Eastman-kodak Company

Scitex Digital Printing, Inc.

Randy Dae Vandagriff

Michael Joseph Piatt

Harsha Sanjeewa Bulathsinghalage

James Alan Katerberg

Timothy John Hawryschuk

Robert J Simon

David F Tunmore

Stephen F Pond

W Charles Kasiske, Jr

Donald Saul Rimai

James D McCann

W Charles Kasiske

Russell L Bartley

Randal L Mullins

John C Loyd

Mark E Brown

Dan C Lyman

David J Stephens

Daniel J DeVivo

Bruce W Gamble

Michael Platt

Frank L Reynolds

A printing system for printing on a print medium is disclosed. The printing system comprises two lineheads disposed opposite a first side of the print medium, wherein the two lineheads have a common orientation relative to a horizontal direction. At least one roller is disposed under each linehead and in contact with a second side of the print medium. At least one vacuum assembly is disposed under each linehead, each vacuum assembly having a vacuum manifold disposed opposite the second side of the print medium, where the vacuum manifold outputs a vacuum force proximate to the second side of the print medium such that at least a portion of the second side of the print medium is deflected away from the two lineheads.

Vacuum pulldown of print media in printer

A printing system for printing on a print medium is disclosed. A first linehead is disposed opposite a first side of the print medium. The first linehead defines print zones where a liquid is deposited onto the first side of the print medium. A plurality of transport rollers are disposed adjacent to the second side of the print medium. At least one transport roller is aligned with one of the one or more print zones of the first linehead. A vacuum manifold is disposed opposite the second side of the print medium. The vacuum manifold is aligned with the aligned transport roller and outputs a vacuum force that operates on the second side of the print medium to deflect the print medium causing an increase in the wrap angle of the print medium around the aligned transport roller.

Integrated vacuum assist web transport system

A duplex printing system includes two printing stations, each having a print drum and a set of marking subsystems. In a sheet-printing mode, a media sheet is transported to the first printing station where the print drum is rotated to transport the sheet past the marking subsystems to print a first-side image. The sheet is then transported to the second printing station where the print drum is rotated to transport the sheet past the marking subsystems to print a second-side image. The sheet is then transported to an output sheet receptacle. In a web-printing mode the print drums are configured to rotate freely and a web of media is transported around the first drum where a first-side image is printed, and from there around the second drum where a second-side image is printed. A tensioning system is used to control the motion of the web of media.

Duplex printer for sheet and web printing

A duplex printing system includes two printing stations, each having a print belt and a set of marking subsystems. In a sheet-printing mode, a media sheet is transported to the first printing station where the print belt is rotated to transport the sheet past the marking subsystems to print a first-side image. The sheet is then transported to the second printing station where the print belt is rotated to transport the sheet past the marking subsystems to print a second-side image. The sheet is then transported to an output sheet receptacle. In a web-printing mode the print belts are configured to rotate freely and a web of media is transported around the first print belt where a first-side image is printed, and from there around the second print belt where a second-side image is printed. A tensioning system is used to control the motion of the web of media.

Duplex printer with print belts for sheet and web printing

A printing system includes a printing station having a rotatable print member and a set of marking subsystems. In a sheet-printing mode, a media sheet is transported to the printing station where the print member is rotated to transport the sheet past the marking subsystems to form a printed image. The printed sheet is then transported to an output sheet receptacle. In a web-printing mode the print member is configured to rotate freely and a web of media is transported around the print member past the marking subsystems to form a printed image. A tensioning system is used to control the motion of the web of media.

Printer for sheet and web printing

A method for printing on a moving print medium in a printing system is disclosed. The method includes providing a linehead defining one or more print zones. A plurality of transport rollers are provided, wherein at least one transport roller is disposed opposite the linehead, adjacent to the second side of the print medium, and aligned with one of the print zones. A vacuum assembly is disposed opposite the second side of the print medium and includes a vacuum manifold aligned with the aligned transport roller. The print medium is moved through the printing system and a vacuum force operates on the print medium such that at least a portion of the print medium is deflected thereby increasing a wrap angle of the moving print medium around the aligned transport roller. Liquid is jetted from the linehead onto the print medium to form a print.

Vacuum pulldown of print medium in printing system

A printing system for printing on a print medium is disclosed. A linehead is disposed opposite a first side of the print medium, the linehead defining one or more print zones where a liquid is jetted onto the print medium. One or more vacuum transport rollers having a porous sleeve rotatable around a non-rotating core are disposed adjacent to a second side of the print medium and opposite the linehead. At least one of the vacuum transport rollers is aligned with one of the print zones of the linehead. The rotatable porous sleeve is engaged by the moving print medium that exerts a force on the porous sleeve, causing it to rotate. The core includes a vacuum manifold that outputs a vacuum force that operates on the print medium through the porous sleeve to deflect the print medium and causes the print medium to wrap around the vacuum transport roller(s).

Vacuum transport roller for web transport system

A method for printing on a print medium is disclosed. The method includes providing a linehead defining one or more print zones and adapted to jet liquid onto the print medium. One or more vacuum transport rollers having a porous sleeve rotatable around a non-rotating core are also provided. At least one vacuum transport roller is disposed adjacent to the second side of the movable print medium, opposite the first linehead, and aligned with a print zone. The core includes a vacuum manifold that outputs a vacuum force that operates on the print medium through the porous sleeve. The print medium is moved through the printing system and a vacuum force deflects the print medium, causing an increase in a wrap angle of the print medium around the vacuum transport roller. Liquid is jetted from the linehead onto the print medium to form a print.

Inkjet printing methods are provided that deflect and guide a condensation reducing airflow between a printing module and a receiver without disrupting inkjet drop placements.

Inkjet printing with managed airflow for condensation control

A printing system includes one or more lineheads disposed opposite a first side of a print media and at least one vacuum assembly having a vacuum manifold disposed opposite a second side of the print media. The linehead or lineheads has one or more print zones where a liquid or ink is deposited onto the first side of the print media. The vacuum manifold is aligned with a non-print zone of each linehead and outputs a vacuum force proximate to the second side of the print media such that at least a portion of the second side of the print media is deflected away from the lineheads. The printing system can also include another component, such as a dryer, disposed over the print media and laterally adjacent to the linehead. Another vacuum manifold can be disposed adjacent to the second side print media between the linehead and the component.

Vacuum pulldown of a print media in a printing system

Condensation control systems are provided for use with inkjet printing systems that use a combination of higher resistance flow areas and lower resistance flow areas to allow a vaporized carrier fluid reducing airflow to flow between a printing module and a receiver during printing without creating observable artifacts in a print. Removal of the vaporized carrier fluid reduces condensation.

Condensation control system for inkjet printing system

Inkjet printing systems are provided that use a combination of higher resistance flow areas and lower resistance flow areas to allow a vaporized carrier reducing airflow to flow between a printing module and a receiver without disrupting inkjet drop placements. Removal of the vaporized carrier fluid reduces condensation.

Inkjet printing system with condensation control

Inkjet printing methods are described that create a combination of higher resistance flow areas and lower resistance flow areas to allow a vaporized carrier fluid reducing airflow to flow between a printing module and a receiver without disrupting inkjet drop placements. Removal of the vaporized carrier fluid reduces condensation.

Inkjet printing with condensation control

Inkjet printing systems are described that have deflection surfaces to guide a condensation reducing airflow between a printing module and a receiver without disrupting inkjet drop placements.

Growing community of inventors

Xenia, OH, United States of America

Randy Dae Vandagriff