Abstract: A hot melt ink jet printer capable of handling 54 inch media widths and printing at a minimum resolution of 300 dots per inch. The ink jet printer of the present invention includes a printing medium handling system for transporting the printing medium through the printer. The printing medium handling system includes a paper tensioning system for maintaining a constant tension in the printing medium as the printing medium is advanced past the print heads for imaging and also subsequently as the printing medium is post-image heated. A readable/writable memory unit accompanies the supply of printing medium and provides information indicative of the color characteristics, handling characteristics, and/or related characteristics associated with the printing medium for use by a controller at each important control point of the paper path.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 10, 1994
Date of Patent:
May 12, 1998
Assignee:
Lasermaster Corporation
Inventors:
Paul R. Erickson, Brian W. Kleve, Robert Schaffer, Steven L. Lidke, Robert L. Skubic