EP1691984B1 - Bedrucken eines sich bewegenden trägers - Google Patents

Bedrucken eines sich bewegenden trägers Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1691984B1
EP1691984B1 EP04805949.7A EP04805949A EP1691984B1 EP 1691984 B1 EP1691984 B1 EP 1691984B1 EP 04805949 A EP04805949 A EP 04805949A EP 1691984 B1 EP1691984 B1 EP 1691984B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
substrate
rollers
printheads
printing
print
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP04805949.7A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1691984A2 (de
Inventor
Richard William Eve
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.)
Inca Digital Printers Ltd
Original Assignee
Inca Digital Printers Ltd
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 Inca Digital Printers Ltd filed Critical Inca Digital Printers Ltd
Publication of EP1691984A2 publication Critical patent/EP1691984A2/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1691984B1 publication Critical patent/EP1691984B1/de
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

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
    • B41J13/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
    • B41J13/10—Sheet holders, retainers, movable guides, or stationary guides
    • B41J13/12—Sheet holders, retainers, movable guides, or stationary guides specially adapted for small cards, envelopes, or the like, e.g. credit cards, cut visiting cards
    • 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
    • B41J11/0085—Using suction for maintaining printing material flat
    • 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
    • B41J13/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
    • B41J13/10—Sheet holders, retainers, movable guides, or stationary guides
    • B41J13/14—Aprons or guides for the printing section

