In an embodiment, a processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to access a list of print jobs for printing. The processor further determines a healthy area of a transfer media. For each job in the list, the processor calculates an image risk area (IRA) based on the healthy area, and ranks each job in a print order according to its IRA.
G03G 15/16 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern
adding a second liquid carrier to the concentrated composition to form a final liquid electrostatic ink composition. Also disclosed herein is a liquid electrostatic ink composition producible according to the method.
Apparatus to apply a fluid to a substrate, the apparatus includes a first roller to rotate about an axis and apply a fluid to a first side of the substrate. The first roller includes an outlet to provide gas to the substrate to guide the movement of the substrate subsequent to the application of fluid to the substrate.
B41F 21/00 - Devices for conveying sheets through printing apparatus or machines
B41F 23/00 - Devices for treating the surfaces of sheets, webs or other articles in connection with printing
B41F 23/04 - Devices for treating the surfaces of sheets, webs or other articles in connection with printing by heat drying, by cooling, by applying powders
4.
Identification value of a rotatable element having a plurality of mirror facets
A method determines an identification value of a rotatable element having a plurality of mirror facets. The identification value is determined based on a facet scan duration obtained of the mirror facets or based on a prismatic error of the mirror facets.
G03G 15/04 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for exposing, i.e. imagewise exposure by optically projecting the original image on a photoconductive recording material
G02B 26/12 - Scanning systems using multifaceted mirrors
G04F 13/02 - Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by means not provided for in groups using optical means
G03G 15/043 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for exposing, i.e. imagewise exposure by optically projecting the original image on a photoconductive recording material with means for controlling illumination or exposure
An oil routing system has a first fluid transport device to transport clean oil from an oil recycling apparatus of an imaging system to a first storage tank, the oil having been recycled after use in the imaging system by the recycling apparatus, a second fluid transport device to transport clean oil to a second storage tank, and a third fluid transport device. The clean oil is to be stored in the first storage tank and second storage tank as clean oil, and the third fluid transport device to return clean oil from the first storage tank to the imaging system for reuse, wherein of the first and second storage tanks, the oil routing system routes clean oil to the imaging system for reuse only from the first storage tank.
In one implementation, an image forming apparatus may include a photoconductive unit and a refresh unit. The photoconductive unit may include a photoconductive layer. The photoconductive layer may have a first polarity during a print routine. The refresh unit may apply a voltage to the photoconductive layer to electrically bias the photoconductive layer to have a second polarity during a refresh routine.
G03G 21/00 - Arrangements not provided for by groups , e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
G03G 15/02 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for laying down a uniform charge, e.g. for sensitising; Corona discharge devices
A computer-implemented method of controlling the creation of a printed document includes the steps of: retrieving print information for generating a print job, said print information specifying characteristics of a document to be printed; retrieving at least one attribute of a print finishing device, said attribute defining a constraint imposed on the print job for printing said document, when the printed document is processed in said print finishing device; and generating a print job based on said print information and said constraint. In one example, retrieving said at least one attribute of a print finishing device includes establishing a communication link to said print finishing device and prompting the print finishing device to transmit the at least one attribute. Said communication link can be established and used on-line at the time of generating the print job or in advance.
According to an example, a printing system may include a web layout module to access a set of images and generate a web layout of the set of images, in which the web layout is arranged in columns of same sized images, each column being arranged in sorted order of image size. The module may further add at least one of advertising material, a coupon, and customer information on a space of a column on which images do not extend a width of the web layout. The printing system may also include a print engine to print the set of images and the at least one of the advertising material, coupon, and customer information on a web of substrate in the generated print layout.
In an embodiment, a processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to access a list of print jobs for printing. The processor further determines a healthy area of a transfer media. For each job in the list, the processor calculates an image risk area (IRA) based on the healthy area, and ranks each job in a print order according to its IRA.
G03G 15/16 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern
A colorless varnish for digital printing includes a colorless paste, which is made up of anon-polar carrier fluid and a resin swollen in the non-polar carrier fluid. The resin is present in the paste in an amount ranging from about 20% (w/w) to about 50% (w/w). A solid polar compound is dispersed in the resin. The solid polar compound is present in an amount up to 60 wt. % of solids in the colorless paste.
An ink transfer element for a printing apparatus, the ink transfer element comprising a surface for transferring ink applied thereto to at least one further ink transfer element, wherein the surface is configured to, when an ink comprising pigment particles and a liquid vehicle is applied to the surface, at least partly separate the liquid vehicle from the pigment particles, through the surface. The ink transfer element further relates to printing apparatus and a method of printing.
G03G 15/16 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern
Blanket replacement systems and methods useable with an image forming apparatus are provided herein. The blanket replacement system removes the blanket from the image transfer member and attaches the blanket to the image transfer member. The blanket replacement system includes a frame member, an engagement motor, and a rotation motor. The frame member holds a blanket having a lead edge portion on one edge and a trail edge portion on an opposing edge. The frame member further includes a lead edge clamp unit and a trail edge clamp unit that holds the lead edge and trail edge portions of the blanket and engages with an image transfer member. The engagement motor engages with the frame member and moves the frame member laterally in relation to the engagement motor. The rotation motor is connected to the engagement motor and rotates the engagement motor and the frame member.
