US5376957A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ink jet printer
Assignee: Ellomay Capital Ltd
•
Filing: 1994-01-07
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Granted: 1994-12-27
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Expires: 2014-01-07
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is an ink jet printer utilized to enlarge color images. Signals from a scanned image are converted by a color correction computer into control signals representing the density of the individual pixels of that scanned image. The color density signals are used to control the application of ink from ink jet spray nozzles located on a pair of printheads. Thus, the ink jet printer of the present invention reproduces the image on both sides of a translucent substrate to enhance the quality of the viewed image. The present invention is further provided with dual air sources to apply the ink. A first source is pulse width modulated to control the amount of ink sprayed onto the substrate. A second air pressure source is continuously applied to the ink jet spray nozzles to remove the excess ink that accumulates about the nozzles during print operations. The present invention, additionally, is provided with heaters and a wiper arm and sponge which operate together to enhance adherence of ink onto the substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 James Gandy
- 👤 Myles F. Clauser
- 👤 Donald Mickish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:56
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/015; B41J2/04; B41J11/00; B41J11/0015; B41J11/002; B41J11/0021; B41J11/00216; B41J11/004; B41J11/0045; B41J11/005; B41J15/00; B41J15/16; B41J15/165; B41J2/02; B41J3/00; B41J3/60; B41J2202/00; B41J2202/01; B41J2202/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for reproducing an image on a first side of a substrate and a mirror image on a second side of said substrate, comprising: a frame; means for generating control signals representative of said image; ink delivery means positioned on opposite sides of said substrate, said ink delivery means fluidly communicating with an ink source; means mounted on said frame for supporting said ink delivery means; means mounted on said frame for driving said ink delivery means relative to said substrate; and means, responsive to said control signals, for controlling said ink delivery means to produce said image on said first side of said substrate and said mirror image on said second side of said substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for reproducing an image on a first side of a substrate and a mirror image on a second side of said substrate, comprising: a frame; means for generating control signals representative of said image; ink delivery means positioned on opposite sides of said substrate, said ink delivery means fluidly communicating with an ink source; means mounted on said frame for supporting said ink delivery means; means mounted on said frame for driving said ink delivery means relative to said substrate; and means, responsive to said control signals, for controlling said ink delivery means to produce said image on said first side of said substrate and said mirror image on said second side of said substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising scanning means for scanning said image to be reproduced and supplying said control signal generating means with said scanned signals, said control signal generating means generating said control signals from said scanned signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means mounted on said frame for supporting said substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for supporting said substrate comprises a support roller, a guide roller, and a drive roller mounted on said frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 further comprising means mounted on said frame for transporting said substrate relative to said ink delivery means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said means for controlling said ink delivery means further controls said means for driving said substrate relative to said ink delivery means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said means for driving said substrate comprises a motor mounted on said frame and coupled to said drive roller for driving said drive roller in response to signals from said means for controlling said ink delivery means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said ink delivery means comprises first and second printheads.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising means to maintain said substrate equidistant from said first and second printheads.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said first and second printheads comprise a plurality of ink jet sprayheads for spraying ink onto said substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein each of said plurality of ink jet sprayheads comprises an ink jet communicating with said ink source through a first conduit and a pressurized air source through a second conduit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein each of said plurality of sprayheads further comprises a valve means interposed to said ink jet and said pressurized air source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising means for modulating the length of time said valve means remains open in response to signals generated by said means for controlling said ink delivery means to vary the density of said ink applied to said substrate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein each of said plurality of sprayheads further comprises a valve means interposed to said ink jet and said ink source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus according to claim 14 further comprising means for modulating the length of time said valve means remains open in response to signals generated by said means for controlling said ink delivery means to vary the density of said ink applied to said substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said ink delivery means includes means for wiping said substrate before application of ink to said substrate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for heating said substrate both before and after application of ink to said substrate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at the end of a user-selected time period, said means for driving said ink delivery means drives said ink delivery means beyond one end of said substrate to discharge said ink delivery means onto a means for absorbing ink in order to supply said ink delivery means with a fresh supply of ink.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for controlling said ink delivery means further controls said means for driving said ink delivery means relative to said substrate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for supporting said ink delivery means comprises a first rail having a carriage mounted thereon and a second rail having a carriage mounted thereon, said first and second rails mounted on said frame on opposite sides of said substrate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for controlling said ink delivery means comprises a microprocessor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
96 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for driving said ink delivery means comprises: a carriage driver; an encoder for measuring the speed and position of said ink delivery means; a servo-controller connected to said means for controlling said ink delivery means, said encoder, and said carriage driver wherein said servo-controller supplies said means for controlling said ink delivery means with signals from said encoder representing the speed and position of said ink delivery means and controls said carriage driver in response to signals received from said means for controlling said ink delivery means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means, responsive to signals generated by said means for controlling said ink delivery means, for modulating the length of time said ink delivery means delivers ink to said substrate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-12-26 | 1998-06-27 | 1998-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-26 | 2002-06-27 | 2002-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-26 | 2006-06-27 | 2006-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |