# US 11,305,563 B1 · Apparatus to flatten a substrate along a print path of a printer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,563 B1 - Document ID: US11305563B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 17/127,580 - Filed: 2020-12-18 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2020-12-08 - Assignees: Electronics for Imaging, Inc. - Applicants: Electronics for Imaging, Inc. - Inventors: Juan Escudero Gonzalez - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305563B1 ## CPC - B41J 15/16: Means for tensioning or winding the web - B41J 11/0025: {Handling copy materials differing in width} - B41J 11/005: {Guides in the printing zone, e.g. guides for preventing contact of conveyed sheets with printhead} - B41J 13/14: Aprons or guides {for the printing section} - B41J 15/048: {Conveyor belts or like feeding devices (B41J11/007 takes precedence)} - B41J 29/38: Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract Disclosed here is an apparatus to flatten the substrate as the substrate travels along the print path of a printer, thus reducing damage to the transport belt, motor, gearbox, etc., and increasing print quality. The apparatus includes two strapping metal bands mounted on the printer and parallel to the print path. The two strapping metal bands are under tension from a torsion spring and a ratchet placed at least at one end of the print path. In a rest position, the two strapping metal bands are lifted off the transport belt. When a printhead of the printer lowers to engage in printing, the printhead pushes on the two strapping metal bands causing them to push the edges of the substrate downward, thus increasing the flatness of the substrate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus to flatten a substrate along a print path of a printer, the apparatus comprising: a first elongated resilient member disposed linearly along the print path; a first capstan disposed transversely to the print path, the first elongated resilient member having a first terminal portion secured to the first capstan; a first biasing member configured to apply rotational force to the first capstan, wherein rotation of the first capstan in connection with the first biasing member in a first direction applies tension to the first elongated resilient member, wherein the first elongated resilient member correspondingly applies pressure to the substrate as the substrate is moved along the print path by the printer to increase flatness of the substrate; a first ratchet fitted to the first capstan to maintain a bias imparted to the first capstan by the first biasing member by securing the first capstan against rotation in a direction that would release the bias; a second elongated resilient member coupled to the printer, the second elongated resilient member disposed linearly along the print path and parallel to the first elongated resilient member; and the first elongated resilient member and the second elongated resilient member operable to bend in response to a vertical force applied to the first and second elongated resilient members by a printhead associated with the printer, when the printhead is engaged in printing on the substrate. ### Claim 2 An apparatus comprising: a first elongated resilient member disposed linearly along a print path of a substrate through a printer; a first capstan disposed transversely to the print path, the first elongated resilient member having a first terminal portion secured to the first capstan; and a first biasing member configured to apply rotational force to the first capstan, wherein rotation of the first capstan in connection with the first biasing member in a first direction applies tension to the first elongated resilient member, wherein the first elongated resilient member correspondingly applies pressure to the substrate as the substrate is moved along the print path by the printer to increase flatness of the substrate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, comprising: a ratchet fitted to the first capstan to maintain a bias imparted to the first capstan by the first biasing member by securing the first capstan against rotation in a direction that would release the bias. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, comprising: a bar disposed transversely to the print path; a first attachment port secured to the bar, the first attachment port supporting the first terminal portion of the first elongated resilient member; a second attachment port secured to the bar, the second attachment port supporting a first terminal portion of a second elongated resilient member; and a transverse motion mechanism operable to move the first attachment port and the second attachment port toward each other, and away from each other, thereby adjusting a distance between the first elongated resilient member and the second elongated resilient member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, the transverse motion mechanism comprising: a first pulley located at a first terminal portion of the bar; a second pulley located at a second terminal portion of the bar; a belt looping around the first pulley and the second pulley and including a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion touches a top of the first pulley and the second pulley, wherein the bottom portion touches a bottom of the first pulley and the second pulley; the first attachment port secured to the top portion of the belt; the second attachment port secured to the bottom portion of the belt; and a motor disposed at the first terminal portion or the second terminal portion of the bar and operable to move the belt in a plurality of directions transverse to the print path, causing the first attachment port and the second attachment port to move toward or away from each other, depending on a direction in the plurality of directions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, the belt comprising a toothed belt, the toothed belt comprising at least one toothed surface, the toothed surface in contact with the first pulley and the second pulley. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, the first attachment port including an aperture operable to surround a tooth of the toothed belt, thereby at least partially securing the first attachment port to the toothed belt. