Abstract: A pre-dryer for continuous feed or cut sheet systems is described. Such a module can be used in various applications, for example, prior to printing where the time constant for fusing and glossing is long enough that the substrate temperature essentially equilibrates with that of the marking material on the surface of the sheet. The pre-dryer may be part of an image forming device. Substrates, including paper, typically have high moisture content in normal atmospheric conditions. Such substrates may have a moisture content of about 10% water by weight, which is considered high for printing. Such high moisture content in image receiving substrates leads to various artifacts and extends heating times to take the substrate to its glossing temperature that are about four times longer than for dry media. This longer heating time translates to undesirably longer paper paths or nip lengths.

Abstract: A pre-dryer for continuous feed or cut sheet systems is described. Such a module can be used in various applications, for example, prior to printing where the time constant for fusing and glossing is long enough that the substrate temperature essentially equilibrates with that of the marking material on the surface of the sheet. The pre-dryer may be part of an image forming device. Substrates, including paper, typically have high moisture content in normal atmospheric conditions. Such substrates may have a moisture content of about 10% water by weight, which is considered high for printing. Such high moisture content in image receiving substrates leads to various artifacts and extends heating times to take the substrate to its glossing temperature that are about four times longer than for dry media. This longer heating time translates to undesirably longer paper paths or nip lengths.

Abstract: A mirror array is positioned in relationship to a high intensity power light source to receive at least a portion of a high intensity light beam and to reflect at least a portion of the high intensity light beam. An aperture plate is positioned between the high intensity power light source and the mirror array. The aperture plate has an open area and an opaque area, the open area including a main portion and a tab portion. The main portion is located on a side of the tab portion distal from an incident light direction of the received high intensity beam of light. The open area is sized and positioned to allow rays of the high intensity beam of light to be passed through the tab portion and reflections of the passed rays of the high intensity beam of light to exit through the main portion.

Abstract: A mirror array is positioned in relationship to a high intensity power light source to receive at least a portion of a high intensity light beam and to reflect at least a portion of the high intensity light beam. An aperture plate is positioned between the high intensity power light source and the mirror array. The aperture plate has an open area and an opaque area, the open area including a main portion and a tab portion. The main portion is located on a side of the tab portion distal from an incident light direction of the received high intensity beam of light. The open area is sized and positioned to allow rays of the high intensity beam of light to be passed through the tab portion and reflections of the passed rays of the high intensity beam of light to exit through the main portion.

Abstract: An ink leveling device for controlling a temperature difference across a substrate having ink disposed on the upper surface, the device including a cooling device cooling a bottom of a substrate to a first temperature that is lower than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink, a heating device heating the upper surface of the ink layer to a second temperature that is greater than the viscosity threshold temperature of the ink and a device applying shear force across the upper surface of the ink layer.

Abstract: A system and corresponding methods are disclosed for applying a dampening fluid to a reimageable surface of an imaging member in a variable data lithography system, without a form roller. In one embodiment, the system includes subsystems for converting a dampening fluid from a liquid phase to a dispersed fluid phase, and for directing flow of a dispersed fluid comprising the dampening fluid in dispersed fluid phase to the reimageable surface. The dampening fluid reverts to the liquid phase directly on the reimageable surface. In another embodiment a continuous ribbon of dampening fluid may be applied directly to the reimageable surface. This embodiment includes a body structure having a port for delivering dampening fluid in a continuous fluid ribbon directly to the reimageable surface, and a mechanism, associated with the body structure, for stripping an entrained air layer over the reimageable surface when the reimageable surface is in motion.

Abstract: A method of leveling ink that is printed on a substrate includes establishing a thermal gradient across a thickness of the substrate, the thermal gradient characterized in that it is less than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink across most of the substrate.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for applying a dampening fluid to a reimageable surface of an imaging member in a variable data lithography system without a form roller. Dampening fluid in liquid form is converted to vapor phase, and directed to the reimageable surface. The dampening fluid reverts to the liquid phase directly on the reimageable surface. Controlling the temperatures of elements of the delivery subsystem prevents unwanted condensation of the dampening fluid vapor on those elements. Generation and delivery of the vapor can be controlled in a feedback arrangement as a function of measured layer thickness formed on the reimageable surface to obtain a desired dampening fluid layer thickness formed on the reimageable surface.

Abstract: A method of leveling ink that is printed on a substrate includes establishing a thermal gradient across a thickness of the substrate, the thermal gradient characterized in that it is less than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink across most of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of leveling ink that is printed on a substrate includes establishing a thermal gradient across a thickness of the substrate, the thermal gradient characterized in that it is less than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink across most of the substrate.

