Patent Grant
11077679
Embodiments are related to printing systems. Embodiments also relate to transports, transport belts, radiant dryers and other components utilized in printing systems. Embodiments further relate to a vacuum paper transport and an active airflow control device for a printing system.
Printing systems known in the document reproduction arts can apply a marking material, such as ink or toner, onto a substrate such as a sheet of media of such as paper, a textile, metal, plastic and objects having a non-negligible depth such as a coffee cup, bottle, and the like.
A printing system (which can also referred to simply as a printer) can perform printing of an image or the like on sheets of paper, for example, by transporting a sheet of paper (or other media substrates), which is an example of a medium, up to a position of a printing section using a transport roller, and an endless form transport belt, which can rotate while coming into contact with the sheet of paper, and discharging ink, which is an example of a liquid, toward the sheet of paper from a liquid discharging head.
Some printing systems are based on the use of a vacuum belt configuration. In such vacuum belt printing systems, which use a vacuum belt transport to transport media (e.g., sheets of paper), the area in which no sheet is present at an IDZ (Inter-Document Zone) may create unwanted airflow by the print heads to a vacuum belt gap between the media. This airflow can create turbulence around the jets and ink droplets may be deflected from their intended trajectory. This situation can lead to degradation in printing accuracy and a resulting distorted image.
A current problem with vacuum belt printing systems is that the technology used to create the vacuum under the media can also creates a vacuum at the IDZ. With no media to block the airflow caused by the vacuum, the air may be pulled across the faceplate of the ink jet head and the air velocity can cause dispersion of the jetted ink drops between the head and the sheet. This error can be in evidenced at both the LE (Leading Edge) and TE (Trailing Edge) of the sheets.
Ideally the vacuum should be present only under the media and not at the IDZ. The sheet, however, may need to have a vacuum up to the edges of the sheet so a change in a permanent underlying plenum can create a no-vacuum area under the print head and lead to the media separating from the belt and creating an uneven print surface.
Airflow disturbances at the IDZ from the vacuum system can thus cause LE and TE disturbances that affect ink drop placement and degrade print quality in direct-to-paper ink-jet systems. Some printing systems may use a vacuum transport to hold down and transport the media. The vacuum at the LE and TE gaps of the sheets draw air from under the print heads and can disturb the ink drop position such that the drop placement accuracy is degraded. This degradation in drop placement accuracy can result in a noticeable and objectionable “blurring” of the image.
One of the enabling characteristics of aqueous inks made for printing on coated media is that they dry very quickly. This can leads to high evaporation rates, which can also lead to latency and missing jets. The vacuum drawn from under the print heads during cycle up and cycle down while the printing system is being made ready, causing higher latency and missing jets, may enhance this evaporation.
The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the disclosed embodiments and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.
It is, therefore, one aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for an improved printing system.
It is another aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for an improved marker transport system for use with a printing system.
It is a further aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for active airflow control for a marker transport system that includes a vacuum paper transport.
The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and advantages can now be achieved as described herein. In an embodiment, a marker transport system can include at least one print head and a marker transport platen upon which a sheet of media moves, wherein the marker transport platen includes airflow sections comprising process-direction slots; and at least one plate that moves in a cross-process direction, wherein the at least one plate controls airflow in an area under the at least one print head, and wherein the at least one plate in a first position allows airflow when the sheet of media is located at the first position and wherein the at least one plate in a second position blocks the airflow at the second position, such that a vacuum is provided under the sheet of media as the sheet of media traverses a print path across the marker transport platen and a no-vacuum inter-document zone is provided, which moves along with the sheet of media under the at least one print head.
In an embodiment, the marker transport system can further include a mechanical linkage attached to a device that allows for a control of the at least one plate, wherein the at least one plate comprises a cross-process plate.
In an embodiment of the marker transport system, the aforementioned device can comprise at least one of: a cam and a solenoid.
In an embodiment, the marker transport system can further include at least one sensor for determining a leading edge and a trailing edge of the sheet of media relative to a position on a marking transport belt associated with the marking transport platen.
In an embodiment of the marker transport system, the at least one sensor can comprise at least one of: a belt-hole sensor and a page-sync sensor.
In an embodiment of the marker transport system, a position of the at least one plate can be timed such that the vacuum is present when the sheet of media is present over a corresponding vacuum slot comprising at least one of the process-direction slots.
In an embodiment of the marker transport system, the at least one plate is moveable and positionable to block the airflow while the at least one print head is in a printing position but waiting for a print job to start or to finish.
In an embodiment of the marker transport system, the at least one plate can comprise a shutter.