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, comprising: a bar disposed transversely to the print path; a first attachment port secured to the bar, the first attachment port coupled to the first terminal portion of the first elongated resilient member; an inductive sensor disposed at a terminal portion of the bar, the inductive sensor operable to contactlessly detect proximity of the first attachment port using electromagnetic induction; and a servo motor operable to calibrate a zero-position of the first attachment port at a position where the inductive sensor detects the first attachment port. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, the first biasing member comprising a torsion spring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, comprising: a first bar disposed transversely to the print path, the first bar disposed at a first terminal portion of the print path; a first attachment port secured to the first bar, the first attachment port supporting the first terminal portion of the first elongated resilient member; a second bar disposed transversely to the print path, the second bar disposed at a second terminal portion of the print path; a second attachment port secured to the second bar, the second attachment port supporting the second terminal portion of the first elongated resilient member; a first oblong aperture formed by the first attachment port enabling an coupling of the first terminal portion of the first elongated resilient member to the first attachment port, and enabling movement of the first terminal portion of the first elongated resilient member transverse to the print path; and movement of the first terminal portion of the first elongated resilient member enabling a parallel alignment of the first elongated resilient member and the print path. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, comprising: a printhead associated with the printer and operable to: assume a first position proximate the substrate, the first position enabling printing on the substrate, assume a second position removed from the substrate, the printhead not engaged in printing when in the second position, and tense the first elongated resilient member when the printhead is in the first position by exerting pressure on the first elongated resilient member, causing the first elongated resilient member to exert pressure on the substrate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, comprising: a printhead associated with the printer comprising a plurality of nozzles operable to deposit a print medium onto the substrate, a nozzle in the plurality of nozzles operable to tense the first elongated resilient member, causing the first elongated resilient member to exert pressure on the substrate; and a processor configured to: determine the nozzle in the plurality of nozzles exerting pressure on the first elongated resilient member; and turn off the nozzle when the printhead is engaged in printing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, comprising: a second elongated resilient member coupled to the printer, the second elongated resilient member disposed linearly along the print path and parallel to the first elongated resilient member; and the first elongated resilient member and the second elongated resilient member operable to bend in response to a vertical force applied to the first and second elongated resilient members by a printhead associated with the printer, when the printhead is engaged in printing on the substrate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, a cross-section of the first elongated resilient member having dimensions approximately 25 mm by 0.5 mm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, a screw securing the first elongated resilient member to the first capstan. ### Claim 16 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, comprising: a transport belt to move the substrate along the print path; the first elongated resilient member removed approximately 50 mm from the transport belt, when not in contact with a printhead; and the first elongated resilient member removed approximately 3 to 4 mm from the transport belt when in contact with the printhead. ### Claim 17 A method comprising: providing a first elongated resilient member disposed linearly along a print path of a substrate through a printer; providing a first capstan disposed transversely to the print path, the first elongated resilient member having a first terminal portion secured to the first capstan; providing a first biasing member configured to apply rotational force to the first capstan, wherein rotation of the first capstan in connection with the first biasing member in a first direction applies tension to the first elongated resilient member, wherein the first elongated resilient member correspondingly applies pressure to the substrate as the substrate is moved along the print path by the printer to increase flatness of the substrate; and providing a ratchet fitted to the first capstan to maintain a bias imparted to the first capstan by the first biasing member by securing the first capstan against rotation in a direction that would release the bias. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, comprising: adjusting a distance between the first elongated resilient member and a transport belt associated with the printer and operable to carry the substrate along the print path by increasing tension in the first elongated resilient member through winding the ratchet. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, comprising: determining a nozzle in a plurality of nozzles associated with a printhead exerting pressure on the first elongated resilient member, wherein the nozzle in the plurality of nozzles exerts vertical pressure on the first elongated resilient member; and turning off the nozzle when the printhead is engaged in printing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, comprising: calibrating a zero-position of an attachment port supporting the first elongated resilient member, when an inductive sensor associated with the printer detects a proximity of a first attachment port, wherein the attachment port is configured to move transversely to the print path and in line with the inductive sensor; calculating a position of the first attachment port with respect to the zero-position; and causing the attachment port to move to the position.