EP0992353B1 - Procédure et appareil pour imprimer sur un matériau de bande défilant en continu - Google Patents

Procédure et appareil pour imprimer sur un matériau de bande défilant en continu Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0992353B1
EP0992353B1 EP99119634A EP99119634A EP0992353B1 EP 0992353 B1 EP0992353 B1 EP 0992353B1 EP 99119634 A EP99119634 A EP 99119634A EP 99119634 A EP99119634 A EP 99119634A EP 0992353 B1 EP0992353 B1 EP 0992353B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
web
coordinate direction
scan segment
print head
scanning array
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99119634A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0992353A1 (fr
Inventor
Bruce A. Plumley
Darryl Colburn Stein
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Gerber Scientific Inc
Gerber Technology LLC
Original Assignee
Gerber Technology Inc
Gerber Garment Technology Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/166,314 external-priority patent/US6056454A/en
Application filed by Gerber Technology Inc, Gerber Garment Technology Inc filed Critical Gerber Technology Inc
Publication of EP0992353A1 publication Critical patent/EP0992353A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0992353B1 publication Critical patent/EP0992353B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J25/00—Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J25/001—Mechanisms for bodily moving print heads or carriages parallel to the paper surface
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/008—Controlling printhead for accurately positioning print image on printing material, e.g. with the intention to control the width of margins
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/36—Blanking or long feeds; Feeding to a particular line, e.g. by rotation of platen or feed roller
    • B41J11/42—Controlling printing material conveyance for accurate alignment of the printing material with the printhead; Print registering
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J19/00—Character- or line-spacing mechanisms
    • B41J19/14—Character- or line-spacing mechanisms with means for effecting line or character spacing in either direction
    • B41J19/142—Character- or line-spacing mechanisms with means for effecting line or character spacing in either direction with a reciprocating print head printing in both directions across the paper width
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J19/00—Character- or line-spacing mechanisms
    • B41J19/16—Special spacing mechanisms for circular, spiral, or diagonal-printing apparatus
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J19/00—Character- or line-spacing mechanisms
    • B41J19/18—Character-spacing or back-spacing mechanisms; Carriage return or release devices therefor
    • B41J19/20—Positive-feed character-spacing mechanisms
    • B41J19/202—Drive control means for carriage movement
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/28—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for printing downwardly on flat surfaces, e.g. of books, drawings, boxes, envelopes, e.g. flat-bed ink-jet printers

Definitions

  • the present invention is generally related to printing on sheet-type work materials, and is more specifically directed to a device for, and method of, printing graphics onto sheet material as it is advanced in an uninterrupted motion through the device.
  • the work material When printing a graphic onto a sheet of work material using known printing devices, the work material is typically advanced through the device in a step-by-step manner with the advancement being momentarily halted between each step.
  • a print-head traverses the work material in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the work material's advancement and transfers a swath of print media such as ink onto the work material in accordance with the graphic being printed. This process is repeated causing successive swaths of ink to be transferred onto the work material immediately adjacent to one another with each pass of the print head.
  • Document US-A-3 742 846 discloses a printer with a full-line wire dot head with coarse resolution.
  • the print head In order to make up for the coarse resolution the print head is moved in a horizontal direction for a distance corresponding to the distance between two print wires. While the head moves horizontally the paper is moved vertically. In order to achieve a horizontal line of dots printed by one print wire, the whole print head is lifted vertically simultaneously to its horizontal movement.
  • a problem associated with advancing the work material through the printing device in the above-described step-by-step manner is that the time required to print a graphic can be quite long. This is particularly true where large, and/or complex graphics are concerned. Furthermore, in a production setting, these long print times translate into increased cost, as well as in reductions in printer throughput. Accordingly, there is a present need for printing and plotting devices able to produce graphics in shorter periods of time than is currently possible.
  • the work material is a web fed from a roll.
  • a significant amount of force is required to initiate advancement of the web via rotation of the roll.
  • the roll's inertia makes a sudden smooth stop difficult. This sometimes results in the generation of shock pulses in the web of work material which have the potential to detrimentally affect the quality of the graphic being printed.
  • the present invention is directed to an apparatus for printing on a continuously advancing web of work material that includes a frame, as well as means for continuously advancing the web through the apparatus in an X coordinate direction longitudinally of itself at a velocity v wx relative to the frame.
  • At least one print head for printing a graphic onto the continuously advancing web is coupled to the frame for movement relative thereto and includes a plurality of print elements positioned adjacent to the web and arranged in a source array extending in the X coordinate direction.
  • Means are provided for repetitively moving the source array relative to the frame along a path having at least one scan segment and one repositioning segment.
  • the source array traverses the scan segment at an overall velocity v a defined by a first velocity component v ax in the X coordinate direction, equal to the web velocity v wx , and a second velocity component v ay in a Y coordinate direction perpendicular to the X coordinate direction.
  • the first velocity component v ax being equal to the web velocity v wx
  • the source array in traversing the scan segment of the path scans a swath on the web parallel to the Y coordinate direction and having a swath height h s .