G01G 15/00 - Arrangements for check-weighing of materials dispensed into removable containers
G03G 21/18 - Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge
G03G 15/16 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern
G03G 21/16 - Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
B23P 19/04 - Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes for assembling or disassembling parts
A colorless digital primer for digital printing includes a colorless paste. The colorless paste includes a non-polar carrier fluid, and a resin swollen in the non-polar carrier fluid. The resin is present in the paste in an amount ranging from about 20% (w/w) to about 50% (w/w). A solid polar compound is dispersed in the resin. The solid polar compound is selected from the group consisting of a cellulose microcrystalline powder, dextrin, maltose monohydrate, polyacrylic acid, polyvinyl alcohol, a styrene maleic anhydride copolymer, a bismaleimide oligomer, sucrose, sucrose octaacetate, sucrose benzoate, and combinations thereof. The solid polar compound is present in an amount up to 60 wt. % of solids in the colorless paste.
G03G 5/00 - Recording-members for original recording by exposure e.g. to light, to heat, to electrons; Manufacture thereof; Selection of materials therefor
G03G 5/14 - Inert intermediate or cover layers for charge- receiving layers
G03G 7/00 - Selection of materials for use in image-receiving members, i.e. for reversal by physical contact; Manufacture thereof
G03G 9/125 - Developers with toner particles in liquid developer mixtures characterised by the liquid
G03G 9/13 - Developers with toner particles in liquid developer mixtures characterised by polymer components
G03G 9/135 - Developers with toner particles in liquid developer mixtures characterised by stabiliser or charge-controlling agents
C09D 11/033 - Printing inks characterised by features other than the chemical nature of the binder characterised by the solvent
C09D 11/106 - Printing inks based on artificial resins containing macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
A printing apparatus comprising a plurality of base color ink containers, each for containing a different base color ink, and a custom color ink container for containing a custom color ink, the printing apparatus being configured to print any of the custom color ink and the different base color inks, from the custom color ink container and the plurality of base color ink containers, respectively, to a print medium. The printing apparatus is configured to mix a custom color ink for the custom color ink container using a combination of any of the base color inks.
In an example implementation, a method of iterative calibration includes, in a first iteration, measuring first values of a calibration parameter, and determining first corrections for the measured first values. The method includes, in a next iteration, measuring next values of the calibration parameter that incorporate the first corrections. The first corrections are omitted from the next iteration measurements to provide pseudo iteration measurements, and the first iteration measurements are averaged with the pseudo iteration measurements. Second corrections are then determined based on the averaging.
The invention relates to a method for adjusting a gap in a printing system in which a first roller and a second roller are provided, wherein at least one of said first roller and said second roller comprises a seam, said seam corresponding to a variation of the diameter of said first roller and said second roller, respectively, along a circumference thereof. An interaction zone is provided, wherein said second roller is in rolling contact with said first roller under pressure, said interaction zone defining a gap for inserting a media to be printed. A size of said gap is controlled by varying a relative position of said first roller and said second roller when said at least one seam passes through said interaction zone, and said gap is adjusted in accordance with a length of said media to be printed and/or in accordance with a length of an image to be printed.
G03G 15/16 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern
B41F 13/193 - Transfer cylinders; Offset cylinders
A press load balancer automatically balances the printing load over a number of presses by taking into account the load on each press and the substrates (i.e., paper types) and inks installed on the presses to improve throughput while minimizing load on the press operators.
In one example, a web press includes a web press station (610) and a convertible buffer (600) near the web press station, the convertible buffer being configured to convert to a platform (630) for accessing the web press station. A method for performing web press maintenance is also disclosed.
G03G 15/16 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern
G03G 15/01 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for producing multicoloured copies
G03G 15/10 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a liquid developer
Color image data is compressed by determining the number of colors within a cell of an input image, each cell comprising an N×M array of pixels; in response to determining that the number of colors is greater than a first predetermined threshold, compress the cell using lossy compression; and in response to determining that the number of colors is less than the first predetermined threshold, reduce the number of colors.
H04N 19/182 - Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding characterised by the coding unit, i.e. the structural portion or semantic portion of the video signal being the object or the subject of the adaptive coding the unit being a pixel
H04N 19/186 - Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding characterised by the coding unit, i.e. the structural portion or semantic portion of the video signal being the object or the subject of the adaptive coding the unit being a colour or a chrominance component
H04N 1/64 - Colour picture communication systems - Details therefor, e.g. coding or decoding means therefor
According to one example, there is provided a printing system. The printing system comprises a printhead receiver to receive a printhead, the printhead to eject printing fluid drops from an array of printhead nozzles to a first printing fluid receiving zone. The printing system further comprises an electrostatic imaging member to store a latent image comprising charged and non-charged portions representing an image to be printed. Part of the electrostatic imaging member is arranged in close proximity to the array of nozzles such that ejected printing fluid drops are electrostatically deflected by charged portions of the electrostatic imaging member to a second printing fluid receiving zone.
An ink transfer element for a printing apparatus, the ink transfer element comprising a surface for transferring ink applied thereto to at least one further ink transfer element, wherein the surface is configured to, when an ink comprising pigment particles and a liquid vehicle is applied to the surface, at least partly separate the liquid vehicle from the pigment particles, through the surface. The ink transfer element further relates to printing apparatus and a method of printing.
B41J 2/005 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
Coating apparatus including a spray to provide a coating, a controller to control the spray to vary a spraying width of the spray, and a first roller to receive the coating and to smear the coating on a substrate.
