Patent · US Active

Staggered ultra-violet curing systems, structures and processes for inkjet printing

US9079427B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
4References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 30, 2012
Grant dateJul 14, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 2, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J29/38
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Enhanced printing systems, structures, and processes provide enhanced pinning of light sensitive inks before curing, such as to avoid artifacts, e.g. between colors, and/or between regions of different color densities. One or more pinning lamps are controlled or otherwise configured to deliver pinning energy over an interval, e.g. over a period of time or over a percentage of completion, to a pinning threshold level, which may be stored and/or determined. In some exemplary embodiments, the pinning energy is increased linearly over an interval. Other exemplary embodiments provide a stepped or staggered increase in applied pinning energy. An additional level of pinning may preferably be provided after pinning and before curing, at an energy level over the first pinning threshold, and below the curing threshold. The enhanced printing systems, structures, and processes reduce and/or eliminate moderate or large transitions of UV light energy, which may otherwise cause image artifacts.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.