  • the second velocity component v ay is such that in the time required to move the source array along the full extent of the scan segment of the path the web advances a distance h w in the X coordinate direction that is less than the swath height h s scanned by the source array in traversing the scan segment.
  • the above-described path along which the source array travels can assume different configurations.
  • the source array travels along a scan segment transversely across the continuously advancing web.
  • the velocity of the array comprises the first and second velocity components described herein-above.
  • the array must move along the repositioning segment in a time less than or equal to the time it takes for the web to advance the distance "d" in order for successive swaths of the web scanned by the source array to be positioned immediately adjacent to one another perpendicular to the X coordinate direction.
  • the source array can also follow a figure-8-shaped path relative to the frame. To accomplish this the source array must travel along a first scan segment having first and second ends, and a second scan segment having third and forth ends, each scan segment extending transversely across the web. Preferably, the third and fourth ends of the second scan segment are adjacent to the second and first ends respectively, of the first scan segment .
  • a first repositioning segment extends between the second end of the first scan segment and the third end of the second scan segment.
  • a second repositioning segment extends between the first end of the first scan segment and the fourth end of the second scan segment.
  • the source array As the source array traverses the figure-8-shaped path it initially traverses the first scan segment of the path from the first to the second end at a velocity having a first velocity component v 1ax in the X coordinate direction equal to the velocity of the web v wx , and a second velocity component v 1ay in the Y coordinate direction. Accordingly, the source array scans a first swath on the web parallel to the Y coordinate direction having a first swath height h 1s .
  • the second velocity component v 1ay is such that in the time required for the array to traverse the full extent of the first scan segment, the web advances a distance h 1w in the X coordinate direction that is less than the swath height h 1s .
  • the print head is now positioned for immediate movement along the second scan segment.
  • the source array next traverses the second scan segment at a velocity -v a defined by a first velocity component v 2ax in the X coordinate direction equal to the velocity of the web v wx , and a second velocity component- v 2ay .
  • the source array scans a second swath on the web parallel to said Y coordinate direction, having a second swath height h 2s .
  • the velocity component - v 2 ay is such that in the time required for the scanning array to traverse the full extent of the second scan segment the web advances the distance h 2w in the X coordinate direction which is less than the second swath height h 2 s .
  • the source array scans two successive swaths of said continuously advancing web immediately adjacent to one another and parallel to the Y coordinate direction, with each traverse of the figure-8-shaped path.
  • the print head can also be configured to include an array of discrete printing elements wherein the total number of printing elements is referred to as the source array, from which a "scanning array" is selected.
  • the source array from which a "scanning array" is selected.
  • groups of printing elements comprising the scanning array are selectively and progressively activated causing the scanning array to have the velocity component v ax , relative to the frame in the X coordinate direction equal to the web velocity v wx . This results in the scanning of swaths on the work material perpendicular to the Y coordinate direction.
  • a plurality of print heads are coupled to the frame for movement relative thereto, across the web.
  • the print heads are staggered relative to one another, such that the swath height scanned in a single traverse of the scan segment is a function of the number of print heads mounted to the frame.
  • the present invention also resides in a method for printing on a continuously advancing web of work material wherein a printing apparatus as described herein-above is provided.
  • the apparatus includes a controller for storing data therein corresponding to a graphic to be printed.
  • the web is continuously advanced in the X coordinate direction at the velocity v wx relative to the frame.
  • the source array is moved relative to the frame along the scan segment at a velocity v a related to the web velocity v wx such that as the scanning array traverses the scan segment, the array has first velocity component v ax in the X coordinate direction equal to v wx , and a second velocity component v ay in the Y coordinate direction . Therefore, the source array in traversing the scan segment of the path scans and prints a swath on the web parallel to the Y coordinate direction having a swath height h s , in response to commands issued from the controller.
  • the movement of the source array along the scan segment in the X coordinate direction is such that in the time required for moving the source array along the full extent of the scan segment the web advances a distance h w in the X coordinate direction that is less than the swath height h s .
  • the movement of the source array along the scan and repositioning segments is repeated causing successive adjacent swaths to be scanned and printed on the continuously advancing web parallel to the Y coordinate direction in response to commands issued from the controller.
  • an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 20.
  • the apparatus 20 includes a frame 22 having a roller 24 rotatably coupled thereto for supporting and continuously advancing a web of work material 26 through the apparatus longitudinally of itself in a first coordinate direction as indicated by the arrow labeled "X."
  • the roller 24 is driven by suitable means, such as, but not limited to a motor (not shown).
  • the motor is responsive to commands issued from a programmable controller 28 coupled to the apparatus 20 and having data corresponding to a graphic to be printed onto the web 26, stored therein in a machine readable format.
  • an elongated carriage support 30 is mounted to the frame 22 and extends along the length of the roller 24 approximately parallel thereto.
  • a print head carriage 32 is slidably coupled to the carriage support 30 via upper and lower rails 34 and 36 respectively.
