Digital printing press having a modular and reliable ink delivery system
AssigneeAPS Engineering
InventorsJaren Dayle Marler, Mark Lauren Baker, William Scott Colburn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A printing system that comprises a media transport system for conveying a print media along a media path in a first direction. A plurality of print modules each spanning the print media path along a second direction. Each print module defines a major axis along the second direction. A minor axis that aligns along the first direction and an intermediate axis with each of the print modules. A printhead array that includes printheads spaced from the media path. A fluid regulator portion configured to regulate a fluid pressure in the printhead portion. Each of the print modules are configured to be installed into and removed from the printing system as an integral unit.
Claims20
A printing system comprising:
- a media transport system for conveying a print media along a media path in a first direction;
- a plurality of print modules each spanning the print media path along a second direction, each print module defining a major axis along the second direction, a minor axis aligned along the first direction, and an intermediate axis, each of the print modules including:
- a printhead array including printheads spaced from the media path;
- and
- a fluid regulator portion configured to regulate a fluid pressure in the printhead portion;
- each of the print modules configured to be installed into and removed from the printing system as an integral unit.
A print module for installation into a printing system having a media path for conveying media along a first direction, the print module comprising:
- a support structure defining a major axis and a minor lateral axis that are both perpendicular to a vertical axis;
- a printhead array coupled to the support structure and configured to span the media path when the print module is installed in the printing system;
- and
- a fluid regulator portion coupled to a first end of the support structure and positioned on the support structure to be outside of the media path when the print module is installed into the printing system, the fluid regulator portion regulating fluid pressure of ink delivered to the printhead array;
- the print module is configured to be installed into the printing system as one integral unit.
A printing system comprising:
- a media transport system for conveying a print media along a media path in a first direction, the media path having a width in a second direction;
- a plurality of print modules integrally removable from the printing system and each including:
- a support structure;
- a printhead array coupled to the support structure and spanning the media path along the second direction, the printhead array including a plurality of individual printheads each having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
- an inlet fluid manifold coupled to each of the fluid inlets;
- a fluid outlet coupled to each of the fluid outlets;
- a first fluid regulator providing ink to the inlet manifold;
- and
- a second fluid regulator providing ink to the outlet manifold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.