Method and apparatus for digital dyeing of thread
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsMichael Leo, Brendan C. Casey, Wayne A. Buchar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thread printing system includes a source spool containing thread. The system also includes various print heads, each of which is fluidly connected to an ink tank. The print heads are positioned to direct and apply ink to a segment of the thread as the thread travels along a transport path along from the source spool. The system also includes a fuser having one or more print rollers that are connected to a heating element. The fuser receives the dyed thread and fuses the ink to the thread. The system may include a controller that is configured to apply ink of different colors to different segments of the thread.
Claims20
A thread printing system, comprising:
- a source spool for holding a thread;
- a plurality of print heads, each of which is fluidly connected to an ink tank for holding ink, wherein the print heads are positioned to direct and apply ink to a segment of the thread as the thread travels along a transport path along from the source spool;
- and
- a fuser comprising:
- a first roller that is connected to a heating element, wherein the fuser is positioned to receive the thread after the print heads apply ink to the thread so that heat will fuse the ink to the thread, and
- a second roller that is positioned to contact the first roller at a contact point;
- wherein the fuser is positioned to pass the thread through the contact point, and the fuser is configured to pull the thread along the transport path past the print heads.
A method of applying ink to thread, the method comprising:
- by a thread printing system that comprises a source spool, a plurality of print heads, a controller, and a fuser comprising a pair of rollers that touch at a contact point and that are connected to a heating element:
- receiving a pattern comprising a first segment length and a first color;
- passing thread from the source spool along a transport path that corresponds to ink ejection locations of the print heads by applying a force from the pair of rollers to the thread at the contact point as the thread passes through the contact point;
- by the print heads, applying ink of the first color to a first segment of the thread as the thread travels along the transport path past the print heads;
- transporting the thread with applied ink to the fuser;
- and
- by the fuser, applying heat to the thread to fuse the applied ink to the thread.
A thread printing system, comprising:
- a source spool for holding a thread;
- a plurality of print heads, each of which is positioned to direct and apply ink to the thread as the thread travels along a transport path along from the source spool;
- and
- a fuser comprising:
- a first roller that is connected to a first heating element, and
- a second roller that is positioned to contact the second roller at a contact point,
- wherein the fuser is positioned to receive the thread at the contact point after the print heads apply ink to the thread so that the heat will fuse the ink to the thread, and
- wherein the fuser is configured to pull the thread along the transport path from the source spool through the contact point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.