Image forming apparatuses and methods thereof
OwnerMichael Novick, David Luis Pereira +1inventors
InventorsMichael Novick, David Luis Pereira, Geoffrey Schmid
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Image forming apparatuses and methods are disclosed. Image forming apparatuses and methods include a plate member including an upper plate surface to receive media on which to form images, an ink absorber member to receive ink in a form of ink build-up, and a blotter unit to periodically contact and press at least a portion of the ink build-up formed on the ink absorber member therein.
Claims20
An image forming apparatus, comprising:
- a plate member including an upper plate surface to receive media on which to form images and a first exterior perimeter;
- an ink absorber member including a second exterior perimeter and an ink absorber member;
- an ink applicator unit to apply ink onto the media to form images thereon and the ink absorber member to form ink build-up thereon;
- and
- a blotter unit to periodically contact and press at least a portion of the ink build-up formed on the ink absorber member therein.
The image forming apparatus according to 2, wherein the plate receiver member is coupled to and extends in an upward direction from the ink absorber member.
The image forming apparatus according to 2, wherein the ink absorber member further comprising:
- a receiver opening to removably receive at least a portion of the plate receiver member extending therethrough.
An image forming apparatus, comprising:
- a plate member including an upper plate surface to receive media on which to form images and a first exterior perimeter;
- an ink absorber member including a second exterior perimeter, the second exterior perimeter is greater than the first exterior perimeter;
- a plate receiver member including a plate receiving surface to receive the plate member, the plate receiving surface disposed above the ink absorber member by a first distance;
- an ink applicator unit to apply ink onto the media to form images thereon and the ink absorber member to form ink build-up thereon;
- and
- a blotter unit including an upper blotter surface, a lower blotter surface, and a blotter member;
- the upper blotter surface to receive media on which to form images;
- and
- the blotter member disposed on the lower blotter surface and extending in a downward direction therefrom by a second distance greater than the first distance, the blotter member to periodically contact and press at least a portion of the ink build-up formed on the ink absorber member therein.
A method of blotting ink build-up in an image forming apparatus, the method comprising:
- sequentially loading plate members having an upper plate surface on a plate receiving surface of a plate receiver member;
- loading respective media on the upper plate surface of the respective plate members;
- overspraying ink onto the respective media on the upper plate surface of the respective plate members such that images are formed on the respective media and ink build-up is accumulated on an ink absorber member disposed below the plate receiving surface by a first distance and extending in an outward direction from the plate receiver member;
- and
- periodically moving a blotter member of a blotter unit in contact with and to press at least a portion of the ink build-up formed on the ink absorber member therein such that the blotter member extends in a downward direction from a blotter unit by a second distance greater than the first distance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.