Abstract: In one aspect, the invention features a method for operating a printing system with variable laydown, including providing the system with print job information, selecting an ink laydown based on the print job information, generating firing instructions for the printing system based on the ink laydown, and printing an image on a substrate at the ink laydown.

Abstract: Among other things, for jetting ink droplets on a substrate during relative motion of an apparatus and the substrate along a process direction, a first and second jetting assemblies at least partially overlap in a direction perpendicular to the process direction so that some jets in the first jetting assembly align with some jets in the second jetting assembly along the process direction to form one or more pairs of aligned jets. A mechanism enables, in at least one pair of the aligned jets, one jet to jet a first ink drop that has a size smaller than a size of an ink drop the jet would otherwise be required to jet to form a desired pixel and the other jet to jet a second ink drop that has a size sufficient to form the desired pixel in combination with the first ink drop.

Abstract: In general, in a first aspect, the invention features assemblies for mounting a printhead module in an apparatus for depositing droplets on a substrate. The assemblies include a frame having an opening extending through the frame and configured to expose a surface of the printhead module mounted in the assembly, and a spring element adapted to spring load the printhead module against an edge of the opening when the printhead module is mounted in the assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention features a method for operating a printing system with variable laydown, including providing the system with print job information, selecting an ink laydown based on the print job information, generating firing instructions for the printing system based on the ink laydown, and printing an image on a substrate at the ink laydown.

Abstract: Among other things, for jetting ink droplets on a substrate during relative motion of an apparatus and the substrate along a process direction, a first and second jetting assemblies at least partially overlap in a direction perpendicular to the process direction so that some jets in the first jetting assembly align with some jets in the second jetting assembly along the process direction to form one or more pairs of aligned jets. A mechanism enables, in at least one pair of the aligned jets, one jet to jet a first ink drop that has a size smaller than a size of an ink drop the jet would otherwise be required to jet to form a desired pixel and the other jet to jet a second ink drop that has a size sufficient to form the desired pixel in combination with the first ink drop.

Abstract: An ink jet print head includes an ink delivery system and a plurality of ink jet modules connected to the ink delivery system, the plurality of ink jet modules including a first ink jet module and a second ink jet module. The ink delivery system includes a first cut-off device selectively blocking ink flow to the first ink jet module and a second cut-off device of the ink delivery system selectively blocking ink flow to the second ink jet module.

Abstract: An ink jet device includes an ink jet print head and a deaerator having an ink passage, a membrane and a vacuum chamber. The ink passage has an exit connected to the ink jet print head and an inlet, and the membrane has a first side and a second side. The first side contacts ink in the ink passage and the second side contacts the vacuum chamber. The inlet of the ink passage is located above the exit.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention features a method for operating a printing system with variable laydown, including providing the system with print job information, selecting an ink laydown based on the print job information, generating firing instructions for the printing system based on the ink laydown, and printing an image on a substrate at the ink laydown.

Abstract: In general, in a first aspect, the invention features assemblies for mounting a printhead module in an apparatus for depositing droplets on a substrate. The assemblies include a frame having an opening extending through the frame and configured to expose a surface of the printhead module mounted in the assembly, and a spring element adapted to spring load the printhead module against an edge of the opening when the printhead module is mounted in the assembly.

Abstract: A heating device for desensitizing migration imaging film on an external imaging member scanner. The heating device is curved and has a large surface area to provide maximum heating efficiency. The heating device is mounted to a bracket connected to a scanner cartridge and moves integrally with the scanner cartridge in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the imaging member. The heating device heats the migration imaging film to a temperature to ensure that the surface charge on the film is changed, but is less than a temperature needed for selenium particle migration. As a result, the selenium in the migration imaging film is no longer sensitive under daylight conditions. Thus, the migration imaging film can be removed and heated under daylight conditions providing a significant advantage over film that must be removed and heated under red light conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of developing a heat developing film includes a film support surface for supporting and constraining a film and heaters for developing the film supported on the film constraining surface. The film constraining surface may either be stationary or form part of a film transport. The film transport may either be a continuous film transport or a reciprocating film transport. The continuous film transport may be inclined or include an input pinch roller. In addition, the heaters may either be stationary, reciprocatable, or pivotable. The heat is applied by conduction and may include a profiled heater output to control uniformity of the temperature. The apparatus may be provided as a stand-alone unit or may be coupled, either externally to or within, a film exposure device.

Abstract: An apparatus and technique to guide a fabric conveyor belt by alignment of the fabric weaves with a mating fabric on a vacuum platen is described. The technique functions in a manner similar to an edge guide, however the correcting forces are applied over the surface of the belt as opposed to the edge of the belt. Robust tracking can be achieved and the need for frequent adjustments of the conveyor rollers by the user is eliminated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of developing a heat developing film includes a film support surface for supporting and constraining a film and heaters for developing the film supported on the film constraining surface. The film constraining surface may either be stationary or form part of a film transport. The film transport may either be a continuous film transport or a reciprocating film transport. The continuous film transport may be inclined or include an input pinch roller. In addition, the heaters may either be stationary, reciprocatable, or pivotable. The heaters are radiant heaters which may include a profiled heater output to control uniformity of the temperature. The apparatus may be provided as a stand-alone unit or may be coupled, either externally to or within, a film exposure device.

Abstract: A registration pin for a rotating drum recorder device cooperates with a film to register and support the film during loading the film onto the drum. The registration pin has a reduced profile to reduce the overall size of the drum. The pin also has a construction to permit loading of different types of films onto the drum. The head of the registration pin is provided with a profile that supports and positions the film on the drum, even though the registration pin is shorter than conventional pins. The registration pin includes at least one protrusion to sandwich the film against the surface of the drum. The protrusion may take any appropriate form. The protrusion may include a "teardrop" shaped form, in order to positively hold the film on the drum.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement for a document feeder comprising a feed deck, a separator assembly for separating and feeding individual documents, the separator assembly including a separator wheel disposed above the feed deck, drive structure for driving the separator wheel, and structure for adjustably positioning the separator wheel assembly to a position relative to the feed deck commensurate with the material being fed. The improvement comprises structure for pivotally coupling the document feeder to vertical frame members. The coupling structure is located at one end of the document feeder near the separator assembly. There are a pair of leg members extending below the feed deck, each of the leg members resting on a horizontal frame member at opposite sides of the document feed path. The leg members are laterally spaced so as not to interfere with documents being conveyed by the underlying document transport.

Abstract: A document registration apparatus for use in a document inserting station or a document queuing station is provided. The apparatus includes a document registration unit having a plurality of laterally-spaced registration stops for stopping motion of a document and registering a particular edge of a document to a particular direction in the apparatus. The registration unit also includes at least one non driver urge roller for moving the registered document away from the apparatus for further processing. The document registration apparatus also includes a jam access hinge for providing access to a jammed document.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing an envelope from a stream of envelopes moving along a straight path. The apparatus includes: an envelope turner; a device for raising and lowering the downstream end of the envelope turner; an envelope sealer situated adjacent and downstream of the envelope turner; a device for detecting an envelope to be ejected; and a device for signaling the raising and lowering device to be raised in order to feed an envelope to be ejected over the envelope sealer.