In an embodiment of the marker transport system, the at least one plate comprise an IDZ (Inter-Document Zone) vacuum channel plate.
In an embodiment, a method of operating a marker transport system, can involve: moving a sheet of media upon a marker transport platen associated with at least one print head, the marker transport platen including airflow sections comprising process-direction slots; operating at least one plate to move in a cross-process direction, wherein the at least one plate controls airflow in an area under the at least one print head, and wherein the at least one plate in a first position allows airflow when the sheet of media is located at the first position and wherein the at least one plate in a second position blocks the airflow at the second position; and providing a vacuum under the sheet of media as the sheet of media traverses a print path across the marker transport platen, wherein a no-vacuum inter-document zone is provided, which moves along with the sheet of media under the at least one print head.
An embodiment of the method can further involve controlling the at least one plate with a device attached to a mechanical linkage, wherein the mechanical linkage is attached to the device to allow for a control of the at least one plate, wherein the at least one plate comprises a cross-process plate.
An embodiment of the method can further involve determining with at least one sensor, a leading edge and a trailing edge of the sheet of media relative to a position on a marking transport belt associated with the marking transport platen.
An embodiment of the method can further involve timing a position of the at least one plate such that the vacuum is present when the sheet of media is present over a corresponding vacuum slot comprising at least one of the process-direction slots.
An embodiment of the method can further involve moving and positioning the at least one plate to block the airflow while the at least one print head is in a printing position but waiting for a print job to start or to finish.
In another embodiment, a marker transport system can include at least one processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions to cause the at least one processor to perform: moving a sheet of media upon a marker transport platen associated with at least one print head, the marker transport platen including airflow sections comprising process-direction slots; operating at least one plate to move in a cross-process direction, wherein the at least one plate controls airflow in an area under the at least one print head, and wherein the at least one plate in a first position allows airflow when the sheet of media is located at the first position and wherein the at least one plate in a second position blocks the airflow at the second position; and providing a vacuum under the sheet of media as the sheet of media traverses a print path across the marker transport platen, wherein a no-vacuum inter-document zone is provided, which moves along with the sheet of media under the at least one print head.
In an embodiment, the aforementioned instructions can further comprise instructions for performing at least one of the following: controlling the at least one plate with a device attached to a mechanical linkage, wherein the mechanical linkage is attached to the device to allow for a control of the at least one plate, wherein the at least one plate comprises a cross-process plate; determining with at least one sensor, a leading edge and a trailing edge of the sheet of media relative to a position on a marking transport belt associated with the marking transport platen; and timing a position of the at least one plate such that the vacuum is present when the sheet of media is present over a corresponding vacuum slot comprising at least one of the process-direction slots.
The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate one or more embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.
Subject matter will now be described more fully herein after with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific example embodiments. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any example embodiments set forth herein; example embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, subject matter may be embodied as methods, devices, components, or systems/devices. Accordingly, embodiments may, for example, take the form of hardware, software, firmware or any combination thereof (other than software per se). The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be interpreted in a limiting sense.
Throughout the specification and claims, terms may have nuanced meanings suggested or implied in context beyond an explicitly stated meaning. Likewise, phrases such as “in one embodiment” or “in an example embodiment” and variations thereof as utilized herein do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and the phrase “in another embodiment” or “in another example embodiment” and variations thereof as utilized herein may or may not necessarily refer to a different embodiment. It is intended, for example, that claimed subject matter include combinations of example embodiments in whole or in part.
In general, terminology may be understood, at least in part, from usage in context. For example, terms, such as “and”, “or”, or “and/or” as used herein may include a variety of meanings that may depend, at least in part, upon the context in which such terms are used. Typically, “or” if used to associate a list, such as A, B, or C, is intended to mean A, B, and C, here used in the inclusive sense, as well as A, B, or C, here used in the exclusive sense. In addition, the term “one or more” as used herein, depending at least in part upon context, may be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in a singular sense or may be used to describe combinations of features, structures, or characteristics in a plural sense. Similarly, terms such as “a”, “an”, or “the”, again, may be understood to convey a singular usage or to convey a plural usage, depending at least in part upon context. In addition, the term “based on” may be understood as not necessarily intended to convey an exclusive set of factors and may, instead, allow for existence of additional factors not necessarily expressly described, again, depending at least in part on context. Additionally, the term “step” can be utilized interchangeably with the terms “instruction” and “operation”.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. As used in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.”
The term “printing system” as utilized herein can relate to a printer, including digital printing devices and systems that accept text and graphic output from a computing device, electronic device or data processing system and transfers the information to a substrate such as paper, usually to standard size sheets of paper. A printing system may vary in size, speed, sophistication, and cost. In general, more expensive printers are used for higher-resolution printing. A printing system can render images on print media, such as paper or other substrates, and can be a copier, laser printer, bookmaking machine, facsimile, or a multifunction machine (which can include one or more functions such as scanning, printing, archiving, emailing, faxing and so on). An example of a printing system that can be adapted for use with one or more embodiments is the printing system 310 depicted in
The term “transport belt” as utilized herein can relate to a belt implemented in a printing system in association with a rotatable member such as a roller or other transport members or web transport configurations. Such a transport belt can relate to a marker transport system or marker transport belt. To permit a high registration accuracy, a printing system can employ a market transport belt, which in some implementations can pass in front of toner cartridges and each of the toner layers can be precisely applied to the transport belt. The combined layers can be then applied to the paper in a uniform single step. It should be appreciated, however, that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to printers that utilize toner. Ink and other types of marking media may be utilized in other printing embodiments. That is, a printing system is not limited to a laser printing implementation but may be realized in other contexts, such as ink-jet printing systems. The term transport belt can encompass the term “marker transport belt”.
A “computing device” or “electronic device” or “data processing system” refers to a device or system that includes a processor and non-transitory, computer-readable memory. The memory may contain programming instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the computing device to perform one or more operations according to the programming instructions. As used in this description, a “computing device” or “electronic device” may be a single device, or any number of devices having one or more processors that communicate with each other and share data and/or instructions. Examples of computing devices or electronic devices can include, without limitation, personal computers, servers, mainframes, gaming systems, televisions, and portable electronic devices such as smart phones, personal digital assistants, cameras, tablet computers, laptop computers, media players and the like. Various elements of an example of a computing device or processor are described below with reference to an example data-processing system shown in
As will be discussed in greater detail herein, a marker transport system can be implemented, which includes a marking transport platen having airflow sections that can divide the existing process-direction slots. Airflow sections can be located underneath the print heads, which can be blocked off and airflow sections not underneath the print heads may not be controlled. The area under the print heads can control the airflow in that area via one or more plates that move in the cross-process direction. A plate (e.g., an IDZ vacuum channel plate), in a first position can allow airflow when media is located at this location (i.e., the first position). A plate in a second position can block the airflow in this area.
A mechanical linkage can be attached to a device such as a solenoid or cam and motor, which can facilitate individual control to each of the cross-process plates. Using a belt-hole sensor, and a page-sync sensor, the leading and trailing edge of a sheet of media can be determined relative to a position on the marking transport belt. Using this information, the position of the plates can be timed such that vacuum may only be present when the sheet of media is present over the corresponding vacuum slot. Furthermore the plates can be positioned such that they block airflow while the print heads are in the printing position, but they wait for the job to start or finish.
Using this approach, the cross-process direction airflow over the surface of the paper at the LE and TE can be significantly reduced, and therefore the image “Blur” can also be reduced. The latency and missing jets caused while the print heads are in the printing position can be greatly reduced. An existing marking transport vacuum belt can be adapted for use with an embodiment.
The marker transport system 130 can be incorporated into a printing system such as, for example, the printing system 310 shown in
The configuration shown in
The marker transport system 131 can include vacuum channel sections that are divided into existing process-direction slots, as well as slots under the print heads. Vacuum channels 202 are shown in
As discussed above,
It should be appreciated that the printing system 310 depicted in
In an embodiment, the sheet feed module 311 of the printing system 310 can be configured to hold, for example, 2,500 sheets of 90 gsm, 4.0 caliper stock in each of two trays. With 5,000 sheets per unit and up to 4 possible feeders in such a configuration, 20,000 sheets of non-stop production activity can be facilitated by the printing system 310. The sheet feed module can include an upper tray 17 that holds, for example, paper sizes 8.27″×10″/210 mm×254 mm to 14.33″×20.5″/364 mm×521 mm, while a lower tray 19 can hold paper sizes ranging from, for example, 7″×10″/178 mm×254 mm to 14.33″×20.5″/364 mm×521 mm. Each feeder can utilize a shuttle vacuum feed head to pick a sheet of media off the top of the stack and deliver it to a transport mechanism.
In an embodiment, the print head and ink assembly module 312 of the printing system 310 can include a plurality of inkjet print heads that can be configured to deliver four different drop sizes through, for example, 7,870 nozzles per color to produce prints with, for example, a 600×600 dpi. An integrated full-width scanner can enable automated print head adjustments, missing jet correction and image-on-paper registration. Operators can make image quality improvements for special jobs such as edge enhancement, trapping, and black overprint. At all times automated checks and preventative measures can maintain the press in a ready state and operational.
The dryer module 313 of the printing system 310 can include a dryer. After printing, the sheets of media can move directly into a dryer where the paper and ink are heated with seven infrared carbon lamps to about 90° C. (194° F.). This process can remove moisture from the paper so that the sheets of media are sufficiently stiff to move efficiently through the paper path. The drying process can also remove moisture from the ink to prevent it from rubbing off. A combination of sensors, thermostats, thermistors, thermopiles, and blowers can accurately heat these fast-moving sheets of media, and can maintain a rated print speed.
The production stacker 314 can include a finisher that can run continuously as it delivers up to, for example, 2,850 sheets of media at a time. Once unloaded, the stack tray can return to the main stack cavity to pick and deliver another load—continuously. The stacker 114 can provide an adjustable waist-height for unloading from, for example, 8″ to 24″, and a by-pass path with the ability to rotate sheets to downstream devices. The production stacker 14 can also be configured with, for example, a 250-sheet top tray for sheet purge and samples, and can further include an optional production media cart to ease stack transport. One non-limiting example of printing system 310 is the Xerox® Brenva® HD Production Inkjet Press, a printing product of Xerox Corporation. The printing system can include transport members including the transport belts discussed herein and/or other features including for example a Brenva®/Fervent® marker transport, which is also a product of Xerox Corporation.
As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments can be implemented in the context of a method, data processing system, or computer program product. Accordingly, embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects all generally referred to herein as a “circuit” or “module.” Furthermore, embodiments may in some cases take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable storage medium having computer-usable program code embodied in the medium. Any suitable computer readable medium may be utilized including hard disks, USB Flash Drives, DVDs, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, server storage, databases, etc.
Computer program code for carrying out operations of the present invention may be written in an object oriented programming language (e.g., Java, C++, etc.). The computer program code, however, for carrying out operations of particular embodiments may also be written in procedural programming languages or in a visually oriented programming environment.
The program code may execute entirely on a user's computer, partly on a user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on a user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to a user's computer through a bidirectional data communications network (e.g., a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), wireless data network, a cellular network, etc.) or the bidirectional connection may be made to an external computer via most third party supported networks (e.g., through the Internet utilizing an Internet Service Provider).
The embodiments are described at least in part herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, systems, and computer program products and data structures according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the illustrations, and combinations of blocks, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of, for example, a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block or blocks. To be clear, the disclosed embodiments can be implemented in the context of, for example a special-purpose computer or a general-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus or system. For example, in some embodiments, a data processing apparatus or system can be implemented as a combination of a special-purpose computer and a general-purpose computer.
These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the various block or blocks, flowcharts, and other architecture illustrated and described herein.
The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block or blocks.
The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
As illustrated in
As illustrated, the various components of data-processing system 400 can communicate electronically through a system bus 351 or similar architecture. The system bus 351 may be, for example, a subsystem that transfers data between, for example, computer components within data-processing system 400 or to and from other data-processing devices, components, computers, etc. The data-processing system 400 may be implemented in some embodiments as, for example, a server in a client-server based network (e.g., the Internet) or in the context of a client and a server (i.e., where aspects are practiced on the client and the server).
In some example embodiments, the data-processing system 400 shown in
The following discussion is intended to provide a brief, general description of suitable computing environments in which the system and method may be implemented. Although not required, the disclosed embodiments will be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a single computer. In most instances, a “module” can constitute a software application, but can also be implemented as both software and hardware (i.e., a combination of software and hardware).
Generally, program modules include, but are not limited to, routines, subroutines, software applications, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular data types and instructions. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosed method and system may be practiced with other computer system configurations, such as, for example, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, data networks, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, networked PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, servers, and the like.
Note that the term module as utilized herein may refer to a collection of routines and data structures that perform a particular task or implements a particular data type. A module may be composed of two parts: an interface, which lists the constants, data types, variable, and routines that can be accessed by other modules or routines, and an implementation, which may be private (e.g., accessible only to that module) and which can include source code that actually implements the routines in the module. The term module can also refer to an application, such as a computer program designed to assist in the performance of a specific task, such as word processing, accounting, inventory management, etc. A module may also refer to a physical hardware component or a combination of hardware and software. The previously discussed dryer module 113 is an example of a physical hardware component that can also operate according to instructions provided by a module such as module 452.
The module 452 may include instructions (e.g., steps or operations) for performing operations such as those discussed herein. For example, module 452 may include instructions for operating the marker transport system 131 in the context of a printing system such as the printing system 310.
It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. It will also be appreciated that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20210170766 A1 | Jun 2021 | US |
