Am International Incorporated

Mark F Duchesne

Vincent T Kubert

Matthew J Olenski

Dinesh G Punater

Richard A Gaspar

Ronald S Smith

George A Gibson

Paul V Sadwick

Curtis B Miller

A large scale LED exposure array and system for printers, and unique methods of inputting data to and operating such an array, are disclosed. The array can be loaded and refreshed with data information at rates compatible with high speed printing, and forms part of an electronic image forming and handling system which can load an refresh an exposure array at variable speeds of at least 100 to 300 ft./min. The system includes compensation for differences in illuminating capability of individual LEDs in a large array, by introducing modifications in LED on-time which are centered with respect to the incremental area of the photoreceptor on which a pixel is to be formed, and to compensate for changes in pixel exposure time with increase in speed of the photoreceptor. Also disclosed are an LED configuration which can emit high energy in a controlled pattern to give a desired pixel spot on a photoreceptor, and an arrangement for mounting the array to maintain each light emitting spot in focus on the photoreceptor surface, although a wide array is employed.

Imaging diode array and system

A dryer-fuser apparatus and method are provided to evaporate volatile, flammable carrier liquid from and to fuse solids color-imparting particles to a travelling web of paper in a high speed electrophotographic printing process. Volatiles from the dryer are vented to a catalytic converter, with heat recovered from the catalytic converter being recycled to supply heat to the dryer-fuser. An electric resistance heater may be used to supply heat during system start up and during such times when auxiliary heat is required. Regulation of the amount of venting is provided and is dependent upon the concentration of flammable volatiles present in the dryer.

Dryer-fuser apparatus and method for high speed electrophotographic

A press, and a process of printing a combination of fixed and variable data on such press, wherein printed images being manufactured are created by direct digital driving of an imaging device at normal press speed, optionally followed by one or more processing operations in the case of business forms or the like, as required for a particular job. The content of the printed images can be changed without stopping the press. The press and process uses novel electrostatic printing engines having a direct digital imaging system which can create latent electrostatic images at normal press speeds, including the ability to accommodate substantial speed variations. Together with these printing engines, an electronic imaging system is provided in which fixed (or base) image data and variable image data are combined electronically to drive a single exposure system. Repetitive latent images are formed and developed using a high resolution liquid toner, and the resultant visible image is transferred and fixed to a wide variety of materials, usually in a continuous web. The photoreceptor surface on the drum, on which the images are formed and developed, is also cleaned and thoroughly dried each revolution. The press also has a novel fuser/dryer in which the developer carrier liquid is vaporized from the drum and treated through a catalytic converter to control emissions from the press. Heat from the catalytic treatment of the volatile carrier liquid is utilized as a heat source for air used in the fuser/dryer, thus providing a recuperative system.

Printing press and method

A large scale LED exposure array and system for printers, and unique methods of inputting data to and operating such an array, is disclosed. The array can be loaded and refreshed with data information at rates compatible with high speed printing, and forms part of an electronic image forming and handling system which can load and refresh an exposure array at variable speeds of at least 100 to 300 ft./min. The system includes compensation for differences in illuminating capability of individual LEDs in a large array, by introducing modifications in LED on-time which are centered with respect to the incremental area of the photoreceptor on which a pixel is to be formed, and to compensate for changes in pixel exposure time with increase in speed of the photoreceptor. Also disclosed are an LED configuration which can emit high energy in a controlled pattern to give a desired pixel spot on a photoreceptor, and an arrangement for mounting the array to maintain each light emitting spot in focus on the photoreceptor surface, although a wide array is employed.

A press, and a process of printing a combination of fixed and variable data on such press, wherein printed images are created by direct digital driving of an imaging device at normal press speed, optionally followed by one or more processing operations in the case of business forms. The content or arrangement of the printed images can be changed without stopping the press. The press and process use one or more novel electrostatic printing engines having a direct digital imaging system which can create latent electrostatic images at normal press speeds, including the ability to accommodate substantial speed variations. Together with these printing engines, an electronic imaging system is provided in which fixed (or base) image data and variable image data are combined electronically to drive a single exposure system. Repetitive latent images are formed and developed using a liquid toner, and the resultant visible image is transferred and fixed to a variety of materials, in a continuous web. The photoreceptor surface on the drum, on which the images are formed and developed, is also cleaned and thoroughly dried each revolution. Make ready time between successive printing jobs can be significantly reduced. The press also has a novel fuser/dryer in which the developer carrier liquid is vaporized from the drum and treated through a catalytic converter to control emissions from the press. Heat from the catalytic treatment of the volatile carrier liquid is utilized as a heat source for air used in the fuser/dryer, thus providing a recuperative system.

A developer electrode and reverse roller assembly are provided for use in conjunction with the rotatable print cylinder of a high speed electrophotographic printing press. The normal tendency of toner particles to stick to the developer electrode is inhibited due to the velocity by which toner dispersion is fed to the developer electrode. A pair of slots formed in the electrode face ensure that uniform amount and constituency of the dispersion are supplied to the print cylinder. Both the developer electrode and reverse roller assembly are pivotally mounted adjacent the cylinder with the reverse roller comprising a location sensor to sense reverse roller position and to stop the print cylinder when the reverse roller is not in proper position.

Developer electrode and reverse roller assembly for high speed

An automated system and method are provided to supply a liquid toner dispersion to the printing station of a high speed electrophotographic printing press. A highly concentrated form of the liquid toner dispersion is supplied in a first container. Density measurement of the liquid toner in a process tank controls the feed of concentrate to the process tank. Liquid level switches in the process tank control toner carrier liquid flow to the process tank. Conductivity sensor monitoring of the toner in the process tank controls the flow of liquid charge control agent into the process tank. Flow rate of the liquid toner from the process tank to the printing station of the printing unit is controlled by a sensor, logic circuitry, and motorized adjustable flow valve and flow meter.

Growing community of inventors

Dayton, OH, United States of America

Mark F Duchesne