Abstract: A vacuum hole array including a dense array of vacuum holes and a sparse array of vacuum holes.

Abstract: Print arrangements are disclosed. An example printer includes a print head to apply an image to a substrate; a first roller and a second roller forming a first nip, the substrate to extend through the first nip as the substrate is being fed toward the print head; and a third roller and a fourth roller forming a second nip, first axes of the first and second rollers being non-parallel to second axes of the third and fourth rollers to enable a transverse force to be applied to the substrate prior to the substrate entering the first nip.

Abstract: Print arrangement, comprising a first roll, a transport surface, a nip between the first roll and the transport surface through which, at least during printing, a substrate is threaded, a drive system arranged to change a width of the nip, and a lateral stretch member arranged to engage a side of the substrate. The first roll comprises a two coaxially aligned roll segments of similar diameters for rolling over the substrate, with a distance in between.

Abstract: A device, method and system for receiving and submitting a substrate, the device including an XY table, the XY table having one or a plurality of sides for accepting a substrate, a set of manipulators coupled to the XY table, the manipulators configured to accept and register the substrate from the one or plurality of sides of the XY table, and a set of retractable dividers on the XY table configurable to register one or a plurality of substrates concurrently.

Abstract: A vacuum hole array including a dense array of vacuum holes and a sparse array of vacuum holes.

Abstract: A printer for inkjet printing on a flexible substrate. It has a print-head for printing on the flexible substrate in a printing area, and a transport and tensioning mechanism for transporting the flexible substrate in a feed direction relative to the printing area and applying tension to it. The tension applied to the flexible substrate causes a substrate elongation. The printer is arranged to measure the substrate elongation caused by the tension applied to the flexible substrate and compensate for the substrate elongation by at least one of modifying the defined transport of the flexible substrate, and translating the print-head relative to the printing area.

Abstract: A method system and device, to align a substrate on a surface, the device including a first intake and a second intake where the first intake is configured to accept a first fluid and the second intake is configured to accept a second fluid. The first fluid is channeled into the device to vertically move the device a distance, and the second fluid calibrated and channeled into the nozzle, the nozzle having a focusing outlet, and where the fluids are configured to exert a force to facilitate the alignment of the substrate on the surface.

Abstract: According to one example of the present invention there is provided a method of printing, with a printer, an image on a substrate, the printer comprising a substrate support. The method comprises obtaining an image to be printed, determining an offset position of a substrate positioned on the substrate support relative to a predetermined reference printing position, and controlling the printer to print the image to be printed at the determined offset position.

Abstract: In one implementation, an encoder assembly for a printer includes: an encoder scale having indicators thereon for determining a printing parameter; an encoder sensor for sensing indicators on the scale; and a mechanism configured to alternately attach an encoder part (either the scale or the sensor) to the substrate and detach the encoder part from the substrate. In another implementation, a method includes: attaching an encoder part to a print substrate, the encoder part being either an encoder scale or an encoder sensor; the sensor sensing indicators on the scale while advancing the substrate with the encoder part attached; and detaching the encoder part from the substrate.

Abstract: A printer for inkjet printing on a flexible substrate. It has a print-head for printing on the flexible substrate in a printing area, and a transport and tensioning mechanism for transporting the flexible substrate in a feed direction relative to the printing area and applying tension to it. The tension applied to the flexible substrate causes a substrate elongation. The printer is arranged to measure the substrate elongation caused by the tension applied to the flexible substrate and compensate for the substrate elongation by at least one of modifying the defined transport of the flexible substrate, and translating the print-head relative to the printing area.

Abstract: A method system and device, to align a substrate on a surface, the device including a first intake and a second intake where the first intake is configured to accept a first fluid and the second intake is configured to accept a second fluid. The first fluid is channeled into the device to vertically move the device a distance, and the second fluid calibrated and channeled into the nozzle, the nozzle having a focusing outlet, and where the fluids are configured to exert a force to facilitate the alignment of the substrate on the surface.

Abstract: In one implementation, an encoder assembly for a printer includes: an encoder scale having indicators thereon for determining a printing parameter; an encoder sensor for sensing indicators on the scale; and a mechanism configured to alternately attach an encoder part (either the scale or the sensor) to the substrate and detach the encoder part from the substrate. In another implementation, a method includes: attaching an encoder part to a print substrate, the encoder part being either an encoder scale or an encoder sensor; the sensor sensing indicators on the scale while advancing the substrate with the encoder part attached; and detaching the encoder part from the substrate.

Abstract: A method of tensioning multiple webs of print media for a web printer is presented. The method comprises the steps of: feeding each print media web through a print media feeding path of the web printer; and attaching one or more tensioning weights to each print media web so as to impart a tension in each print media web. The total weight value of the one or more tensioning weights attached to each web of print media is substantially the same so that the tension imparted in each print media web is substantially equal.

Abstract: Print arrangement, comprising a first roll, a transport surface, a nip between the first roll and the transport surface through which, at least during printing, a substrate is threaded, a drive system arranged to change a width of the nip, and a lateral stretch member arranged to engage a side of the substrate. The first roll comprises a two coaxially aligned roll segments of similar diameters for rolling over the substrate, with a distance in between.

Abstract: A method of tensioning multiple webs of print media for a web printer is presented. The method comprises the steps of: feeding each print media web through a print media feeding path of the web printer; and attaching one or more tensioning weights to each print media web so as to impart a tension in each print media web. The total weight value of the one or more tensioning weights attached to each web of print media is substantially the same so that the tension imparted in each print media web is substantially equal.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, a method for bookbinding is provided. The method comprises placing a strip of hot-melt adhesive tape between a spine of a book block and a central region of a cover. The hot-melt adhesive tape comprises a first layer having a first hot-melt adhesive substance having a first viscosity and a second layer having a second hot-melt adhesive substance having a second viscosity that is higher than the first viscosity when heated. The strip of the hot-melt adhesive is placed such that the first layer of the tape is positioned next to the spine and the second layer is positioned next to the central region of the cover.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, a method for bookbinding is provided. The method comprises placing a first hot-melt adhesive substance having a first viscosity between a central area of a spine of a book block and a corresponding area of an inner surface of a central portion of a cover for the book block. The method also comprises placing a second hot-melt adhesive substance having a second viscosity higher than the first viscosity between peripheral areas of the spine and corresponding areas of the inner surface of the central portion of the cover.

Abstract: The invention teaches a paperback book-finishing apparatus comprising a collator, a cover trimmer (with optional scorer), a glue cutter, and a binder. The apparatus can automatically finish books of different thicknesses. The operations of cover trimming, glue cutting and placement, and collating are all carried out by aligning to a common alignment edge. The glue cutter cuts glue strips of variable width and the collator collates printed sheets by synchronized tamping. The apparatus can be used with in-line, on-demand page printers and in-line, on-demand cover printers. The apparatus can be used in book vending machines.