Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

The method and apparatus of the present invention increases the precision for controlling diverse printing substrates during printing operation while ink is emitted from an ink jet print head to form patterns upon the printing media substrate. The present invention addresses several long-standing obstacles to high quality printed output upon many nontraditional print media, including media handling for nonbacked, unsupported, fibrous print media. The print media traverses the engine in a complex pathway in the preferred embodiment; including, continually advancing from a powered media supply roll through a cross-web tensioning area, an idler pulley, then over a full-web media advance grit roller, through a unique 'open web' printing zone--where the media is briefly suspended during application of ink, over an idler pulley, through a forced heating zone (preferably dual-sided), and then over another idler pulley, and finally onto a take-up spool which is biased against the force created by the powered media supply spool. The engine of the present invention utilizes this open-web printing zone, dual forced air heating of both sides of freshly printed media, and a continuously biased tension in the axial web directions and cross-web directions for maximum effect on fibrous media in particular, although the system lends itself to use in ink jet graphics arts applications. The media is preferably loaded in a center-justified orientation and the engine is tolerant of traditionally produced textile media rolls, cores, and fabric varieties. A removeable pad may optionally be disposed on top of a platen frame member and under the print media pathway so that any ink that penetrates a porous media in the open web print zone impinges upon the pad where it can be collected and disposed of properly. If placed proximate to the printing media pathway, the removeable pad furthermore reduces the amplitude of any media wrinkles and thereby reduces drop placement errors which might cause visual artifacts.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim