Abstract: Systems and methods for industrial printing, e.g., using drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet print heads, include, in at least one aspect, a printing device including: a print head including a print engine, including multiple nozzles, and circuitry to selectively eject ink through the multiple nozzles to form an image on a moving substrate, and to purge the ink through the multiple nozzles; and a printhead enclosure having an opening in front of the multiple nozzles to allow the selectively ejected ink to pass through the opening when the selectively ejected ink is ejected toward the moving substrate; wherein the printhead enclosure includes a hole placed away from the multiple nozzles; and wherein the printhead enclosure is configured to direct the ink that is purged through the multiple nozzles along an inside surface of the printhead enclosure to the hole through which the ink flows and exits the printhead enclosure.

Abstract: Industrial printing systems, including systems and techniques relating to drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet printing systems include an apparatus including: a receptacle defining a hold chamber to receive ink, the receptacle including a first portion configured to hold a first quantity of ink, and a second portion that is smaller than the first portion and configured to hold a second quantity of ink, the second portion including a first heat conducting surface, and a second heat conducting surface offset from the first heat conducting surface by a distance determined in accordance with a melting point of the ink, the second heat conducting surface defining a barrier between the first portion and the second portion and including at least one opening configured to allow flow of the ink from the first portion to the second portion; and at least one heating element configured to heat the receptacle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for industrial printing, e.g., using drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet print heads, include, in at least one aspect, a printing device including: a print head including a print engine, including multiple nozzles, and circuitry to selectively eject ink through the multiple nozzles to form an image on a moving substrate, and to purge the ink through the multiple nozzles; and a printhead enclosure having an opening in front of the multiple nozzles to allow the selectively ejected ink to pass through the opening when the selectively ejected ink is ejected toward the moving substrate; wherein the printhead enclosure includes a hole placed away from the multiple nozzles; and wherein the printhead enclosure is configured to direct the ink that is purged through the multiple nozzles along an inside surface of the printhead enclosure to the hole through which the ink flows and exits the printhead enclosure.

