliant outer layer and may correspond to the idler wheel. The drive motor may be operably connected to the drive wheel and may be configured to cause the drive wheel to rotate around a shaft. The actuator may be operably connected to the drive wheel and configured to cause the drive wheel to move between a closed position and an open position. The drive wheel is configured to contact a sheet in the closed position and to not contact a sheet in the open position. | 04-15-2010 |
20100237558 | CARRIAGE RESET FOR UPCOMING SHEET - A method and system feeds sheets through a media path in a process direction and moves a laterally movable sheet registration carriage (positioned within the media path) in a lateral direction perpendicular to the process direction. It determines the lateral error of the sheets within the media path before the sheets enter the sheet registration carriage, using first sensors positioned within the media path. This allows the sheet registration carriage to be moved to a variable lateral starting position (as opposed to a consistent reset position or centered reset position) before the sheets enter the sheet registration carriage based on the error of the sheets as determined by the first sensors. The error can be the amount of lateral error, or simply can be a classification of lateral error (right error, left error, etc.). | 09-23-2010 |
20100276872 | EARLY CARRIAGE RESET MOVE FOR LATERALLY MOVABLE REGISTRATION DEVICE - A method and system feeds a sheet through a media path in a process direction. When the sheet is within a sheet registration carriage of the media path, the method and system align the sheet to a predetermined lateral position within the media path. The aligning process comprises unevenly activating nips within the sheet registration carriage and moving the sheet registration carriage in a lateral direction perpendicular to the process direction. When the sheet is within the sheet registration carriage, the method and system determine a lateral movement distance the sheet registration carriage will move in the lateral direction during the aligning of the sheet. If the lateral movement distance exceeds a predetermined distance, the method and system move the sheet registration carriage toward the starting position after the nips have released the sheet, but before the sheet has passed by the nips. If the lateral movement distance does not exceed the predetermined distance, the method and system delay moving the sheet registration carriage toward the starting position until after the sheet has passed by the nips. | 11-04-2010 |
20100276873 | MOVEABLE DRIVE NIP - Systems for moving a moveable drive module in a cross-process direction are disclosed. A system includes a moveable drive module and a cross-process positioning system. The moveable drive module includes a drive roll. The cross-positioning system is capable of moving the moveable drive module in a cross-process direction. The system may optionally include a plurality of idler rolls, each configured to be associated with the drive roll when the moveable drive module is in an associated position. The moveable drive module may alternately include an idler roll associated with the drive roll. Alternately, the cross-positioning system may further be capable of moving a moveable idler module in a cross-process direction. Still alternately, the system may further include a moveable idler module including an idler roll and a translation drive motor capable of moving the moveable idler module in a cross-process direction. | 11-04-2010 |
20100276877 | MOVEABLE DRIVE NIP - Systems for moving a moveable drive module in a cross-process direction are disclosed. A system includes a moveable drive module including a drive roll and a translation drive motor capable of moving the moveable drive module in a cross-process direction. The system may optionally include a plurality of idler rolls, each configured to be associated with the drive roll when the moveable drive module is in an associated position. Optionally, the moveable drive module may further include an idler roll associated with the drive roll. Alternately, the system may further include a moveable idler module including an idler roll and a translation drive motor capable of moving the moveable idler module in a cross-process direction. | 11-04-2010 |
20100278573 | MOVEABLE TRAIL EDGE SENSOR FOR DUPLEX REGISTRATION - A print device for registering a printable medium during a duplex printing process. The print device includes a controller, at least one leading edge sensor operably connected to the controller, the at least one leading edge sensor configured to detect a leading edge of a printable medium having a first and a second side when the first side is facing away from the at least one leading edge sensor, a coarse registration sensor operably connected to the controller, the coarse registration sensor configured to detect a leading edge of the printable medium when the second side of the printable medium is facing away from the at least one leading edge sensor, and at least one trail edge sensor operably connected to the controller, the at least one trail edge sensor configured to detect a trailing edge of the printable medium. | 11-04-2010 |
20100308532 | CALCULATION OF CORRECTION FACTORS FOR LEAD EDGE SENSOR MEASUREMENT IN DUPLEX REGISTRATION - A method and system for insuring printing accuracy in simplex imaging or duplex imaging, including a media sheet in a media path adapted to move the media sheet through the system. The media path includes sensors and a datum. The sensors include a leading edge sensor and a trailing edge sensor adapted to record the time of arrival of the edge. The edge arrival time difference is determined between the arrival time of the edge using output from the trailing edge sensor and the arrival time of the edge using output from the leading edge sensor. A correction factor is based upon the time difference. The time of arrival of the media sheet at the datum is determined using the correction factor to align items printed on both side of the media sheet. | 12-09-2010 |
