# US 6,296,403 B1 · Dual-mode printer for flexible and rigid substrates > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,296,403 B1 - Document ID: US6296403B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/362,046 - Filed: 1999-07-28 - Granted: 2001-10-02 - Earliest claimed: 1999-07-28 - Assignees: Scitex Vision Ltd. - Inventors: Yoram Duchovne - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6296403B1 ## CPC - B41J 11/0085: {Using suction for maintaining printing material flat (on rotatable drums B41J13/226)} - B41J 3/28: for printing downwardly on flat surfaces, e.g. of books, drawings, boxes {, envelopes, e.g. flat-bed ink-jet printers} - B41J 3/407: for marking on special material - B41J 11/06: Flat page-size platens {or smaller flat platens having a greater size than line-size platens (B41J11/0085 takes precedence)} - B41J 11/48: Apparatus for condensed record, tally strip, or like work using two or more papers, or sets of papers {, e.g. devices for switching over from handling of copy material in sheet form to handling of copy material in continuous form and vice versa or point-of-sale printers comprising means for printing on continuous copy material, e.g. journal for tills, and on single sheets, e.g. cheques or receipts (B41J15/042 takes precedence)} - B41J 13/0063: {Handling thick cut sheets, e.g. greeting cards or postcards, larger than credit cards, e.g. using means for enabling or facilitating the conveyance of thick sheets (B41J11/20, B41J13/12 take precedence)} - B41J 15/04: Supporting, feeding, or guiding devices; Mountings for web rolls or spindles - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract A dual-mode printer for printing on both flexible and rigid substrates includes a table providing a substantially planar support surface for supporting a substrate. A flexible-substrate feed system is configured to feed a flexible substrate in a given feed direction across the support surface. The printer has a print head configured for depositing a printing medium on a substrate as part of a printing process. A motion system is configured to generate relative displacement between the print head and the support surface in at least a first direction parallel to the feed direction. This combination of components allows the printer to be used in a flexible-substrate mode in which relative displacement between the substrate and the print head is generated at least in part by the flexible-substrate feed system and in a rigid-substrate mode in which relative displacement between the substrate and the print head is generated exclusively by the motion system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dual-mode printer for printing on both flexible and rigid substrates, the printer comprising: (a) a table providing a substantially planar support surface for supporting a substrate; (b) a flexible-substrate feed system including at least one roller, said flexible-substrate feed system being configured to feed a flexible substrate in a given feed direction across said support surface; (c) a print head deployed in facing relation to said support surface and configured for depositing a printing medium on a substrate as part of a printing process, said print head being configured for printing while moving in a scanning motion relative to the substrate; and (d) a motion system associated with said print head and said table, and configured to generate relative displacement between said print head and said support surface in at least a first direction parallel to said feed direction, wherein said flexible-substrate feed system, said print head and said motion system are configured to operate alternatively in a flexible-substrate mode in which a scanning motion of said print head relative to the substrate is generated at least in part by said flexible-substrate feed system and in a rigid-substrate mode in which a scanning motion of said print bead relative to the substrate is generated exclusively by said motion system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The dual-mode printer of claim 1, wherein said motion system is further configured to displace said print head relative to said support surface in a second direction perpendicular to said feed direction, said motion system being operative to displace said print head in said second direction during printing in both said flexible-substrate mode and said rigid-substrate mode. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The dual-mode printer of claim 1, wherein said print head has a major dimension and a minor dimension, said major dimension being deployed substantially perpendicular to said feed direction. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The dual-mode printer of claim 1, wherein said motion system is configured to displace said print head additionally in a direction substantially perpendicular to said feed direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The dual-mode printer of claim 1, wherein said printing medium is an ink and wherein said print head is an inkjet head configured for simultaneously depositing a plurality of drops of ink onto the substrate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The dual-mode printer of claim 1, wherein said table includes a retention system for holding the rigid substrate in a given position on said support surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The dual-mode printer of claim 6, wherein said retention system includes a vacuum system configured to apply suction to a plurality of apertures formed in said support surface. ### Claim 8 A dual-mode printer for printing on both flexible and rigid substrates, the printer comprising: a table providing a substantially planar support surface for supporting a substrate; (b) a flexible-substrate feed system including at least one roller, said flexible-substrate feed system being configured to feed a flexible substrate in a given feed direction across said support surface; (c) a print head deployed in facing relation to said support surface and configured for depositing a printing medium on a substrate as part of a printing process, said print head being configured for printing while moving in a scanning motion relative to the substrate; and d) a motion system associated with said print head and said table, and configured to generate relative displacement between said print head and said support surface in at least a first direction parallel to said feed direction, wherein said flexible-substrate feed system, said print head and said motion system are configured to operate alternatively in a flexible-substrate mode in which a scanning motion of said print head relative to the substrate is generated at least in part by said flexible-substrate feed system and in a rigid-substrate mode in which a scanning motion of said print head relative to the substrate is generated exclusively by said motion system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The dual-mode printer of claim 8, wherein said printing medium is an ink and wherein said print head is an inkjet head configured for simultaneously depositing a plurality of drops of ink onto the substrate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The dual-mode printer of claim 8, wherein said motion system is further configured to displace said print head relative to said support surface in a second direction perpendicular to said feed direction, said motion system being operative to displace said print head in said second direction during printing in both said flexible-substrate mode and said rigid-substrate mode. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The dual-mode printer of claim 8, wherein said table includes a retention system for holding the rigid substrate in a given position on said support surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The dual-mode printer of claim 11, wherein said retention system includes a vacuum system configured to apply suction to a plurality of apertures formed in said support surface.