B05D 1/02 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials performed by spraying
B05C 1/04 - Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is applied to the surface of the work by contact with a member carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. a porous member loaded with a liquid to be applied as a coating for applying liquid or other fluent material to work of indefinite length
B41J 11/00 - Devices or arrangements for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
B05C 1/08 - Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is applied to the surface of the work by contact with a member carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. a porous member loaded with a liquid to be applied as a coating for applying liquid or other fluent material to work of indefinite length using a roller
B05D 1/28 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials performed by transfer from the surfaces of elements carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. brushes, pads, rollers
B05C 11/10 - Storage, supply or control of liquid or other fluent material; Recovery of excess liquid or other fluent material
B05B 12/02 - Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area for controlling time, or sequence, of delivery
B05B 1/30 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages
B05B 12/12 - Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area responsive to condition of liquid or other fluent material discharged, of ambient medium or of target responsive to conditions of ambient medium or target, e.g. humidity, temperature
B05B 15/04 - Control of spray area, e.g. masking, side shields; Means for collection or re-use of excess material (B05B 1/28 takes precedence)
B05B 15/08 - Means for adjusting position of spray heads
26.
Methods of printing and electrostatic ink compositions
Methods of Printing and Electrostatic Ink Compositions Herein are disclosed electrostatic ink compositions, methods of printing and printed substrates. In some examples, the electrostatic ink composition comprises a carrier liquid, particles comprising a graft co-polymer comprising an acrylate polymer backbone onto which has been grafted polysiloxane side chains, wherein the particles are dispersed in the carrier liquid.
B41J 2/06 - Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by electric or magnetic field
B41J 2/41 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective supply of electric current or selective application of magnetism to a printing or impression-transfer material for electrostatic printing
Media treatment apparatus to apply liquid treatment to media, the media treatment apparatus including a roller to receive liquid treatment and to transfer the liquid treatment, and a drop ejector to apply liquid treatment to the roller to transfer liquid treatment to an object.
B41J 2/15 - Arrangement thereof for serial printing
B41J 11/00 - Devices or arrangements for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
B41J 23/08 - Mechanical power drives with driven mechanism arranged to be clutched to continuously-operating power source by one-revolution or part-revolution clutches
Apparatus is described which, in use, applies a thin film of a wetting agent, such as water or a water-based solution, onto paper or other print medium before applying a liquid toner. The wetting agent is applied at a predetermined distance from an image transfer area. The wetting agent acts to promote adhesion of the liquid toner to the print medium. The adhesion of the liquid toner to the print medium is further improved by supplying the wetting agent at a temperature higher than room temperature.
The present disclosure relates to a docking station whereby an underwater robot can be maintained, repaired and managed all the time. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a docking station can be provided that may comprise: a receiving unit configured to receive an underwater robot therein and positioned under a surface of water; a maintenance unit provided on the receiving unit and positioned above the surface of the water; and a conveyor unit configured to convey the underwater robot from the receiving unit to the maintenance unit.
Providing for workflow and finishing solutions for printing are disclosed herein. By way of example, disclosed workflow provides grouping and managing a stream(s) of digital images across a substrate width, for maximizing print productivity and profitability. Digital images are re-sized according to print instructions and oriented into a print stream. Multiple print streams can be organized onto the substrate width, to improve substrate packing. Moreover, disclosed finishing solutions provide for outputting streams of prints according to an output format, in conjunction with rendering the digital images in physical form.
The present disclosure relates to a method for concentrating a substance, which may be an electrostatic printing ink. An apparatus for concentrating a substance is also described.
According to an example, a liquid electrophotography printing (LEP) apparatus includes a fluid chamber to store fluid to be used to form an image and a filtration assembly to filter the fluid of the fluid chamber. The filtration assembly may store a filtration material to filter the fluid received from the fluid chamber and may provide the filtered fluid to the fluid chamber. The LEP apparatus may also include a detector assembly to detect a fluid parameter of the filtered fluid in the fluid chamber and a filtration adder unit to add a predetermined amount of the filtration material to the filtration assembly in response to a detection of the fluid parameter by the detector assembly.
There is disclosed an apparatus which may comprise a transfer member and a photoconductor. The apparatus may be operable to apply a potential difference between the transfer member and the photoconductor and the photoconductor may be operable to transfer a layer of electrostatic printing material from the photoconductor to the transfer member at a transfer region under the action of the applied potential difference. According to the present disclosure, the apparatus may further comprise a humidity raising device which may be operable to raise the relative humidity of the transfer region above an ambient level. A printer and a method of facilitating transfer of electrostatic printing material are also disclosed.
G03G 15/16 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern
G06F 17/30 - Information retrieval; Database structures therefor
The present disclosure relates to a method for coating conductive metallic pigment particles, the method comprising: providing a first liquid carrier containing a dissolved resin and suspended conductive metallic pigment particles; effecting precipitation of the resin from the first liquid, such that a coating of the resin is formed on the conductive metallic pigment particles. Also disclosed herein are conductive metallic pigment particles, and an electrostatic ink composition comprising coated conductive metallic pigment particles.