20100327513 | SHEET TRANSPORT SYSTEM WITH MODULAR NIP RELEASE SYSTEM - A sheet transport system and method including a first drive module including a frame. A first drive wheel is rotatably disposed on the frame. A first drive motor is operably connected to the first drive wheel and disposed on the frame. The first drive module is pivotally secured to a structure. A first idler wheel corresponds to the first drive wheel. An actuator is operably engagable with the first drive module. The actuator is configured to move the first drive module to cause the first drive wheel to move between an open position and a closed position. The first drive wheel is configured to propel a sheet in the closed position and to not propel a sheet in the open position. | 12-30-2010 |
20110018193 | Extended Registration Control of a Sheet in a Media Handling Assembly - An apparatus for registering a sheet. The apparatus including a sheet registration nip assembly for changing a position and/or timing of the sheet. The apparatus also including a controller communicating a first signal to the sheet registration nip assembly to change a first sheet characteristic to a target characteristic. The first signal generated to impart the target characteristic to the sheet by the time the sheet reaches a preliminary datum. The preliminary datum disposed along the transport path between the sheet registration nip assembly and a delivery datum that is disposed downstream of the sheet registration nip assembly. The controller communicating a second signal to the sheet registration nip assembly to change a second sheet characteristic to the target characteristic. The second signal communicated when at least a portion of the sheet is disposed along the transport path between the preliminary datum and the delivery datum. | 01-27-2011 |
20110049793 | EDGE SENSOR GAIN CALIBRATION FOR PRINTMAKING DEVICES - According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method, a system, and a printmaking device for calibrating sensors. The method begins by transporting a media sheet along a media path, the sheet having a lead edge, a trail edge and a measurement edge. Next, the method halts the forward motion of the sheet after the lead edge of the sheet passes a fixed reference. After that, the method moves the sheet laterally relative to the media path across the at least one edge sensor using a sheet actuator. Then, the method records an actual position of the sheet actuator and an output of at least one edge sensor. Finally, the method calculates a calibration factor based on the actual position of the sheet actuator and the output of the at least one edge sensor. | 03-03-2011 |
20110049800 | VARIABLE FORCE NIP ASSEMBLY - An apparatus and method for transporting substrate media including a nip assembly having a drive wheel operably connected to a drive mechanism for rotating the drive wheel, and an idler member disposed adjacent the drive wheel. The idler wheel and drive wheel forming a nip. The drive wheel and idler wheel are displaceable from each other to form a nip gap therebetween. A nip force generator is operably connected to the nip assembly. The nip force generator develops a first nip force upon entry of the substrate media into the nip and formation of the nip gap and develops a second nip force subsequent to the first nip force. The second nip force is greater than the first nip force. | 03-03-2011 |
20110049801 | SUBSTRATE MEDIA TRANSPORT SYSTEM WITH SPACED NIP - An apparatus and method for transporting substrate of media including a nip assembly having a drive wheel operably connected to a drive mechanism for rotating the drive wheel and an idler wheel disposed adjacent the drive wheel. The drive wheel and idler wheel forming a nip therebetween. The drive wheel and idler wheel being displaced from each other forming a nip gap, wherein the nip gap is present absent the presence of the substrate media in the nip. | 03-03-2011 |
20110062657 | SIDE EDGE SHEET CURLER FOR SHEET HOLD DOWN DEVICES - A device is provided for curling side edges of a sheet of media to be held down by a hold down system in an image production system. The device has a first shaped element having an outer section, the outer section of the first shaped element pointing in a first direction; a second shaped element having an outer section, the outer section of the second shaped element pointing in a second direction opposite the first direction; a first pinching element adjacent to the first shaped element, a first pathway being formed between the first pinching element and the first shaped element; and a second pinching element adjacent to the second shaped element, a second pathway being formed between the second pinching element and the second shaped element. The first pathway is for forming an edge curl on a first side edge of the sheet of media, the second pathway is for forming an edge curl on a second side edge of the sheet of media, the second side edge is parallel to the first side edge, and the first and second side edges are parallel to a process direction in which the sheet of media is fed into the device. | 03-17-2011 |
20110084441 | SHEET REGISTRATION USING MULTIPLE ELONGATED SENSORS - A method and system have a media path having moving devices that move a media sheet in a processing direction. At least two elongated sensors within the media path are positioned diagonally relative to the processing direction. The media sheet has two lateral sides, a leading edge, and a trailing edge. A registration controller is operatively connected to the media path and to the elongated sensors. Each of the elongated sensors simultaneously identifies: a location of one of the lateral sides of the media sheet, such that a combination of the elongated sensors simultaneously outputs at least two lateral measures of locations of the lateral sides of the media sheet; and at least one measure leading edge or at least one measure of the trailing edge of the media sheet. | 04-14-2011 |
20110097125 | DUPLEX SHEET REGISTRATION - Sheet registration method and system includes transporting a sheet including a leading edge and a trailing edge between a first and second sensor. The first and second sensors each have a linear sensing area with a longitudinal axis aligned at a non-zero angle to each other. The first and second sensors are adapted to identify positions of the leading edge and the trailing edge. An alignment of the sheet is adjusted responsive to a sheet length determined using the output from the first and second sensors. | 04-28-2011 |
20110143873 | TENSIONING SYSTEM WITH SELF-LOCKING MECHANISM - According to aspects illustrated herein, there are provided methods and systems for applying continuous tension on a belt/cable system. The automatic tensioning system includes a pivot mechanism and a locking mechanism. The pivot mechanism includes a pivot arm extending between an idler pulley and a pivot point. The idler pulley is mateable with a belt/cable. The belt/cable is routed about the idler pulley. The idler pulley rotates by the movement of the belt/cable, and the pivot arm pivots in an opposing direction from the belt/cable at the pivot point to apply continuous tension to the belt/cable as the pivot arm pivots. The locking mechanism is in communication with the pivot arm to secure the pivot arm in position, and the locking mechanism is adjustable. | 06-16-2011 |
20110148033 | SHEET REGISTRATION USING EDGE SENSORS - Accurate sheet registration is achieved by measuring the arrival of a leading edge and/or a trailing edge of the sheet using a first sensor. Also, measuring a first position of the sheet using a second sensor on a lateral edge of the sheet. Then performing a first adjustment moving the sheet laterally using the first position measurement. The first adjustment actuated prior to the sheet reaching a third sensor for measuring a second position of the sheet. The third sensor disposed downstream in the process direction of the second sensor and a sheet feeding nip. Then measuring a second position of the sheet using the third sensor on the lateral edge and performing a second adjustment of the sheet with regard to at least one of sheet skew, sheet velocity and sheet lateral position using at least one of the arrival, first position and second position measurements. | 06-23-2011 |
20110291352 | Accurate Sheet Leading Edge Registration - Accurate sheet leading edge registration system and method including a first and second nip assembly, a first sheet leading edge sensor and a controller. The first and second nip assemblies being spaced apart from one another. The first sheet leading edge sensor capable of detecting an arrival of a leading edge of a sheet at a point in the process direction. The arrival being associated with engagement of the first and second nip assemblies with the sheet. The controller capable of imparting a rotational skew velocity to the sheet using the first and second nip assemblies. A center of rotation of the skew velocity being offset laterally from a center of the sheet leading edge and being coincident with a lateral position of a virtual point, the virtual point lateral position being offset from a lateral position of the first sheet leading edge sensor. | 12-01-2011 |
20110292145 | MEDIA HOLD-DOWN SYSTEM HAVING CROSS PROCESS CHAMBERING - A printable media hold-down system includes a print head array, a transport surface positioned adjacent to the print head array which transports a printable medium past the print head array in a location where the print head array may apply ink to the printable medium, and a vacuum system that creates vacuum pressure that holds the printable medium to the transport surface, the vacuum system having at least one adjustable baffle configured to move in a cross process direction and change a dimension of the vacuum system based on a dimension of the printable medium. | 12-01-2011 |
20120006215 | BELT TRACKING USING TWO EDGE SENSORS - Methods and devices detect a first lateral measure of an edge of a belt loop supported by rollers within an apparatus using a first sensor to find an amount of misalignment of the edge of the belt loop relative to a known alignment position. The first sensor is positioned at a first location within the apparatus. The methods and devices also detect a second lateral measure of the edge of the belt loop within the apparatus relative to the known alignment position using a second sensor. The second sensor is positioned at a second location within the apparatus that is different than the first location. The methods and devices use a processor to determine the non-linear shape of the edge of the belt loop based on the second lateral measure of the edge of the belt loop detected by the second sensor. The methods and devices correct the amount of misalignment detected by the first sensor based on the non-linear shape of the edge of the belt loop to generate a corrected misalignment value, using the processor. Further, the method and devices adjust the current lateral position of the belt loop within the apparatus relative to the known alignment position based on the corrected misalignment value using a belt tracking actuator that is operatively connected to the processor. | 01-12-2012 |
20120013066 | Extended Registration Control of a Sheet in a Media Handling Assembly - An apparatus including a sheet registration nip assembly for changing characteristics of the sheet with respect to the transport path. The characteristics of the sheet including a skew position, process direction position or a lateral position of the sheet. The registration nip assembly changing a first sheet characteristic to a first target characteristic by the time the sheet reaches a preliminary registration datum. A delivery registration datum disposed downstream of the registration nip assembly. The registration nip assembly changing a second sheet characteristic to a second target characteristic when at least a portion of the sheet is disposed along the transport path between the preliminary registration datum and the delivery registration datum. The apparatus including an auxiliary nip assembly disposed between the delivery registration datum and the registration nip assembly, wherein the preliminary registration datum is disposed between the delivery registration datum and the auxiliary nip assembly. | 01-19-2012 |
20120062641 | REFLEX PRINTING - The present disclosure provides for an imaging system comprising an image receiving surface which is moved in a downstream direction; a first marking station which applies a first image to the image receiving surface; and, a second marking station, downstream of the first marking station, which applies a second image to the image receiving surface. The imaging system further comprises a first measuring device at a first location at a beginning of a platen which outputs velocity measurement information related to the moving image receiving surface; a second measuring device at a second location at an end of the platen which outputs tension measurement information related to a tension increase in the media receiving surface between the first and second locations; and, a control system in communication with the first and second marking stations, the control system being configured for determining a modified actuation time of at least one of the first and second marking stations based on the information provided by the first and second measuring devices. | 03-15-2012 |
20130049284 | MEDIA TRANSPORT SYSTEM WITH COORDINATED TRANSFER BETWEEN SECTIONS - A media transport apparatus and method includes a first media transport having a first drive unit, configured and operative to convey the substrate media through a marking zone to be marked by a print head. A first motion encoder is operatively connected with the first media transport, configured and operative to output a first signal dependent upon the motion of the first media transport surface. A second media transport with a second drive unit and second motion encoder is configured and operative to receive the substrate media from the first media transport and to convey the substrate media. The second drive unit drives the motion of the second media transport with substantially the same surface velocity as the first media transport. The first and second media transports are each operative to hold the substrate media in contact therewith, with respective first and second hold-down forces that may be different magnitudes, including the first hold down force of the first media transport having a greater magnitude than the second hold down force of the second media transport while the substrate media is at least partially within the marking zone and is subjected to both the first and second hold down forces. | 02-28-2013 |
20130108334 | Belt Tracking Using Steering Angle Feed-Forward Control | 05-02-2013 |
20130209152 | QUAD-ROLL MEDIA CURLING APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - A quad-roll curler apparatus includes a first roll, a second roll, a third roll, and a fourth roll. The curler apparatus is adjustable to a first processing configuration wherein three of the four rolls are engaged to impart a curl in a sheet in a first direction. The curler apparatus is adjustable to a second sheet processing configuration wherein three of the four rolls are engaged to impart a curl in a sheet in a second direction that is different from the first direction. | 08-15-2013 |
20130335496 | Printer having Skewed Transfix Roller to Reduce Torque Disturbances - An inkjet offset printer includes an imaging drum and a transfix roller skewed with respect to and defining a continuously applied or an uninterrupted nip with the imaging drum to reduce torque disturbances and media wrinkling issues. Acoustic and physical disturbances resulting from a sheet of recording media entering and leaving the nip are reduced or eliminated. | 12-19-2013 |
20140098153 | In-Line Substrate Media Sensor and Protective Guide - A sensing method and system to protect printer print heads from substrate media contact comprising a trip wire sensor to detect and signal a printer control system that substrate media carried by transport media is positioned to strike or contact the print head. The trip wire sensor is located upstream of the print heads, a controlled distance above the transport media in the direction normal to the plane of the media, and comprises a trip wire operatively connected to at least one transducer. Substrate media exceeding the height requirements associated with the print heads contact the trip wire sensor causing the generation of an electrical signal which is received by the printer control system which then takes corrective action to prevent damage to the print heads, for example, by raising the print heads further away from the transport media and allowing the non-conforming substrate media to pass through and be purged. Also disclosed is a protective guide positioned to constrain substrate media from going over the top of the trip wire which can result in the substrate media becoming jammed in the trip wire sensor. | 04-10-2014 |