Printer for large format printing using a direct electrostatic printing (DEP) engine

US6102523A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Agfa-Gevaert NV · BE

Inventors

• Guido Desie · Mortsel, BE
• Jacques Leonard · Ekeren, BE
• Hilbrand Van den Wijngaert · Grobbendonk, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 19, 1997
• Grant date: Aug 15, 2000
• Expiry date: Dec 19, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G03G2217/0025
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A printer, with printing width (PW), is provided, for printing toner image on a substrate, having a width (WS) and a length (LS), comprising a DEP printing engine, having PA1 a toner delivery means, having a surface whereon charged toner particles are present for providing a flow of the toner particles from that surface to the substrate, PA1 a printhead structure with printing apertures and control electrodes, interposed in the flow of toner particles for image-wise controlling that flow, wherein: PA1 the toner delivery means comprises a number, n equal to or larger than 2, of toner applicator modules, each having a width, WTD, smaller than the printing width PW, and at least two of the number, n of toner applicator modules are positioned in a staggered configuration with respect to the substrate. Preferably the printing width of the printer is at least 40 cm.