Abstract: Industrial printing systems, including systems and techniques relating to drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet printing systems include an apparatus including: a receptacle defining a hold chamber to receive ink, the receptacle including a first portion configured to hold a first quantity of ink, and a second portion that is smaller than the first portion and configured to hold a second quantity of ink, the second portion including a first heat conducting surface, and a second heat conducting surface offset from the first heat conducting surface by a distance determined in accordance with a melting point of the ink, the second heat conducting surface defining a barrier between the first portion and the second portion and including at least one opening configured to allow flow of the ink from the first portion to the second portion; and at least one heating element configured to heat the receptacle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for industrial printing, e.g., using drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet print heads, include, in at least one aspect, a printing device including: a print head configured to selectively eject liquid through nozzles to form an image on a moving substrate; and a printhead enclosure configured to contain a pressurized airspace at least in front of the nozzles; wherein the printhead enclosure includes a slot that aligns with the nozzles to allow the selectively ejected liquid to pass through the slot when the selectively ejected liquid is ejected toward the moving substrate; and wherein the printhead enclosure is configured to contain the pressurized airspace and cause airflow through the slot at a flow rate that prevents dust and debris from entering the slot while the selectively ejected liquid passes through the slot and the airflow without a direction of the selectively ejected liquid being impeded by the airflow.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus including: a band (105) to hold hot melt ink; rollers (110) to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate (120); a printhead (125) to thermally transfer a portion of hot melt ink from the band to the substrate; an ink feed device (135) to add hot melt ink to the band, a heating device (140) to heat the hot melt ink on the band, and a rigid blade (155) to control ink thickness of the hot melt ink on the band; a meniscus sensor (245) to monitor a meniscus of melted hot melt ink on the band; and a controller (160) communicatively coupled with the meniscus sensor and the ink feed device, wherein the controller can cause the ink feed device to add hot melt ink to the band based on data from the meniscus sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for industrial printing, e.g., using drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet print heads, include, in at least one aspect, a printing device including: a print head configured to selectively eject liquid through nozzles to form an image on a moving substrate; and a printhead enclosure configured to contain a pressurized airspace at least in front of the nozzles; wherein the printhead enclosure includes a slot that aligns with the nozzles to allow the selectively ejected liquid to pass through the slot when the selectively ejected liquid is ejected toward the moving substrate; and wherein the printhead enclosure is configured to contain the pressurized airspace and cause airflow through the slot at a flow rate that prevents dust and debris from entering the slot while the selectively ejected liquid passes through the slot and the airflow without a direction of the selectively ejected liquid being impeded by the airflow.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus including: a band (105) to hold hot melt ink; rollers (110) to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate (120); a printhead (125) to thermally transfer a portion of hot melt ink from the band to the substrate; an ink feed device (135) to add hot melt ink to the band, a heating device (140) to heat the ink on the band, and a rigid blade (155) that includes a pressure chamber (240); a pressure sensor (245) associated with the pressure chamber to monitor the meniscus of the melted hot melt ink on the band; and a controller (160) communicatively coupled with the pressure sensor (245) and the ink feed device, the controller to cause the ink feed device to add hot melt ink to the band based on data from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus (100) including: a band (105) capable of holding hot melt ink thereon; rollers (110) arranged to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate (120); a printhead (125) configured to thermally transfer a portion of hot melt ink from the band to the substrate; an ink feed device (135) configured to add hot melt ink to the band, a heating device (140) configured to heat the ink on the band, and a blade (155, 186) proximately located with the heating device and configured to control ink thickness of the ink on the band; and a controller (160) communicatively coupled with the blade, wherein the controller is configured to reposition the blade, in accordance with a viscosity of the ink and a speed of the band, to control the thickness of the hot melt ink on the band after the blade.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for thermal transfer printing include a band of material comprising a polyimide film, the band and a thickness of the band are selected based on heat transfer characteristics through the band; a print roller or platen configured and arranged to support a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer ink from the band of material to the substrate; a combined heating and re-inking system comprising a heated ink roller comprising a textured outer surface, wherein a first portion of the heated ink roller contacts the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print, and a second portion of the heated ink roller receives new ink; and a control system that matches the band and substrate speeds.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for thermal transfer printing include a band of material comprising a polyimide film, the band and a thickness of the band are selected based on heat transfer characteristics through the band; a print roller or platen configured and arranged to support a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer ink from the band of material to the substrate; a combined heating and re-inking system comprising a heated ink roller comprising a textured outer surface, wherein a first portion of the heated ink roller contacts the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print, and a second portion of the heated ink roller receives new ink; and a control system that matches the band and substrate speeds.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for thermal transfer printing include a band of material comprising a polyimide film, the band and a thickness of the band are selected based on heat transfer characteristics through the band; a print roller or platen configured and arranged to support a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer ink from the band of material to the substrate; a combined heating and re-inking system comprising a heated ink roller comprising a textured outer surface, wherein a first portion of the heated ink roller contacts the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print, and a second portion of the heated ink roller receives new ink; and a control system that matches the band and substrate speeds.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus includes: a band capable of holding hot melt ink thereon; rollers configured and arranged to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer a portion of the ink from the band to the substrate to print on the substrate; and a heating device configured and arranged to heat the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus includes: a band capable of holding hot melt ink thereon; rollers configured and arranged to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer a portion of the ink from the band to the substrate to print on the substrate; and a heating device configured and arranged to heat the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus includes: a band capable of holding hot melt ink thereon; rollers configured and arranged to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer a portion of the ink from the band to the substrate to print on the substrate; and a heating device configured and arranged to heat the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus includes: a band capable of holding hot melt ink thereon; rollers configured and arranged to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer a portion of the ink from the band to the substrate to print on the substrate; and a heating device configured and arranged to heat the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus includes: a band capable of holding hot melt ink thereon; rollers configured and arranged to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer a portion of the ink from the band to the substrate to print on the substrate; and a heating device configured and arranged to heat the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print.

Abstract: A self-closing helmet strap is contemplated to automatically strap a helmet to a user's head. The self-closing strap may be in the form of a curved strap configuration with the straps configured to curve under the user's chin upon application of the helmet.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus includes: a band capable of holding hot melt ink thereon; rollers configured and arranged to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer a portion of the ink from the band to the substrate to print on the substrate; and a heating device configured and arranged to heat the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for thermal transfer printing include, in at least one aspect, a printing apparatus includes: a band capable of holding hot melt ink thereon; rollers configured and arranged to hold and transport the band with respect to a substrate; a printhead configured and arranged to thermally transfer a portion of the ink from the band to the substrate to print on the substrate; and a heating device configured and arranged to heat the band to cause ink on the band to re-melt, flow and replace at least some of the portion of the ink transferred to the substrate previously before arriving at the printhead again for a next print.