  • the upper and lower rails, 34 and 36 are attached to the carriage support 30 and are approximately parallel to one another as well as to the roller 24.
  • the upper rail 34, and the lower rail 36 each extend through a bushing 38 (only one shown) mounted on the print head carriage 32.
  • the print head carriage 32 slides back-and-forth along the upper and lower rails in the Y coordinate direction in response to commands issued from the controller 28.
  • the bushings 38 must be made of a suitable material, such as, but not limited to polytetrafluoroethylene.
  • a suitable material such as, but not limited to polytetrafluoroethylene.
  • bushings 38 have been shown and described, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other components known to those skilled in the pertinent art to which the present invention pertains, such as linear roller-type bearings, may be substituted without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.
  • a stepper motor (not shown) is mounted to a back side of the carriage support 30 at a first end thereof, and includes a rotatable shaft 40 extending through the carriage support.
  • a first pulley 42 is mounted on the shaft 40 and drivingly engages belt 44.
  • a second pulley 46 is rotatably mounted to the carriage support at a second end thereof and also engages the belt 44.
  • the belt 44 is attached at its ends to the print head carriage 32.
  • the belt 44 is a timing belt having a plurality of equally spaced teeth along its length
  • the first and second pulleys 42 and 46 are timing pulleys each defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced mating teeth adapted to engage the teeth on the timing belt.
  • the present invention is not limited in this regard as other types of belts and pulleys known to those skilled in the pertinent art to which the present invention pertains, such as V-belts and sheaves, may be substituted without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.
  • the belt 44 engages the pulleys 40 and 42 and is attached at a first end 48 to one side of the print head carriage 32 via clamp 50.
  • a coil spring 52 is mounted via first hooked end 54 onto a protrusion 56 extending from the print head carriage 32.
  • a second end 58 of the belt 44 extends through a channel 60 located on the print head carriage 32 opposite to the clamp 50 and is retained by a second hooked end 61 defined by the spring 52.
  • the length of the belt 44 being such that mounting the belt to the second hooked end of the spring 52 causes the spring to extend, thereby exerting a tensioning force on the belt.
  • the channel 60 includes opposed walls 62 and 64 with wall 64 progressively tapering from a first end 66 of the channel 60 towards an outside wall 68 of the print head carriage 32.
  • a retaining member 70 is slidably positioned in the channel 60 and includes a first surface 72 defining a taper adapted to mate with the taper on the wall 64.
  • the retaining member 70 also defines a second surface 74 opposite to the first surface and adjacent to the belt 44. In this configuration, the retaining member 70 slides along the tapered wall 64 of the channel 60 thereby releasably locking the belt 44 in place when a force is exerted thereon in the direction indicated by the arrow "A", thereby preventing any slack in the belt, or loosening during operation.
  • the channel 60 can include a pair of tapered walls 76 aligned with one another, each defining a lip 78 projecting therefrom.
  • a ball 80 is positioned between each wall 76 and the belt 44, with a spring 82 interposed between each ball and lip for biasing the balls against the belt. Accordingly, during operation the spring 52 will exert tension on the belt 44 while the spring loaded balls 80 will prevent the belt from loosening, by becoming wedged between the tapered walls 76 and the belt 44 releasably locking the belt in place.
  • spring loaded balls have been shown and described, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other components such as a spring loaded wedge 84, as shown in FIG. 5 can be substituted without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.
  • the print head carriage 32 includes two print heads 86 releasably mounted to a carrier 88 which in turn is slidably mounted to the carriage via a pair of rails (one shown) 90.
  • the rails 90 project outwardly from the print head carriage 32 each extending through a pair of apertures 92 defined by bosses 94 outwardly depending from the carrier 88.
  • An actuator 96 is mounted to the print head carriage 32 and includes an actuating member 98 that extends through the print head carriage and engages the carrier 88.
  • the actuator 96 is a stepper motor
  • the actuating member 98 is a lead screw rotatably coupled to the stepper motor.
  • the carrier 88 and print heads 86 move between a forward and rearward position in response to commands issued from the controller 28, FIG. 1.
  • the present invention is not limited in this regard as other types of actuators, and actuating members known to those skilled in the pertinent art to which the present invention pertains, such as a pneumatic cylinder having an extendible cylinder rod, can be substituted without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.
  • the illustrated embodiment shows two print heads 86, the present invention is not limited in this regard as one, or a plurality of print heads staggered relative to one another can also be employed.
  • FIG. 7 A second embodiment of the print head carriage of the present invention is shown in FIG. 7 and generally designated by the reference numeral 232 and is similar in many respects to the print head carriage 32 described above. Therefore, like reference numerals preceded by the number 2 are used to indicate like elements.
  • the print head carriage 232 differs from the print head carriage 32 in that instead of an actuator and actuating member, the print head is moved between the forward and rearward positions via a cam mechanism 234.
  • the cam mechanism 234 includes a cam 236 mounted to the print head carriage 232 and rotatable by a suitable drive, such as but not limited to a stepper motor (not shown).
