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 |
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 |
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 |
20120223117 | WEB MEDIA MOVING METHOD - A method of moving a continuous web of print media includes providing a roller having an axis of rotation. The roller includes a pattern of recesses and ridges positioned along the axis of rotation of the roller. A second section of the roller is located between a first section of the roller and a third section of the roller as viewed along the axis of rotation. The roller includes a profile as viewed along the axis of rotation in which the diameter of the ridges located in the first section of the roller and the diameter of ridges located in the third section of the roller are greater than the diameter of the ridges located in the second section of the roller. A web of print media is caused to contact and wrap around a portion of the roller as the web of print media moves past the roller. | 09-06-2012 |
20120223118 | WEB MEDIA MOVING APPARATUS - An apparatus for moving a continuous web of print media includes a roller having an axis of rotation. The roller includes a pattern of recesses and ridges positioned along the axis of rotation of the roller. A second section of the roller is located between a first section of the roller and a third section of the roller as viewed along the axis of rotation. The roller includes a profile as viewed along the axis of rotation in which the diameter of the ridges located in the first section of the roller and the diameter of ridges located in the third section of the roller are greater than the diameter of the ridges located in the second section of the roller. | 09-06-2012 |
20120224009 | PRINTING SYSTEM INCLUDING WEB MEDIA MOVING APPARATUS - A digital printing system for printing on a continuous web of print media includes a printhead configured to selectively moisten at least a portion of the web of print media as the web of print media is guided through the printing system. A roller, positioned downstream from the printhead, contacts the print media and causes the print media to wrap around a portion of the roller as the print media moves past the roller. The roller, having an axis of rotation, includes a pattern of recesses and ridges positioned along the axis of rotation of the roller. A second section of the roller is located between a first section of the roller and a third section of the roller as viewed along the axis of rotation. The roller includes a profile as viewed along the axis of rotation in which the diameter of the ridges located in the first section of the roller and the diameter of ridges located in the third section of the roller are greater than the diameter of the ridges located in the second section of the roller. | 09-06-2012 |
20120224010 | PRINTING METHOD INCLUDING WEB MEDIA MOVING APPARATUS - A method of printing includes providing a printhead and providing a roller positioned downstream from the printhead. The printhead is used to selectively moisten at least a portion of the web of print media as the web of print media is guided through the printing system. The print media is caused to contact and wrap around a portion of the roller as the print media moves past the roller. The roller, having an axis of rotation, includes a pattern of recesses and ridges positioned along the axis of rotation of the roller. A second section of the roller is located between a first section of the roller and a third section of the roller as viewed along the axis of rotation. The roller includes a profile as viewed along the axis of rotation in which the diameter of the ridges located in the first section of the roller and the diameter of ridges located in the third section of the roller are greater than the diameter of the ridges located in the second section of the roller. | 09-06-2012 |
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 |
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 |
20140002524 | CORRECTING WEB SKEW IN A PRINTING SYSTEM | 01-02-2014 |
20140002529 | CORRECTING WEB SKEW IN A PRINTING SYSTEM | 01-02-2014 |
20140064817 | TENSION CONTROL IN A WEB TRANSPORT SYSTEM - A method for controlling tension in a print media in a tension zone of a printing system comprises enabling an active tension control mode until the tension in the print media is in a stable state for a given period of time. Then, the active tension control mode is disabled and a synchronized control mode is enabled. The tension in the print media is monitored to determine if the tension exceeds a tension inner band but does not exceed a tension outer band while the synchronized control mode is enabled. The speed of a drive roller is adjusted in response to this determination. The tension in the print media is also monitored to determine if the tension exceeds the tension outer band while the synchronized control mode is enabled. The synchronized control mode is disabled in response to this determination and the active tension control mode is enabled. | 03-06-2014 |
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 |
20140118452 | 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 |
20140232776 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING TENSION IN A WEB - A method for controlling tension in a print media in a tension zone of a printing system comprises enabling an active tension control mode until the tension in the print media is in a stable state for a given period of time, and then switching to a synchronized control mode. The tension is monitored to determine if it exceeds a tension inner band but does not exceed a tension outer band while in the synchronized control mode. The speed of drive rollers is adjusted in response to this determination. The tension is also monitored to determine if it exceeds the tension outer band while in the synchronized control mode. The synchronized control mode is disabled in response to this determination and the active tension control mode is enabled. The frequency of speed adjustments is lesser in the synchronized control mode than in the active tension control mode. | 08-21-2014 |