JP2004512191A - Inkjet card printer - Google Patents

Abstract

An ink jet card printer (20) is disclosed that includes an ink jet printhead (22) and a transport mechanism (24). The ink jet printhead (22) is adapted to print on portions of a surface (42) of a card (21) that are presented in a print position (44) along a print path (39). The transport mechanism (24) includes at least one cantilevering mechanism (62, 64) that is positioned to a side of the print position (44) along the print path (39). The cantilevering mechanism (62, 64) is adapted to unobstructively present the surface (42) of the card (21) to the printhead (22) in the print position (44).

Description

[0001]
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a card printer used to print an image on a non-flexible or semi-flexible flat substrate surface. More specifically, it relates to an ink jet card printer with full printing capability from edge to edge on the substrate surface.
[0002]
Background of the Invention
Card printers are used to print images on a semi-flexible flat substrate surface. Substrates include, but are not limited to, plastic cards, tokens, and other types of rigid or semi-rigid flat substrates. Hereinafter, the terms "card" and "substrate" contemplate these and other non-rigid or semi-rigid substrates having various shapes and dimensions.
[0003]
In the past, graphic and textural information has been placed on said cards using a labor intensive process, for example, identification cards are created by manually stamping or stamping individual data on the card. ing. Further, in some cases, an instant photograph of a subject is taken and attached to a card, or a thin plate is covered, that is, laminated.
[0004]
Current methods of printing images on cards involve the use of card printers and computers. The images to be printed on the card are typically formatted by application software running on a computer. The data relating to the formatted image is supplied to the printer in the form of a print job. The printer processes the print job by printing an image on the surface of the card. The image is typically formed by a host application running on a computer or a combination of textural and graphical portions accepted from other input devices, such as a keyboard, scanner, and digital camera. For many applications, it is desirable for the printer to have full edge-to-edge printing capability to allow the image to be recorded over the entire surface of the card.
[0005]
Many card printers are thermal based printers that include a ribbon with a primary color dye panel and a thermal printhead. One type of thermal-based printer is a dye sublimation printer, in which a thermal printhead heats a ribbon and releases dye on a color panel to sublime inside the surface of the card. Unfortunately, these printers are only applicable to cards that have a specialized surface so that the dye can sublime into them. Further, these printers generally do not have the ability to print full edge to edge due to problems caused by ribbons adhering to the edges of the card. Another type of thermal-based printer prints an image on a film that is substantially laminated onto a card. This type of heat-based printer has a full edge-to-edge printing capability, which is accomplished by printing an image on a film that is larger than the surface of the card to be laminated. Unfortunately, these printers are complex and often too expensive for small operations.
[0006]
Another type of card printer is an inkjet-based card printer. These printers typically have more headroom than thermal based printers and are somewhat less complex. Inkjet card printers generally include an inkjet printhead and a transport mechanism. Ink jet print heads are designed to form a desired image on the surface of a card by spraying color ink over a surface portion supplied to the ink jet print head at a printing location by a transport mechanism. A typical transport mechanism includes a platen positioned directly below the print head, and a plurality of rollers positioned adjacent to the print head and holding the card against the platen while the card passes the print position. including. Typical inkjet printers are generally not compatible with semi-rigid substrates. Instead, a thin, highly flexible substrate that can bend around the platen and other rollers of the transport mechanism while being transported should be used. Also, the rollers typically contact the side surface portion of the card at the printing location and block the side surface of the card, preventing printing by the inkjet print head at this location. As a result, these types of ink jet card printers do not have the ability to print full edge to edge on the card. For example, even if the rollers of the transport mechanism are arranged so that the ink jet print head is free to print from the side edge of the card to the opposite side edge, the edge of the card where full printing is required from edge to edge This type of printer still hampers full edge-to-edge printing due to soiling of platens and other transport mechanism components due to the spread of ink over the card over the edge. In addition to the potential transport mechanism anxiety and causes of printer failure, the components of the dirty transport mechanism cause contaminated ink to migrate to the card being processed. As a result, many ink jet card printers are not suitable for full edge-to-edge printing; instead, printing is limited on a board in a small area defined by margins formed along the edge of the substrate. You.
[0007]
However, some ink jet card printers include improved transport mechanisms that avoid some of the problems described above. These printers enable printing on the surface of a semi-flexible card by adding a transport mechanism that transports the card through the printer in a tray. The tray generally includes a recessed area that conforms to the shape of the card and exposes the upper flat surface of the card on which an image is to be printed. Unfortunately, these printers still cannot provide the ability to print from edge to edge without soiling the trays and other components of the transport mechanism. Also, these printers have a very limited number of cards that can be processed without user intervention.
[0008]
Thus, there is a need for an improved ink jet card printer that has the ability to print full edge to edge while matching semi-rigid cards.
[0009]
Summary of the Invention
The present invention relates to an inkjet card printer including an inkjet print head and a transport mechanism. The inkjet printhead is configured to print on a surface portion of the card transported to a printing location along a print path. The transport mechanism includes at least one cantilever mechanism located at a printing location along a print path. The cantilever mechanism is configured to supply the card surface to the print head at the print position without interruption.
[0010]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a simplified side view of an inkjet card printer according to various embodiments according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a simplified perspective view showing the printing position of the inkjet print head.
3A-C are simplified side views showing first, second and third positions, respectively, of a card supported by a transport mechanism while passing a printing position, according to various embodiments according to the present invention. .
FIG. 4 is a simplified perspective view of a portion of a transport mechanism according to an embodiment according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a simplified perspective view of a guide roller according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6A and 6B are top and front views, respectively, of a cantilever mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7A and 7B are simplified side and front views, respectively, of a cantilever mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a simplified side view of a cantilever mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9A and 9B are cross-sectional side views of an over-ink distribution collector according to various embodiments according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a simplified side view of additional components of an output of a card printer according to various embodiments of the present invention.
[0011]
Detailed description
FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an inkjet card printer 20 according to various embodiments of the present invention. The printer 20 generally includes an inkjet print head 22, a transport mechanism 24, an input unit 26, an output unit 28, and a controller 30. The personal computer (PC) 34 can communicate with the controller 30 via an input / output unit (I / O), that is, a data bus 36. The data bus 36 can be any suitable connection, such as a parallel cable, a serial cable, or a universal serial bus (USB) cable, through which data is supplied to the controller 30 housed in the printer 20. The user operates the PC 34 to create and format a print job using a software application. Data relating to the print job is supplied to controller 30 via data bus 36, which uses the data to control various components of inkjet identification card printer 20 to process the print job.
[0012]
The ink jet print head 22 includes an ink cartridge 38 that houses a supply of ink. The print head 22 is generally configured to move along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the paper of FIG. 1 by sliding along the rod 40. The movement of print head 22 is controlled by controller 30 and is driven using conventional methods. The print head 22 is generally configured to print on a surface portion 42 of the card 21 that is conveyed along a print path 39 to a print head at a print position, as shown in FIG.
[0013]
The printing position 44 is roughly defined by the volume of space in which the surface 42 of the card 21 is to be supplied to the inkjet print head 22 to ensure that the image is printed correctly on the surface 42. The print path 39 (FIG. 1) extends through the center of the print location 44 and indicates a preferred location on the surface 42 of the card 21. Print path 39 is typically at a distance of 0.025 to 0.050 inches from print head 22. The volume of the printing position 44 includes a length L, a width W, and a depth D. The length L is approximately limited to the operating range of the print head 22 indicated by the arrow 45 along the rod 40. The width W is defined as the interval at which the print head 22 can print ink in a single pass across the substrate. A typical inkjet printhead 22 has a width W of about 0.4 inches. The depth D of the print location 44 defines the path range in which ink can be correctly transferred from the print head 22 to the surface 42. Depth D is typically 0.01 inches. Thus, the surface 42 of the card 21 is preferably located at plus or minus 0.005 inches from the print path 39. In addition, the accuracy of printing is affected by variations in the distance of the surface 42 away from the print head 22 and inaccurate control of the movement of the card 21 through the printing position, and depending on the former the color in the printed image It causes inconsistency and, in some cases, banding. As a result, the print head 22 is positioned so that the position of the surface 42 of the card 21 conveyed to the print head 22 in the print position 44 is accurately moved by the conveyance mechanism 24 along the print path 39. The ink can be applied accurately only when substantially at a certain distance from the print head 22.