Definitions

  • the invention relates to printing.
  • the invention finds particular, but not exclusive, application to printing onto a moving substrate.
  • Preferred examples described relate to ink jet printing, and in particular to a transport system and method for moving a substrate in an ink jet printer. Examples are described below relating to single pass ink jet printing: the substrate makes only one passage past the printhead arrangement.
  • Ink jet printing offers certain advantages over other printing methods as it can allow rapid changeover of images. However, there can be difficulties in producing high quality images.
  • an array of droplets of, for example, ink is deposited onto the surface of a substrate in a pattern to form the required image.
  • the droplets of ink are typically emitted from an array of nozzles of an ink jet printhead. It is generally necessary for there to be relative movement between the ink jet printhead and the substrate during the printing procedure for the whole of the required image to be printed onto the substrate. In some arrangements, this movement is carried out while the ink is being emitted from the nozzles of the printhead; alternatively, or in addition, printing may be paused while the movement occurs. Where there is relative movement between the printhead and the substrate during the printing of the image, errors in registration may occur which can lead to reduction in image quality.
  • Moire effects are patterns, for example a herringbone pattern, which can arise when two or more geometrical patterns, such as grids, are superimposed. In inkjet printing, they can arise where two or more grids of printed droplets, for example for the different colours of a colour image, are not correctly registered. This can also be a problem for printing images of a single colour where several print heads are used spaced in the print direction.
  • the substrates to be printed for example rigid sheets, are often transported on conveyor belts.
  • conveyor belt systems that give the required precision of movement, and slippage of the substrate on the conveyor belt can occur.
  • Some existing ink jet printers use vacuum in combination with conveyor belts and rollers to transport a substrate to be printed, see for example Figures 9a and 9b of JP 10-315551 .
  • Such systems are designed to index the substrate between the printing of print swathes, and to hold the substrate while ink is emitted by the printhead.
  • a vacuum may be used to hold the substrate against a platen or belt, to maintain a uniform gap between the printheads and the surface of the substrate.
  • Linear speed of movement of the substrate is low, typically 0.1m/s, since the index distance between swathes is small, typically 1cm.
  • Such systems are able only to handle flexible substrates such as paper. Single pass printing at speeds over 1m/s on rigid materials such as corrugated board requires a different approach.
  • US-A-4,463,361 describes a recording device having a stationary suction member for applying a suction force to a recording paper to keep the paper in close contact with the stationary suction member. Thereby, the flatness of the recording paper at the recording station is attained and the distance between recording means and recording paper is maintained constant.
  • an ink jet printing apparatus for printing on a moving substrate, the printer comprising: a plurality of ink jet printheads for emitting ink towards a surface of the substrate wherein the printheads are adapted to be stationary while emitting ink; a plurality of rollers arranged to move the substrate relative to the printheads; and a pressure source wherein the pressure source is arranged to apply a negative gauge pressure to the substrate, to hold the substrate to the rollers.
  • the application of the pressure preferably helps to hold the substrate flat, and/or to reduce undesired movement of the substrate relative to the rollers.
  • the negative gauge pressure provides a 'hold-down' effect on the substrate which increases its traction with the rollers, thereby reducing undesired movement of the substrate.
  • slipping of the substrate on the rollers may be reduced or eliminated. Such slippage might otherwise occur, for example in the event of sudden changes in movement of the rollers, for example where the rollers are driven by a step motor.
  • This reduction of slippage is of particular benefit for substrates having a low coefficient of friction, for example a substrate comprising a plastics material such as polypropylene. The substrate is transported directly on the rollers, the substrate directly contacts the rollers.
  • a vacuum also can act to flatten the substrate.
  • a controlled, gap for example about 2mm
  • a controlled, gap for example about 2mm
  • the 'hold-down' effect may also reduce the effect of undesirable external forces on the substrate, particularly if the substrate is susceptible to movement caused by nearby air currents, for example if it is of a low mass.
  • the provision of a 'hold down' effect by application of the negative gauge pressure is also advantageous because the effect can be provided without particular consideration of the substrate edge profile: the arrangement can be used to print on a variety of shapes and sizes of substrate with little or no alterations required to the arrangement.
  • the substrate is substantially flat.
  • Rollers are advantageous because they can, for example, be made to a high accuracy and mounted on bearings accurately so as to give little unwanted lateral movement. It is also possible to ensure that the rollers turn at the same speed to reduce the risk of loss of traction of a roller with the substrate, which may result in twisting and hence lateral movement of the substrate.
  • the rollers are arranged to support the substrate on the upper surfaces of the rollers.
  • the rollers are generally cylindrical.
  • the outer surface of the roller may be shaped as described below. They are preferably arranged substantially parallel to each other and, as they rotate, they move the substrate in a generally linear direction. Rollers are particularly suitable because such rollers can be used both to support the substrate (which can for example be simply placed on top of the rollers), and to move the substrate in a desired direction, for example, by rotating the rollers synchronously or otherwise, the rotation providing movement of the substrate.
  • the substrate may be held in other orientations during printing.
  • the application of the vacuum allows a variety of different orientations so that for example the substrate may be held from above, with the printheads directed upwards at the underside of the substrate, or the rollers may form a vertical face with the substrate travelling vertically or horizontally.
  • the plurality of printheads includes more than one line of print nozzles.
  • the printheads may be provided separately or may be combined into one or more printhead arrangement.
  • the apparatus is adapted to print onto the surfaces of a plurality of discrete substrates.
  • the apparatus is adapted to print onto sheets of material.
  • Such an apparatus is to be contrasted with a printer which is adapted to print onto, for example, a continuous web of material.
  • the apparatus is preferably adapted to print onto sheets of material, it will be appreciated that the substrate might have a different form.
  • any shape of substrate could be transported in the printer using methods described herein; the method is particularly applicable to substrates having at least one flat area on its surface, to which the negative gauge pressure can be applied.
  • the rollers may be made of any suitable material, and may further include a high friction outer surface to increase the friction between the roller and the substrate.
  • the apparatus includes at least three rollers arranged to move the substrate relative to the printheads. It has been found that in many applications at least three rollers are required to provide adequate control of the movement of the substrate.
  • the number of rollers used and their size will depend on the size shape and weight of the substrate to be moved by the rollers. It is thought that at least four, more preferably at least five rollers would be used. In a preferred example, ten rollers are used.
  • the rollers are arranged having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the direction of printing.
  • the rollers are arranged adjacent each other, preferably directly adjacent each other, preferably in the direction of printing.
  • the direction of printing corresponds to the direction of movement of the substrate.
  • the apparatus preferably further includes a controller adapted to control the movement of the rollers.
  • the controller is adapted to control the relative movement of the substrate and the printheads.
  • the arrangement is such that the relative displacement of the substrate, orthogonal to the direction of printing, is within a predetermined tolerance.
  • the velocity of the rollers is preferably carefully controlled. Differences in the velocity of the rollers relative to each other can cause, in the substrate plane, two substrate traction surfaces (motive surfaces) moving at different linear speeds. This can result in 'twisting' of the substrate as it moves along the rollers. This is preferably reduced by controlling the rotation of the rollers such that the difference in speeds is zero or near to it.
  • a roller is mounted substantially parallel to an adjacent roller, preferably such that the angle of the adjacent rollers is not more than 6 milliradians from parallel preferably not more than 4, more preferably not more than 2 milliradians.
  • the rollers are rotatable and preferably the apparatus is adapted to control the rotation such that the peripheral speeds (preferably the speed of an outer surface of the roller holding the substrate) of adjacent rollers is within 1%, preferably within 0.5%, preferably within 0.3%. Control of substrate movement in the orthogonal, or lateral direction to the direction of printing, is particularly important because even small print registration errors in this direction are easily visible.
  • the predetermined tolerance is chosen in dependence on the perceived acceptable image quality and in dependence on the nozzle pitch of a printhead in the relevant direction.
  • the relative displacement is less than 30 percent of the dot pitch of the printed image, preferably less than 20 percent of the pitch, more preferably less than15 percent of the pitch, most preferably less than 10 percent of the pitch.
