EP1645427A1 - Tensioning system for printing devices - Google Patents

Tensioning system for printing devices Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1645427A1
EP1645427A1 EP04447223A EP04447223A EP1645427A1 EP 1645427 A1 EP1645427 A1 EP 1645427A1 EP 04447223 A EP04447223 A EP 04447223A EP 04447223 A EP04447223 A EP 04447223A EP 1645427 A1 EP1645427 A1 EP 1645427A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tensioning system
media
roll
tensioning
rolls
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04447223A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Rik Fonteyne
Nele Dely
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.)
Mutoh Europe NV
Original Assignee
Mutoh Europe NV
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
Application filed by Mutoh Europe NV filed Critical Mutoh Europe NV
Priority to EP04447223A priority Critical patent/EP1645427A1/en
Priority to EP05447053A priority patent/EP1574348B1/en
Priority to AT05447053T priority patent/ATE381993T1/en
Priority to DE200560003977 priority patent/DE602005003977T2/en
Publication of EP1645427A1 publication Critical patent/EP1645427A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H23/00—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs
    • B65H23/04—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs longitudinally
    • B65H23/16—Registering, tensioning, smoothing or guiding webs longitudinally by weighted or spring-pressed movable bars or rollers
    • 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
    • B41J15/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in continuous form, e.g. webs
    • B41J15/16—Means for tensioning or winding the web
    • B41J15/165—Means for tensioning or winding the web for tensioning continuous copy material by use of redirecting rollers or redirecting nonrevolving guides
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2801/00—Application field
    • B65H2801/03—Image reproduction devices
    • B65H2801/12—Single-function printing machines, typically table-top machines

Definitions

  • the invention is related to a system for tensioning printing media (paper, textile,%) on a printer, in particular on a large inkjet printer.
  • Irregular expansion of the media may occur due to:
  • the media loop between the printer and the media collecting system is put under a certain tension, caused by the pulling force of the media collecting system (take-up system).
  • the loop length is the length of the media between the printing position and the media collecting system, measured in the moving direction of the media.
  • Such a loop length difference causes the tension force applied by the media collecting system to be concentrated in the place of the media where the loop length is shorter. This creates tension loss in the areas of the media where the loop length is longer.
  • the loop length difference may further cause bubbles in the media at the printing area, resulting in:
  • the present invention aims to provide a tensioning system able to compensate irregular expansion or tension of media such that the media is kept flat at the printing position.
  • the tensioning system according to the invention is particularly suitable for printing on extremely thin media, such as are presently used for example in the Digital Transfer Printing technique.
  • Fig. 1 represents two views of a printing device comprising a tensioning system according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 represents a detailed view of the tensioning system.
  • Fig. 3 represents an embodiment with three rolls.
  • Figure 1 shows two views of a printing device comprising a tensioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 shows more in detail said first embodiment of the tensioning system according to the invention.
  • the tensioning system as in the first embodiment comprises a number of tension rollers, which are mounted next to each other. Each tension roller is independently spring loaded on both ends.
  • Each tension roller except for the one in the middle, can be adjusted in the left-right direction. This adjustment can be used to fit the system to the width of the media used.
  • Both the left and the right outside tension roller may have a higher spring load on the outsides. This is because the effect of irregular media expansion shows up mainly on the outside edges of the media.
  • the total system can be withdrawn backward for media loading. It can be adjusted in the front/rear direction to adjust the offset spring force on the tension rollers.
  • the tension rollers can be fixed around their length axis, allowing the media to slide over, or can be mounted on bearings, allowing them to roll with the media movement.
  • the tension rollers of the system of the invention each give additional, independent local tension on the media area covered by the width of the tension roller. This compensates for the differences in the loop length over the width of the media. By doing so, all irregular media expansion is absorbed at the invention system, thereby keeping the media in the print area flat.
  • tension roll made of a sufficiently flexible material, that causes the roll to bend slightly due to the pressure exerted by the media onto the roll.
  • the tension roll may obtain the same shape as in the above-mentioned embodiments, thus yielding the same effect.
  • the system is especially advantageous for printers used to print on extremely thin media, such as printers used for Digital Transfer Printing.

