Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly includes a repositionable shutter mechanism adapted to block a slot through which drops of ink ejected from the array of nozzles pass before they impinge on the print medium. The shutter mechanism includes a frame, and a repositionable shutter blade extending in a cross-track direction having first and second tabs affixed to its ends. At least one of the first and second tabs includes a lever arm. The shutter blade is adapted to rotate around a pivot axis passing through the first and second tabs. An actuator is configured to apply a force to the lever arm, thereby pivoting the repositionable shutter blade about the pivot axis between a first pivot position where the shutter blade blocks the slot and a second pivot position where the shutter blade is moved away from the slot so that drops of ink can pass through the slot.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly includes a rail assembly and a removable jetting module. The rail assembly includes a beam and a rod attached to the beam. A printhead module includes the jetting module and a mounting assembly. The jetting module includes an array of nozzles, a first alignment tab having a first alignment datum and a second alignment datum, a second alignment tab having a third alignment datum and a fourth alignment datum, a rotational alignment feature including a fifth alignment datum, and a cross-track alignment feature including a sixth alignment datum. The mounting assembly includes a similar set of alignment features. Portions of the alignment tabs of the jetting module and the mounting assembly are adapted to fit within corresponding notches in the beam and engage with the rod. A jetting module clamping mechanism applies a force to the jetting module causing it to engage with the rail assembly.

Abstract: A method for printing a plurality of image planes on a substrate, the method includes providing a plurality of print head for depositing material on the substrate as the substrate moves along a transport path; providing a first sensor in a predetermined position along a transport path relative to predetermined positions of the plurality of print heads; providing an indication of position of the substrate along the transport path; providing a plurality of cue marks at predetermined positions or intervals on the substrate which are detected by the first sensor; and determining placement of an image plane printed by at least one of the plurality of print heads upstream of the first sensor based on the detection of position of the cue marks on the substrate by the first sensor.

Abstract: A method for printing an image with authentication features, including: printing a media treatment material onto a print medium in accordance with a pattern of predefined authentication features, and printing one or more visible printing materials onto the print medium in accordance with an image pattern, thereby providing a printed visible image. The media treatment material alters an interaction between the visible printing materials and the print medium so that characteristics of the interaction, such as printing material penetration characteristics, are different in image regions where the media treatment material was printed than in image regions where the media treatment material was not printed. The difference in the characteristics of the interaction between the one or more visible printing materials and the print medium causes the pattern of authentication features to be detectable.

Abstract: A method for printing an image with authentication features, including: printing a media treatment material onto a print medium in accordance with a pattern of predefined authentication features, and printing one or more visible printing materials onto the print medium in accordance with an image pattern, thereby providing a printed visible image. The media treatment material alters lateral spreading characteristics of the visible printing materials within the print medium, so that the lateral spreading characteristics are different in image regions where the media treatment material was printed than in image regions where the media treatment material was not printed. The difference in the lateral spreading characteristics causes the pattern of authentication features to be detectable.

Abstract: A method for printing an image with authentication features, including: printing a media treatment material onto a print medium in accordance with a pattern of predefined authentication features, and printing one or more visible printing materials onto the print medium in accordance with an image pattern, thereby providing a printed visible image. The media treatment material, the one or more visible printing materials and the print medium interact to produce surface deformations of the print medium. Characteristics of the surface deformations are different in image regions where the media treatment material was printed than in image regions where the media treatment material was not printed, so that the difference between the characteristics of the surface deformations causes the pattern of authentication features to be detectable.

Abstract: A print media moving apparatus includes a vacuum assembly positioned immediately upstream relative to a roller. The vacuum assembly has an arcuate surface including three sections with the second section located between the first and third sections. The arcuate surface includes an extremum in the second section. The roller, having a diameter and rotational axis, includes three sections with the second section located between the first and third section as viewed along the rotational axis. The diameter of the roller in the first and third sections is greater than in the second section. The three sections of the vacuum assembly correspond to the three sections of the roller such that the contour of the arcuate surface causes the print media, after leaving the vacuum assembly, to contact the first and third sections of the roller prior to contacting the second section of the roller.

Abstract: A print media moving apparatus includes a vacuum assembly positioned immediately upstream relative to a roller. The vacuum assembly has an arcuate surface including three sections with the second section located between the first and third sections. The arcuate surface includes an extremum in the second section. The roller, having a diameter and rotational axis, includes three sections with the second section located between the first and third section as viewed along the rotational axis. The diameter of the roller in the first and third sections is greater than in the second section. The three sections of the vacuum assembly correspond to the three sections of the roller such that the contour of the arcuate surface causes the print media, after leaving the vacuum assembly, to contact the first and third sections of the roller prior to contacting the second section of the roller.

Abstract: A gas flow duct for use in redirecting drops of liquid ejected from a printhead in a continuous inkjet printer, including a sump, a first duct portion upstream of the sump, and a second duct portion downstream of the sump. The first duct portion rises from an entrance to an apex and then turns downward and exits into the sump, and the second duct portion rises from the sump toward an exit port. A cross-sectional area of the first duct portion is adapted to produce a gas flow velocity sufficient to transport entrained liquid through the first duct portion past the apex and into the sump. A cross-sectional area of the second duct portion is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first duct portion and is adapted to produce a gas flow velocity insufficient to transport entrained liquid through the second duct portion.

Abstract: A print media moving apparatus includes a transport member positioned immediately upstream relative to a roller. The transport member has an operative surface with an arcuate profile, forming an air gap between the operative surface and the print media. An air clamp controls air flow in the air gap. The transport member includes three sections with the second section located between the first and third sections. The roller, having a diameter and rotational axis, includes three sections with the second section located between the first and third section and corresponding to the sections of the transport member. The diameter of the roller in the first and third sections is greater than in the second section. The transport member causes the print media, after leaving the transport member, to contact the first and third sections of the roller prior to contacting the second section of the roller.

Abstract: A printing system for printing on a print medium is disclosed. The printing system comprises two lineheads disposed opposite a first side of the print medium, wherein the two lineheads have a common orientation relative to a horizontal direction. At least one roller is disposed under each linehead and in contact with a second side of the print medium. At least one vacuum assembly is disposed under each linehead, each vacuum assembly having a vacuum manifold disposed opposite the second side of the print medium, where the vacuum manifold outputs a vacuum force proximate to the second side of the print medium such that at least a portion of the second side of the print medium is deflected away from the two lineheads.

Abstract: A method for printing a plurality of image planes on a substrate, the method includes providing a plurality of print head for depositing material on the substrate as the substrate moves along a transport path; providing a first sensor in a predetermined position along a transport path relative to predetermined positions of the plurality of print heads; providing an indication of position of the substrate along the transport path; providing a plurality of cue marks at predetermined positions or intervals on the substrate which are detected by the first sensor; and determining placement of an image plane printed by at least one of the plurality of print heads upstream of the first sensor based on the detection of position of the cue marks on the substrate by the first sensor.

Abstract: A printing system for printing on a print medium is disclosed. The printing system comprises two lineheads disposed opposite a first side of the print medium, wherein the two lineheads have a common orientation relative to a horizontal direction. At least one roller is disposed under each linehead and in contact with a second side of the print medium. At least one vacuum assembly is disposed under each linehead, each vacuum assembly having a vacuum manifold disposed opposite the second side of the print medium, where the vacuum manifold outputs a vacuum force proximate to the second side of the print medium such that at least a portion of the second side of the print medium is deflected away from the two lineheads.

