Abstract: A printing system, including an atomizer operatively arranged to deliver a first ink and a printhead arranged adjacent to the atomizer, the printhead operatively arranged to deliver a second ink, the second ink being different from the first ink, wherein a print media including a dark color is operatively arranged to pass under, in order, the atomizer and the printhead.

Abstract: Examples of the preferred embodiments use printed content (e.g., halftones, difference in grayscale or darkness) to determine thickness of fountain solution applied by a fountain solution applicator on an imaging member surface and/or determine image forming device real-time image forming modifications for subsequent printings. For example, in real-time during the printing of a print job, a sensor may measure halftones or grayscale differences between printed content and non-printed content of a current printing on print substrate. Based on this measurement of printed content output from the image forming device, the image forming device may adjust image forming (e.g., fountain solution deposition flow rate, imaging member rotation speed) to reach or maintain a preferred fountain solution thickness on the imaging member surface for subsequent (e.g., next) printings of the print job.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a dryer configured to attenuate the effects of temperature differentials arising in substrates that are caused by holes in a media transport belt and a platen covering a vacuum plenum. The dryer includes a platen, a heater configured to direct heat toward the platen, at least one media transport belt configured to slide over the platen to move the substrates past the heater after the ink images have been formed on the substrates, and at least one belt diversion component configured to divert the at least one media belt from a straight-line path over the platen.

Abstract: A process including providing a substantially flat printed image on a substrate; disposing a curable gellant composition onto the printed image in registration with the printed image, successively depositing additional amounts of the gellant composition to create a raised image in registration with the printed image; and curing the deposited raised image. A process including providing a printed image on a substrate; disposing a curable non-gellant composition onto the printed image in registration with the printed image; and disposing a curable gellant composition onto the printed image in registration with the printed image; to create a raised image in registration with the printed image; and curing the deposited raised image. An ultraviolet curable phase change gellant composition including a radiation curable monomer or prepolymer, a photoinitiator, a silicone polymer or pre-polymer, and a gellant.

Abstract: A printer includes at least a first printhead and a second printhead, each of which is operatively connected to a source of aqueous ink having a color that is different than the color of aqueous ink connected to the other printhead. A first source of infrared (IR) radiation is positioned between the first and second printheads and a second source of IR radiation follows the first and second printheads. The first source of IR radiation is tuned to heat color pigment particles in the aqueous ink connected to the first printhead only and the second source of IR radiation is tuned to heat color pigment particles in the aqueous ink connected to the second printhead only.

Abstract: Backing material is passed by a first heater to pre-heat the backing material. The backing material is then passed by a printing engine to print marking material on the backing material, and passed by a first light source to apply ultra-violet (UV) light to the marking material printed on the backing material, to partially cure the marking material. Further, the backing material is passed by a container to expose the partially cured marking material to adhesive particles to cause the adhesive particles to adhere only to the marking material. The backing material is passed by a second light source to apply additional UV light to the marking material partially cured on the backing material to fully cure the marking material. Finally, the backing material is passed by a second heater to melt the adhesive particles that are adhered to the marking material on the backing material.

Abstract: A printer includes at least a first printhead and a second printhead, each of which is operatively connected to a source of aqueous ink having a color that is different than the color of aqueous ink connected to the other printhead. A first source of infrared (IR) radiation is positioned between the first and second printheads and a second source of IR radiation follows the first and second printheads. The first source of IR radiation is tuned to heat color pigment particles in the aqueous ink connected to the first printhead only and the second source of IR radiation is tuned to heat color pigment particles in the aqueous ink connected to the second printhead only.

Abstract: A printer includes a first printhead operatively connected to a source of ultraviolet (UV) curable ink having a first color, a first source of UV radiation following the first printhead in the process direction by a first predetermined distance, a second printhead operatively connected to the source of UV curable ink having the first color, and a second source of UV radiation following the second printhead in the process direction by a second predetermined distance that is greater than the firsts predetermined distance. The first predetermined distance enables the first source of UV radiation to fix the UV curable ink ejected by the first printhead before passing the second printhead and the second predetermined distance enables the ink ejected by the second printhead to flow over a portion of the substrate before the second source of UV radiation fixes the UV curable ink ejected by the second printhead.

Abstract: The present teachings include a process, system and article for forming a printed image on a textile. In some embodiments, the process includes coating the textile with a layer of polydiallyldimethyl ammonium chloride cationic polymer and coating the textile with the layer of polydiallyldimethyl ammonium chloride cationic polymer with a layer of poly-4-styrene sulfonate anionic polymer. The process can further include applying an ink composition to the textile having the layer of polydiallyldimethyl ammonium chloride cationic polymer layer and the layer of poly-4-styrene sulfonate anionic polymer, forming an image.

Abstract: A surface treatment system includes a holder configured to secure an object within the holder and a surface treatment device that is configured to treat a surface of the object within the holder with two types of surface treatments. The device is capable of producing a plasma or a flame at its nozzle for surface treatment. By controlling the materials supplied to the device and the way in which is operated, either a flame or plasma is produced. Thus, the surface treatment system is capable of treating a wide range of materials for printing by a direct-to-object printer.