Landscapes

  • Handling Of Continuous Sheets Of Paper (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention is related to a tensioning system for printers comprising means for applying a tension force to a printing media along a contact zone. The means for applying a tension force are capable of applying variable tension force along the contact zone.

Description

    Field of the invention
  • The invention is related to a system for tensioning printing media (paper, textile,...) on a printer, in particular on a large inkjet printer.
    • State of the art
  • Irregular expansion of the media may occur due to:
    • expansion/contraction caused by a humidity or temperature change of the media,
    • expansion caused by ink load,
    • expansion caused by tension differences due to the media production process,
  • The media loop between the printer and the media collecting system is put under a certain tension, caused by the pulling force of the media collecting system (take-up system).
  • When using media that cannot expand, this tension will be equal over the full width of the media. When using real media that expands, irregular expansion may result in a longer loop length on the edges of the media. The loop length is the length of the media between the printing position and the media collecting system, measured in the moving direction of the media.
  • Such a loop length difference causes the tension force applied by the media collecting system to be concentrated in the place of the media where the loop length is shorter. This creates tension loss in the areas of the media where the loop length is longer. The loop length difference may further cause bubbles in the media at the printing area, resulting in:
    • printing quality loss due to irregular distance between print head and media, and
    • head strikes, when the printing head is striking media bubbles.
    Aims of the invention
  • The present invention aims to provide a tensioning system able to compensate irregular expansion or tension of media such that the media is kept flat at the printing position.
    • Summary of the invention
  • The present invention is defined by the claims.
  • The tensioning system according to the invention is particularly suitable for printing on extremely thin media, such as are presently used for example in the Digital Transfer Printing technique.
    • Short description of the drawings
  • Fig. 1 represents two views of a printing device comprising a tensioning system according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 represents a detailed view of the tensioning system.
  • Fig. 3 represents an embodiment with three rolls.
    • Detailed description of the invention
  • Figure 1 shows two views of a printing device comprising a tensioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows more in detail said first embodiment of the tensioning system according to the invention. As can be seen in Fig.3 the tensioning system as in the first embodiment comprises a number of tension rollers, which are mounted next to each other. Each tension roller is independently spring loaded on both ends.
  • Each tension roller, except for the one in the middle, can be adjusted in the left-right direction. This adjustment can be used to fit the system to the width of the media used.
  • Both the left and the right outside tension roller may have a higher spring load on the outsides. This is because the effect of irregular media expansion shows up mainly on the outside edges of the media.
  • The total system can be withdrawn backward for media loading. It can be adjusted in the front/rear direction to adjust the offset spring force on the tension rollers.
  • The tension rollers can be fixed around their length axis, allowing the media to slide over, or can be mounted on bearings, allowing them to roll with the media movement.
  • The tension rollers of the system of the invention each give additional, independent local tension on the media area covered by the width of the tension roller. This compensates for the differences in the loop length over the width of the media. By doing so, all irregular media expansion is absorbed at the invention system, thereby keeping the media in the print area flat.
  • In an alternative embodiment there is only one tension roll, made of a sufficiently flexible material, that causes the roll to bend slightly due to the pressure exerted by the media onto the roll. In this way the tension roll may obtain the same shape as in the above-mentioned embodiments, thus yielding the same effect.
  • The system is especially advantageous for printers used to print on extremely thin media, such as printers used for Digital Transfer Printing.