Abstract: A print media moving apparatus includes a transport member positioned immediately upstream relative to a roller. The transport member has an operative surface with an arcuate trailing surface, forming an air gap between the operative surface and the print media. An air clamp controls air flow in the air gap. The transport member includes three sections with the second section located between the first and third sections. The roller, having a diameter and rotational axis, includes three sections with the second section located between the first and third section and corresponding to the sections of the transport member. The diameter of the roller in the first and third sections is greater than in the second section. The transport member causes the print media, after leaving the transport member, to contact the first and third sections of the roller prior to contacting the second section of the roller.

Abstract: A printhead includes a jetting module that forms drops, a catcher, and a deflection mechanism that deflects some of the drops toward the catcher. A moveable sealing mechanism has a first position in contact with the catcher and a second position removed from the catcher that permits drops to travel past the catcher. The moveable sealing mechanism includes a first portion that is fixed to the printhead and translates the sealing mechanism relative to the catcher, and a second portion that is removably fixed to the first portion and cooperates with the catcher to form a seal when the sealing mechanism is in the first position. A removal tool for use with the printhead includes a shaft, a magnet affixed to the shaft, and a spacer affixed to the shaft. The spacer includes a valley that is aligned with the at least one magnet.

Abstract: A print media moving apparatus includes a vacuum assembly positioned immediately upstream relative to a roller. The vacuum assembly has a multiple vacuum manifolds forming an arcuate surface including three sections with the second section located between the first and third sections. The arcuate surface includes an extremum in the second section. The roller, having a diameter and rotational axis, includes three sections with the second section located between the first and third section as viewed along the rotational axis. The diameter of the roller in the first and third sections is greater than in the second section. The three sections of the vacuum assembly correspond to the three sections of the roller such that the contour of the arcuate surface causes the print media, after leaving the vacuum assembly, to contact the first and third sections of the roller prior to contacting the second section of the roller.

Abstract: A system is described for tracking a position of a receiver medium as it travels along a media path. A laser provides heat to the receiver medium in a localized area sufficient to permanently alter a physical property of the receiver medium thereby forming a reference mark. A sensor at a downstream position along the media path is adapted to sense the reference mark providing a sensed signal. The sensed signal is analyzed to determine a position of the receiver medium as the receiver medium passes through the second position along the media path by detecting a position of the reference mark.

Abstract: A method for moving print media includes providing a vacuum assembly having an arcuate profile to deflect the print media such that the print media has a non-linear profile in a direction perpendicular to a media travel path. A roller, having an axis of rotation and a diameter, and including three sections with the second section located between the first and third section as viewed along the rotational axis is provided. The diameter of the roller in the first and third sections is greater than in the second section. The roller is used to deflect the web of print media in a direction opposite to that of the deflection of the web of print media by the vacuum assembly, thereby spreading the web of print media in a cross-track direction to reduce the formation of wrinkles in the web of print media as it travels over the roller.

Abstract: A printing system for printing on a print medium is disclosed. A first linehead is disposed opposite a first side of the print medium. The first linehead defines print zones where a liquid is deposited onto the first side of the print medium. A plurality of transport rollers are disposed adjacent to the second side of the print medium. At least one transport roller is aligned with one of the one or more print zones of the first linehead. A vacuum manifold is disposed opposite the second side of the print medium. The vacuum manifold is aligned with the aligned transport roller and outputs a vacuum force that operates on the second side of the print medium to deflect the print medium causing an increase in the wrap angle of the print medium around the aligned transport roller.

Abstract: A duplex printing system includes two printing stations, each having a print drum and a set of marking subsystems. In a sheet-printing mode, a media sheet is transported to the first printing station where the print drum is rotated to transport the sheet past the marking subsystems to print a first-side image. The sheet is then transported to the second printing station where the print drum is rotated to transport the sheet past the marking subsystems to print a second-side image. The sheet is then transported to an output sheet receptacle. In a web-printing mode the print drums are configured to rotate freely and a web of media is transported around the first drum where a first-side image is printed, and from there around the second drum where a second-side image is printed. A tensioning system is used to control the motion of the web of media.