[0014]
One feature of the present invention is to provide a transport mechanism 24 that allows the printer 20 to have full edge-to-edge printing capability, while avoiding the problem of smearing the transport mechanism 24 with overspray ink. is there. For this purpose, the transport mechanism 24 is configured to receive at least one card 21 from the input 26 and to provide the entire surface of the card 21 to the print head 22 at a print position along the print path 39. As shown in FIG. 2, the surface 42 is approximately defined by a leading edge 48, a trailing edge 50 and side edges 52 and 54. As a result, the printer 20 can print an image on the entire surface 42 of the card 21 by spraying the ink over the surface 42 of the card 21.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 1, the transport mechanism 24 includes first and second cantilever mechanisms 62 and 64, respectively. First and second cantilever mechanisms 62 and 64 are provided at the input and output sides 66 and 68, respectively, of the print position 44 to avoid smearing with ink sprayed across the edge of the card 21 by the print head 22. Be placed. However, the ink overspray collector 120 (FIG. 1), described in more detail below, provides additional protection from soiling due to overspray of the ink.
[0016]
3A-C are examples of three positions where the card 21 is supported by the first and second cantilever mechanisms 62 and 64 while the surface 42 of the card 21 moves past the print position 44. FIG. FIG. 3A shows a first cantilever mechanism 62 supporting the card 21 in a first example position, wherein the card 21 moves along the print path 39 in the direction indicated by arrow 46 and The unit 56 is transported to the print head 22 at the printing position. The front portion 56 is approximately defined by the portion of the upper surface 42 of the card 21 between the side edges 52 and 54, includes the front edge 48, and includes an area of the surface 42 extending toward the rear edge 50. Thereby, while the front 56 is cantilevered through the print position 44, the print head 22 is provided so as not to obstruct access to the front 56 of the card 42. As a result, the print head 22 can transfer ink across the front 56 of the surface 42, including the leading edge 48 and the side edges 52 and 54.
[0017]
FIG. 3B shows the card 21 in the second example position. Here, when the transport mechanism 24 is moving the card 21 along the print path 39 in the direction indicated by the arrow 46, the central portion 58 of the front surface is transported to the print head 22 at the print position 44. The central portion 58 is approximately defined as the area of the surface 42 that extends between the front edges 56 and the rear edge 50 between the side edges 52 and 54. In this position, the card 21 is supported by both the first and second cantilever mechanisms 62 and 64, and the print head 22 moves the central portion 58 when the central portion 58 is moving past the printing position 44. Access to 58 is not obstructed. As a result, the print head 22 can transfer ink to the entire central portion 58 of the surface 42 including the side edges 52 and 54 when the card 21 is supported in the second position.
[0018]
FIG. 3C shows the card 21 in the third position example. Here, the card 21 is supported by a second cantilever mechanism 64 such that when the card 21 is moved along the print path 39 in the direction indicated by the arrow 46, the rear portion 60 of the front surface 42 is in the print position 44 at the print position 44. It is transported to the head 22. Rear portion 60 is generally defined as surface 42 between side edges 52 and 54 and extending from rear edge 50 to central portion 58. Here, as the print head 22 moves through the print position 44, access to the rear portion 60 is not obstructed. As a result, the print head 22 can transfer ink to the entire rear portion 60 of the surface 42, including the side edges 52 and 54 of the card 21 and the trailing edge 50.
[0019]
Thus, while moving along the print path 39, the transport mechanism 24 can support the card 21 at the three positions, and the print head 22 is not obstructed from accessing the entire surface of the card 21. As a result, recording of ink over the entire surface 42 of the card 21 by the print head 22 is allowed.
[0020]
Each cantilever mechanism 62 and 64 includes a guide member 70 used to achieve the desired cantilever support function. The primary function of the guide member 70 is to maintain the card 21 in a substantially horizontal plane parallel to the surface 42 of the card 21 and the print path 39 while the card 21 passes through the printing position 44. The guide member 70 can take many different forms and still provide the desired cantilever support feature features of the present invention. Some examples suitable for the guide member 70 and the cantilever mechanism are shown in more detail below.
[0021]
In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3A-C, the cantilever mechanisms 62 and 64 include a guide member 70 in which an upper guide roller 72 and a lower guide roller 74 are paired. The upper guide roller 72 is arranged at intervals along the print path 39, the lower guide roller 74 sandwiches the card 21 with respect to the upper guide roller 72, and moves the card 21 along the print path 39 in the direction indicated by the arrow 46. It is arranged so that it may be conveyed. Each cantilever mechanism 62 and 64 enables the card 21 to be cantilevered through the print location 44 by stabilizing the card 21 on a surface running parallel to the surface 42 and the print path 39 of the card 21. I do.
[0022]
As described in FIG. 3A, the card 21 received from the input unit 26 by the first cantilever mechanism 62 is driven to the first position by being sandwiched between the upper guide rollers 72A and 72B and the lower guide roller 74. . When the leading edge 48 is engaged with the upper guide roller 72C on the output side and the lower guide roller 74 of the second cantilever mechanism 64, the card 21 is pinched there and forward of the printing path below the upper guide roller 72D on the output side. Drawn to. This places the card 21 in the second position by both the first and second cantilever mechanisms 62 and 64, as described in FIG. 3B. Once the trailing edge 50 of the card 21 has moved away from the first cantilever mechanism 62, the card 21 is in the third position and the rear 60 is the second cantilever mechanism, as described in FIG. 3C. 64 is supported within the print position 44.
[0023]
The lower guide rollers 74 of the first and second cantilever mechanisms 62 and 64 are preferably provided with motors to drive the card 21 along the print path 39 using a motor (not shown) in a conventional manner. The surface 76 of the lower guide member 74 is preferably formed of a compressible material such as rubber to assist in grasping and holding the card 21 with respect to the upper guide roller 72. Proper grasp of the card 21 is necessary to precisely control the movement of the card 21 passing through the print position 44. The force applied to the card 21 while being pinched can be selected by selecting an appropriate rubber coating and adjusting the distance between the lower guide roller 74 and the upper guide roller 72. Alternatively, a spring may be used to bias the position of roller 74 toward upper guide roller 72 in a conventional manner.
[0024]
As described above, the distance D of the print position 44 (FIG. 2) allows only a slight displacement from the print path 39 while the card 21 is being conveyed through the print position 44. As a result, it is important that the cantilever mechanism 64 of the transport mechanism 24 has very tight tolerances. In one embodiment, a bushing 75 is used to support the upper guide roller 72 and the lower guide roller 74, as shown in FIG. Each bushing 75 can be mounted on a suitable side wall (not shown) of the transport mechanism 24. The bushing 75 provides tight tolerances for the positional relationship between the upper guide roller 72 and the lower guide roller 74 due to its single structure. The bushing 75 can adjust the angle at which the card 21 is directed along the printing path 39 by adjusting the angle at which the bushing 75 is mounted on the side wall of the transport mechanism 24. To ensure that the surface 42 of the card 21 is properly positioned within the print position 44 while the card 21 moves along the print path 39, other different methods of mounting the guide 70 of the transport mechanism 24 are available. Those skilled in the art will recognize that they can be used.
[0025]
The upper guide roller 72 is preferably in the form of a cylinder or a column made of iron, as shown in FIG. The surface 78 that contacts the top surface 42 of the card 21 can be coated with a non-stick coating, such as Teflon, to prevent the surface 42 from being soiled. FIG. 5 is a simplified perspective view of another embodiment of an upper guide roller 72 including a side wheel 80 coupled to a shaft 82. Each side wheel 80 includes an inner guide surface 84. The spacing of the inner guide surfaces 84 is substantially the same as the width of the card 21 measured between the side edges 52 and 54 (FIG. 2). The upper guide roller 72 in this embodiment limits the card 21 from escaping while the card is moving along the print path 39, thus providing a more precise positioning of the card 21 surface 42 at the print position 44. Bring.
[0026]
An alternative to the first and second cantilever mechanisms 62 and 64 using the guide rollers 72 and 74 is to reverse the position of the upper and lower rollers 72 and 74 or, like the second pair of guide rollers 72, Including replacing the plurality of guide rollers 72 with lower guide rollers 74. When the card 21 moves to the second position, the position of the upper guide roller 72 and the lower guide roller 74 of the second cantilever mechanism 64 is changed in order to support the card 21 early by the upper guide roller 72C (FIG. 3A). Reversing is particularly useful.
[0027]
6A and 6B show top and front views, respectively, of another embodiment of a guide member 70 used to form the first or second cantilever mechanisms 62 and 64. Here, the guide members 70 are grooved guide wheels, each including a groove 88 that substantially matches the edges 52 and 54 of the card 21, as shown in FIG. 6B. The outer edge 90 can be formed obliquely with respect to the card 21 so that the card 21 can be received more easily. Further, the slotted guide wheel 86 can be formed of a compressible material to enhance the ability to grasp the card 21 and provide precise control of the movement of the card 21 through the print location 44. The grooved guide wheel 86 is further assisted in its ability to grasp the card 21 by the rounded corners 87 (FIG. 4) typical of standard size cards 21. The grooved guide wheel 86 is arranged so as to sandwich the card 21, and is configured to provide a desired cantilever function by supporting the edges 52 and 54 of the card 21 in the groove 88. At least one of the grooved guide wheels 86 is provided with a motor such that rotation about axis 94 drives card 21 in a desired direction.
