Abstract: A continuous inkjet printer (50) has an ink droplet generator (52) and a controller (58) that varies a modulating voltage applied to the ink droplet generator (52) and measures corresponding breakup times of a jet of ink into ink droplets to obtain a portion of a characteristic of breakup time against modulating voltage. The controller (58) obtains a variation range, varies the modulating voltage over the variation range to obtain the portion of the characteristic, calculates a gradient from the portion of the characteristic, compares the gradient with a predetermined gradient and, depending on whether the calculated gradient is less than or greater than the predetermined gradient, generates an adjusted variation range that is displaced in a first sense or a second, opposite sense, respectively, relative to the variation range.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet printer (5) having a printhead (7) that includes first and second ink droplet generators (8, 9), each operable to generate a stream (10) of ink droplets, and a common gutter (11) arranged to receive unprinted ink droplets from the first and second ink droplet generators (8, 9), the printer (5) further including control means configured to determine receipt into the common gutter (11) of ink droplets from the first and second ink droplet generators (8, 9), wherein the control means are operable to use a single sensor (17) to determine receipt into the common gutter (11) of ink droplets from one, both, or neither of the first and second ink droplet generators (8, 9).

Abstract: A print head (10) for a continuous inkjet printer has an ink drop generator (12), an ink supply tube (14) connected to the ink drop generator (12), and a solvent supply tube (16) connected at a first end to the ink drop generator (12) and for connection at a second end to a solvent reservoir. The solvent supply tube (16) is provided with ink flow restriction means (24, 26) for restricting a flow of ink from the ink drop generator (12) into the solvent supply tube (16). The flow restriction means (24, 26) comprise an arrangement (24) of the solvent supply tube (16) such that, for a flow direction reversing portion (26) of the solvent supply tube (16) at the first end of the solvent supply tube (16), a flow of solvent from the second end to the first end of the solvent supply tube (16) flows away from the ink drop generator (12). Also a printer including such a print head and a former for use with such a print head.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet printer (10, 100) has an ink drop generator (12, 112a, 112b) to generate a stream of ink drops (24), deflection means (14, 16, 18, 20, 114, 115, 116, 118a, 118b, 120) to direct each drop of the stream of ink drops either to a gutter (28) or to one of a plurality of default print positions in a stroke direction (30) on a substrate (26, 126), and input means (22, 122) to receive an indication of an offset. The deflection means, in dependence upon the indication of the offset, direct drops that would otherwise be directed to default print positions to offset print positions on a substrate (26, 126), the offset print positions being displaced in the stroke direction 30 by the offset from the default print positions.

Abstract: The invention discloses various methods of controlling or monitoring the performance of a continuous inkjet printer based on monitoring vacuum levels and/or noise in the gutter line.

Abstract: A print head (10) for a continuous inkjet printer has an ink drop generator (12), an ink supply tube (14) connected to the ink drop generator (12), and a solvent supply tube (16) connected at a first end to the ink drop generator (12) and for connection at a second end to a solvent reservoir. The solvent supply tube (16) is provided with ink flow restriction means (24, 26) for restricting a flow of ink from the ink drop generator (12) into the solvent supply tube (16). The flow restriction means (24, 26) comprise an arrangement (24) of the solvent supply tube (16) such that, for a flow direction reversing portion (26) of the solvent supply tube (16) at the first end of the solvent supply tube (16), a flow of solvent from the second end to the first end of the solvent supply tube (16) flows away from the ink drop generator (12). Also a printer including such a print head and a former for use with such a print head.

Abstract: A continuous inkjet printer (5) having a printhead (7) that includes first and second ink droplet generators (8, 9), each operable to generate a stream (10) of ink droplets, and a common gutter (11) arranged to receive unprinted ink droplets from the first and second ink droplet generators (8, 9), the printer (5) further including control means configured to determine receipt into the common gutter (11) of ink droplets from the first and second ink droplet generators (8, 9), wherein the control means are operable to use a single sensor (17) to determine receipt into the common gutter (11) of ink droplets from one, both, or neither of the first and second ink droplet generators (8, 9).

Abstract: A continuous inkjet printer (10, 100) has an ink drop generator (12, 112a, 112b) to generate a stream of ink drops (24), deflection means (14, 16, 18, 20, 114, 115, 116, 118a, 118b, 120) to direct each drop of the stream of ink drops either to a gutter (28) or to one of a plurality of default print positions in a stroke direction (30) on a substrate (26, 126), and input means (22, 122) to receive an indication of an offset. The deflection means, in dependence upon the indication of the offset, direct drops that would otherwise be directed to default print positions to offset print positions on a substrate (26, 126), the offset print positions being displaced in the stroke direction 30 by the offset from the default print positions.