  • the negative gauge pressure is applied to the substrate in a region between adjacent rollers. Such an arrangement can provide improved hold down of the substrate.
  • the negative gauge pressure is applied to the substrate only in the region between the rollers.
  • the negative gauge pressure is not applied through the rollers themselves, for example by having perforations provided in the rollers.
  • the amount of vacuum applied to the substrate will be chosen having regard to the nature of the substrate and the required print quality. It will be appreciated that a high pressure would give better hold down of the substrate and therefore potentially less slip and better print quality, but at greater cost and at increased risk of causing damage to the substrate, for example as a result of bending of the substrate.
  • the apparatus further includes an element arranged between the rollers adjacent the substrate; preferably the element is arranged to restrict the airflow between the rollers.
  • a masking element can throttle the airflow through the gap between the rollers, thus reducing the size of vacuum pump required. Also, this can avoid excessive airflow adjacent the substrate which could disrupt the jets of ink droplets emitted from the printheads. Also, the pressure can be applied more quickly to the substrate.
  • a masking element is particularly desirable as it concentrates the effect of the vacuum away from the middle section of the substrate between the rollers of the substrate to the area of the substrate near the rollers, where the vacuum effect is required.
  • the element is arranged to reduce deformation of the substrate between the rollers.
  • This may comprise a different element from the masking element, or may be the same element, providing more than one function.
  • the element may be arranged to support the substrate as it passes between the rollers. This is of particular benefit where the substrate is porous.
  • the support element can also, it will be understood, have the additional effect of restricting the air flow as described above.
  • the apparatus further includes a guide for guiding a leading edge of the substrate.
  • a guide for guiding a leading edge of the substrate.
  • the guide is positioned between the rollers.
  • the element described above may also provide a guide surface for guiding the advancing substrate.
  • Such a guide can also help to prevent material becoming wrapped around the rollers by guiding the leading edge of the substrate.
  • the element and/or guide comprises a hard material having a low friction surface. It will be understood that a wide range of substrates could be printed using an apparatus described herein.
  • the apparatus is of particular use where the substrate comprises a stiff or rigid material.
  • the substrate comprises a substantially rigid material.
  • the substrate comprises a substantially flat and rigid sheet.
  • the substrate may comprise one or more of paper, card, wood, metal or plastics or ceramic material.
  • the outside surfaces of the rollers comprise deformable material, for example an elastomer.
  • the arrangement is such that the substrate is mounted, during printing, on a deformable surface.
  • the hold down of the substrate is improved since the deformable surface can conform to the surface of the substrate.
  • the outer surfaces of the rollers may comprise an elastomer.
  • a roller having a shaped outer surface can be used, preferably with a corresponding guide, to reduce the risk of the substrate being caught in the gap between the guide and the roller.
  • the leading edge of the guide element is not straight.
  • the arrangement is such that no roller is required which contacts the surface of the substrate being printed. This arrangement is possible due to the application of the negative gauge pressure as described herein.
  • the printer is adapted to print the substrate in a single pass.
  • the printer prints the desired image with one single movement of the substrate through the printer.
  • Printing in a single pass can dramatically reduce the printing time compared with a multi-pass print.
  • such a print technique requires particularly high accuracy in the maintenance of the position of the substrate if print defects are to be minimised.
  • the substrate For multipass printing, the substrate would usually be mounted on a reciprocating table; the trajectory of the table being controlled very precisely. Such an arrangement would not be practical for single pass printing since a long time would be taken loading and unloading the table.
  • the printheads are fixed during printing.
  • the printheads are fixed relative to the rollers. This can provide a reference point for controlling the movement of the substrate as it moves along the rollers.
  • Using fixed printheads again requires a particularly high accuracy in the maintenance of the position of the substrate if print defects are to be minimised. Any unplanned movement of the substrate, whilst moving relative to the stationary printheads during the time interval between droplet emission, is likely to cause a following droplet to be deposited away from its intended destination, thus resulting in incorrect registration for the following droplet. If the registration of the substrate continues to be incorrect, the pattern printed by the inkjet printheads would be incorrectly registered.