Abstract: A fusing system and a method of operating the fusing system, including a first heating zone to heat marking material and a substrate using a non-condensing heat source to less than a target temperature; and a second heating zone to heat the marking material and the substrate to about the target temperature to fuse the marking material to the substrate.

Abstract: A system and corresponding methods are disclosed for applying a dampening fluid to a reimageable surface of an imaging member in a variable data lithography system, without a form roller. In one embodiment, the system includes subsystems for converting a dampening fluid from a liquid phase to a dispersed fluid phase, and for directing flow of a dispersed fluid comprising the dampening fluid in dispersed fluid phase to the reimageable surface. The dampening fluid reverts to the liquid phase directly on the reimageable surface. In another embodiment a continuous ribbon of dampening fluid may be applied directly to the reimageable surface. This embodiment includes a body structure having a port for delivering dampening fluid in a continuous fluid ribbon directly to the reimageable surface, and a mechanism, associated with the body structure, for stripping an entrained air layer over the reimageable surface when the reimageable surface is in motion.

Abstract: A system and corresponding methods are disclosed for applying a dampening fluid to a reimageable surface of an imaging member in a variable data lithography system, without a form roller. In one embodiment, the system includes subsystems for converting a dampening fluid from a liquid phase to a dispersed fluid phase, and for directing flow of a dispersed fluid comprising the dampening fluid in dispersed fluid phase to the reimageable surface. The dampening fluid reverts to the liquid phase directly on the reimageable surface. In another embodiment a continuous ribbon of dampening fluid may be applied directly to the reimageable surface. This embodiment includes a body structure having a port for delivering dampening fluid in a continuous fluid ribbon directly to the reimageable surface, and a mechanism, associated with the body structure, for stripping an entrained air layer over the reimageable surface when the reimageable surface is in motion.

Abstract: A method of leveling ink that is printed on a substrate includes establishing a thermal gradient across a thickness of the substrate, the thermal gradient characterized in that it is less than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink across most of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of leveling ink that is printed on a substrate includes establishing a thermal gradient across a thickness of the substrate, the thermal gradient characterized in that it is less than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink across most of the substrate.

Abstract: A system enables ink on an image receiving member to be re-distributed to reduce banding effects in the image. The system includes an ink applicator for applying ink to form an ink image on an image receiving member as it passes by the ink applicator; a plenum chamber for receiving a flow of pressurized fluid from a fluid source, and at least one opening in the plenum chamber to direct the flow of pressurized fluid from the plenum towards the ink image on the image receiving member to re-distribute the ink on the image receiving member.

Abstract: A method of leveling ink that is printed on a substrate includes establishing a thermal gradient across a thickness of the substrate, the thermal gradient characterized in that it is less than a viscosity threshold temperature of the ink across most of the substrate.

Abstract: A media path jam clearance apparatus installable in a supporting structure includes media drive mechanisms for moving flexible media through media paths and a rotatable, removable jam clearance element. Within the jam clearance element facing surfaces of guide elements define guide surfaces for media paths, with the guide elements having external surfaces capable of supporting the flexible media as it is wrapped around the external surfaces. A pivotal support element supports and enables rotational movement of the jam clearance element within the supporting structure. The jam clearance element may be partially or entirely extracted from the supporting structure.

Abstract: A media path jam clearance apparatus installable in a supporting structure includes media drive mechanisms for moving flexible media through media paths and a rotatable, removable jam clearance element. Within the jam clearance element facing surfaces of guide elements define guide surfaces for media paths, with the guide elements having external surfaces capable of supporting the flexible media as it is wrapped around the external surfaces. A pivotal support element supports and enables rotational movement of the jam clearance element within the supporting structure. The jam clearance element may be partially or entirely extracted from the supporting structure.

Abstract: A non-atmospheric pressure vapor oven system that utilizes a controllable pressure zone to facilitate fast phase change heat transfer at any desired temperature to heat or cool flat substrates, and to level temperatures across different locations of the substrates. The system enables the use of a heat transfer fluid, such as water, without being limited to a particular temperature, such as the fluid's natural boiling point at atmospheric pressure. The system includes a vapor oven (hermetic enclosure) defining a pressure chamber having sealed entry and exit ports for transferring an object (e.g., a sheet of paper) with added material (e.g., toner) through the pressure chamber, and a pressure regulation apparatus for setting the saturation temperature (boiling point) of heat transfer fluid inside the vapor oven to an optimal heating/cooling temperature by selectively controlling the pressure inside the hermetic enclosure.