H01B 1/02 - Conductors or conductive bodies characterised by the conductive materials; Selection of materials as conductors mainly consisting of metals or alloys
An embossing apparatus comprises an embossing die comprising a printed relief pattern, and a resilient surface for pressing media against the embossing die to emboss features corresponding to the printed relief pattern on the media, in which the printed relief pattern comprises a number of layers of a deposited material, and in which a number of layers of the deposited material closest to the top of the printed relief pattern comprises a deposited material with a relatively lower coefficient of adhesion than layers of the deposited material disposed under the deposited material closest to the top of the printed relief pattern. A printed relief pattern for embossing media comprises a number of preliminary layers, the preliminary layers comprising a first material, and a number of terminal layers, the terminal layers comprising a second material, in which the second material has a lower adhesive coefficient than the first material.
B41J 3/38 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for embossing, e.g. for making matrices for stereotypes
B41F 19/02 - Apparatus or machines for carrying out printing operations combined with other operations with embossing
B41F 19/06 - Printing and embossing between a negative and a positive forme after inking and wiping the negative forme; Printing from an ink band treated with colour or "gold"
36.
Initiating alignment correction of printed media sheets
Sheet length data is received for printed media sheets passed through a printing device. A length difference between the printed media sheets is calculated, and in response to the length difference exceeding a specified threshold, an alignment correction in a finishing device is initiated to align the printed media sheets.
B65H 7/06 - Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors responsive to presence of faulty articles or incorrect separation or feed
B65H 9/20 - Assisting by photoelectric, sonic, or pneumatic indicators
B65H 9/00 - Registering, e.g. orientating, articles; Devices therefor
According to one example, there is provided a method of generating a security feature that encodes data. The method comprises obtaining an n-bit code of data to encode, generating an arrangement of dots, designating a first portion of the dots as reference dots and a second portion of the dots as encoding dots, and moving a group of the designated encoding dots by a predetermined direction in a predetermined amount to encode the n-bit code of data.
G06K 7/14 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
G06K 1/12 - Methods or arrangements for marking the record carrier in digital fashion otherwise than by punching
(d) transferring the image from the photoimaging plate to a print medium.
Also disclosed here is an apparatus for carrying out the method, and a print medium printed using the method.
A cast device useable with an image forming apparatus is provided. The cast device includes at least one tube and a cast body. The cast body includes the at least one tube implanted into the cast body using a combined casting process.
G03G 15/14 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base
G03G 15/16 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern
G03G 15/20 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for fixing, e.g. by using heat
Apparatus to apply a coating to media. The apparatus includes a first roller for receiving a continuous belt. The continuous belt is for receiving a coating from a second roller and for transferring the coating to media. The first roller is arranged to provide an adjustable width of the continuous belt to the second roller. The width of the continuous belt provided to the second roller is adjustable to substantially correspond to the width of the media.
B05D 1/28 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials performed by transfer from the surfaces of elements carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. brushes, pads, rollers
B05C 1/00 - Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is applied to the surface of the work by contact with a member carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. a porous member loaded with a liquid to be applied as a coating
B05C 9/10 - Apparatus or plant for applying liquid or other fluent material to surfaces by means not covered by groups , or in which the means of applying the liquid or other fluent material is not important for applying liquid or other fluent material and performing an auxiliary operation the auxiliary operation being performed before the application
B41F 19/00 - Apparatus or machines for carrying out printing operations combined with other operations
B41J 11/00 - Devices or arrangements for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
G03G 15/16 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern
B05C 1/02 - Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is applied to the surface of the work by contact with a member carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. a porous member loaded with a liquid to be applied as a coating for applying liquid or other fluent material to separate articles
B05D 5/04 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain a surface receptive to ink or other liquid
B41M 5/00 - Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
B41M 7/00 - After-treatment of printed works, e.g. heating, irradiating
41.
Calculating the optical density of a fluid traveling through a gap
A method and apparatus to calculate the optical density of a fluid (110) traveling through a narrow gap (30) with a set width. Typically, a densitometer employs a light source (10) that is configured to transmit light across the gap and a detector, opposite the light source (10), configured to detect light transmitted from the light source, across the gap, for calculating the optical density of the fluid. The apparatus and method further include a transparent element (120), the transparent element part of a set of replaceable transparent elements, each replaceable transparent element having a particular width, the width less than the width of the gap. Typically, the transparent element is moved into the gap between the light source and the detector to narrow the effective sampling width of the gap for calculating the optical density of the fluid. In some examples, the transparent element is further configured to rotate in the gap to enhance the flow of the fluid through the gap.
G03G 15/14 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base
B05D 7/00 - Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials
G03G 15/16 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern
The present invention relates to a liquid electrophotographic ink comprising a carrier liquid, a pigmented resin composite dispersed in the carrier liquid, and about 0.15 to about 10% (w/w) of an organic wax. The liquid electrophotographic ink is typically formulated for printing in a liquid electrophotographic printer.
In an embodiment, a processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to receive sheet length data for two paper sheets of a same standard dimension passing consecutively through a printing device. The processor calculates a length difference between the two paper sheets, and when the length difference exceeds a two-sheet threshold, it initiates an alignment correction cycle in a paper finishing device.
B65H 7/14 - Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors by photoelectric feelers or detectors
Described herein is a method for electrostatic printing including: (i) providing an ink composition having: a hydrocarbon carrier liquid and particles includes a resin and a colorant, and wherein the ink composition contains less than 0.3 mg of charge director per g of solids in the ink composition; (ii) adding a charge director to the ink composition, such that the total amount of charge director in the ink composition is at least 0.6 mg per g of solids in the ink composition, and, (iii) within a predetermined time of adding the charge director, printing the ink onto a print medium in an electrostatic printing process, wherein the predetermined time is 90 minutes or less.