  • the printheads are stationary while the ink is emitted; in some preferred examples, the printheads do not move during the printing of the substrate. In some examples the printheads do not move at all in the plane of the surface to be printed, but height adjustments can be made.
  • the substrate is moved during the emission of ink. Preferably the speed of movement of the substrate relative to the printheads is greater than 0.5m/s, preferably greater than 1m/s, preferably in the print direction. Preferably the substrate is moved at a speed greater than 0.5m/s, preferably greater than 1m/s.
  • the system is adapted to print a colour image. The system may be adapted to print a halftone image.
  • the apparatus includes a drop-on-demand printhead.
  • the apparatus is adapted to print an image having a resolution of greater than 120 dpi.
  • the resolution of the printed image is greater than 120 dpi in a direction orthogonal the direction of movement for printing (print direction).
  • the resolution is greater than 120 dpi in the print direction.
  • the resolution is greater than 150 dpi.
  • a transport device for moving a substrate past printheads in an ink jet printer comprising: a plurality of rollers arranged to move the substrate relative to the printheads; and a pressure source wherein the pressure source is arranged to apply a negative gauge pressure to hold the substrate to the rollers.
  • a method of printing a substrate in an ink jet printer comprising a plurality of printheads, a plurality of rollers and a pressure source, the method comprising the steps of: moving the substrate on the rollers relative to the printheads; and applying a negative gauge pressure to the substrate to hold the substrate to the rollers, wherein the printheads are stationary during emission of ink towards the substrate.
  • the substrate is printed in a single pass.
  • Figures 1 illustrates schematically an ink jet printer 2 having a fixed printhead arrangement 4 for printing droplets of ink onto a succession of rigid sheets of substrate 16, 16', 16" as they are moved through the printer past the printhead arrangement 4 by a transport system 10.
  • the substrate moves through the printer past the printhead arrangement 4 only once for single pass printing.
  • a first conveyor 6 moves an unprinted substrate 16' towards the transport system 10; a second conveyor 8 moves the printed substrate 16" away from the transport system.
  • the conveyors 6, 8 comprise conveyor belts, although other arrangements could be used. Conventional methods may be used for loading the substrates on and off the conveyors 6, 8.
  • the transport system 10 is arranged to provide accurate movement of the substrate 16 past the printhead arrangement 4.
  • the length of the transport system 10 in the direction of printing and the width of the transport system perpendicular to the direction of printing are preferably chosen so that the whole of the substrate 16 is supported by the transport system 10 while the image is being printed.
  • the printhead arrangement 4 comprises four sets of printheads, each set printing a different colour selected from cyan, magenta, yellow and black to build up a full colour image on the substrate.
  • the printhead arrangement 4 does not move during the printing operation. However, the printheads may be moved up and down to allow for different thickness of substrate.
  • the substrate 16 comprises a flat rectangular sheet of corrugated cardboard having a thickness of about 2 mm.
  • the arrangement described can, however, be used to print onto a wide variety of types of substrate, for example carton board, and sheets of plastics material, for example PVC, and onto different shapes of substrate.
  • Figures 2 and 3 are a schematic side view and plan view, respectively, of a part of the transport system 10.
  • the transport system 10 in this example includes ten cylindrical rollers; only two rollers 12, 14 are shown in Figures 2 and 3 for clarity. Four rollers are shown in the perspective view of Figure 4 .
  • the rollers 12, 14 are arranged side by side and in parallel such that there is a uniform separation between the rollers forming a cavity 28 between pairs of adjacent rollers.
  • the substrate 16 is supported on the roller contact surfaces 18, 20.
  • the transport system 10 moves the substrate 16 in the printing direction 30 (shown as being from right to left in Figure 3 ) by rotation of the rollers 12,14 in an anticlockwise direction 38, 40. Fewer than all of the rollers may be driven, the other rollers being free to rotate. Alternatively, all of the rollers may be driven synchronously by a roller drive system.
  • the arrangement includes a gear train and a single motor to drive all ten rollers, although other arrangements could be used, for example an individual direct drive motor for each roller.
  • the rollers 12, 14 are rotated in an anticlockwise direction 38, 40 at fixed or variable controlled angular speeds.
  • the rollers rotate at 300 rpm, giving a linear speed of the substrate over the rollers of just over 1 m/s.
  • the axes of rotation of the rollers are substantially parallel.
  • the velocity of movement of the rollers is substantially equal along the contact surfaces 18, 20 to minimise any unbalanced forces acting on the substrate, as such unbalanced forces could result in undesired lateral movement of the substrate.
  • the rollers are cylindrical and substantially long in relation to their diameter.
  • the rollers are formed from steel. Other suitably rigid materials could be used, such as plastics or polymer materials, or other metals.
  • the transport system 10 further includes a pressure system 22, which acts to hold the substrate 16 against the rollers 12, 14 to hold it flat and to reduce slipping of the substrate.
  • the pressure system 22 is arranged to apply a negative gauge pressure 32 to the cavities 28 and hence to the substrate, resulting in the substrate 16 being held against the contact surfaces 18, 20 of the rollers.
  • Unwanted movement of the substrate 16, in particular in a lateral direction 36 can therefore be reduced. Movement of the substrate in the lateral direction can lead to errors in print registration during printing and is therefore highly undesirable.
  • rollers To reduce lateral movement of the rollers, they are mounted using a deep groove ball bearing at one end of the roller to minimise axial movement of the roller. At the other end, a roller bearing is used to avoid overconstraint.
  • the pressure system 22 includes a fan 24.
  • the system 22 includes a housing 26 which surrounds the lower surfaces of the roller arrangement.
  • a fan 24 is mounted at the base of the housing and is arranged to move air from the housing 26 so as to provide the vacuum at the lower surfaces of the roller arrangement.
  • a Vent-Axia duct fan ACH315-12A was used in this example.
  • the vacuum applied will be chosen so as to give the desired hold down on the rollers for the particular substrates being printed.
  • the pressure used is equivalent to 50 mm water.
  • a mask element 100 is positioned between pairs of adjacent rollers 12, 14.
  • the vacuum intake 26 is provided below the mask element 100.
  • the mask element has various functions: it throttles the airflow caused by the vacuum through the gaps 102 between the mask element and the roller surfaces 18, 20 thereby limiting the size of vacuum pump 24 required; it guides the leading edge of the substrate 16 to help prevent it becoming wrapped around the rollers; it supports the substrate between the rollers, reducing the risk of bending of the substrate.
  • the arrangement of the mask element 100 concentrates the pressure acting on the substrate around the crown of the roller, hence minimising bending of the substrate.
  • the mask element 100 is made of stainless steel and has a T-shaped profile.
  • the arms of the element provide a guiding surface for the substrate 16.
  • the rollers have a diameter D of 75 mm and adjacent rollers are mounted at a distance A of 100 mm between their axes of rotation.
  • the gap 102 between the arm of the mask element 100 and the roller surface 20 is 1.5 mm.
  • the flat top surface 104 of mask 100 also provides a guide surface for the leading edge of the substrate as it moves from roller to roller.
  • the mask element 100 is mounted such that its flat upper surface 104 is at a spacing C of 1.5 mm below the top of the rollers. This reduces the risk of the substrate becoming damaged on the leading edge of the mask element 100.
  • Figure 3 shows an image 109 printed by the printhead arrangement 4.
  • the printhead arrangement 4 shown in Figure 6 includes 16 printheads 105 of each of cyan 110, magenta 112, yellow 114 and black 116 giving a total of 64 printheads. Groups of four printheads of each colour are arranged side by side so that substantially the whole width of the substrate surface can be printed in a single pass of the substrate. Here, the print width is 260 mm .
  • the printheads are Spectra SE printheads having a printing resolution of 50 dpi arranged four deep per colour to give a printing addressability of 200 dpi.
  • the apparatus allows for high quality full colour images to be printed onto substrates in a single pass using an ink jet printer.
  • the outer surfaces of the rollers 18, 20 may comprise a deformable material, for example foam or rubber, which on application of the negative gauge pressure to the substrate, deforms to assist the hold down of the substrate onto the rollers.
  • a deformable material for example foam or rubber
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 show further examples adapted for use particularly with more flexible substrates.
  • the rollers 200 have a non-uniform radius along their length to give a toothed outer surface.
  • the masking/guide elements 215, 220 arranged adjacent the rollers are shaped having teeth 230 corresponding to the regions of reduced radius of the rollers.
  • the leading edge of the masking/guide element is not straight and so there is reduced risk of the substrate passing between the roller and the guide.
  • Figure 8 shows a further example where the teeth of the leading edge of the guide/masking element extend to connect with the adjacent guide/masking element to form a guide/masking grid 350 over the rollers 300. This reduces further the risk of the substrate being damaged on the guide/masking element.
  • the negative gauge pressure could be applied to the substrate from rollers having an internal vacuum cavity.
  • substantially hollow rollers could be used, the rollers having a perforated outer skin through which the vacuum is applied.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Handling Of Sheets (AREA)

