Abstract: The present invention is drawn to the thermal transfer overcoating of images printed on porous media, and methods of overcoating images printed on porous media. Upon use of the systems and methods of the present invention, a thermally coated print is generated that can comprise a porous media substrate having printed thereon a digitally produced image. The digitally produced image and the porous media substrate is thermally coated by an adhesive protective layer, wherein the adhesive protective layer has a tangent d that is greater than 1 and melt viscosity less than 1×105 Pa.·sec. as applied above its phase transition temperature. Thus, the voids in the porous media substrate can be substantially filled, and further, substantially no tags remain on the print.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a print media coating device that includes first and second web supplies, first and second web take-ups, and a fuser defining a media path therethrough. The first web supply and the first web take-up are positioned on one side of the media path and the second web supply and the second web take-up are positioned on the other side of the media path opposite the first web supply and the first web take-up. A first coating material web runs from the first web supply, along the media path through the fuser, to the first web take-up and a second coating material web runs from the second web supply, along the media path through the fuser, to the second web take-up. Another embodiment is directed to a method for coating print media that includes sandwiching the print media between two layers of coating material and then fusing the coating material to the print media.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a print media coating device that includes first and second web supplies, first and second web take-ups, and a fuser defining a print media path therethrough. The first web supply and the first web take-up are positioned on one side of the media path and the second web supply and the second web take-up are positioned on the other side of the media path opposite the first web supply and the first web take-up. A first coating material web runs from the first web supply, along the media path through the fuser, to the first web take-up and a second coating material web runs from the second web supply, along the media path through the fuser, to the second web take-up. A first peel bar is positioned immediately adjacent to the print media path, downstream from the fuser on the first side of the media path. A second peel bar is positioned immediately adjacent to the print media path downstream from the fuser and downstream from the first peel bar.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a print media coating device that includes first and second web supplies, first and second web take-ups, and a fuser defining a print media path therethrough. The first web supply and the first web take-up are positioned on one side of the media path and the second web supply and the second web take-up are positioned on the other side of the media path opposite the first web supply and the first web take-up. A first coating material web runs from the first web supply, along the media path through the fuser, to the first web take-up and a second coating material web runs from the second web supply, along the media path through the fuser, to the second web take-up. A first peel bar is positioned immediately adjacent to the print media path, downstream from the fuser on the first side of the media path. A second peel bar is positioned immediately adjacent to the print media path downstream from the fuser and downstream from the first peel bar.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a first coating module supported in the housing and a second coating module supported in the housing. The first coating module is positioned on one side of coating media path and the second coating module is positioned on the other side of the coating media path. A panel in the housing is positioned immediately opposite the outer shell of the coating module to define a bypass media path that diverges from the coating media path and passes along the second coating module. In another embodiment, the invention includes a first web delivery system, a second web delivery system, a fuser operative along a first media path between the first and second web delivery systems, and a second media path bypassing the fuser.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a print media coating device that includes first and second web supplies, first and second web take-ups, and a fuser defining a media path therethrough. The first web supply and the first web take-up are positioned on one side of the media path and the second web supply and the second web take-up are positioned on the other side of the media path opposite the first web supply and the first web take-up. A first coating material web runs from the first web supply, along the media path through the fuser, to the first web take-up and a second coating material web runs from the second web supply, along the media path through the fuser, to the second web take-up. Another embodiment is directed to a method for coating print media that includes sandwiching the print media between two layers of coating material and then fusing the coating material to the print media.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a housing, a first coating module supported in the housing and a second coating module supported in the housing. The first coating module is positioned on one side of coating media path and the second coating module is positioned on the other side of the coating media path. A panel in the housing is positioned immediately opposite the outer shell of the second coating module to define a bypass media path that diverges from the coating media path and passes along the second coating module. In another embodiment, the invention includes a first web delivery system, a second web delivery system, a fuser operative along a first media path between the first and second web systems, and a second media path bypassing the fuser.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a print media coating device that includes a web supply, a web take-up, a fuser, and a web cooler downstream in the media path from the fuser. A coating material web runs from the web supply, along the media path through the fuser and the cooler, to the web take-up.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to the thermal transfer overcoating of images printed on porous media, and methods of overcoating images printed on porous media. Upon use of the systems and methods of the present invention, a thermally coated print is generated that can comprise a porous media substrate having printed thereon a digitally produced image. The digitally produced image and the porous media substrate is thermally coated by an adhesive protective layer, wherein the adhesive protective layer has a tangent d that is greater than 1 and melt viscosity less than 1×105 Pa.·sec. as applied above its phase transition temperature. Thus, the voids in the porous media substrate can be substantially filled, and further, substantially no tags remain on the print.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a roller assembly adapted to guide sheet material in the system into an accumulator, a sheet registration assembly. The registration assembly includes a lateral fence extending along a first edge of the accumulator. The lateral fence is adapted to contact a lateral edge of sheets fed into the accumulator. A longitudinal fence extends along a second edge of the accumulator. The longitudinal fence is adapted to contact a longitudinal edge of sheets fed into the accumulator. A helical registration member is mounted in contact with sheet material entering the accumulator and, is adapted for rotation with the roller assembly. Rotation of the helical registration member with the roller assembly causes the helical registration member to exert a force to urge each sheet of material entering the accumulator toward the lateral fence and the longitudinal fence of the accumulator.

Abstract: A book cover for binding a book block includes a cover blank, a cover image provided on the cover blank, and an alignment feature associated with the cover blank. The cover image defines an image field of the cover blank and the alignment feature is registered to a center line of the image field. As such, the cover blank can be aligned in a book binder when the book block is bound with the book cover by the book binder.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming scorelines in a book cover includes a pair of scoring counter-bars and a pair of scoring tools. Each of the scoring counter-bars include a longitudinal indentation provided therein and each of the scoring tools include a scoring protrusion provided thereon. The scoring protrusion of one of the scoring tools engages the longitudinal indentation of an associated one of the scoring counter-bars so as to form scorelines in the book cover when the book cover is positioned between the scoring counter-bars and the scoring tools.