Abstract: A printing system that includes a printhead head containing ink, and a tray cooperatively associated with the printhead and containing a waste solution in which the printhead is immersed to seal the printhead to prevent the ink from clogging the printhead when the printing system is not in operation.

Abstract: A printing system that includes a web guide having a preprinting section which guides a substrate into the printing system, and a postprinting section which maintains tension in the substrate as the substrate moves through the printing system. A printing section is positioned between the preprinting section and the postprinting section. The printing section includes a removable platen to provide a gap in the printing section to prevent excess ink which is deposited onto the substrate from accumulating underneath the substrate.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing images on a substrate. The printing apparatus is provided with a first print head connected to a selector valve which in turn is connected to a pair of reservoirs. The first reservoir holds one type of ink while the other reservoir holds a different type of ink. The selector valve has two selectable states. The first state facilitates transmitting ink from one of the reservoirs to the print head, and the second state facilitates transmitting ink from the other reservoir to the print head. The selector valve can be coupled to a controller which is computer operated. Alternatively, the controller can be manually operated.

Abstract: A method of cleaning ink jet printheads without rendering the printheads inoperative by soaking the printheads in a cleaning solution of acetone and n-methyl-2-pyrolidine, and then flushing the printhead with a gas, such as air. The solution is made of about 70% acetone and about 30% n-methyl-2-pyrolidine by weight.

Abstract: A positioning system for a carriage in a printing system includes a support plate having a groove along a length of the plate, and a rail positioned along the groove. A first adjusting mechanism is used to adjust the position of the rail in a first direction, and a second adjusting mechanism is used to adjust the position of the rail in a second direction that is substantially normal to the first direction.

Abstract: A system for printing images on a substrate includes a multiplicity of print heads mounted in a carriage and positioned a distance from the substrate. A sensor detects the thickness of the substrate as the substrate moves through the system, and a control system receives the substrate thickness information detected by the sensor and transmits signals to a motor coupled to the carriage. These signals instruct the motor to adjust the position of the carriage to maintain a desired gap between the print heads and the substrate.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing images on a substrate includes a first set of print heads S1 having at least one print head P1,1 arranged to deposit a first ink I1, and a second set of print heads S2 having at least two print heads P2,1, P2,2 arranged to deposit a second ink I2. The at least one print head P1,1 of the first set S1 and a first print head P2,1 of the second set S2 respectively depositing the first ink I1 and the second ink I2 in a first order of deposition O1, and the at least one print head P1,1 of the first set I1 and a second print head P2,2 of the second set S2 respectively depositing the first ink I1 and the second ink I2 in a second order of deposition O2 as the printing apparatus traverses across the substrate in one direction D1. The order of deposition of the first ink I1 and the second ink I2 from the print heads is reversed as the printing apparatus traverses across the substrate in an opposite direction D2.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a substrate in a printing system includes a transport belt provided with a plurality of holes which extend through a thickness of the belt, and a vacuum table which generates a vacuum, and is positioned on one side of the transport belt. A porous sheet is positioned between the belt and the vacuum table, while the vacuum table, the porous sheet, and the transport belt are in fluid communication. The vacuum generated by the vacuum table creates a suction on the substrate placed on the transport belt, and the porous sheet restricts fluid flow between the table and the transport belt to maintain a desired vacuum as an area of the transport belt covered by the substrate varies as the substrate is transported through the printing system.

Abstract: A printing system that includes a source which emits UV radiation to polymerize a fluid that is deposited onto a substrate by one or more print heads. The source emits low energy UV radiation sufficient to set the fluid to a quasi-fluid, non-hardened state.

Abstract: A printing system that includes a web guide having a preprinting section which guides a substrate into the printing system, and a postprinting section which maintains tension in the substrate as the substrate moves through the printing system. A printing section is positioned between the preprinting section and the postprinting section. The printing section includes a removable platen to provide a gap in the printing section to prevent excess ink which is deposited onto the substrate from accumulating underneath the substrate.

Abstract: A system for printing images on a substrate includes a multiplicity of print heads mounted in a carriage and positioned a distance from the substrate. A sensor detects the thickness of the substrate as the substrate moves through the system, and a control system receives the substrate thickness information detected by the sensor and transmits signals to a motor coupled to the carriage. These signals instruct the motor to adjust the position of the carriage to maintain a desired gap between the print heads and the substrate.

Abstract: Reproducing a predetermined pattern on a medium, by for example, an apparatus that includes in combination a source of colored ink, a primary source of compressed air, a spray head including a housing having an inner ink chamber in flow communication with the source of ink, an outer air chamber in flow communication with the source of air and surrounding the inner ink chamber, a spray nozzle having an outside diameter and an internal longitudinal bore connected to the inner ink chamber and extending forward of the housing. A spray shield has an outer surface adjacent the medium and an inner surface positioned adjacent to and spaced from the housing and has a transverse opening therethrough in alignment with the nozzle. An auxiliary air supply has a pressure significantly less than the pressure of the air from the primary source of compressed air.

Abstract: Reproducing a predetermined pattern on a medium, by for example, an apparatus that includes in combination a source of colored ink, a primary source of compressed air, a spray head including a housing having an inner ink chamber in flow communication with the source of ink, an outer air chamber in flow communication with the source of air and surrounding the inner ink chamber, a spray nozzle having an outside diameter and an internal longitudinal bore connected to the inner ink chamber and extending forward of the housing. A spray shield has an outer surface adjacent the medium and an inner surface positioned adjacent to and spaced from the housing and has a transverse opening therethrough in alignment with the nozzle. An auxiliary air supply has a pressure significantly less than the pressure of the air from the primary source of compressed air.