Abstract: A print media handling apparatus for controlling print medium-to-printhead spacing during printing on a print medium using an inkjet printhead comprises a flat platen for supporting a print medium in a print zone which is between the flat platen and an inkjet printhead and into which a printing ink is discharged from the printhead to be deposited on successive portions of the print medium as each portion of the print medium is moved through the print zone, and a support for supporting each portion of the print medium after the printing ink is discharged onto that portion of the print medium, and at a height that is higher than at the flat platen in order to prevent each portion of the print medium from bowing in the print zone and possibly against the print head, whereby the print medium-to-printhead spacing during printing is prevented from substantially varying to reduce print quality.

Abstract: Ink jet printing apparatus is disclosed for forming ink images on a receiver and for treating the ink images formed on the receiver in response to one or more digital image file(s) each including at least one digital image. At least one ink jet print head delivers ink to the receiver, which moves along a first receiver path past the ink jet print head. A receiver cutter is actuatable to cut the receiver across the first receiver path. The receiver is moved along a second receiver path that is perpendicular to the first receiver path and a receiver finisher provided adjacent to the second receiver path treats the ink images formed on the receiver for enhancing the durability and the stability of such ink images. Control circuitry is responsive to one or more digital image files for actuating the ink jet print head to form a plurality of ink images on the receiver, and for actuating the receiver cutter and the receiver finisher in a time sequence so as to automatically produce prints of stable ink images.

Abstract: Ink jet printing apparatus for forming a plurality of ink images on receivers in response to one or more digital image file(s) each including at least one or more digital images and information indicating the number of ink images to be made. The ink jet printing apparatus includes at least one ink jet print head adapted to deliver ink to the receiver and at least two receiver webs. The ink jet printing apparatus selectively moves one or more receiver webs along a receiver path past the ink jet print head. A control circuitry responsive to the digital image file(s) determines the locations of the ink images to be formed on the two receiver webs in such a manner that minimizes receiver waste. The ink jet printing apparatus actuates the ink jet print head(s) to form ink images on the receiver webs, whereby receiver waste is minimized.

Abstract: Ink jet printing apparatus for forming a plurality of ink images on a receiver and for cutting the receiver to form separate prints of such ink images in response to one or more digital image files each including at least one digital image is disclosed. The ink jet printing apparatus has at least one ink jet print head adapted to deliver ink to the receiver and at least two receiver webs. One or more webs are selectively moved along a first receiver path past the ink jet print head. Control circuitry responds to one or more digital image files for actuating the ink jet print head to form ink images on the web(s) of receiver in a manner that minimizes receiver waste. Actuatable receiver cutter responds to the control circuitry for cutting the receiver across the first receiver path.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming an image on a receiver in response to a digital image includes print heads for transferring colorant to the receiver. The receivers are stored in a receiver supply device in a humidity controlled environment. A receiver transport mechanism moves the receiver to a position where the print heads transfer colorant to the receiver to form an image on the receiver.

Abstract: Ink jet printing apparatus for forming an ink image on a receiver in response to a digital image includes at least one moveable ink jet print bar which is adapted to deliver ink to the receiver at an image transfer position to print at least a portion of a line at a time across the width of the receiver. The receiver is moved along a path past the ink jet print bar at the image transfer position. A detector unit disposed adjacent to the path detects receiver skew relative to the ink jet print bar and producing a signal representative of the receiver skew. Alignment structure coupled to the print bar is responsive to the signal for adjusting the position of the print bar to compensate for receiver skew, and a control unit is responsive to the digital image after the ink jet print bar has been positioned for actuating the ink jet print bar to form an ink image on the receiver. The alignment structure may also position the print bar to change the image resolution.

Abstract: Ink jet printing apparatus for forming a plurality of ink images on a receiver and for cutting the receiver to form separate prints of such ink images in response to a digital image file including at least one digital image, includes at least one ink jet print head adapted to deliver ink to the receiver for moving the ink jet print head in one or more passes to form ink images on a receiver. The receiver is moved along a first receiver path past the ink jet print head. Control circuitry responsive to one or more digital image files for actuating the ink jet print head to form a plurality of ink images on the receiver. A first actuatable receiver cutter responds to the control circuitry and cuts the receiver across the first receiver path. The receiver is moved along a second receiver path that is perpendicular to the first receiver path.

Abstract: Ink jet printing apparatus for forming a plurality of ink images on a receiver and for cutting the receiver to form separate prints of such ink images in response to a digital image file including at least one digital image includes at least one ink jet print head adapted to deliver ink to the receiver. The receiver is moved along a first receiver path past the ink jet print head. Control circuitry is responsive to one or more digital image files for actuating the ink jet print head to form a plurality of ink images on the receiver. A first actuatable receiver cutter responds to the control circuitry. The receiver is moved along a second path that is perpendicular to the first receiver path. A second actuatable cutter responsive to the control circuitry is disposed at a predetermined position relative to the second receiver path for sequentially cutting the receiver to form separate prints each having at least one ink image.

Abstract: A tray for holding a stack of sheets of imaging media to be fed to an imaging apparatus in a feed direction includes a base having a generally planar surface for receiving a stack of imaging media sheets. A plurality of sides extend generally perpendicular from the surface of the base on one side of the base to partially surround the received stack of sheets on the one side of the base. At least one of the sides terminates short of the end of the received stack of sheets in the feed direction such as to provide the received stack of sheets with an exposed lateral edge to be contacted by an alignment mechanism of the imaging apparatus. The plurality of sides include two parallel sides on opposed sides of the received stack of sheets, at least one of the sides being one of the two parallel sides. A third side is normal to the two parallel sides, and is connected to the two parallel sides. A fourth side is normal to the two parallel sides and is separated from the third side and the two parallel sides.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes a sheet supply tray having a width alignment rail and a registration member against which the side of a received stack of sheets abuts when the stack is fully received in the imaging apparatus. The tray is urged toward the registration member as the sheet supply tray is being received in the imaging apparatus, and is held against the resilient force until the sheet supply tray is substantially fully received in the imaging apparatus to keep the received stack of sheets from contact with the registration member. The registration member can pass through a recess in the supply tray's side wall to directly abut against the opposed side of a received stack of sheets when the stack is fully received in the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A picker mechanism for a thermal printer for urging a dye receiver media sheet into a receiver transport path has a picker wheel with first and second portions and defining a mounting axis. The first portion has an outer traction surface parallel to the mounting axis, and the second portion has a tapered surface for generating a force for urging the dye receiver media sheet from the tapered surface toward the parallel outer traction surface. The picker mechanism compensates for the variability in how an operator loads the dye receiver media and corrects skewing of the media.

Abstract: A cover interlock mechanism for a thermal printer is diclosed which locks the thermal printer cover when printing is being done and, when the print head is in a disassembled position, unlocks the cover.

Abstract: Apparatus having a common mounting axis for both a cover mechanism and a head positioning arm isolates a print head from disturbances or distortions caused by a force being applied to the cover mechanism, such as the operator leaning on the cover, which result in inferior print quality.