[0028]
In the embodiment described above, the grooved guide wheel 86 has a sufficient diameter and the groove 88 is in the first position (FIG. 3A) when used as the first cantilever mechanism 62 and in the second piece. At the third position (FIG. 3B), the pair of guide wheels 86 has a shape that allows the card 21 to be supported when used as the beam mechanism 64. Alternatively, a plurality of grooved guide wheels 86 can be used to ensure proper support of the card 21.
[0029]
7A and 7B use yet another example of a guide member 70 that can provide a desired cantilever mechanism to position the card 21 in the first, second, and third positions described above. FIG. 2 shows side and front views of the cantilever mechanism 62 or 64, respectively. Here, the upper guide member 70 includes a plurality of flexible finger-like protrusions 96, and the card 21 is sandwiched between the non-adhesive bottom surface 98 of the protrusions 96 and the lower guide roller 74. This embodiment of the guide member 70 generally includes front and rear protrusions 96 that operate similarly to the upper roller 72 shown in FIGS. 3A-3C. The fingers 96 extend in the width direction (perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 7A) and extend substantially across the card 21 between the side edges 52 and 54. Alternatively, a plurality of front and rear projections 96 are formed and are spaced between the side edges 52 and 54 of the card 21 as shown in FIG. 7B.
[0030]
FIG. 8 shows yet another embodiment of a guide member 70 using the cantilever mechanisms 62 and 64 of the present invention. Here, the transport belt 100 is used as the lower guide member 70, and functions similarly to the lower guide roller 74 (FIGS. 3A to 3C). The transport belt 100 includes a belt 102 on which the card 21 is supported. The belt 102 is driven by rollers 104 and at least one is provided with a motor to drive the belt 102 in a desired direction using conventional methods. Here, an upper guide member 70, shown as an upper guide roller 72, sandwiches the card 21 between the belt 102 and the roller 104 and provides the support required to cantilever the card in the first or third position described above. Act to provide.
[0031]
Returning to FIG. 1 again, the input unit 26 is disposed adjacent to the transport mechanism 24 and is configured to supply at least one card at a time. The input unit 26 includes a supply unit of the card 21, and can store the card 21 in the container 106. The container 106 can be formed as a card cartridge that can be inserted into an appropriate slot of the input unit 26, so that the supply of the card can be performed easily. In one embodiment, the container 106 includes a bottom slot 108 having dimensions that allow a single card 21 to pass through, thereby preventing unwanted feeding mistakes. As shown in FIG. 1, the container 106 can be tilted to bevel the card 21 contained therein so that the leading edge 48 of the bottom card 21 passes through the slot 108. Sent forward.
[0032]
The feeding mechanism 110 is configured to pull out the card 21 from the container 106 at the position of the slot 108 and transfer the card 21 to the transport mechanism 24, and the card 21 is received by the first cantilever mechanism 62. Alternatively, the input 26 can be formed such that the card 21 is fed directly from the slot 108 to the transport mechanism 24, thereby eliminating the need for a feed mechanism 110. Feed mechanism 110 may include a pair of pinch rollers 112 and 114 driven by a motor (not shown) using conventional methods. The pinch roller 112 is configured to pull out the card 21 from the storage of the card stored in the container 106 through the slot 108. The extracted card 21 is delivered to a pinch roller 114 that supplies the extracted card 21 to the transport mechanism 24.
[0033]
Once the card 12 has been transferred to the transport mechanism 24, the card 21 is conveyed through the first, second and third positions described above, during which the print head 22 is moved to the surface 42 according to the print job. Record the image. Generally, the image of the print job is made larger than the area of the front surface 42 of the card 21 to ensure that the image is printed full edge-to-edge on the front surface 42 of the card 21. As a result, printhead 22 sprays ink beyond leading edge 48, trailing edge 50 and side edges 52 and 54. As mentioned above, the first and second cantilever mechanisms 62 and 64 are at an appropriate distance (eg, 0.3-0.6 inches) from the print position 44 to avoid being soiled by oversprayed ink. It is preferable to provide an interval. However, to ensure that oversprayed ink does not contaminate the transport mechanism 24 and other components of the printer 20, as shown in FIG. Overdispersion collector 120, located as close as possible to the print location 44 without interfering with the movement of the collector.