Abstract: A print system and a method for confirming complete curing of a marking material are disclosed. For example, the print system includes a plurality of printheads arranged in a two-dimensional array, a curing light source, a curing confirmation system, a movable member to hold an object and a controller to control movement of the movable member to move the object past the array of printheads, to operate the plurality of printheads to eject the marking material onto the object as the object passes the two-dimensional array of printheads, to operate the curing light source to cure the marking material and to operate the curing confirmation system to confirm that the curing of the marking material is complete.

Abstract: A surface treatment system includes a holder configured to secure an object within the holder and a plurality of surface treatment devices. Each surface treatment device is configured to treat a surface of the object within the holder differently than each of the other surface treatment devices in the plurality of surface treatment devices. A controller is configured to operate the surface treatment devices independently of one another so less than all of the devices can be operated to treat an object surface. Thus, the surface treatment system is capable of treating a wide range of materials for printing by a direct-to-object printer.

Abstract: A system for printing on a multi-dimensional object includes a plurality of print heads, and a printing chase comprising one or more alignment elements configured to provide accurate registration of an object holder (also configured as an object packaging) relative to the print heads. The system further includes an actuator configured to move the printing chase relative to the print heads. The system is configured to receive information corresponding to an alignment element that is employed for positioning the object holder on the printing chase, determine a position a printable area using the retrieved information, receive information relating to print data to be printed on the printable area, use the determined position of the printable area to control a movement of the printing chase relative to the print heads, and operate the print heads to eject marking material onto the printable area to print data on the printable area.

Abstract: A print system and a method for confirming complete curing of a marking material are disclosed. For example, the print system includes a plurality of printheads arranged in a two-dimensional array, a curing light source, a curing confirmation system, a movable member to hold an object and a controller to control movement of the movable member to move the object past the array of printheads, to operate the plurality of printheads to eject the marking material onto the object as the object passes the two-dimensional array of printheads, to operate the curing light source to cure the marking material and to operate the curing confirmation system to confirm that the curing of the marking material is complete.

Abstract: A printer includes an ultraviolet (UV) curing device having UV light emitting diodes (LEDs) to cure UV curable inks ejected onto a surface after the surface travels past a plurality of printheads in the printer. A UV detector having UV sensors is positioned opposite the UV curing device so the UV sensors and UV LEDs are opposite one another in a one-to-one correspondence. A controller operates the UV curing device to direct UV light into the UV detector and receives electrical signals generated by the UV sensors. The controller compares these electrical signals to a predetermined threshold to identify defective LEDs in the UV curing device. The controller then determines how to move the UV curing device across the path of the surface to irradiate areas of the surface previously opposite the defective UV LEDs.

Abstract: A system and a method for printing an environment blended package are disclosed. For example, the method is executed by a processor and includes receiving an order for a product, determining dimensions of a package to ship the product, receiving an image of a location of where the package is to be delivered, wherein the aspect ratio of the image that is captured is based on the dimensions of the package, printing a location image on a side of the package in the aspect ratio of the image to create the environment blended package such that the location image matches the location where the package is to be delivered.

Abstract: A method for evaluating curing in an ink composition comprises depositing an ink composition on the surface of an object via a direct-to-object inkjet printing system to form a film thereon, the ink composition comprising a photoinitiator capable of initiating a free radical polymerization process in the ink composition upon the absorption of light to cure the deposited film; exposing, in-situ, the deposited film to light generated by a first source of light under conditions which initiate the free radical polymerization process to cure the deposited film; exposing, in-situ, the cured film to light generated by a second source of light under conditions which induce light absorption by unreacted photoinitiator in the cured film; measuring the absorbance of the cured film; and determining a degree of cure in the cured film from the measured absorbance and predetermined calibration data.

Abstract: A direct-to-object printer includes an ultraviolet (UV) curing verification subsystem. The verification subsystem includes a ribbon that frictionally engages an image on an object that contains UV curable material. An imaging device generates image data of the ribbon that engaged the image and the image data is processed to determine whether any uncured UV material is present on the ribbon.

Abstract: A method for evaluating curing in an ink composition comprises depositing an ink composition on the surface of an object via a direct-to-object inkjet printing system to form a film thereon, the ink composition comprising a photoinitiator capable of initiating a free radical polymerization process in the ink composition upon the absorption of light to cure the deposited film; exposing, in-situ, the deposited film to light generated by a first source of light under conditions which initiate the free radical polymerization process to cure the deposited film; exposing, in-situ, the cured film to light generated by a second source of light under conditions which induce light absorption by unreacted photoinitiator in the cured film; measuring the absorbance of the cured film; and determining a degree of cure in the cured film from the measured absorbance and predetermined calibration data.

Abstract: A solid blanket receives a flood layer of very thin (e.g., about 10 ?m or less) image receiving UV curable coating, which may be a clear, substantially clear, or tinted UV ink. A lower viscosity digital ink image may then be printed on top of the flood layer, for example by jetting UV ink on top of the flood layer. The lower viscosity UV digital ink sits on top of the thicker UV curable coating and maintains its location by surface tension interaction with the coating. The combination of ink and coating is then partially cured to a tacky state at which point it is transferred to print media via a conformable pressure nip. Since the lower viscosity jetted inks are not responsible for directly wetting the media, media latitude widens greatly. Further, no dampening fluid or fountain solution is needed to aid the transfer or the imaging.