  • a carrier 288 having a print head 286 releasably mounted thereon, is slidably coupled to the print head carriage 232 for movement between a forward and a rearward position.
  • the carrier 288 includes an extension 238 projecting therefrom and having an end 240 to which a wheel 242 is rotatably mounted and engages a peripheral surface 244 defined by the cam 236.
  • a guide 246 extends form the print head carriage 232 and slidably engages an edge 248 of the carrier 288 to maintain the alignment of the carrier during movement between the forward and rearward position.
  • a biasing member, shown in the illustrated embodiment as a spring 250 is mounted at one end to the carrier 288 and at an opposite end to the print head carriage 232 for urging the carrier to the rearward position.
  • a biasing member shown in the illustrated embodiment as a spring 250 is mounted at one end to the carrier 288 and at an opposite end to the print head carriage 232 for urging the carrier to the rearward position.
  • the carrier 288 and thereby the print head 286 moves from the rearward toward the forward position until such time as the wheel 242 encounters the point labeled "P", FIG. 7.
  • the force exerted on the carrier 288 by the spring 250 causes the carrier 288 to return to the rearward position, and the wheel 242 to engage the surface labeled "S".
  • each print head 86, FIG. 1, or 286, FIG. 7, includes a plurality of discrete print elements 100 arranged in a matrix-like source array 102.
  • the print elements 100 are in communication with an ink reservoir (not shown) so that during operation, as the print head carriage 32, FIGS 1 and 2, or 232, FIG. 7 traverses the web 26, ink is transferred via the source array 102 of print elements 100 onto the web in response to commands issued from the controller 28.
  • an ink-jet-type print head has been shown and described, the present invention is not limited in this regard as other print heads known to those skilled in the pertinent to which the invention pertains, such as dot matrix or thermal print heads may be substituted without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention.
  • the operation of the apparatus 20 will be explained in detail.
  • the belt 44 causes the print head carriage 32, and thereby the source array 102 to repetitively traverse the web 26 in response to commands issued from the controller 28.
  • the actuator 96 causes the carrier 88 and thereby the print heads 86 to move between the rearward and forward positions.
  • the above-described motion causes the print heads 86 and thereby the source array 102, FIG. 7 to trace a path across the web 26 relative to the frame, that includes a scan segment extending from the point labeled A to the point labeled B , and a repositioning segment extending from points B to A.
  • the source array 102 traverses the scan segment from point A to point B at an overall velocity v a .
  • the velocity v a has first and second velocity components in the X and Y coordinate directions, v ax and v ay respectively, where v ax is the velocity at which the actuator 96 moves the carrier 88 from the rearward toward the forward position in the X coordinate direction and is equal to the velocity of the continuously advancing web v wx . Accordingly, and as best seen in FIG. 10 which depicts the path followed by the source array 102 relative to the web 26, the source array in traversing the scan segment AB scans a swath on the web parallel to the Y coordinate direction and having a swath height h s .
  • the second velocity component corresponds to the rate at which the print head carriage 232 moves across the web 26 in the Y coordinate direction and is such that in the time required for moving the source array 102 along the full extent of the scan segment AB the web 26 advances a distance h w in the X coordinate direction that is less than the swath height h s .
  • a scanning array of print elements can be selected from the source array 102, such that during operation as the print head traverses the web 26 along a scan segment AB, groups of printing elements comprising the scanning array are selectively activated causing the scanning array to move across the source array 102, in the X coordinate direction at a velocity v ax , relative to the frame 22 and equal to the web velocity v wx .
  • the present invention is not limited in this regard as the print head 86 can trace other paths relative to the frame 22.
  • the source array 102 can follow a figure-8-shaped path consisting of first and second scan segments AB and CD respectively, and first and second repositioning segments BC and DA respectively.
  • the source array 102 initially traverses the first scan segment AB from the first end labeled A to the second end labeled B at a velocity v 1a having a first velocity component v 1ax in the X coordinate direction equal to the velocity of the web v wx , and a second velocity component v 1ay in the Y coordinate direction. Accordingly, the source array scans a first swath on the web parallel to the Y coordinate direction having a first swath height h 1s .
  • the second velocity component v 1ay is such that in the time required for the array to traverse the full extent of the first scan segment, the web advances a distance h 1w in the X coordinate direction that is less than the swath height h 1s .
  • the print head is now positioned for immediate movement along the second scan segment CD.
  • the source array next traverses the second scan segment at a velocity - v 2a defined by a first velocity component v 2ax in the X coordinate direction equal to the velocity of the web v wx , and a second velocity component -v 2 ay .
  • the source array scans a second swath on the web parallel to the Y coordinate direction, having a second swath height h 2 s .
  • the velocity component - v 2 ay is such that in the time required for the scanning array to traverse the full extent of the second scan segment the web advances the distance h 2 w in the X coordinate direction which is less than the second swath height space h 2 s .