[0034]
9A and 9B show cross-sectional views of various embodiments of an overspray collector 120 of ink in accordance with the present invention. The ink overspray collector 120 typically includes a gutter 122 that is wider than the width W of the print location 44 and longer than the spacing between the side edges 52 and 54 of the card 21 (FIG. 2). The gutter-like container 122 contains an ink absorbing material 124 for absorbing ink coming in contact with the gutter-like container 122. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A, several layers 124A-124E of ink absorbing material 124 are disposed in gutter 122. Here, when filled with ink, the upper layer 124A of the ink absorbing material is removed and discarded, revealing the next layer 124B of the ink absorbing material.
[0035]
The embodiment of the overspray collector 120 for ink described in FIG. This protrusion disperses and captures the oversprayed ink, reduces the likelihood of contamination of the underside 128 of the card 21 (FIG. 1), and reduces the spread of oversprayed ink on other components of the printer 20. Further reduce. The size, orientation and number of protrusions 126 can be adjusted for maximum efficiency. Further, the material used to form the protrusion 126 and the base 130 may be extended therefrom and include an ink absorbing material to further absorb excess spray ink.
[0036]
The ink overspray collector 120 can also be formed to have a charge opposite to that of the ink that does not adhere to the surface 42 of the card 21 to attract circulating fines. This improves the ability of the overspray collector 120 to collect the overspray ink.
[0037]
The output unit 28 (FIG. 1) may include various components configured to receive the printed card 21 from the transport mechanism 24 and perform post-print processing of the printed card 21. FIG. 10 is a simplified side view of the output 28 showing various additional components forming the output 28. These components include a dryer 132, an encoder 134, a card flipper 136, a laminator 138, an embosser 140, and an output hopper 142 for collecting and stacking the printed cards 21. The output unit 28 can include one or more components as needed.
[0038]
The dryer 132 is configured to dry the ink printed on the card 21. The dryer 132 can be disposed along the print path 39 in the output unit 28 as needed. Dryer 132 can be a fan, heater, ultraviolet light source, or other type of dryer. The dryer 132 is described in U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 702,116, entitled "Inkjet Identification Card Printing System," both of which are pending and incorporated by reference herein and incorporated herein by reference. It can also be a heated roller that has been heated.
[0039]
Encoders 134A and 134B are configured to encode data on card 21 using conventional methods. Encoder 134A can be a magnetic card encoder configured to encode data on a magnetic stripe (not shown) on card 21. The encoder 134B is configured to encode a circuit mounted on the card 21 and known as a "smart card circuit", a "card memory", a "card processor", or a "storage circuit". Generally, electronic circuitry is used to store additional information on the identification card 21 beyond that stored on the magnetic stripe. Encoding of data onto card 21 using encoders 134A and 134B can be performed using conventional methods.
[0040]
The card flipper 136 allows the printer 20 to select, for example, to transport the card 21 into the upper encoder 134A or into the lower encoder 13B. The card flipper 136 can also turn over the card 21 so that the lower surface 128 (FIG. 1) is facing up and the image is recorded by the print head 22 thereon. To print on the lower surface 128 of the card 21, the card 21 pulls the card 21 out of the transport mechanism 24 and provides a suitable feed, such as a roller 144 configured to transport the card 21 through the output 28. It is sent back to the transport mechanism 24 using a mechanism. The card flipper 136 preferably does not contact the print surface 42 of the card 21 using, for example, the pair of grooved guide wheels 86 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
[0041]
The laminating station 138 provides a protective layer to the card 21 to protect the print on the surface 42 from water, light, chemicals, abrasion and / or other factors or effects that may damage the print on the card 21. It is configured to perform. In one embodiment, the laminating station 138 can apply a protective layer in a spray sealant manner. In an embodiment, the protective layer is formed of a laminating material 150 that moves between a supply roll 152 and a pick-up roll 154 through a pass-through roller 156 and a heater 158. Laminate material 150 preferably comprises a heat transfer overlaminate film that is pressed against surface 42 of card 21 by pressure from platen 160. Alternatively, the laminate material 150 can consist of a plurality of individual lamellas or laminates mounted on a web (a roll of printing paper). The individual laminates can be dimensioned to make up the edge of the card 21, thereby eliminating the need to trim the laminated material once laminated onto the card 21.
[0042]
Embosser 140 can be used to stamp a security mark on surface 42 of card 21. Embosser 140 includes an embossing roller 162 that applies the desired marks to surface 42 of card 21 using conventional methods.
