Abstract: A drop-on-demand plastic card printer includes a tray disposed underneath the plastic card during drop-on-demand printing to catch any overspray that may occur during printing on the plastic card. The tray may be disposable so that the tray is intended to be removed and disposed of. An ink absorbent pad can be disposed in the tray to absorb the oversprayed ink. The ink absorbent pad can be disposed of along with the tray or disposed of separately from the tray.

Abstract: A DOD print station has at least one DOD print head that applies radiation curable material, to a surface of an identification document. A curing station is adjacent to the DOD print station. The curing station includes at least one radiation emitting device, for example a UV light emitting device, that cures the radiation curable material applied to the surface. The curing station is configured to prevent stray radiation emitted from the radiation emitting device from impinging on the DOD print head(s) and prevent exposure to the operator of the DOD print station.

Abstract: An ink bottle is mounted in a DOD printer with the ink bottle acting as an ink supply reservoir that supplies ink to a DOD print head. A unique cap is provided that is configured to be affixed to an end of the ink bottle via threads or the like. The cap can be provided with one or more mechanical keying features used to limit mounting of the cap and the bottle assembly to a correct receiver in the DOD printer. The cap can also be provided with a valve controlled ink passage that allows ink to flow out of the bottle through the cap and a valve controlled vent passage that allows air to enter the bottle through the cap.

Abstract: A drop-on-demand plastic card printer includes a tray disposed underneath the plastic card during drop-on-demand printing to catch any overspray that may occur during printing on the plastic card. The tray may be disposable so that the tray is intended to be removed and disposed of. An ink absorbent pad can be disposed in the tray to absorb the oversprayed ink. The ink absorbent pad can be disposed of along with the tray or disposed of separately from the tray.

Abstract: A DOD print station has at least one DOD print head that applies radiation curable material, to a surface of an identification document. A curing station is adjacent to the DOD print station. The curing station includes at least one radiation emitting device, for example a UV light emitting device, that cures the radiation curable material applied to the surface. The curing station is configured to prevent stray radiation emitted from the radiation emitting device from impinging on the DOD print head(s) and prevent exposure to the operator of the DOD print station.

Abstract: A drop-on-demand plastic card printer includes a tray disposed underneath the plastic card during drop-on-demand printing to catch any overspray that may occur during printing on the plastic card. The tray may be disposable so that the tray is intended to be removed and disposed of. An ink absorbent pad can be disposed in the tray to absorb the oversprayed ink. The ink absorbent pad can be disposed of along with the tray or disposed of separately from the tray.

Abstract: DOD ink delivery systems and methods are described herein that are used in DOD card printing systems of card processing systems for supplying ink for DOD printing on plastic cards of the type that bear personalized data unique to the intended cardholder and/or which bear other card information. The DOD ink delivery system is configured to recirculate the ink, or have a second pressure damper container that provides damping to eliminate large and abrupt spikes in ink pressure which can disturb the meniscus of the ink in each nozzle of the print head generated by a vacuum system, or simultaneously operate a supply pump at a lower flow rate than a return pump during an autofill/autodrain procedure on the ink delivery system.

Abstract: Maintenance routines that can be used to maintain the operability of one or more DOD print heads in a card processing system. The maintenance routines can include, but are not limited to: a cover routine where a cover or cap is selectively and automatically located over the print head(s) to protect the print head(s); a shake pulse routine that energizes the nozzles of the print head(s) without causing an ejection of ink; a spit routine where the nozzles of the print head(s) are energized to eject one or more drops of ink; and a purge routine where the nozzles are not electrically energized but the pressure holding the ink in the nozzles of the print head(s) is reversed to push ink out of the nozzles.

Abstract: An ink bottle is mounted in a DOD printer with the ink bottle acting as an ink supply reservoir that supplies ink to a DOD print head. A unique cap is provided that is configured to be affixed to an end of the ink bottle via threads or the like. The cap can be provided with one or more mechanical keying features used to limit mounting of the cap and the bottle assembly to a correct receiver in the DOD printer. The cap can also be provided with a valve controlled ink passage that allows ink to flow out of the bottle through the cap and a valve controlled vent passage that allows air to enter the bottle through the cap.

Abstract: DOD ink delivery systems and methods are described herein that are used in DOD card printing systems of card processing systems for supplying ink for DOD printing on plastic cards. The ink delivery systems are configured to recirculate the ink without using a recirculation tank separate from an ink supply. The ink can be recirculated back into the ink supply or, when the ink supply is not present, the ink can be recirculated from a return header tank to a supply header tank.