  • the print head is once again positioned for immediate movement along the first scan segment, such that the path traced by the source array is figure-8-shaped relative to the frame.
  • the source array 102 scans two successive swaths of said continuously advancing web immediately adjacent to one another and parallel to the Y coordinate direction, with each traverse of the figure-8-shaped path.
  • the source array 102 will transfer swaths of print corresponding to the desired graphic, onto the web 26 in response to commands issued from the controller 28, FIG. 1.
  • a scanning array that comprises a portion of the source array 102 can be selectively activated in response to commands issued from the controller 28.
  • the scanning array shifts along the source array 102, in the X coordinate direction at the velocity v ax , v 1ax or -v 2ax . Accordingly, the scanning array scans successive swaths on the web 26 parallel to the Y coordinate direction and immediately adjacent to one another.
  • the present invention is not limited in this regard. Depending on the graphic being printed, the source array 102 may only need to traverse a portion of the web's width.
  • the web velocity v wx can vary depending on the complexity of the graphic being printed and/or the width of the web 26. The velocity v wx can also vary depending on the speed at which the controller 28, FIG. 1 can process the data corresponding to the graphic being printed. The velocity of the print head carriage 32, FIG. 1, or 232, FIG. 7 and thereby the source array 102 can be adjusted to compensate for changes in the web velocity v wx in response to commands issued from the controller.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention that includes many of the same features as the apparatus 20. Accordingly, like elements will be designated by the same element numbers preceded by the numeral 3. While the apparatus 20, FIG. 1 has been shown and described as including a roller 24 that defines a support surface for the advancing web 26, the present invention is not limited in this regard. As shown in FIG. 13, a flat-bed type printer 320 having a substantially flat work support surface 324 can also be employed with the source array 302 traversing the web 326 in the same manner and along the same paths as described herein-above.
  • the above described figure-8 shaped path can be traced by employing a print head carriage support 328 pivotally coupled to the apparatus 320 for movement between a first angle ⁇ 1 relative to the X coordinate direction and a second angle ⁇ 2 , equal and opposite to the first angle.
  • the source array 302 travels along the carriage support 328 oriented at the angle ⁇ 1 .
  • the carriage support pivots to the angle ⁇ 2 , thereby positioning the source array 302 to traverse the second scan segment. This process is repeated until the desired graphic is printed onto the continuously advancing web.

Landscapes

  • Character Spaces And Line Spaces In Printers (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
  • Paper Feeding For Electrophotography (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Rotary Presses (AREA)

Claims (22)

  1. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comportant un cadre (22) et un moyen (24) destinés à faire avancer en continu ladite bande selon son sens longitudinal dans une direction X à une vitesse vwx par rapport audit cadre, ledit dispositif comprenant :
    au moins une tête d'impression (86, 286) couplée audit cadre (22) en vue d'un déplacement relativement à celui-ci, ladite tête d'impression comprenant une pluralité d'éléments d'impression (100) disposés en un groupement de balayage (102, 302) s'étendant dans ladite direction X,
    un moyen (44) destiné à déplacer de façon répétée ledit groupement (102, 302) relativement audit cadre (22) le long d'un trajet comprenant au moins un segment de balayage et un segment de repositionnement à une vitesse va par rapport à ladite vitesse de bande vwx telle que lorsque ledit groupement parcourt ledit segment de balayage du trajet, ledit groupement présente une première composante de vitesse vax dans ladite direction X, et une seconde composante de vitesse vay dans une direction Y perpendiculaire à ladite direction X,
    ledit moyen (44) destiné à déplacer de façon répétée ledit groupement (102, 302) d'éléments d'impression (100) étant en outre tel que ladite première composante de vitesse vax est égale à vwx de sorte que ledit groupement lors dudit parcours dudit segment de balayage du trajet balaye un couloir sur ladite bande (26, 326) parallèle à ladite direction Y et présentant une hauteur de couloir hs ,
    ledit moyen (44) destiné à déplacer de façon répétée ledit groupement (102, 302) d'éléments d'impression (100) étant en outre tel que ladite seconde composante de vitesse vay est telle que, dans le temps requis pour déplacer ledit groupement de balayage le long de l'étendue totale dudit segment de balayage du trajet, ladite bande avance d'une distance hw dans ladite direction X qui est inférieure à ladite hauteur de couloir, et dans lequel,
    après parcours dudit segment de balayage, ledit groupement (102, 302) se déplace le long dudit segment de repositionnement de sorte qu'au plus pendant le temps pris par ladite bande (26, 326) pour avancer d'une distance d, où d = hs - hw , ladite tête d'impression (86, 286) est repositionnée en vue d'un déplacement immédiat le long d'un segment de balayage en amenant ainsi les couloirs successifs de ladite bande balayée par ledit groupement de balayage à être positionnés sur ladite bande avançant en continu de façon immédiatement contiguë l'un à l'autre.
  2. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite vitesse vwx est constante.
  3. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite vitesse vwx varie en fonction d'une largeur définie par ladite bande.