[0043]
Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, various components of the present invention, such as the transport mechanism 24 and the input unit 26, can be modified so that a plurality of cards 21 can be processed simultaneously. Here, the plurality of cards 21 can be simultaneously supplied to the transport mechanism 24 by aligning the front edge 48 of the card 21 and the rear edge 50 of the card 21 by the input unit 26 arranged in a line.
[0044]
The number of cards supplied in a line is mainly limited by the length L of the printing position 44 (FIG. 2). Also, the guide member 70 can take many different forms and still provide the desired functionality for supporting the card 21 in the first, second and third positions. In addition to the examples described above, the guide member 70 can include a vacuum chuck, as described above, that does not require the use of both upper and lower guide members for transporting the card 21 through the printing position. Further, the above-described overinking collector 120 embodiment is merely an example of a form in which the desired overinking collection can be performed, and many other suitable forms of overinking collector are possible. Accordingly, the dependent claims intend all such modifications and variations and fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 9A
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of an overinking collector according to various embodiments according to the invention.
FIG. 9B
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of an overinking collector according to various embodiments according to the invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
20 ink jet card printer, 21 card, 22 ink jet print head, 24 transport mechanism, 26 input unit, 28 output unit, 30 controller, 34 personal computer (PC) 36, a data bus (input / output unit), 38, an ink cartridge, 39, a printing path, 40, a rod, 42, a surface portion of a card, 44, a printing position, 48, a leading edge, 50 ... Trailing edge, 62 First cantilever mechanism, 64 Second cantilever mechanism, 66 Input side of print position, 68 Output side of print position, 70 Guide member 106 ... Container, 108 Slot, 110 Feeding mechanism, 112, 114 Pinch roller, 120 Excessive ink dispersion collector, 122 Trough-like container, 124 Ink absorbing material, 128 The lower surface side of the card, 144 ...... roller

Claims (55)

In an inkjet identification card printer that prints from edge to edge on the surface of the card,
An inkjet printhead configured to print on a surface portion of the card provided at a print location along a print path;
At least one cantilever mechanism disposed on a side of the printing position along the printing path, which moves the card along the printing path and supplies a surface to the print head at the printing position without interruption. And a transport mechanism configured to perform the operation. The transport mechanism,
A first cantilever mechanism disposed on an input side of a printing position and configured to support the card at a first position where a leading edge of the surface moves past the printing position;
A second cantilever mechanism disposed at an output side of a printing position and configured to support the card at a third position in which a trailing edge of the surface moves past the printing position. The printer described. 3. The printer of claim 2, wherein the first and second cantilever mechanisms cooperatively support the card at a second position where a center of the surface moves past a printing position. 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein said first and second cantilever mechanisms each include at least one guide member. The printer according to claim 4, wherein the guide member is selected from the group consisting of a guide roller, a pair of side wheels, a grooved guide roller, a heating roller, and a transport belt. 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said first and second cantilever mechanisms includes two upper guide rollers and one lower roller. 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said first and second cantilever mechanisms includes two lower guide rollers and one upper guide roller. 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said first and second cantilever mechanisms includes a transport belt and an upper guide member, and wherein said card moves between said upper guide member and said transport belt. 3. The printer according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said first and second cantilever mechanisms includes a pair of grooved guide wheels. The printer of any preceding claim, further comprising an over-ink spray collector adjacent the printing location and facing the print head and configured to collect ink sprayed over the surface of the card. The printer of claim 10, wherein the overspray collector comprises a trough. The printer of claim 10, wherein the over-ink distribution collector includes an ink absorbing material. The printer of claim 10 wherein the over-ink distribution collector includes a plurality of separable layers of ink-absorbing material. 11. The printer of claim 10, wherein the over-spray collector includes a charge that does not adhere to the card, opposite the charge of the ink, such that fines of ink are attracted to the over-spray collector. The printer of claim 10, wherein the over-ink distribution collector includes a plurality of protrusions. 2. The printer according to claim 1, further comprising an input unit having a storage of the card. 17. The printer according to claim 16, wherein the input unit includes a card cartridge for storing the card. 17. The printer according to claim 16, wherein the input unit includes a card supply mechanism configured to feed at least one card from the storage of the cards. The printer of claim 1 including a controller configured to control the transport mechanism and the inkjet printhead to facilitate printing an image on a surface of the card. The printer of claim 1, including a card output configured to receive a card from the transport mechanism. 