Abstract: A printer (5) operable to print a message in strokes on a substrate (7) passing in a print direction (8) along a moving line (6), wherein the printer is operable (15) to receive an indication of an allowable increase in length in the print direction of a message due to an increase in length in the print direction of gaps between successive strokes printed by the printer, to receive (14) an indication (9) of a speed of movement in the print direction of a moving line, to determine from the indication of the speed of movement of the moving line whether an increase in length in the print direction of a message printed by the printer is greater than the allowable increase in length and, if so, to generate an alert.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of adding solvent or make-up fluid into the gutter line of a continuous ink printer. During the addition of solvent, the vacuum level in the gutter line is monitored and maintained at a level sufficient to ensure that vacuum is maintained at the gutter. Vacuum level in the gutter line is preferably controlled by controlling the speed of a variable speed gutter pump. Noise in the gutter line is preferably used as a control over pump speed.

Abstract: The invention discloses various methods of controlling or monitoring the performance of a continuous inkjet printer based on monitoring vacuum levels and/or noise in the gutter line.

Abstract: A printer (5) operable to print a message in strokes on a substrate (7) passing in a print direction (8) along a moving line (6), wherein the printer is operable (15) to receive an indication of an allowable increase in length in the print direction of a message due to an increase in length in the print direction of gaps between successive strokes printed by the printer, to receive (14) an indication (9) of a speed of movement in the print direction of a moving line, to determine from the indication of the speed of movement of the moving line whether an increase in length in the print direction of a message printed by the printer is greater than the allowable increase in length and, if so, to generate an alert,

Abstract: The invention provides a method of adding solvent or make-up fluid into the gutter line of a continuous ink printer. During the addition of solvent, the vacuum level in the gutter line is monitored and maintained at a level sufficient to ensure that vacuum is maintained at the gutter. Vacuum level in the gutter line is preferably controlled by controlling the speed of a variable speed gutter pump. Noise in the gutter line is preferably used as a control over pump speed.

Abstract: A sheet feeder apparatus comprises a roller feeding sheets of media in a process direction, and a transparent platen positioned after the roller in the process direction. A scanner is positioned on the scanner side of the transparent platen, and a calibration strip is positioned on the sheet side of the transparent platen. The roller feeds the sheets of media over the sheet side of the transparent platen and the calibration strip. The calibration strip has a curved end surface having outer ends and a center. The center of the curved end surface is between the outer ends of the curved end surface in a cross-process direction. The cross-process direction is perpendicular to the process direction. The center of the curved end surface extends further in the process direction relative to the outer ends of the curved end surface.

Abstract: A sheet feeder apparatus comprises a roller feeding sheets of media in a process direction, and a transparent platen positioned after the roller in the process direction. A scanner is positioned on the scanner side of the transparent platen, and a calibration strip is positioned on the sheet side of the transparent platen. The roller feeds the sheets of media over the sheet side of the transparent platen and the calibration strip. The calibration strip has a curved end surface having outer ends and a center. The center of the curved end surface is between the outer ends of the curved end surface in a cross-process direction. The cross-process direction is perpendicular to the process direction. The center of the curved end surface extends further in the process direction relative to the outer ends of the curved end surface.

Abstract: A document imaging system includes a document transport system that transports an original document through an imaging zone in optical communication with an image recording device. A document guide directs the original document, including a leading edge at a first angle, toward the imaging zone, while a document biasing device urges a trailing edge of the original document at a second angle toward the imaging zone.

Abstract: A tray assembly may include a tray having at least a first track and a second track. The first track and the second track may each include one or more indents and one or more ratchets. Each ratchet may include a plurality of projections, and each projection may be located a distance from each adjacent projection. A tray assembly may include a guide assembly having a first latch coupled to a second latch. The first latch may include a plurality of first teeth configured to engage the first track, and the second latch may include a plurality of second teeth configured to engage the second track. The tray assembly may include a compression element configured to lock and unlock the guide assembly.

Abstract: A sheet size detection device for detecting a size of sheets which are held in a sheet tray is disclosed. The device comprises first and second guide members, first and second brackets, and a plurality of switches. The first guide member is movable in accordance with a first dimension of the sheets. The second guide member is movable in accordance with a second dimension of the sheets. Each bracket is operatively connected to its respective guide member and includes a plurality of slots extending through a solid surface. The plurality of switches is configured for selective engagement by at least one of the brackets. The solid surface and the plurality of slots of each bracket are configured to interact with one another to selectively engage the plurality of switches. The selective engagement of the plurality of switches enables conveyance of two dimensions of the sheet size.

Abstract: A tray assembly for a print production resource may include a tray and a guide assembly. The guide assembly may include a first width guide configured to contact a first side of a media stack at a first location below a top sheet of the media stack such that a first distance exists between the top sheet and the first width guide. The guide assembly may include a second width guide configured to contact a second side of the media stack at a second location below the top sheet of the media stack such that a second distance exists between the top sheet of the media stack and the second width guide. The first side may be opposite the second side, and the tray assembly may be configured to be utilized with a top sheet feeder mechanism.

Abstract: A guide assembly may include a first latch, a second latch, a fastening device and a compression device. The first latch may be coupled to the second latch by the fastening device such that the first latch and the second latch are moveable about the fastening device. The first latch may include a plurality of first teeth on at least a portion of the first latch. The first teeth may be configured to engage a first track. The second latch may include a plurality of second teeth on at least a portion of the second latch. The second teeth may be configured to engage a second track.