B41J 2/41 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective supply of electric current or selective application of magnetism to a printing or impression-transfer material for electrostatic printing
G03G 9/135 - Developers with toner particles in liquid developer mixtures characterised by stabiliser or charge-controlling agents
G03G 9/13 - Developers with toner particles in liquid developer mixtures characterised by polymer components
C09D 11/033 - Printing inks characterised by features other than the chemical nature of the binder characterised by the solvent
C09D 11/037 - Printing inks characterised by features other than the chemical nature of the binder characterised by the pigment
B65B 3/00 - Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans or jars
B65D 85/00 - Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductive member to move in a rotational direction, a charging unit to charge the photoconductive member, a discharging unit to discharge a portion of the photoconductive member to form a latent image thereon, and a plurality of ink applicator units to sequentially apply a plurality of ink layers, respectively, toward the latent image to form an ink image. The image forming apparatus may also include an image transfer blanket to receive the ink image including the plurality of ink layers from the photoconductive member.
G03G 15/01 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for producing multicoloured copies
G03G 15/10 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a liquid developer
G03G 15/16 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern
A method of preparing the surface of a roller comprising adding a coating comprising isocyanate to a ground surface of the roller. A roller comprising a ground surface, the ground surface having unreacted hydroxyl (—OH) groups on the surface of the roller and a layer of isocyanate layered over the unreacted hydroxyl (—OH) groups on the surface of the roller, the isocyanate forming a urethane bond on the surface of the roller.
B05D 3/02 - Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by baking
G03G 15/08 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
B05C 1/08 - Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is applied to the surface of the work by contact with a member carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. a porous member loaded with a liquid to be applied as a coating for applying liquid or other fluent material to work of indefinite length using a roller
G03G 15/10 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a liquid developer
Image forming apparatus and methods are disclosed which include an intermediate transfer member to transfer images to media, an impression roller including a gripping device to receive the media, and a determination module to determine the length of the media held by the at least one gripper unit based on respective detections by first and second set of sensors.
An embossing die is created by printing multiple ink layers (530, 540) in superposition thereby to build up a printed relief pattern (510) in accordance with received design data specifying a design to be embossed. The design data is modified after receipt to introduce into the printed relief pattern to be built, one or more channels (610) which extend depth-wise through multiple ink layers of the printed relief pattern (510) and serve to fully or partially segment the printed relief pattern.
An impression medium usable with an impression member of a printing system is disclosed. The impression medium includes a top layer and a backing layer disposed between the top layer and the impression member.
B41F 23/00 - Devices for treating the surfaces of sheets, webs or other articles in connection with printing
G03G 15/16 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern
B41N 10/00 - Blankets or like coverings; Coverings for wipers for intaglio printing
52.
Method and apparatus for concentrating an ink for an electrostatic printing process
(d) removing the concentrated ink from the conveyor and transferring it to a storage vessel. An apparatus for carrying out this method is also disclosed.
G03G 5/10 - Bases for charge-receiving or other layers
G03G 13/05 - Imagewise charging, i.e. laying-down a charge in the configuration of an original image using a modulated stream of charged particles, e.g. of corona ions, modulated by a photoconductive control screen bearing a charge pattern or by optically activat
Blanket replacement systems and methods useable with an image forming apparatus are provided herein. The blanket replacement system removes the blanket from the image transfer member and attaches the blanket to the image transfer member. The blanket replacement system includes a frame member, an engagement motor, and a rotation motor. The frame member holds a blanket having a lead edge portion on one edge and a trail edge portion on an opposing edge. The frame member further includes a lead edge clamp unit and a trail edge clamp unit that holds the lead edge and trail edge portions of the blanket and engages with an image transfer member. The engagement motor engages with the frame member and moves the frame member laterally in relation to the engagement motor. The rotation motor is connected to the engagement motor and rotates the engagement motor and the frame member.
G03G 15/00 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
B23P 19/04 - Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes for assembling or disassembling parts
G03G 15/16 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern
G03G 21/16 - Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
Apparatus for embossing media, the apparatus including cutter apparatus to cut a shape in a surface layer of a multi-layer substrate to form a die. The apparatus also includes an embosser to emboss the media using the die. The cutter apparatus is arranged to provide the die to the embosser.
Image forming apparatus and methods are disclosed which include identifying a first ink density of ink in an ink tank by a density sensor unit disposed in the ink tank. The image forming apparatus and methods also include identifying an ink weight of ink in an intermediate reservoir by a weight sensor unit. The image forming apparatus and methods also include determining a second ink density of the ink in the intermediate reservoir based at least on the identified first ink density by the density sensor unit and the identified ink weight of the ink in the intermediate reservoir by the weight sensor unit.
Disclosed is an electrostatic ink composition, comprising a single charge director and a charge control agent that counters the build up of negative optical density memory on the intermediate transfer member of a printing apparatus using the electrostatic ink.
A method of maintaining a photoconductive member of a liquid electrophotography printing apparatus (LEP) is disclosed. The method includes storing a fluid having at least fluid particles and a carrier liquid in a fluid chamber and removing at least a portion of the fluid particles and the dissolved materials from the fluid through adsorption by filtration material disposed within a filtration assembly to form a filtered fluid. The method also includes maintaining the photoconductive member by periodically applying the filtered fluid to the photoconductive member and removing the filtered fluid and fluid residue therefrom.
An embossing apparatus includes an embossing die that includes a printed relief pattern made up of multiple layers of a deposited material. A resilient surface presses media against the embossing die such that embossed features corresponding to the embossing die are formed in the media. A method for embossing media includes forming an embossing die by depositing multiple layers of ink on a impression layer to form a relief pattern and pressing media against the embossing die to transfer the relief image to the media.
B41F 19/02 - Apparatus or machines for carrying out printing operations combined with other operations with embossing
B41J 3/38 - Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for embossing, e.g. for making matrices for stereotypes
B41F 19/06 - Printing and embossing between a negative and a positive forme after inking and wiping the negative forme; Printing from an ink band treated with colour or "gold"
G03G 15/22 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern involving the combination of more than one step according to groups
G03G 15/00 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
B44B 5/00 - Machines or apparatus for embossing decorations or marks, e.g. embossing coins
There is disclosed a computer program product for carrying out a method of calibrating a thickness of an embossing die, the embossing die being formed from a plurality of ink layers printed by an apparatus. According to the method, an average thickness of an ink layer printed by the apparatus may be calculated, and a target die thickness may be calculated as a function of the average ink layer thickness. A system for implementing a method of calibrating a thickness of an embossing die and a method of measuring a thickness of an embossing die are also disclosed.
In one example, a climate control system for a printer includes: an air flow path from an intake for receiving warmer, dirtier aft from a printing area of the printer to an exhaust for returning cooler, cleaner air to the printing area of the printer; a first heat exchanger in the flow path for exchanging heat between warmer air coming from the intake and cooler air going to the exhaust; and a second heat exchanger in the flow path for receiving warmer, dirtier air from the first heat exchanger and passing cooler, cleaner air to the first heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger is configured to cool the air to a predetermined dew point temperature corresponding to a desired level of a contaminant in the air.
Color image data is compressed by determining the number of colors within a cell of an input image, each cell comprising an N×M array of pixels; in response to determining that the number of colors is greater than a first predetermined threshold, compress the cell using lossy compression; and in response to determining that the number of colors is less than the first predetermined threshold, reduce the number of colors.
(c) a charge director. Also described herein are a method of producing a liquid toner composition and a method of electrophotographic printing using a liquid toner composition.
C09D 11/107 - Printing inks based on artificial resins containing macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds from unsaturated acids or derivatives thereof
Apparatus for draining liquid droplets from a surface is described. The apparatus comprises an array of oleophilic channels substantially interspersed with oleophobic material, wherein a width of an oleophilic channel is arranged to move liquid associated with said droplets along the oleophilic channel by capillary action and wherein a distance between two successive oleophilic channels is less than a critical droplet diameter, the critical droplet diameter corresponding to a droplet that will separate from the surface. The oleophilic channels act to preferentially attract condensed oil and the oleophobic material acts to repel condensed oil such that formation of droplets is restricted by the oleophilic channel. By selecting an appropriate channel width, the size of droplets is prevented from exceeding a critical size, at which the droplets can no longer be held by surface tension to the condensing surface and drip away from the condensing surface.
Coating apparatus including a spray to provide a coating, a controller to control the spray to vary a spraying width of the spray, and a first roller to receive the coating and to smear the coating on a substrate.
B05C 1/00 - Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is applied to the surface of the work by contact with a member carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. a porous member loaded with a liquid to be applied as a coating
B05C 1/08 - Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is applied to the surface of the work by contact with a member carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. a porous member loaded with a liquid to be applied as a coating for applying liquid or other fluent material to work of indefinite length using a roller
B05C 1/04 - Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is applied to the surface of the work by contact with a member carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. a porous member loaded with a liquid to be applied as a coating for applying liquid or other fluent material to work of indefinite length
B41J 11/00 - Devices or arrangements for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
B05C 11/10 - Storage, supply or control of liquid or other fluent material; Recovery of excess liquid or other fluent material
B05D 1/28 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials performed by transfer from the surfaces of elements carrying the liquid or other fluent material, e.g. brushes, pads, rollers
B05D 1/02 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials performed by spraying
A hybrid photodetector employing both transmissive and reflective detection techniques for detecting objects having differing light transmission and reflection properties are in conveyance.
G01V 8/00 - Prospecting or detecting by optical means
G01D 5/34 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using optical means, i.e. using infrared, visible or ultraviolet light with attenuation or whole or partial obturation of beams of light the beams of light being detected by photocells
G01V 8/14 - Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers using one transmitter and one receiver using reflectors
66.
Densitometer for measuring an optical characteristic of a fluid
A device and method for measuring an optical characteristic of a fluid. The device, typically a densitometer includes a set of optical elements that include a light source, a collimating lens, a focusing lens, and a receiver, wherein a gap exists between the collimating lens and the focusing lens so as to allow the fluid to pass in between the lenses, and wherein at least one of the optical elements is tilted with respect to an optical axis.
A device, system and method to measure an optical characteristic of a fluid, the device including a plurality of components consecutively arranged and coupled together via quasi kinematic or kinematic coupling. The consecutively arranged components define a void within the device. The void encloses a measuring set-up for measuring at least one optical characteristic of a fluid passing through a gap. The gap is located at an intersection between an optical path of the measuring set-up and a flow path of the fluid.
A cam follower is affixed to a rotary component that is in mechanical communication with a rotary source such that the cam follower travels along a path when the first rotary source is operating. The cam follower is in mechanical communication with a mechanical component such that, when the cam follower is engaged with a retract dwell section of either of a dynamic cam or a static cam, the mechanical component is retracted. The static cam may be positioned to allow the mechanical component to retract for a predetermined portion of the path.
B41F 21/10 - Combinations of transfer drums and grippers
B65H 5/12 - Revolving grippers, e.g. mounted on arms, frames, or cylinders
B65H 29/06 - Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by mechanical grippers engaging the leading edge only of the articles the grippers being carried by rotating members
A printer applies an imaging material to form an image, withdraws vapors from the applied imaging material and treats the withdrawn vapors with a vapor treatment system. The printer heats untreated withdrawn vapors with heat from the vapor treatment system.
Detecting an issue in a digital printer that has an optical element positioned to direct a laser beam towards a photoconductor surface may include sending optical element position commands to move the optical element to compensate for inconsistent movements of a photoconductor drum and creating a record of the optical element position commands.
In at least some examples, a system comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores an image defect visibility predictor that, when executed by the processor, compares an original image with a defect image and outputs a predicted defect visibility image (PDVI) that accounts for defect masking by the original image.
A drive assembly has a moveable drive head, which is able to engage a plunger in a cartridge containing a liquid. The cartridge has a plunger moveable by the drive head to extract the liquid from the cartridge.
An ink cartridge has a container to contain ink and a valve member. The container has an outlet to output ink contained in the container. The valve member is moveable transverse to the outlet to open and close the outlet and carries a seal to seal the outlet when closed by the valve member.
A method includes controlling a charge level of fluid in a fluid chamber by detecting at least one fluid parameter corresponding to a charge level of a fluid in a fluid chamber having at least charge directors and carrier liquid, and controlling the charge level of the fluid based on the detected fluid parameter.
A method includes obtaining an image of a document against a background. A bounding box that bounds a region of the image that is distinguishable from the background is found. Coordinates of a plurality of points of the distinguishable region are found, each point being a point of the distinguishable region that is closest to each corner of the bounding box. The document is identified within the image as a region of the image whose corners are defined by the found coordinates.
An image forming system includes a segregation tank to store a first imaging oil having a first percent purity, a reservoir to store a second imaging oil having a second percent purity, a slope identification module to identify a first slope value, and a slope comparison module to determine whether the first slope value is at least one of equal to, greater than, and less than a threshold slope value within a threshold slope range. The image forming system also includes a ratio adjustment module to obtain a variable ratio value corresponding to a ratio of a first amount of the first imaging oil to a second amount of the second imaging oil based on a determination by the slope comparison module.
A method for performing auto-cleaning in a printer, which is designed for printing on a substrate, may include periodically printing an auto-cleaner print on the substrate in a predetermined frequency. The method may also include scanning the auto-cleaner print to obtain scanned image data of the auto-cleaner print. The method may further include analyzing the scanned image data to determine extent of presence of artifacts indicative of dirt or ink residue. The method may also include based on the extent of presence of the artifacts modifying the frequency.
Image forming apparatus and methods are disclosed which include an intermediate transfer member to transfer images to media, an impression roller including a gripping device to receive the media, and a determination module to determine the length of the media held by the at least one gripper unit based on respective detections by first and second set of sensors.
An ink tank apparatus usable with an image forming apparatus and methods of mixing ink in an ink tank apparatus are disclosed. The ink tank apparatus and methods include directing ink particles against at least one of an impeller and an interior surface of a head housing to reduce a particle size of the respective ink particles.
In one example, a sheet handling device includes: a first mechanism configured to receive a flexible sheet moving in a first direction in a first orientation and turn the sheet to a second direction; a second mechanism configured to receive the sheet moving in the second direction, turn the sheet to a third direction and simultaneously reorient the sheet to a second orientation; and a third mechanism configured to receive the reoriented sheet moving in the third direction and turn the sheet to a fourth direction. The second mechanism may include, for example, a trio of elongated rollers and an endless loop belt wrapping the trio of rollers to form a nip between the belt and one of the rollers for receiving a first leading edge of the sheet in the second direction and expelling a second leading edge of the sheet in the third direction.
At least a portion of an intermediate transfer member includes a release layer facing outwardly from and supported by a supportive portion. The release layer includes an inner layer and an outer layer over and in contact with the inner layer, The inner layer has a thickness of between about 1 μm and about 8 μm and a bulk swelling of between 120% and 350%. The outer layer has a thickness of less than about 5 μm and a bulk swelling of less than 120%.
An ink contains dispersed particles, individually including at least one thermoplastic first resin exhibiting a MFI less than or equal to 100, at least one thermoplastic second resin exhibiting a MFI greater than 100, and a white pigment. A liquid toner producing method includes forming a paste containing the resins, combining the paste with a white pigment, and after combining the paste and pigment, applying a shear force, encapsulating the pigment, and dispersing the encapsulated pigment. A digital printing method includes providing a liquid marking agent containing charged particles dispersed in a carrier liquid, individual particles including at least one thermoplastic first resin and at least one thermoplastic second resin encapsulating a white pigment, and printing a hard image on a substrate. At least a portion of the image has a white color.