Abstract: An ink bottle is mounted in a DOD printer with the ink bottle acting as an ink supply reservoir that supplies ink to a DOD print head. A unique cap is provided that is configured to be affixed to an end of the ink bottle via threads or the like. The cap can be provided with one or more mechanical keying features used to limit mounting of the cap and the bottle assembly to a correct receiver in the DOD printer. The cap can also be provided with a valve controlled ink passage that allows ink to flow out of the bottle through the cap and a valve controlled vent passage that allows air to enter the bottle through the cap.

Abstract: A drop-on-demand plastic card printer includes a tray disposed underneath the plastic card during drop-on-demand printing to catch any overspray that may occur during printing on the plastic card. The tray may be disposable so that the tray is intended to be removed and disposed of. An ink absorbent pad can be disposed in the tray to absorb the oversprayed ink. The ink absorbent pad can be disposed of along with the tray or disposed of separately from the tray.

Abstract: DOD ink delivery systems and methods are described herein that are used in DOD card printing systems of card processing systems for supplying ink for DOD printing on plastic cards of the type that bear personalized data unique to the intended cardholder and/or which bear other card information. The DOD ink delivery system is configured to recirculate the ink, or have a second pressure damper container that provides damping to eliminate large and abrupt spikes in ink pressure which can disturb the meniscus of the ink in each nozzle of the print head generated by a vacuum system, or simultaneously operate a supply pump at a lower flow rate than a return pump during an autofill/autodrain procedure on the ink delivery system.

Abstract: Maintenance routines that can be used to maintain the operability of one or more DOD print heads in a card processing system. The maintenance routines can include, but are not limited to: a cover routine where a cover or cap is selectively and automatically located over the print head(s) to protect the print head(s); a shake pulse routine that energizes the nozzles of the print head(s) without causing an ejection of ink; a spit routine where the nozzles of the print head(s) are energized to eject one or more drops of ink; and a purge routine where the nozzles are not electrically energized but the pressure holding the ink in the nozzles of the print head(s) is reversed to push ink out of the nozzles.

Abstract: An ink bottle is mounted in a DOD printer with the ink bottle acting as an ink supply reservoir that supplies ink to a DOD print head. A unique cap is provided that is configured to be affixed to an end of the ink bottle via threads or the like. The cap can be provided with one or more mechanical keying features used to limit mounting of the cap and the bottle assembly to a correct receiver in the DOD printer. The cap can also be provided with a valve controlled ink passage that allows ink to flow out of the bottle through the cap and a valve controlled vent passage that allows air to enter the bottle through the cap.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for the improved isolation and corresponding treatment of tissue targeted for cryogenic or other thermal therapy to increase the thermal efficacy and thermal efficiency of the treatment. In particular, the present invention provides methods and systems for improved thermal treatment of target tissue, such as a pulmonary vein and/or regions of the left atrium by reducing the resistive forces and/or increased thermal energy experienced from blood flow exiting the pulmonary vein into the left atrium during treatment.

Abstract: In an offshore production system, a semisubmersible supports the risers and provides the service requirements for the wells, while an associated FPSO provides the processing functions and storage of the produced hydrocarbons. As a result, a greater number of risers can be supported in a harsh environment while the turret and swivel requirements of the system are significantly reduced.

Abstract: A system comprising a semisubmersible, at least two offloading terminals and shuttle tankers in optional combination with an FSO may be deployed in deep water harsh environments where riser performance (either SCR or LWSCR) is a key performance parameter. The semisubmersible is used to support the risers because of its favorable motion characteristics under harsh conditions. The semisubmersible supports the entire process train and provides well maintenance, which may include water and/or gas injection. The semisubmersible may provide work-over capabilities for well intervention. The produced hydrocarbons are exported through flexible pipes to at least two off-loading buoys. A FSO or shuttle tanker receives the produced hydrocarbons. Two or more off-loading buoys may be employed to allow for uninterrupted production when a shuttle-tanker-only embodiment is utilized.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for the improved isolation and corresponding treatment of tissue targeted for cryogenic or other thermal therapy to increase the thermal efficacy and thermal efficiency of the treatment. In particular, the present invention provides methods and systems for improved thermal treatment of target tissue, such as a pulmonary vein and/or regions of the left atrium by reducing the resistive forces and/or increased thermal energy experienced from blood flow exiting the pulmonary vein into the left atrium during treatment.