Abstract: A printer using ink jet printing technology to print one or more colors on a sheet for use in a box is described. The printer has a feeder, a transport mechanism for moving the sheet the print head, and a stacker to receive the printed sheet. Differential air pressure is applied by a suction box disposed in proximity to a conveyer belt for transporting the sheet. The suction box may sized so that the sheet may be oriented with a long dimension in the direction of feeding. Where multiple print heads are used, the print heads overlap in the direction transverse to the motion of the sheet so that an image larger than a print head may be produced. Two printing mechanisms disposed opposite each other may be used to print two sides of a sheet.

Abstract: A system and method of selling free space on a printed sheet to a third party. A first party producer of the sheet, or box made therefrom, maintains a computer readable data base of second party orders for boxes having printable areas thereon, where one or more of the areas are available for use by third party printed matter. The third party may specify requirements for free space, which including characteristics of the free space, box characteristics, and time period of use of the box. The first party may accept orders for the free space on second party box orders, receives the images from the third party and print the images on a printed sheet using an ink jet printer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a printed cardboard product is described. The method includes the steps of manufacturing a single- or double-faced cardboard sheet, and printing a first face of the cardboard sheet not having press marks in a rotary press. An image may be printed on a second face having press marks using an ink jet printer. The rotary printing process may use a fixed image for a production lot, and smaller production lots therefrom printed using the ink jet printer, where the image printed by the ink jet printer may differ from one of the smaller lots to another of the smaller lots. In another aspect, single-faced corrugated cardboard sheets may be produced having an undulating corrugation pattern, and the liner sheet printed using an ink jet process. The printed sheet is formed into a box, where the printed sheet forms the interior of the box.

Abstract: A printer using ink jet printing technology to print one or more colors on a sheet for use in a box is described. The printer has a feeder, a transport mechanism for moving the sheet the print head, and a stacker to receive the printed sheet. Differential air pressure is applied by a suction box disposed in proximity to a conveyer belt for transporting the sheet. The suction box may sized so that the sheet may be oriented with a long dimension in the direction of feeding. Where multiple print heads are used, the print heads overlap in the direction transverse to the motion of the sheet so that an image larger than a print head may be produced. Two printing mechanisms disposed opposite each other may be used to print two sides of a sheet.

Abstract: A system and method of selling free space on a printed sheet to a third party. A first party producer of the sheet, or box made therefrom, maintains a computer readable data base of second party orders for boxes having printable areas thereon, where one or more of the areas are available for use by third party printed matter. The third party may specify requirements for free space, which including characteristics of the free space, box characteristics, and time period of use of the box. The first party may accept orders for the free space on second party box orders, receives the images from the third party and print the images on a printed sheet using an ink jet printer.

Abstract: A system and method of ordering and producing a made-to-order box is disclosed. The system includes a server having a data base of box attributes and a data base of images, at least one image having a blank area therein. Graphical images of a user selected box type are transmitted to the user over a network, and the user identifies and inserts an insert image in the blank area. The ordering information is sent to the producer over a network and the server converts the ordering information and the selected images into a format for transmission to an ink jet printer. The ink jet printer is used to print the customer-selected images on sheets of cardboard, which then may be finished and slotted so as to be formable into a box.