Abstract: A printing speed for printing an image using an inkjet printer is determined. Information regarding a measure of the nozzle firing quality of the printer as a function of printing speed and in relation to an image attribute is determined. The image to be printed is analyzed in respect of the image attribute and the information regarding the measure of the nozzle firing quality is used to determine an optimum printing speed for printing the image. Thus a determination may be made as to how fast a particular image may be printed using a particular printer arrangement without unacceptable loss of print quality of the image. Also described is a method of determining printing instructions for printing a plurality of images in which a printing speed for each image is determined, and printing instructions for printing the plurality of images is determined so as to increase the overall efficiency of printing the plurality of images.

Abstract: A multipass large format flat bed inkjet printer (1) for printing an image on a substrate is described. In examples described, the printer (1) has a print carriage (8) for supporting an array of printheads (18) adjacent the substrate (6) during printing; a bed (4) for supporting the substrate (6) during printing; and a movement mechanism (5) for providing relative movement of the print carriage (8) and the substrate (6) in a print direction during a print pass. The print carriage (8) is such that the width of the array of printheads (18) transverse to the print direction is at least substantially the full width of the image. in examples described, the printheads (18) provide an array of nozzles (22) which is substantially continuous across the array of printheads (18).

Abstract: A multipass large format flat bed inkjet printer (1) for printing an image on a substrate is described. In examples described, the printer (1) has a print carriage (8) for supporting an array of printheads (18) adjacent the substrate (6) during printing; a bed (4) for supporting the substrate (6) during printing; and a movement mechanism (5) for providing relative movement of the print carriage (8) and the substrate (6) in a print direction during a print pass. The print carriage (8) is such that the width of the array of printheads (18) transverse to the print direction is at least substantially the full width of the image. in examples described, the printheads (18) provide an array of nozzles (22) which is substantially continuous across the array of printheads (18).

Abstract: A substrate support apparatus for a printer is described. The apparatus includes a table having a support surface for supporting a substrate during printing, the support surface including a plurality of substrate apertures. A negative pressure can be applied to the substrate apertures to hold the substrate to the table during printing. The apparatus further includes a plurality of mask apertures, and a negative pressure can be applied to the mask apertures to hold a mask to the support surface. By arranging for the pressure to be applied to the substrate apertures and mask apertures independently, the mask can be held to the table during loading and unloading of the substrate.

Abstract: A substrate support apparatus for a printer is described. The apparatus includes a table having a support surface for supporting a substrate during printing, the support surface including a plurality of substrate apertures. A negative pressure can be applied to the substrate apertures to hold the substrate to the table during printing. The apparatus further includes a plurality of mask apertures, and a negative pressure can be applied to the mask apertures to hold a mask to the support surface. By arranging for the pressure to be applied to the substrate apertures and mask apertures independently, the mask can be held to the table during loading and unloading of the substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for handling a print substrate in a printer. In examples described, the substrate is a web, for example a continuous web. A web support device is provided for supporting the web in a printing region and a web transport device is adapted to move the web forwards and backwards in the printing region. In examples described, multipass printing is carried out.

Abstract: An inkjet printer (10) is described which includes two substrate support beds (30, 40). The printer can print onto a first substrate on one of the support beds (30) while a second substrate is loaded onto and/or unloaded from the second support bed (40). In this way, the printing operation can be made more efficient and the throughput of the printer can be improved.

Abstract: A multipass large format flat bed inkjet printer (1) for printing an image on a substrate is described. In examples described, the printer (1) has a print carriage (8) for supporting an array of printheads (18) adjacent the substrate (6) during printing; a bed (4) for supporting the substrate (6) during printing; and a movement mechanism (5) for providing relative movement of the print carriage (8) and the substrate (6) in a print direction during a print pass. The print carriage (8) is such that the width of the array of printheads (18) transverse to the print direction is at least substantially the full width of the image. In examples described, the printheads (18) provide an array of nozzles (22) which is substantially continuous across the array of printheads (18).