21. The printer of claim 20, wherein the card output includes a drying device configured to dry ink printed on a surface of the card. 22. The printer according to claim 21, wherein the drying device is selected from the group consisting of a heating roller, an ultraviolet light source, a fan, and a heater. 21. The printer according to claim 20, wherein said card output unit includes a laminator. 21. The printer according to claim 20, wherein said card output unit includes an embosser. 21. The printer according to claim 20, wherein said card output unit includes an encoder. 21. The printer according to claim 20, wherein said card output unit includes a card flipper. The card flipper receives a printed card from the transport mechanism, flips the printed card over to expose a blank surface for printing, and further transfers the card to the transport mechanism to print on the blank surface. 27. The printer of claim 26, configured to return. An input section containing a storage of cards, each card having a surface defined by a leading edge, a trailing edge and opposing side edges;
An inkjet printhead configured to print on a surface portion of at least one card supplied to the printing position;
A print head includes at least one cantilever mechanism disposed along a print path at a side of the print position to move the card along the print path and to unobstruct the print head at the print position. A transport mechanism configured to supply the surface,
An inkjet card printer, comprising: the input unit, the transport mechanism, and a controller configured to control the inkjet print head. The transport mechanism,
A first cantilever mechanism disposed on an input side of a printing position and configured to support the card at a first position where a leading edge of the surface moves past the printing position;
29. A first cantilever mechanism disposed at an output side of a printing position and configured to support the card at a third position where a trailing edge of the surface moves past the printing position. The printer described. 30. The printer of claim 29, wherein the first and second cantilever mechanisms cooperatively support the card at a second position where a center of the surface moves through a printing position. 30. The printer according to claim 29, wherein each of said first and second cantilever mechanisms includes at least one guide member. The printer according to claim 31, wherein the guide member is selected from the group consisting of a guide roller, a pair of side wheels, a grooved guide roller, a heating roller, and a transport belt. 30. The printer of claim 29, wherein at least one of the first and second cantilever mechanisms includes an upper guide roller and a lower guide roller. 30. The printer of claim 29, wherein at least one of the first and second cantilever mechanisms includes two lower guide rollers and one upper guide roller. 30. The printer of claim 29, wherein at least one of the first and second cantilever mechanisms includes a transport belt and an upper guide member, and wherein the card moves between the upper guide member and the transport belt. 30. The printer of claim 29, wherein at least one of the first and second cantilever mechanisms includes a pair of grooved guide wheels. 29. The printer of claim 28, including an overspray collector disposed adjacent to a print location and opposite the printhead and configured to collect ink spread over the surface of the card. . 38. The printer of claim 37, wherein said overspray collector comprises a trough. 38. The printer of claim 37, wherein said overspray collector includes an ink absorbing material. 38. The printer of claim 37, wherein the overspray collector comprises a plurality of separable layers of ink absorbing material. 38. The printer of claim 37, wherein the overspray collector includes a charge that does not adhere to the card, opposite the charge of the ink, such that fines of ink are attracted to the overspray collector. 38. The printer of claim 37, wherein the over-ink distribution collector includes a plurality of protrusions. 29. The printer according to claim 28, wherein the input unit includes a card cartridge for storing the card. 29. The printer according to claim 28, wherein the input unit includes a card feeding device configured to feed at least one card from the card storage. 29. The printer of claim 28, including a card output configured to receive a card from the transport mechanism. The printer of claim 45, wherein the card output includes a drying device configured to dry ink printed on a surface of the card. 47. The printer according to claim 46, wherein the drying device is selected from the group consisting of a heating roller, an ultraviolet light source, a fan, and a heater. 46. The printer according to claim 45, wherein the card output unit includes a laminator. The printer according to claim 45, wherein the card output unit includes an embosser. The printer according to claim 45, wherein the card output unit includes an encoder. The printer according to claim 45, wherein the card output unit includes a card flipper. The card flipper receives a printed card from the transport mechanism, flips the printed card over to expose a blank surface for printing, and further transfers the card to the transport mechanism to print on the blank surface. 52. The printer according to claim 51, configured to return. A method of using an ink jet printer to provide full printing from edge to edge of a surface of a card, the ink jet printer including a print head configured to print on a surface portion provided to a printing location,
(A) cantilevering the front of the surface of the card including the leading edge passing through the printing position;
(B) guiding the center of the card passing through the printing position,
(C) cantilevering the back of the card including the trailing edge passing through the printing location. 54. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of: (d) printing ink on the front, center, and back of the card when supplied to the print head in a printing position. 55. The method of claim 54, including the step of collecting (e) collecting ink that does not adhere to the card.

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