Lasermaster Corporation

Other

Colorspan Corporation

Benjamin P Leonard

Danny James Vatland

Robert Anthony Laumeyer

Eric A Ware

Marty F Higgins

Robin L Ogle

Henry V Holec

Paul R Erickson

John H Bode

Kerry Ray Anderson

Neill Arthur Johnson

Michael David Hanson

Gregg Michael Bloom

This invention relates to an improved wide format color digital print engine, and in particular to a drum-based large format digital ink jet print engine having a vertically articulated carriage portion which carries both the print heads and an imaging array, adjustable saber angles for print heads, a novel service station, and an extremely robust weight-bearing carriage architecture. In particular, the present invention provides a highly manufacturable print engine benefiting from a discrete few controlled mounting locations so that accurate mounting of the cooperating sub-assemblies allow a very stable carriage assembly for driving said carriage laterally with respect to a printing medium coupled to the exterior of a drum.

Service station assembly for a drum-based wide format print engine

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for printing digital color images with non-impact print heads whereby fluid flowing at a relatively high velocity proximate ink emitting nozzles affects flight trajectories of undesirable satellite ink droplets incidentally emitted from the nozzles, but does not affect flight trajectories of primary droplets. In one embodiment, a single fluid deflector member oriented upstream of the print head causes fluid flow intermediate the print head and the printing surface and urges the satellites to a preferred location on the printing media. In another embodiment, at least one additional deflector member is oriented to cooperate with the deflector member to ensure that such satellites encounter a forced fluid flow intermediate the print head and print surface. In yet another embodiment, a source of fluid pressure is used to create the relatively high velocity fluid flow that interacts with satellite droplets to guide them to a preferred location on the printing media. The present invention greatly improves precision and predictability in forming primary marks on the printing media by selectively redirecting only satellite ink droplets to record upon the printing media as close as possible to (and ideally to coincide with) the primary mark at a common location so that high quality text, graphics, and accurate color images result.

Overspray adaptation method and apparatus for an ink jet print engine

This invention relates to an improved wide format color digital print engine, and in particular to a cooperating group of print engine sub-assemblies comprising a sealable enclosure defining electronics and printing sub-spaces within the enclosure and supporting two critical alignment plates which alone control alignment of all major sub-assemblies of the print engine and which provide accurate attachment points for a carriage drive and rail sub-assembly, a motor and drum mounted to rotate within a printing bay, and mounting points for a service station for cleaning and storing a plurality of marking elements associated with replaceable ink emitting cartridges. The subassemblies cooperate to generate high quality colored images as a drum-based large format digital ink jet print engine. In particular, the present invention provides a highly manufacturable print engine benefiting from a discrete few controlled mounting locations so that accurate mounting of the cooperating sub-assemblies allow a very stable carriage assembly for driving said carriage laterally with respect to a printing medium coupled to the exterior of a drum spinning within a printing bay and controlled by print head electronics utilizing a timing sequence from the rotating drum and lead screw for driving the carriage assembly.

Cooperating mechanical sub-assemblies for a drum-based wide format

A high resolution thermal printer capable of printing both directly on a thermally responsive media and indirectly through a thermally responsive donor media is disclosed. The printer has a printing media guide mounted as an intermediate clamshell structure to accurately position the printing media immediately adjacent the print head and platen. The printing media guide includes a nip roller and guide bar independently suspended on a spring biased, pivot plate arrangement. The printing media is centered on the supply spool, and the printer includes a read/write circuit to communicate with a profiler chip centrally mounted in the printing media roll. The printer may also include a read/write circuit to communicate with a donor profiler chip centrally mounted in the donor media roll. A constant pressure brake with a friction belt is used directly against the printing media. A spring arm latch/channel block arrangement is used to secure the printing media supply spool. An optical sensor and return motor on the supply spool are used in accurately positioning the printing media for subsequent color passes during full color printing.

High resolution combination donor/direct thermal printer

Growing community of inventors

Saint Paul, MN, United States of America

Benjamin P Leonard