Claims (16)

  1. Transportvorrichtung zum Bewegen eines Substrats (16) an Druckköpfen (4) in einem Tintenstrahldrucker vorbei, wobei die Transportvorrichtung Folgendes umfasst:
    mehrere Walzen (12, 14), ausgelegt zum Bewegen des Substrats relativ zu den Druckköpfen beim Absetzen von Druckfarbe auf das Substrat; und
    eine Druckquelle (22),
    wobei die Druckquelle (22) zum Aufbringen eines negativen Überdrucks auf das Substrat (16) ausgelegt ist, um das Substrat an den Walzen (12, 14) in der Region der Druckköpfe (4) zu halten, wobei die Vorrichtung ferner ein Element beinhaltet, das zwischen den Walzen mit einer Lücke zwischen dem Element und dem Substrat beim Gebrauch angeordnet ist.
  2. Tintenstrahldruckvorrichtung zum Drucken auf ein Substrat (16), wobei der Drucker Folgendes umfasst:
    mehrere Tintenstrahldruckköpfe (4) zum Ausstoßen von Druckfarbe in Richtung einer Oberfläche des Substrats (16), wobei die Druckköpfe (4) so ausgelegt sind, dass sie während des Ausstoßens von Druckfarbe stationär sind; und
    eine Transportvorrichtung zum Bewegen des Substrats an den Druckköpfen vorbei nach Anspruch 1.
  3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Vorrichtung zum Drucken auf die Oberflächen von mehreren diskreten Substraten (16) ausgelegt ist.
  4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, wobei die Vorrichtung wenigstens drei Walzen (12, 14) aufweist, die zum Bewegen des Substrats relativ zu den Druckköpfen angeordnet sind.
  5. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 4, wobei eine Walze im Wesentlichen parallel zu einer benachbarten Walze montiert ist, so dass der Winkel der benachbarten Walzen nicht mehr als 6 Milliradians von der Parallelen ist, und/oder wobei die Walzen drehbar sind, wobei die Vorrichtung zum Steuern der Drehung ausgelegt ist, so dass die Umfangsgeschwindigkeiten von benachbarten Walzen innerhalb von 1 % liegen.
  6. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 5, wobei der negative Überdruck auf das Substrat (16) in einer Region zwischen benachbarten Walzen (28) aufgebracht wird.
  7. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 6, wobei das Element (100) zum Beschränken des Luftstroms zwischen den Walzen ausgelegt ist.
  8. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 7, wobei das Element (100) zum Reduzieren von Verformung des Substrats (16) zwischen den Walzen ausgelegt ist.
  9. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 8, die ferner eine Führung zum Führen eines vorderen Randes des Substrats beinhaltet.
  10. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 9, wobei das Substrat (16) ein im Wesentlichen starres Material umfasst.
  11. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 10, wobei die Anordnung derart ist, dass keine Walze so angeordnet ist, dass sie die Oberfläche des zu bedruckenden Substrats kontaktiert.
  12. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 11, wobei die Walzen (12, 14) im Wesentlichen nicht perforiert sind.
  13. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 12, wobei die Anordnung derart ist, dass das Substrat (16) während des Druckens auf einer verformbaren Oberfläche montiert ist.
  14. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 13, wobei die Vorrichtung zum Bewegen des Substrats (16) mit einer Geschwindigkeit von mehr als 1 m/s ausgelegt ist.
  15. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 14, wobei das System zum Drucken eines Farbbildes ausgelegt ist und/oder wobei die Vorrichtung zum Drucken eines Bildes mit einer Auflösung von mehr als 120 dpi ausgelegt ist.
  16. Verfahren zum Bedrucken eines Substrats in einem Tintenstrahldrucker, der mehrere Druckköpfe (4), mehrere Walzen (12, 14) und eine Druckquelle (22) umfasst, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte beinhaltet:
    Bewegen des Substrats (16) auf den Walzen relativ zu den Druckköpfen während des Druckens; und
    Aufbringen eines negativen Überdrucks auf das Substrat (16), um das Substrat an den Walzen (12, 14) in der Region der Druckköpfe (4) zu halten,
    wobei ein Element zwischen den Walzen mit einer Lücke zwischen dem Element und dem Substrat positioniert ist, und
    wobei die Druckköpfe (4) während des Ausstoßens von Druckfarbe in Richtung des Substrats (16) stationär sind.
EP04805949.7A 2003-12-12 2004-12-10 Bedrucken eines sich bewegenden trägers Not-in-force EP1691984B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0328861A GB2408967B (en) 2003-12-12 2003-12-12 Printing moving substrates
PCT/GB2004/005129 WO2005058603A2 (en) 2003-12-12 2004-12-10 Printing moving substrates

