IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
UP-0894566
(2007-08-21)
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등록번호 |
US-7520602
(2009-07-01)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- L & P Property Management Company
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대리인 / 주소 |
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
1 인용 특허 :
78 |
초록
▼
Printhead-to-panel spacing is controllable to maintain a predetermined constant distance from the printing element to the surface of the panel where the ink is to be applied. Each of a plurality of printheads may be independently moveable to control the spacing of the printheads from the substrate s
Printhead-to-panel spacing is controllable to maintain a predetermined constant distance from the printing element to the surface of the panel where the ink is to be applied. Each of a plurality of printheads may be independently moveable to control the spacing of the printheads from the substrate surface. Sensors on the printhead carriage measure the shape, or vertical position of, the printhead's distance from the printhead carriage to the surface of the substrate being printed. The position or focal length of the UV light curing head may be varied to maintain focus of the UV light on the ink on a contoured surface of the substrate. UV curing heads may be located on the printhead carriage, one on each side of the printheads, and activated alternately as the carriage reciprocates, to spot cure and freeze the dots of ink immediately after being deposited on the substrate. Cold UV sources may be used to prevent heat deformation of flat or contoured substrates during printing, thereby making spot curing on heat-sensitive substrates such as foamboard possible.
대표청구항
▼
The invention claimed is: 1. An ink jet printer for printing on a deformable substrate, the printer comprising: a vacuum table having a support surface that is configured to support the deformable substrate; a printhead carriage positioned above the vacuum table and movable within a plane substanti
The invention claimed is: 1. An ink jet printer for printing on a deformable substrate, the printer comprising: a vacuum table having a support surface that is configured to support the deformable substrate; a printhead carriage positioned above the vacuum table and movable within a plane substantially parallel to the support surface; a printhead coupled to and movable with the printhead carriage and configured to jet ink onto the deformable substrate; a cold UV, bulb lamp on the printhead carriage and configured to direct UV energy onto the deformable substrate so as to freeze and substantially cure jetted ink under the printhead carriage and filter heat away from the substrate under the printhead so as to help maintain a distance between the substrate and the printhead within a predetermined range, the cold UV, bulb lamp including, a reflector with a surface configured to reflect UV light from the cold UV, bulb lamp onto the deformable substrate; and a cooling system configured to take heat away from the printer. 2. An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflector includes a mirror. 3. An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cold UV, bulb lamp includes fluid channels. 4. An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cooling system includes a heat exchanger. 5. An ink jet printer comprising: a vacuum table configured to support and hold a substrate in a position; a printhead positioned above the vacuum table such that there is a predetermined distance between the printhead and the substrate when the substrate is positioned on the vacuum table, the printhead movable with respect to the vacuum table, the printhead having a plurality of ink jets configured to dispense ink; and a cold UV, bulb lamp positioned adjacent the printhead, wherein the cold UV, bulb lamp is configured to emit sufficient UV energy to substantially cure the ink dispensed onto the substrate and filter heat emitted by the cold UV, bulb lamp to assist in maintaining the distance between the substrate and the printhead; the cold UV, bulb lamp including a reflector having a surface configured to direct UV light onto the substrate from behind the bulb of the cold UV, bulb lamp; and a cooling system configured to remove heat generated by the cold UV, bulb lamp. 6. An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a carriage positioned above the vacuum table, and wherein the printhead and the cold UV, bulb lamp are mounted to the carriage. 7. An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 5, wherein the reflector includes a mirror. 8. An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cold UV, bulb lamp includes fluid channels. 9. An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cooling system includes a heat exchanger. 10. A method of ink jet printing on a deformable substrate, the method comprising: positioning a deformable substrate on a vacuum table; applying a vacuum to hold the deformable substrate against the vacuum table; mounting a cold UV, bulb lamp on a carriage; mounting a printhead on the carriage adjacent to the cold UV, bulb lamp positioning the carriage a predetermined distance above the substrate; configuring a reflector to reflect UV radiation from the cold UV, bulb lamp toward the substrate and to permit the passage of heat through the reflector; removing heat passed through the reflector from the printer; and substantially curing ink deposited on the substrate in two or less passes of the printhead over the substrate. 11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein removing heat passed through the reflector from the printer includes: configuring the cold UV, bulb lamp with one of more fluid carrying channels; and passing a fluid through the channels. 12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein removing heat passed through the reflector from the printer includes directing the fluid to a heat exchanger. 13. An ink jet printer comprising: a vacuum table configured to support and hold a substrate in a position; a carriage positioned above the vacuum table and movable with respect thereto; a printhead positioned on the carriage such that there is a predetermined distance between the printhead and the substrate when the substrate is positioned on the vacuum table, the printhead movable with the carriage, the printhead having a plurality of ink jets configured to dispense ink; and a cold UV, bulb lamp positioned adjacent the printhead on the carriage, wherein the cold UV, bulb lamp is configured to emit UV energy to substantially cure the ink dispensed onto the substrate in two or less passes and filter heat emitted by the cold UV, bulb lamp to assist in maintaining the predetermined distance between the substrate and the printhead within a predetermined range; and a cooling system configured to remove heat generated by the cold UV, bulb lamp from the printer.
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