  4. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite au moins une tête d'impression (86, 286) est une tête d'impression à jet d'encre.
  5. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel ladite au moins une tête d'impression (86, 286) est une tête d'impression thermique.
  6. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel ladite au moins une tête d'impression (86, 286) est une tête d'impression à matrice de points.
  7. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en outre par :
       un contrôleur programmable (28) destiné à mémoriser des données correspondant à un graphique devant être imprimé sur ladite bande (26, 326), et destiné à délivrer des signaux d'instructions audit moyen (24) pour faire avancer en continu ladite bande, à ladite tête d'impression (86, 286), et audit moyen (44) pour déplacer de façon répétée ledit groupement (102, 302) d'éléments d'impression (100), afin d'imprimer ledit graphique sur ladite bande.
  8. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par la revendication 7, dans lequel ladite tête d'impression (86, 286) comprend un gisement(102, 302) d'éléments d'impression (100) et ledit groupement de balayage (104) est sélectionné à partir dudit gisement d'une manière permettant d'amener ledit groupement de balayage à présenter ladite vitesse vax .
  9. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par la revendication 7 ou 8, dans lequel ladite vitesse vwx varie avec le temps en réponse aux instructions délivrées à partir dudit contrôleur (28) suivant la complexité dudit graphique mémorisé dans ledit contrôleur et la capacité dudit contrôleur à traiter lesdites données correspondant audit graphique.
  10. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par la revendication 7, 8 ou 9, dans lequel ledit segment de balayage présente une longueur qui varie en fonction dudit graphique qui est transféré sur ladite bande.
  11. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
       caractérisé en outre par :
    un chariot de tête d'impression (32, 232) couplé audit cadre (22) en vue d'un déplacement dans ladite direction des coordonnées Y à une vitesse égale à ladite composante de vitesse v ay , et dans lequel
    ladite tête d'impression (86, 286) est montée sur ledit chariot de tête d'impression (32, 232) en vue d'un déplacement dans ladite direction des coordonnées X par rapport audit cadre à une vitesse égale à ladite composante vax.
  12. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer sur une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par l'une quelconque des revendications 7 à 11, dans lequel :
    ledit moyen (24) destiné à faire avancer en continu ladite bande dans sa direction longitudinale X à une vitesse vwx par rapport audit cadre comprend un rouleau (24) monté tournant sur ledit cadre (22), pour supporter et de faire avancer ladite bande (26, 326), et
    un moyen d'entraínement destiné à faire tourner en continu ledit rouleau (24) à une vitesse suffisante pour communiquer ladite vitesse vwx à ladite bande (26, 326), en réponse aux instructions délivrées à partir dudit contrôleur (28).
  13. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau en feuille (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par la revendication 12, dans lequel ledit premier moyen d'entraínement est un moteur couplé audit rouleau (24).
  14. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par la revendication 12 ou 13, caractérisé en outre par :
    un support de chariot allongé (30, 328) fixé audit cadre (22) de façon adjacente et approximativement parallèle audit rouleau (24),
    un chariot de tête d'impression (32, 232) couplé audit support de chariot (30, 328) en vue d'un déplacement dans ladite direction Y,
    un second moyen d'entraínement (40) destiné à déplacer ledit chariot de tête d'impression (32, 232) le long dudit support de chariot (30, 328) en réponse aux instructions délivrées à partir dudit contrôleur (28),
    ladite tête d'impression (86, 286) étant montée de façon coulissante sur ledit chariot de tête d'impression (32, 232), et
    un actionneur (96, 234) couplé à ladite tête d'impression (86, 286) destiné à déplacer ladite tête d'impression dans ladite direction X à une vitesse égale à ladite composante de vitesse, en réponse aux instructions délivrées à partir dudit contrôleur (28).
  15. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau en feuille (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par la revendication 14, dans lequel ledit actionneur (96, 234) est un servomécanisme.
  16. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par la revendication 14, dans lequel ledit actionneur (96, 234) est un moteur pas à pas.
  17. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par la revendication 14, dans lequel ledit actionneur (96, 234) est une came.
  18. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en outre par :
    une pluralité de têtes d'impression (86, 286), chacune comprenant une pluralité d'éléments d'impression (100) disposés en un groupement de balayage s'étendant dans ladite direction X perpendiculaire à ladite direction Y, lesdites têtes d'impression étant couplées audit bâti (22) dans une relation étagée les unes par rapport aux autres, et dans lequel
    chaque tête de ladite pluralité de têtes d'impression (86, 286) comprend une pluralité d'éléments d'impression (100) disposés en un groupement de balayage s'étendant dans une direction X perpendiculaire à ladite direction Y, de sorte que lorsque ladite pluralité de têtes d'impression parcourt ledit segment de balayage du trajet, ledit couloir balayé sur ladite bande (26, 326) parallèlement à ladite direction X présente une hauteur de couloir effective hs qui est fonction des groupements de balayage combinés de ladite pluralité de têtes d'impression.