A marking agent concentration method includes concentrating the marking agent by removing at least some liquid carrier between particles without substantially removing retained liquid carrier within the particles and without substantially modifying the particle structure, which is supported by the retained liquid carrier. The concentrated marking agent is supplied to distributors or end users of liquid marking agent. A concentrated marking agent includes solid clumps of agglomerated particles and a liquid carrier retained within the particles' individual structure. The clumps exhibit a median size greater than 90 μm. The concentrated marking agent exhibiting a solids content of from 40 wt % to less than 90 wt %. A hard imaging method includes combining a concentrated marking agent with additional liquid carrier, applying a shear force, dispersing particles from clumps, forming a liquid marking agent, and forming a hard image using the liquid marking agent.
Electrophotographic print system, comprising a photosensitive medium, and a laser array being provided with a plurality of laser diodes arranged to emit light onto the photosensitive medium for varying an electrical potential on a surface of the photosensitive medium, and a plurality of heat dissipation diodes, each heat dissipation diode being arranged in proximity to a corresponding laser diode, wherein each laser diode and the corresponding heat dissipation diode are coupled to a common drive circuit and are arranged in opposite current flow directions with respect to each other, so that in use the current flows either through the laser diode or through the heat dissipation diode depending on the current flow direction in the drive circuit.
B41J 2/385 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective supply of electric current or selective application of magnetism to a printing or impression-transfer material
B41J 2/435 - Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of radiation to a printing material or impression-transfer material
G01D 15/06 - Electric recording elements, e.g. electrolytic
G03G 15/01 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for producing multicoloured copies
85.
Systems and methods of printing to a web substrate
A printing device (100,101) has a first print engine (103, 303, 603, 703), a second print engine (105, 305, 605, 705), and a buffer device (107, 307, 609, 709, 711) disposed between the first (103, 303, 603, 703) and second print engines (105, 305, 605, 705). The buffer (107, 307, 609, 709, 711) is configured to store a variable amount of web substrate (106, 301, 713) received from the first print engine (103, 303, 603, 703) and feed the substrate (106, 301, 713) to the second print engine (105, 305, 605, 705).
A method for compressing a digital image to be printed, the image consisting of pixels. It is determined, for blocks of pixels, whether a block contains a graphical structure that is to be maintained without loss because it is of a type that can be accurately perceived by a human observer. The block is encoded losslessly into a less voluminous format, if such a graphical structure has been found. Otherwise, the block is compressed lossily, if no such graphical structure has been found.
A system and method to compensate for ghost appearances on a print due to a previous job, the method comprising defining areas in which ghosting is expected or detected and recording the image on a photoreceptor by selectively changing the parameters of the system as a function of position, to compensate for the effects of ghosting in ex-image and ex-nonimage areas.
G06F 15/00 - Digital computers in general; Data processing equipment in general
G03G 15/041 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for exposing, i.e. imagewise exposure by optically projecting the original image on a photoconductive recording material with variable magnification
G03G 15/10 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a liquid developer
G03G 15/00 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
H04N 1/407 - Control or modification of tonal gradation or of extreme levels, e.g. background level
88.
Image transfer system and liquid toner for use therewith
A printing method comprising: forming a first image utilizing a liquid toner comprising carrier liquid and pigmented polymer particles having a first color; transferring the first image to an intermediate transfer member; forming at least one additional image utilizing a liquid toner comprising at least one carrier liquid and pigmented polymer particles having a second color, different from the first color; transferring the at least one additional image to the intermediate transfer member overlaid on the first image, to form a composite image on the intermediate transfer member; and further transferring the composite image to a further substrate, wherein said polymer particles in said first liquid toner and in at least one of said additional liquid toners have different compositions, aside from colorants, the differences in composition including at least one of different polymers or blends of polymers, different amounts or types of placticizers, different amounts of solvated liquid and different compositions of solvated liquid.
An electrophotographic printing control apparatus serves for transferring an image via an electrically biasable ITM drum to a conductive substrate. The electrically biasable ITM drum is in contact with the conductive substrate over a contact period during which the image is transferred to the conductive substrate. The printing control apparatus includes a bias unit which provides electrical bias to the ITM drum and with short circuit protection, and a bias switching unit controllable to cut bias from the bias unit to the ITM drum during the contact period such that the ITM drum is unbiased when in contact with the conductive substrate.
G03G 15/16 - Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for transferring a pattern to a second base of a toner pattern, e.g. a powder pattern
Apparatus for rotating a sheet moving in a first direction, the rotator comprising:
at least one first roller that rotates against a sheet first side, the at least one first roller having a first drive;
at least one second roller that rotates against the sheet first side, the at least one second roller having a second drive that is capable of rotating the second roller independently of the first roller, the second roller being spaced a distance from the at least one first roller in a direction perpendicular to the first direction; and
a controller that controls the first and second drives to rotate the sheet around an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the sheet.
B65H 7/02 - Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors
A method of pixelized image formation on a photosensitive surface, comprising: providing relative motion of the photosensitive surface relative to a multiplicity of light sources, such that pixels on the surface pass a plurality of said light sources; and exposing a plurality of the pixels of the surface to one or more, but fewer than the plurality, of said light sources, such that the exposure of the exposed pixels is the same.
patents
