公开(公告)号：US06254090B1

公开(公告)日：2001-07-03

申请号：US09292125

申请日：1999-04-14

申请人： John D. Rhodes ,  Steve O. Rasmussen ,  Angela Chen ,  Geoff Wotton

发明人： John D. Rhodes ,  Steve O. Rasmussen ,  Angela Chen ,  Geoff Wotton

IPC分类号： B65H508

CPC分类号： G03G15/6597 ,  B41J11/0085 ,  B41J13/226 ,  B65H5/222 ,  B65H2406/332 ,  B65H2406/351 ,  B65H2406/3632

摘要： A mechanism for manifolding a vacuum force to separate surface sectors of a vacuum holddown uses subsurface ducting to apply the vacuum to separate subsurface vacuum plenums wherein each is fluidically coupled to a separate surface sectors. The plenum is segregated by a diaphragm into surface side and vacuum side cavities. Trigger ports and appropriate ducting through the holddown subjacent the surface associated with each sector determine how the vacuum is routed. Only when a trigger port is covered is the vacuum routed to the surface sector associated therewith. The system can be implemented in planar or curvilinear constructs and be provided with features to accommodate a near-continuous range of flexible material sizes. A specific implementation in an ink-jet hard copy apparatus is also described.

摘要翻译： 用于歧管真空力以分离真空压紧的表面部分的机构使用地下管道将真空施加到分开的地下真空室，其中每个都与流体耦合到单独的表面扇区。 气室通过隔膜分隔成表面侧和真空侧腔。 触发端口和通过与每个扇区相关联的表面下方的压盖的适当管道决定了真空如何路由。 只有当触发端口被覆盖时，真空被引导到与其相关联的表面扇区。 该系统可以在平面或曲线构造中实现，并且具有能够适应近连续范围的柔性材料尺寸的特征。 还描述了喷墨硬拷贝装置中的具体实现。

公开(公告)号：US06394596B1

公开(公告)日：2002-05-28

申请号：US09413078

申请日：1999-10-05

申请人： Geoff Wotton ,  Steve O. Rasmussen ,  John D. Rhodes

发明人： Geoff Wotton ,  Steve O. Rasmussen ,  John D. Rhodes

IPC分类号： B41J201

CPC分类号： B65H5/224 ,  B41J11/007 ,  B41J11/0085 ,  B41J11/06

摘要： A belt-type support for moving print media such as paper through a printer includes a flexible belt that is supported in a manner such that friction is minimized and such that the paper that is supported on the belt is advanced precisely through the print zone of the printer. The support is provided in conjunction with a uniform distribution of vacuum pressure to the paper carried by the belt. In one preferred embodiment, there is provided a rigid, flat platen for supporting a uniformly porous belt. The platen has a number of rollers on its surface to minimize the friction developed between the platen surface and the moving belt. The platen surface also includes ports to provide a uniform distribution of vacuum pressure to the porous belt. In another embodiment, sliders are carried in the support surface of the platen to minimize frictional contact with the moving belt. Another embodiment includes substantially flat platen surface with a low-friction material layer disposed between the belt and platen surface for facilitating movement of the belt over the platen.

摘要翻译： 用于通过打印机移动诸如纸张的打印介质的带式支撑件包括柔性带，该柔性带以使得摩擦最小化的方式被支撑，并且使得被支撑在带上的纸精确地前进通过印刷区 打印机。 该支撑件与真空压力的均匀分布一起提供给由皮带承载的纸张。 在一个优选实施例中，提供了一种用于支撑均匀多孔带的刚性平坦压板。 压板在其表面上具有多个辊，以最小化在压板表面和移动带之间产生的摩擦。 压板表面还包括端口，以向多孔带提供均匀的真空压力分布。 在另一个实施例中，滑块被承载在压板的支撑表面中以最小化与移动带的摩擦接触。 另一个实施例包括基本平坦的压板表面，其中设置在带和压板表面之间的低摩擦材料层，以便于带移动到压板上。

公开(公告)号：US06172741B2

公开(公告)日：2001-01-09

申请号：US09292838

申请日：1999-04-14

申请人： Geoff Wotton ,  Angela Chen ,  Steve O. Rasmussen ,  John D Rhodes

发明人： Geoff Wotton ,  Angela Chen ,  Steve O. Rasmussen ,  John D Rhodes

IPC分类号： G03B2760

CPC分类号： B42C1/125 ,  B41J13/226 ,  B65H2408/111 ,  B65H2408/1141 ,  B65H2511/12 ,  B65H2513/51 ,  B65H2220/01 ,  B65H2220/02

摘要： A platen surface structure construct, particularly useful in a hard copy apparatus for a vacuum holddown, is configured by dimensioning print media platen surface structure channels and ports in order to ensure print media leading edge and trailing edge holddown. Moreover, the vacuum is distributed across the platen surface in accordance with predetermined dye flow characteristics based upon known dye composition and known print medium composition and such that print artifacts are not created by vacuum pulling wet dye through the capillaries of the medium.

摘要翻译： 特别适用于用于真空压紧的硬拷贝装置中的压板表面结构构造通过使打印介质压板表面结构通道和端口的尺寸确定，以确保打印介质的前缘和后缘保持力。 此外，根据已知的染料组成和已知的打印介质组合物，根据预定的染料流动特性，真空分布在压板表面上，并且使得真空吸湿湿染料通过介质的毛细管不产生印刷伪影。

公开(公告)号：US06454478B2

公开(公告)日：2002-09-24

申请号：US09878632

申请日：2001-06-11

申请人： Geoff Wotton ,  Steve O. Rasmussen

发明人： Geoff Wotton ,  Steve O. Rasmussen

IPC分类号： B41J201

CPC分类号： B41J11/0085 ,  B41J11/002 ,  B41J11/007 ,  B41J11/06

摘要： Predetermined geometric constructs reduce heat loss in a vacuum platen and assist in the reduction of paper cockle in ink-jet printing. A vacuum platen for supporting media during printing is provided with a plurality of heating elements and surfaces interspersed with vacuum ports. The heater elements are laid into surface channels of the platen such that an insulative gap separates the heaters from the main platen support structure. In an alternative embodiment, an insulative gasket is provided for the gap.

摘要翻译： 预定的几何结构减少真空压板中的热损失，并有助于在喷墨打印中减少纸。。 在打印期间用于支撑介质的真空压板设置有散布有真空端口的多个加热元件和表面。 加热器元件被放置在压板的表面通道中，使得绝缘间隙将加热器与主压板支撑结构分开。 在替代实施例中，为间隙提供绝缘垫圈。

公开(公告)号：US06315404B1

公开(公告)日：2001-11-13

申请号：US09469128

申请日：1999-12-21

申请人： Geoff Wotton ,  Steve O. Rasmussen

发明人： Geoff Wotton ,  Steve O. Rasmussen

IPC分类号： B41J201

CPC分类号： B41J11/0085 ,  B41J11/002 ,  B41J11/007 ,  B41J11/06

摘要： Predetermined geometric constructs reduce heat loss in a vacuum platen and assist in the reduction of paper cockle in ink-jet printing. A vacuum platen for supporting media during printing is provided with a plurality of heating elements and surfaces interspersed with vacuum ports. The heater elements are laid into surface channels of the platen such that an insulative gap separates the heaters from the main platen support structure. In an alternative embodiment, an insulative gasket is provided for the gap.

摘要翻译： 预定的几何结构减少真空压板中的热损失，并有助于在喷墨打印中减少纸。。 在打印期间用于支撑介质的真空压板设置有散布有真空端口的多个加热元件和表面。 加热器元件被放置在压板的表面通道中，使得绝缘间隙将加热器与主压板支撑结构分开。 在替代实施例中，为间隙提供绝缘垫圈。

公开(公告)号：US06457887B1

公开(公告)日：2002-10-01

申请号：US09678643

申请日：2000-10-03

申请人： Geoff Wotton ,  Steve O. Rasmussen

发明人： Geoff Wotton ,  Steve O. Rasmussen

IPC分类号： B41J1504

CPC分类号： B41J11/005 ,  B41J11/007 ,  B41J11/0085

摘要： A wet-dye hard copy apparatus is provided with a vacuum transport for moving print media from and input, through a print zone, to an output. In order to reduce high frequency paper cockle, the print media is subjected to a post-printing predetermined bending while the print dye thereon is drying. In an alternative embodiment, a post-ejection bending heating step is added prior to ejecting a printed print medium to the apparatus output.

摘要翻译： 湿染料硬拷贝装置设置有用于从打印区域移动打印介质并将其输入到输出的真空传送装置。 为了减少高频纸卷轴，打印介质经受后期打印预定的弯曲，而其上的印刷染料正在干燥。 在替代实施例中，在将印刷的打印介质喷射到设备输出之前，添加了后喷射弯曲加热步骤。

公开(公告)号：US06224203B1

公开(公告)日：2001-05-01

申请号：US09312372

申请日：1999-05-13

申请人： Geoff Wotton ,  Steve O. Rasmussen

发明人： Geoff Wotton ,  Steve O. Rasmussen

IPC分类号： B41J201

CPC分类号： B41J11/005 ,  B41J11/007 ,  B41J11/0085

摘要： A wet-dye hard copy apparatus is provided with a vacuum transport for moving print media from and input, through a print zone, to an output. In order to reduce paper cockle, the print media is subjected to a post-printing predetermined bending while the print dye thereon is drying. In an alternative embodiment, a post-ejection bending heating step is added prior to ejecting a printed print medium to the apparatus output.

摘要翻译： 湿染料硬拷贝装置设置有用于从打印区域移动打印介质并将其输入到输出的真空传送装置。 为了减少纸张松动，打印介质经受后期打印预定弯曲，同时其上的印刷染料被干燥。 在替代实施例中，在将印刷的打印介质喷射到设备输出之前，添加了后喷射弯曲加热步骤。

公开(公告)号：US4872026A

公开(公告)日：1989-10-03

申请号：US149454

申请日：1988-01-28

申请人： Steve O. Rasmussen ,  Larry A. Jackson ,  John D. Rhodes ,  David W. Pinkernell ,  J. Paul Harmon ,  Kevin L. Moon ,  William R. Huseby

发明人： Steve O. Rasmussen ,  Larry A. Jackson ,  John D. Rhodes ,  David W. Pinkernell ,  J. Paul Harmon ,  Kevin L. Moon ,  William R. Huseby

IPC分类号： B41J13/00 ,  B41J13/10 ,  B65H3/00 ,  B65H29/26

CPC分类号： B41J13/106 ,  B41J13/0045 ,  B65H29/26 ,  B65H3/00

摘要： A novel ink-jet printer (10) is provided. The print provides both paper supply tray (12) and paper collection tray (18) in the front (14) of the printer for ease of paper handling and reduced footprint. The paper collection tray is provided with a pair of opposed output rails (22) which support a sheet of paper (16c) during printing to permit ink on a sheet of paper (16b) previously printed to dry. A paper handling mechanism is provided which eliminates a sheet pickup motor and associated elements. The paper handling mechanism is configured to pick off a sheet of paper from a stack of input paper, bring it around paper drive rollers (24) onto a platen (26), where the printing operation, employing a printhead cartridge (32), occurs. The printer further includes a service station (230) for clearing clogged nozzles in the printhead (33) and removing bubbles therefrom, for covering the nozzles with a protective cap (266), and for wiping contaminants off the nozzles. Reference pads (200) are provided for aligning and securing the printing cartridge in a carriage (35). The carriage is associated with a carriage guide (27), to which the carriage and print medium are referenced. The resulting printer is easy to manufacture, has reduced complexity by eliminating components in the paper drive mechanism and is lower in cost.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种新颖的喷墨打印机（10）。 该打印机在打印机的前面（14）内提供供纸托盘（12）和纸张收集盘（18），以方便纸张处理和减少占地面积。 纸张收集盘设置有一对相对的输出轨道（22），其在打印期间支撑一张纸（16c），以允许预先打印干燥的纸张（16b）上的油墨。 提供了纸张处理机构，其消除了纸张拾取电动机和相关元件。 纸张处理机构被配置为从一叠输入纸张拾取一张纸，将纸张驱动辊（24）周围带到压板（26）上，其中使用打印头墨盒（32）的打印操作发生 。 打印机还包括用于清除打印头（33）中堵塞的喷嘴并从其中除去气泡的维修站（230），用于用保护盖（266）覆盖喷嘴，并且用于从喷嘴擦拭污染物。 提供参考焊盘（200）用于将打印盒对准和固定在托架（35）中。 托架与托架引导件（27）相关联，托架和打印介质被引用到托架引导件（27）上。 所得到的打印机易于制造，通过消除纸张驱动机构中的部件并降低了成本，降低了复杂性。

公开(公告)号：US06270074B1

公开(公告)日：2001-08-07

申请号：US09292767

申请日：1999-04-14

申请人： Steve O. Rasmussen ,  John D. Rhodes

发明人： Steve O. Rasmussen ,  John D. Rhodes

IPC分类号： B65H2968

CPC分类号： B65H5/222 ,  B41J11/0025 ,  B41J11/0085 ,  B41J11/06 ,  B41J13/226 ,  B65H2406/332 ,  B65H2406/351 ,  B65H2406/3632

摘要： A vacuum holddown for sheet materials has a surface having a field of vacuum ports in which each individual port is gated. When a vacuum is applied to the underside of the holddown, the gates close. When a sheet of material is introduced onto a region of the field, the gates only within vacuum manifold passageway covered by the material are configured to spring open, applying a suction force to the sheet via the now opened ports. The holddown thus automatically adjusts to material size. An implementation for use in an ink-jet printer with cut-sheet print media is demonstrated.

摘要翻译： 片状材料的真空压紧具有表面，其具有真空端口的场，其中每个单独的端口被门控。 当压力的下侧施加真空时，门关闭。 当一片材料被引入到场的区域上时，只有在被材料覆盖的真空歧管通道内的门被构造成弹簧打开，通过现在打开的端口向片材施加吸力。 因此，按钮会自动调整为材料尺寸。 展示了用于具有单张纸打印介质的喷墨打印机的实现。

公开(公告)号：US06357869B1

公开(公告)日：2002-03-19

申请号：US09667033

申请日：2000-09-21

申请人： Steve O. Rasmussen ,  John D. Rhodes

发明人： Steve O. Rasmussen ,  John D. Rhodes

IPC分类号： B41J201

CPC分类号： B65H5/222 ,  B41J11/0025 ,  B41J11/0085 ,  B41J11/06 ,  B41J13/226 ,  B65H2406/332 ,  B65H2406/351 ,  B65H2406/3632

摘要： A vacuum holddown for sheet materials has a surface having a field of vacuum ports in which each individual port is gated. When a vacuum is applied to the underside of the holddown, the gates close. When a sheet of material is introduced onto a region of the field, the gates only within vacuum manifold passageway covered by the material are configured to spring open, applying a suction force to the sheet via the now opened ports. The holddown thus automatically adjusts to material size. An implementation for use in an ink-jet printer with cut-sheet print media is demonstrated.

摘要翻译： 片状材料的真空压紧具有表面，其具有真空端口的场，其中每个单独的端口被门控。 当压力的下侧施加真空时，门关闭。 当一片材料被引入到场的区域上时，只有在被材料覆盖的真空歧管通道内的门被构造成弹簧打开，通过现在打开的端口向片材施加吸力。 因此，按钮会自动调整为材料尺寸。 展示了用于具有单张纸打印介质的喷墨打印机的实现。