Claims (9)

  1. Tensioning system for printers comprising means for applying a tension force to a printing media along a contact zone characterised in that said means are capable of applying variable tension force along said contact zone.
  2. Tensioning system as in claim 1, wherein said tensioning force is highest at the ends of said contact zone.
  3. Tensioning system as in claim 1 or 2, wherein said means for applying a tension force comprises a plurality of tensioning rolls placed longitudinally next to each other, each roll being independently spring loaded on each end.
  4. Tensioning system according to claim 3 comprising three rolls, wherein the middle roll is fixed in longitudinal direction, and the other two rolls are adjustable in longitudinal direction.
  5. Tensioning system according to claim 3, wherein said rolls are fixed around their length axis.
  6. Tensioning system according to claim 3, wherein said rolls can rotate around their length axis.
  7. Tensioning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said means consists of one roll, said roll being made of a flexible material.
  8. Tensioning system as in claim 7, wherein said one roll is fixed around its length axis.
  9. Tensioning system as in claim 7, wherein said one roll can rotate around its length axis.
EP04447223A 2004-03-10 2004-10-08 Tensioning system for printing devices Withdrawn EP1645427A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP04447223A EP1645427A1 (en) 2004-10-08 2004-10-08 Tensioning system for printing devices
EP05447053A EP1574348B1 (en) 2004-03-10 2005-03-10 Tensioning system for printing devices
AT05447053T ATE381993T1 (en) 2004-03-10 2005-03-10 CLAMPING DEVICE FOR PRINTER
DE200560003977 DE602005003977T2 (en) 2004-03-10 2005-03-10 Clamping device for printing devices

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP04447223A EP1645427A1 (en) 2004-10-08 2004-10-08 Tensioning system for printing devices

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1645427A1 true EP1645427A1 (en) 2006-04-12

Family

ID=34933096

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04447223A Withdrawn EP1645427A1 (en) 2004-03-10 2004-10-08 Tensioning system for printing devices

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1645427A1 (en)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS58181678A (en) * 1982-04-19 1983-10-24 Ricoh Co Ltd Recorder
JPS59190152A (en) * 1983-04-08 1984-10-27 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Roll sheet feeding device
JPS60132859A (en) * 1983-12-19 1985-07-15 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Transfer and guide roller
US5649890A (en) * 1994-05-11 1997-07-22 De La Rue Giori, S.A. Draw roller for the transport of a material web, particularly a paper web in a web-fed printing machine
EP0826480A2 (en) * 1996-08-26 1998-03-04 Nippon Petrochemicals Company, Limited Web widening apparatus
DE10135124A1 (en) * 2001-07-19 2003-02-06 Lueraflex Gmbh G Lueckenotto Roll for guiding textiles, film or paper has carrier shaft and deformable covering located on shaft in rotationally symmetrical arrangement
EP1457347A1 (en) * 2003-03-12 2004-09-15 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Unbacked fabric transport and condition system

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS58181678A (en) * 1982-04-19 1983-10-24 Ricoh Co Ltd Recorder
JPS59190152A (en) * 1983-04-08 1984-10-27 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Roll sheet feeding device
JPS60132859A (en) * 1983-12-19 1985-07-15 Fuji Xerox Co Ltd Transfer and guide roller
US5649890A (en) * 1994-05-11 1997-07-22 De La Rue Giori, S.A. Draw roller for the transport of a material web, particularly a paper web in a web-fed printing machine
EP0826480A2 (en) * 1996-08-26 1998-03-04 Nippon Petrochemicals Company, Limited Web widening apparatus
DE10135124A1 (en) * 2001-07-19 2003-02-06 Lueraflex Gmbh G Lueckenotto Roll for guiding textiles, film or paper has carrier shaft and deformable covering located on shaft in rotationally symmetrical arrangement
EP1457347A1 (en) * 2003-03-12 2004-09-15 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Unbacked fabric transport and condition system

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 008, no. 022 (M - 272) 31 January 1984 (1984-01-31) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 009, no. 055 (M - 362) 9 March 1985 (1985-03-09) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 009, no. 294 (M - 431) 20 November 1985 (1985-11-20) *

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