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1691984A2 EP1691984A2 (de) 2006-08-23
EP1691984B1 true EP1691984B1 (de) 2018-05-02

Family

ID=30130135

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04805949.7A Not-in-force EP1691984B1 (de) 2003-12-12 2004-12-10 Bedrucken eines sich bewegenden trägers

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1691984B1 (de)
JP (1) JP2007513808A (de)
CN (1) CN1890107B (de)
GB (1) GB2408967B (de)
IL (1) IL176232A (de)
WO (1) WO2005058603A2 (de)

Family Cites Families (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4463361A (en) * 1981-10-07 1984-07-31 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ink jet recording apparatus with vacuum platen
JPS5859869A (ja) * 1981-10-07 1983-04-09 Canon Inc 記録装置
JPH05278281A (ja) * 1992-04-01 1993-10-26 Brother Ind Ltd 印字装置
US6168269B1 (en) * 1997-01-30 2001-01-02 Hewlett-Packard Co. Heated inkjet print media support system
JP3707640B2 (ja) * 1997-05-14 2005-10-19 セイコーエプソン株式会社 インクジェット記録装置ならびにその記録方法
JP3561428B2 (ja) * 1998-11-27 2004-09-02 シャープ株式会社 インクジェットプリンタ
US6254081B1 (en) * 1999-06-03 2001-07-03 Hewlett-Packard Company Regulating vacuum hold of media in a printer
GB2380163B (en) * 1999-12-21 2003-09-17 Hewlett Packard Co Heated vacuum platen
US6585347B1 (en) * 2000-01-31 2003-07-01 Hewlett-Packard Company Printhead servicing based on relocating stationary print cartridges away from print zone
AUPQ595900A0 (en) * 2000-03-02 2000-03-23 Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd Modular printhead
JP2001335183A (ja) * 2000-05-25 2001-12-04 Mutoh Ind Ltd インクジェットプリンタにおける記録媒体搬送機構
JP2002103598A (ja) * 2000-07-26 2002-04-09 Olympus Optical Co Ltd プリンタ
JP2002137844A (ja) * 2000-11-06 2002-05-14 Graphtec Corp シート状媒体の搬送機構
JP2003191552A (ja) * 2001-12-27 2003-07-09 Seiko Epson Corp 排紙装置及び該排紙装置を備えたインクジェット記録装置
GB2384931B (en) * 2002-01-30 2005-06-29 Hewlett Packard Co Printer device and method
JP2003285959A (ja) * 2002-03-29 2003-10-07 Seiko Epson Corp 記録媒体搬送装置及び記録装置

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IL176232A0 (en) 2006-10-05
GB2408967B (en) 2007-11-07
CN1890107B (zh) 2012-03-14
GB2408967A (en) 2005-06-15
WO2005058603A2 (en) 2005-06-30
EP1691984A2 (de) 2006-08-23
CN1890107A (zh) 2007-01-03
JP2007513808A (ja) 2007-05-31
WO2005058603A3 (en) 2005-08-25
GB0328861D0 (en) 2004-01-14
IL176232A (en) 2010-11-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1731318B1 (de) Druckmaschine
US8157369B2 (en) Media hold-down system having cross process chambering
US7497567B2 (en) Recording apparatus
US8251480B2 (en) Ink jet printing apparatus
EP1721750A1 (de) Hilfsvorrichtung zur Halterung eines Mediums in einem schrittweisen Transportsystem eines digitalen Druckers
JP2007022807A (ja) 印刷方法
US6957887B2 (en) Vacuum holddown
US7819519B2 (en) Printing moving substrates
US6457888B1 (en) Sheet conveying apparatus
JP4465073B2 (ja) 媒体移送システム
JP5287830B2 (ja) インクジェット記録装置
JP2009234208A (ja) 画像形成装置
JP5287819B2 (ja) インクジェット記録装置
EP3222433B1 (de) Druckkopfanordnung und tintenstrahldrucker mit solch einer anordnung
EP2933112B1 (de) Drucker zum erstellen eines tintenstrahldruckbilds
EP1691984B1 (de) Bedrucken eines sich bewegenden trägers
JP2010094841A (ja) 液体吐出装置
US9227405B2 (en) Inkjet recording apparatus
CN111746111B (zh) 图像形成装置
NL2032611B1 (en) A printer with a definition roller for an endless belt
JP2006159644A (ja) インクジェットプリンタ
CN115122773A (zh) 头单元以及喷墨印刷装置
JP2010094891A (ja) 液体吐出装置
US20150231900A1 (en) Method for forming an inkjet image
JP2004175468A (ja) 位置検出装置および位置検出方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20060619

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20091202

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20171123

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: EVE, RICHARD WILLIAM

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: INCA DIGITAL PRINTERS LIMITED

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 994773

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20180515

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602004052667

Country of ref document: DE

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602004052667

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20180502

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180502

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180502

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180502

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180502

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180802

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180803

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180502

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 994773

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20180502

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180903

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180502

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180502

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180502

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180502

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180502

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180502

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180502

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602004052667

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180502

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20190205

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180502

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20181210

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180502

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20181231

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20181210

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20181231

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20181231

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20181231

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20191217

Year of fee payment: 16

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20191220

Year of fee payment: 16

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180502

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180502

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20041210

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20180902

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 602004052667

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20201231

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210701