Abstract: A flexible plasma surface treatment device is configured to conform to an irregular surface of an object to enable treatment of the surface with plasma formed by an electrode in the device. The flexible plasma treatment device includes a layer of flexible dielectric material having an upper surface and a lower surface, a first flexible electrode completely encapsulated within the layer of dielectric material, a second flexible electrode mounted to the lower surface of the layer of dielectric material, and a second layer of flexible electrically insulating material mounted to the lower surface of the layer of flexible dielectric material to expose a first portion of the second electrode and to cover a second portion of the second electrode at the lower surface of the dielectric material layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing directly onto print media including smooth non-absorbent media substrates (e.g., polymer films) inks having a wide range in viscosity, so that flexographic, gravure, and lithographic inks can all be contemplated. The proposed method is able to print with variable data/imaging. Dampening fluid may be patterned onto an imaging roll by coating the imaging roll with a layer of the dampening fluid and selectively evaporating off a patterned portion via a laser imaging device. The imaging roll then contacts the print substrate and transfers the patterned dampening fluid onto the substrate via film splitting. The substrate then passes through an inker station where ink is deposited directly to the substrate for attachment thereto except where rejected by the dampening fluid.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for printing directly onto Infra-Red (IR) transparent material (print media) such as Mylar using a method that is capable of using medium to high viscosity materials such as those needed for printed electronics. The proposed method would be able to print with variable data/imaging. A proposed method uses an IR receptor of which a print media is placed or passed over. Prior to irradiation the print media is coated with a sub-micron layer of dampening solution such as silicone oil that is then selectively evaporated off via a laser imaging device which passes IR energy thorough the dampening solution, print media and onto the receptor to evaporate dampening solution in areas that will be inked.

Abstract: Eliminate or reduce the impact of glare in printed information tag recognition applications using single- and multi-pose external illumination coupled with intelligent processing. A shelf imager can acquire shelf images for printed information tag localization and recognition. An external illuminator can provide at least one illumination condition/pose for shelf image acquisition in addition to lighting associated with the enclosed environment. A glare region of interest (ROI) detector can analyze all or a portion of the acquired shelf images for glare to determine whether additional images need to be acquired using different illumination conditions provided by the single- or multi-pose external illuminator or whether full or portion of acquired images need to be analyzed by a printed information tag locator and recognizer. A printed information tag locator and recognizer can analyze all or a portion of the acquired images to localize and recognize data printed on the printed information tags.

Abstract: Eliminate or reduce the impact of glare in printed information tag recognition applications using single- and multi-pose external illumination coupled with intelligent processing. A shelf imager can acquire shelf images for printed information tag localization and recognition. An external illuminator can provide at least one illumination condition/pose for shelf image acquisition in addition to lighting associated with the enclosed environment. A glare region of interest (ROI) detector can analyze all or a portion of the acquired shelf images for glare to determine whether additional images need to be acquired using different illumination conditions provided by the single- or multi-pose external illuminator or whether full or portion of acquired images need to be analyzed by a printed information tag locator and recognizer. A printed information tag locator and recognizer can analyze all or a portion of the acquired images to localize and recognize data printed on the printed information tags.

Abstract: An ink-based digital printing system includes a dampening fluid delivery system that forms a dampening fluid layer on a reimageable surface of an imaging plate using vapor condensation. The system includes a delivery nozzle having a chamber that receives atomized dampening fluid, mixes the fluid with hot air or nitrogen gas for rapid vaporization, and directs the vapor onto an imaging member surface for condensation and dampening fluid layer formation.

Abstract: A personalized packaging production system includes an in-feed tray, an out-feed tray, a cutting table disposed intermediate the in-feed tray and the out-feed tray and an interchangeable cutting/creasing assembly. A sheet feeder is positioned between the in-feed tray and the cutting table to feed media sheets from the in-feed tray to the cutting table, and an exit nip is positioned between the out-feed tray and the cutting table to remove media sheets from the cutting table to the out-feed tray.

Abstract: A personalized packaging production system includes an in-feed tray, an out-feed tray, a cutting table disposed intermediate the in-feed tray and the out-feed tray and an interchangeable cutting/creasing assembly. A sheet feeder is positioned between the in-feed tray and the cutting table to feed media sheets from the in-feed tray to the cutting table, and an exit nip is positioned between the out-feed tray and the cutting table to remove media sheets from the cutting table to the out-feed tray.

Abstract: A semi-conductive media transport is used with an ink jet printing system. A belt is held flat and slides across a conductive platen, causing electrostatic charges on the belt. The belt is made semi-conductive to prevent charge buildup. The belt has an effective surface resistivity between a lower limit to preclude a buildup of electrostatic charges, and an upper limit to enable electrostatic tacking of the media to the belt. The resistivity limits vary depending upon belt velocity, thickness, material, belt and media dielectric constant, and slot width. A pair of charged nip rollers tacks the media substrate to the belt. An AC corotron is disposed above the belt to establish a net neutral charge state on the media substrate and the belt. Platen slots directly below the ink jet print heads will maintain the net neutral charge state on the media substrate and the belt.