Abstract: A printing speed for printing an image using an inkjet printer is determined. Information regarding a measure of the nozzle firing quality of the printer as a function of printing speed and in relation to an image attribute is determined. The image to be printed is analysed in respect of the image attribute and the information regarding the measure of the nozzle firing quality is used to determine an optimum printing speed for printing the image. Thus a determination may be made as to how fast a particular image may be printed using a particular printer arrangement without unacceptable loss of print quality of the image. Also described is a method of determining printing instructions for printing a plurality of images in which a printing speed for each image is determined, and printing instructions for printing the plurality of images is determined so as to increase the overall efficiency of printing the plurality of images.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is adapted for printing on a printing surface of a three-dimensional object 12. The apparatus comprises an inkjet printhead 14 having a plurality of nozzles, and being operative to effect relative movement of the printhead and the object, during printing, with a rotational component about an axis of rotation and with a linear component, in which the linear component is at least partially in a direction substantially parallel with the axis of rotation and wherein the nozzle pitch of the printhead is greater than the grid pitch to be printed onto the printing surface in the nozzle row direction. In preferred examples, a substantially helical path is printed on the surface and improved ink jet printing of three dimensional objects can be achieved.

Abstract: A printhead cartridge for a multi-printhead ink jet printer includes an array of ink jet nozzles and a heat sink for controlling the temperature of the nozzles. The heat sink is made up of a copper block and thinner copper wing regions extending from the block parallel to the array of nozzles. A passageway for coolant water is formed in the block and extends into the wings as a thinner channel. The block and the wing regions are mounted in thermal contact with the array of ink jet nozzles. The heat sink has the advantage that it allows the cartridges in the printer to be stitched together to cover the full width of a substrate.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is adapted for printing on a printing surface of a three-dimensional object 12. The apparatus comprises an inkjet printhead 14 having a plurality of nozzles, and being operative to effect relative movement of the printhead and the object, during printing, with a rotational component about an axis of rotation and with a linear component, in which the linear component is at least partially in a direction substantially parallel with the axis of rotation and wherein the nozzle pitch of the printhead is greater than the grid pitch to be printed onto the printing surface in the nozzle row direction. In preferred examples, a substantially helical path is printed on the surface and improved ink jet printing of three dimensional objects can be achieved.

Abstract: A printhead cartridge for a multi-printhead ink jet printer includes an array of ink jet nozzles and a heat sink for controlling the temperature of the nozzles. The heat sink is made up of a copper block and thinner copper wing regions extending from the block parallel to the array of nozzles. A passageway for coolant water is formed in the block and extends into the wings as a thinner channel. The block and the wing regions are mounted in thermal contact with the array of ink jet nozzles. The heat sink has the advantage that it allows the cartridges in the printer to be stitched together to cover the full width of a substrate.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for producing a mixed batch of consumer products without the use of a mechanical mixer to carry out the mixing. An image sequencing means is provided which sequences images to be printed by a digitally-controlled printhead. Varying images are placed on consumer products or parts thereof—e.g. cigarette cards—as those products or parts of products pass under the printhead at a point in the production line. The consumer products, once assembled, are packaged directly from the production line to form mixed batches of product—without an additional mixing step.

Abstract: A contact lens is disposed in a well containing hydration fluid, such that a concave surface of the lens faces upwardly and the lens is submerged in the hydration fluid, thereby allowing contaminants to leach out of the lens into the hydration fluid. After hydration, a washing fluid is introduced into the well and contaminated hydration fluid is removed from the well so as to replace at least some of the contaminated hydration fluid in the well with the washing fluid in a predetermined fluid-exchange procedure. The washing fluid is introduced into the well so as to be directed against the concave surface of the lens and the contaminated hydration fluid is removed at a removal location remote from where the washing fluid impinges against the lens, such that the action of the introduced washing fluid serves to oppose The predetermined fluid-exchange procedure is monitored so as to establish whether the predetermined fluid-exchange procedure has been correctly performed.

Abstract: A sealed, openable liquid container, e.g., for a beverage such as beer, comprises a container (10) partly filled with liquid (24) to provide a primary headspace (26). Secured to the base of the container (10) by means of adhesive (16) is an insert (14) in the form of a hollow body (18) having an upper restricted orifice (20) and a lower restricted orifice (22) therein. The hollow body (18) is partly filled with liquid derived from the main body of the container (10) so that a secondary headspace (23) is provided. The upper restricted orifice (22) communicates with the headspace (23), whilst the restricted orifice (22) is submerged in the liquid. The upper restricted orifice (22) is of a size such that the bubble point effect prevents loss of gas from the headspace (23) into the liquid (24) until a large pressure differential occurs across the orifice (20) when the container (10) is opened by means of tab (30).