Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a printing assembly that includes an image transfer station and a blower configured to intermittently provide a cooling stream of air to a product being printed upon. The blower may include a centrifugal fan and may have a single plenum providing air to two nozzles. The nozzles may be positioned such that the air targets the edges of the product to facilitate removal of the intermediate transfer media from the targeted areas and reduce the occurrence of flash. The blower may be configured to provide air when the product is expelled from the transfer assembly or while the intermediate transfer media is peeled from the product, but not to provide air when the product is being received by the transfer assembly. The printing assembly may include sensors and control circuitry for detecting the position of the product and controlling the blower accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaning assembly for use in a media processing device. In various embodiments, the cleaning assembly includes a first roller that at least partially engages a second roller, and a transport path that passes between the first roller and the second roller. There may also be a third collection roller that at least partially engages the second roller. The third collection roller may also engage a drive assembly that may be used to drive a media substrate along the transport path. In one embodiment, the second roller defines a surface adherence that is greater than a surface adherence of the first roller and the third collection roller defines a surface adherence that is greater than the surface adherence of the second roller and the drive assembly. As a result, the present invention provides a cleaning assembly capable of cleaning the drive assembly and opposed surfaces of a media substrate in a single pass.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a printing assembly incorporating an improved double-sided image transfer station. The present disclosure also describes a product processing apparatus including a cross feed processing architecture. The single-pass double-sided image transfer station and cross feed processing architectures described herein provide numerous advantages over prior art product processing devices. In particular, the single-pass double-sided image transfer station provides for reduced print times, less shuttling of the product during printing, and a less complex, therefore, more reliable printing operation overall. The cross feed architecture provides an efficient processing path for the product through the device and facilitates processing modularization.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaning assembly for use in a media processing device. In various embodiments, the cleaning assembly includes a first roller that at least partially engages a second roller, and a transport path that passes between the first roller and the second roller. There may also be a third collection roller that at least partially engages the second roller. The third collection roller may also engage a drive assembly that may be used to drive a media substrate along the transport path. In one embodiment, the second roller defines a surface adherence that is greater than a surface adherence of the first roller and the third collection roller defines a surface adherence that is greater than the surface adherence of the second roller and the drive assembly. As a result, the present invention provides a cleaning assembly capable of cleaning the drive assembly and opposed surfaces of a media substrate in a single pass.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a printing assembly that includes an image transfer station and a blower configured to intermittently provide a cooling stream of air to a product being printed upon. The blower may include a centrifugal fan and may have a single plenum providing air to two nozzles. The nozzles may be positioned such that the air targets the edges of the product to facilitate removal of the intermediate transfer media from the targeted areas and reduce the occurrence of flash. The blower may be configured to provide air when the product is expelled from the transfer assembly or while the intermediate transfer media is peeled from the product, but not to provide air when the product is being received by the transfer assembly. The printing assembly may include sensors and control circuitry for detecting the position of the product and controlling the blower accordingly.