Abstract: A system for dampening fluid recovery in an ink-based digital printing system includes a seal manifold having a front seal portion, the front seal portion having an upper wall facing the imaging surface, the upper wall being configured to define an air flow channel with the imaging surface, the upper wall being contoured to form a distance between the upper wall and the imaging surface at an evaporation location that is less than distance between the upper wall and the imaging surface at locations interposing the evaporation location and a vacuum inlet channel of the seal manifold.

Abstract: When tacking print media to a print media transport belt in a printer, a tack module having a pair of nips is employed to control charge migration in across the print media in order to tolerate lead edge curl while ensuring uniform printing. An upstream nip is formed by a first bias transfer roll and a first backup roll, and a downstream nip is formed by a second bias transfer roll and a second backup roll. The respective backup rolls are offset slightly upstream of the respective bias transfer rolls. Charge of opposite polarities is applied to the first backup roll and the second bias transfer roll to facilitate taking of the print media to the print media transport belt.

Abstract: A system for dampening fluid recovery in an ink-based digital printing system includes a seal manifold having a front seal portion, the front seal portion having an upper wall facing the imaging surface, the upper wall being configured to define an air flow channel with the imaging surface, the upper wall being contoured to form a distance between the upper wall and the imaging surface at an evaporation location that is less than distance between the upper wall and the imaging surface at locations interposing the evaporation location and a vacuum inlet channel of the seal manifold.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting an electrostatic field in a print zone of an inkjet printer. The printer includes an electrostatic tacking device to hold a sheet of recording media to a transport belt moving through the print zone for imaging with one or more inkjet printheads. A sensor determines the electrostatic field before the print zone and adjusts the electrostatic field with a corotron disposed after the tacking device and before the print zone. Reduction of the electrostatic field in the print zone can reduce imaging errors resulting from electrostatic fields.

Abstract: A media feeding and cutting system is disclosed herein which comprises a media cutter including a cutting surface and a digital cutting device, a first feeder configured to automatically transport individual sheets of media from an in-feed receptacle toward the cutter, a positioner configured to position the medium on the cutting surface, a second feeder disposed adjacent to or connected to the cutting surface which is configured to automatically transport the cut medium from the cutter to an out-feed receptacle, and a processor configured to operate the cutter, first feeder, positioner and second feeder. Additional related systems and methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: A semi-conductive media transport is used with an ink jet printing system. A belt is held flat and slides across a conductive platen, causing electrostatic charges on the belt. The belt is made semi-conductive to prevent charge buildup. The belt has an effective surface resistivity between a lower limit to preclude a buildup of electrostatic charges, and an upper limit to enable electrostatic tacking of the media to the belt. The resistivity limits vary depending upon belt velocity, thickness, material, belt and media dielectric constant, and slot width. A pair of charged nip rollers tacks the media substrate to the belt. An AC corotron is disposed above the belt to establish a net neutral charge state on the media substrate and the belt. Platen slots directly below the ink jet print heads will maintain the net neutral charge state on the media substrate and the belt.

Abstract: An ink-based digital printing system includes a dampening fluid delivery system that forms a dampening fluid layer on a reimageable surface of an imaging plate using vapor condensation. The system includes a delivery nozzle having a chamber that receives atomized dampening fluid, mixes the fluid with hot air or nitrogen gas for rapid vaporization, and directs the vapor onto an imaging member surface for condensation and dampening fluid layer formation.

Abstract: When tacking print media to a print media transport belt in a printer, a tack module having a pair of nips is employed to control charge migration in across the print media in order to tolerate lead edge curl while ensuring uniform printing. An upstream nip is formed by a first bias transfer roll and a first backup roll, and a downstream nip is formed by a second bias transfer roll and a second backup roll. The respective backup rolls are offset slightly upstream of the respective bias transfer rolls. Charge of opposite polarities is applied to the first backup roll and the second bias transfer roll to facilitate taking of the print media to the print media transport belt.

Abstract: A media loading and unloading system, for use with a media cutting system having a cutting table and cutting apparatus to cut or score media held on a surface of the cutting table, includes an elevator assembly and a bi-directional transport system. The elevator assembly includes a drive and multiple vertically displaced bins that are vertically movable up and down by the drive. The bi-directional transport system transports media in a lateral feed direction from the elevator assembly to the cutting table surface and removes media from the cutting table surface in a lateral direction opposite to the feed direction to the elevator assembly.

Abstract: A tri-roll curler apparatus includes an inlet roll, and exit roll, and a penetrating roll. The three rolls have substantially equal radii. At least one of the penetrating roll, and the inlet and exit rolls may be movable. Distances between the penetrating roll and the inlet roll, and the penetrating roll and the exit roll are substantially equal.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting an electrostatic field in a print zone of an inkjet printer. The printer includes an electrostatic tacking device to hold a sheet of recording media to a transport belt moving through the print zone for imaging with one or more inkjet printheads. A sensor determines the electrostatic field before the print zone and adjusts the electrostatic field with a corotron disposed after the tacking device and before the print zone. Reduction of the electrostatic field in the print zone can reduce imaging errors resulting from electrostatic fields.