  19. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel :
       ledit moyen (24) destiné à faire avancer en continu ladite bande dans sa direction longitudinale X à une vitesse vwx par rapport audit cadre (22) comprend une surface (324) de support de bande pratiquement plate au-dessus de laquelle ladite bande (26, 326) est avancée.
  20. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel
    ledit trajet comprend un premier segment de balayage présentant des première et seconde extrémités, et un second segment de balayage présentant des troisième et quatrième extrémités, chacun desdits premier et second segments de balayage s'étendant de façon transversale sur ladite bande (26, 326),
    ledit premier segment de balayage étant orienté suivant un premier angle par rapport à la direction X,
    ledit second segment de balayage étant orienté suivant un second angle approximativement égal audit premier angle et opposé à celui-ci et présentant une troisième extrémité adjacente à ladite seconde extrémité dudit premier segment de balayage et une quatrième extrémité adjacente à ladite première extrémité dudit premier segment de balayage,
    ledit trajet comportant en outre un premier segment de repositionnement s'étendant entre ladite première extrémité dudit premier segment de balayage et ladite quatrième extrémité dudit second segment de balayage, et un second segment de repositionnement s'étendant entre ladite seconde extrémité dudit premier segment de balayage et ladite troisième extrémité dudit second segment de balayage, de sorte que ledit groupement de balayage (102, 302) lors du parcours dudit premier segment de balayage du trajet depuis ladite première extrémité jusqu'à ladite seconde extrémité présente ladite première composante de vitesse v1ax dans ladite direction X, et ladite seconde composante de vitesse v1ay dans ladite direction Y et balaye un premier couloir sur ladite bande parallèle à ladite direction des coordonnées Y et présentant une première hauteur de couloir h1s ,
    ledit moyen (44) destiné à déplacer ledit groupement de balayage (102, 302) d'éléments d'impression (100) étant en outre tel que :
    ladite seconde composante de vitesse v1ay est telle que dans le temps requis pour déplacer ledit groupement (102, 302) le long de l'étendue totale dudit premier segment de balayage du trajet, ladite bande (26, 326) avance d'une distance h1w dans ladite direction X qui est inférieure à ladite hauteur de couloir h1s ,
    après le parcours dudit premier segment de balayage, ledit groupement de balayage (102, 302) se déplace le long dudit premier segment de repositionnement de sorte qu'au plus pendant le temps pris pour que ladite bande (26, 326) avance d'une distance d1 , où d1 = h1s - h1w , ladite tête d'impression (86, 286) est repositionnée en vue d'un déplacement immédiat le long dudit second segment de balayage,
    ledit moyen (44) destiné à déplacer de façon répétée ledit groupement de balayage (102, 302) d'éléments d'impression (100) par rapport audit cadre (22) étant en outre tel que :
    lorsque ledit groupement de balayage (102, 302) parcourt ledit second segment de balayage du trajet, ledit groupement de balayage présente ladite première composante de vitesse v2ax dans ladite direction X, et une troisième composante de vitesse -v2ay dans ladite direction Y de valeur égale et de direction opposée à ladite seconde composante de vitesse v2ay ,
    ledit moyen (44) destiné à déplacer ledit groupement d'éléments d'impression étant en outre tel que ladite troisième composante de vitesse v2ax le long dudit second segment de balayage est égale à vwx de sorte que ledit groupement de balayage lors du parcours dudit second segment de balayage du trajet balaye un second couloir sur ladite bande parallèle à ladite direction Y et présentant une seconde hauteur de couloir h2s ,
    ledit moyen (44) destiné à déplacer ledit groupement de balayage (102, 302) d'éléments d'impression (100) étant en outre tel que :
    ladite troisième composante de vitesse -v2ay est telle que dans le temps requis pour déplacer ledit groupement de balayage (102, 302) le long de l'étendue totale dudit second segment de balayage du trajet, ladite bande (26, 326) avance de ladite distance h2w dans ladite direction X qui est inférieure à ladite seconde hauteur de couloir h 2s , et dans lequel,
    après le parcours dudit second segment de balayage, ledit groupement de balayage (102, 302) se déplace le long dudit second segment de repositionnement de sorte qu'au plus pendant le temps pris pour que ladite bande (26, 326) avance d'une distance d2 , où d 2 = h2s - h2w , ladite tête d'impression (86, 286) est repositionnée en vue d'un déplacement immédiat le long dudit second segment de balayage, de sorte que ledit trajet est en forme de 8 par rapport audit cadre.
  21. Dispositif (20, 320) destiné à imprimer sur une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu comme défini par l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ladite tête d'impression (86, 286) comprend un gisement (102, 302) d'éléments (100) et ledit groupement de balayage est sélectionné à partir dudit gisement, de sorte que ledit groupement de balayage présente ladite vitesse vax .
  22. Procédé destiné à imprimer une bande de matériau (26, 326) avançant en continu, ledit procédé étant caractérisé par les étapes consistant à :
    a. réaliser un dispositif d'impression (20, 320) comportant un cadre (22), au moins une tête d'impression (86, 286) couplée audit cadre en vue d'un déplacement par rapport à celui-ci, ladite tête d'impression comprenant une pluralité d'éléments d'impression (100) disposés en un groupement de balayage (102, 302) s'étendant dans une direction X, et un contrôleur (28) destiné à mémoriser des données dans celui-ci correspondant à un graphique devant être imprimé,
    b. faire avancer en continu ladite bande (26, 326) dans la direction X perpendiculaire à ladite direction Y, à une vitesse v wx par rapport audit cadre (22),
    c. déplacer ledit groupement de balayage (102, 302) d'éléments d'impression (100) par rapport audit cadre (22) le long d'un segment de balayage à une vitesse v a par rapport à ladite vitesse v wx de ladite bande telle que lorsque ledit groupement de balayage parcourt ledit segment de balayage, ledit groupement de balayage présente une première composante de vitesse vax dans ladite direction X égale à vwx , et une seconde composante de vitesse vay dans ladite direction Y de sorte que ledit groupement de balayage lors du parcours dudit segment de balayage du trajet balaye un couloir sur ladite bande (26, 326) parallèle à ladite direction des coordonnées Y et présentant une hauteur de couloir hs ,
    d. déplacer en outre ledit groupement de balayage (102, 302) d'éléments d'impression (100) de sorte que ladite composante de vitesse vax soit telle que dans le temps requis pour déplacer ledit groupement de balayage le long de l'étendue totale dudit segment de balayage, ladite bande (26, 326) avance d'une distance hw dans ladite direction des coordonnées X qui est inférieure à ladite hauteur de couloir hs , et
    e. déplacer ledit groupement de balayage (102, 302) le long d'un segment de repositionnement après le parcours de l'étendue totale dudit segment de balayage de sorte qu'au plus pendant le temps pris pour que ladite bande (26, 326) avance d'une distance d, où d = hs - hw , ladite tête d'impression (86, 286) est repositionnée en vue d'un déplacement immédiatement le long d'un segment de balayage,
    f. répéter les étapes b à e en amenant ainsi des couloirs successifs de ladite bande (26, 326) balayée par ledit groupement (102, 302) à être positionnés sur ladite bande avançant en continu de manière immédiatement contiguë l'un à l'autre.
EP99119634A 1998-10-05 1999-10-04 Procédure et appareil pour imprimer sur un matériau de bande défilant en continu Expired - Lifetime EP0992353B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/166,314 US6056454A (en) 1998-10-05 1998-10-05 Method and apparatus for printing on a continuously moving sheet of work material
US166314 1998-10-05
US245617 1999-02-05
US09/245,617 US6076983A (en) 1998-10-05 1999-02-05 Method and apparatus for printing onto a continuously advancing web of work material

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EP0992353A1 EP0992353A1 (fr) 2000-04-12
EP0992353B1 true EP0992353B1 (fr) 2001-08-01

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EP (1) EP0992353B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP3265293B2 (fr)
AT (1) ATE203712T1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2284950A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69900203T2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010003209A1 (fr) * 2008-07-09 2010-01-14 Riskema Informática E Automação Ltda. Traceur vertical à jet d'encre

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6540419B2 (en) 2001-08-21 2003-04-01 Gerber Technology, Inc. Multi-mode continuous printing
GB0907362D0 (en) * 2009-04-29 2009-06-10 Ten Cate Itex B V Print carriage
US9682576B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2017-06-20 Océ-Technologies B.V. Printing assembly
IT201600070853A1 (it) * 2016-07-08 2018-01-08 Durst Phototechnik Ag Concetto di stampa per un procedimento bidimensionale per stampare un materiale

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3742846A (en) * 1972-03-31 1973-07-03 Ibm Wire printer with print head moved in figure eight pattern
DE3446226A1 (de) * 1984-12-19 1986-06-19 Olympia Werke Ag, 2940 Wilhelmshaven Matrixdrucker mit einem auf einem bewegbaren traeger angeordneten druckkopf
DE4120293C2 (de) * 1990-07-27 1995-08-31 Eastman Kodak Co Zeichengerät mit einem Mosaiktintendruckkopf
JP3313777B2 (ja) * 1992-09-24 2002-08-12 キヤノン株式会社 記録装置および記録方法
DE69710277T2 (de) * 1996-09-11 2002-10-17 Scitex Digital Printing Inc In schräger Richtung arbeitendes serielles Tintenstrahldrucksystem für Textilien

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010003209A1 (fr) * 2008-07-09 2010-01-14 Riskema Informática E Automação Ltda. Traceur vertical à jet d'encre

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JP2000135830A (ja) 2000-05-16
CA2284950A1 (fr) 2000-04-05
ATE203712T1 (de) 2001-08-15
DE69900203T2 (de) 2002-05-16
JP3265293B2 (ja) 2002-03-11
EP0992353A1 (fr) 2000-04-12
DE69900203D1 (de) 2001-09-06

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