US 7,031,633 B2 · Printing apparatus and method with improved control of humidity and temperature

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling conditions in a printer that includes a print engine that is operative upon an article to print marks upon the article. Sensors are provided for detecting relative humidity and temperature within a moving air stream in the printer. A controller in the printer determines if the detected relative humidity within the apparatus falls within a range of acceptable relative humidities and the detected temperature within the apparatus falls within a range of acceptable temperatures. The range of acceptable relative humidities and acceptable temperatures defines a predetermined target area. When outside the range of the predetermined target area a determination is made of needed minimal adjustments to bring the temperature and humidity within the target area. Subject to such a determination, mist and/or heating of the air stream are provided to implement the needed adjustments.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A printer apparatus comprising:

a print engine that is operative upon an article to be printed to impart markings upon the article;
a fan mounted in said printing apparatus to provide air flow therein;
a mist producing device for adding humidity in said printer apparatus to air moving within said printing apparatus;
a sensor for detecting humidity within the printer apparatus;
a heater for heating air moving within said printer apparatus;
a sensor for detecting temperature within the printer apparatus;
and a controller for determining if the detected humidity within the apparatus falls within a range of acceptable humidities and the detected temperature within the apparatus falls within a range of acceptable temperatures and provides control of the heater and the mist producing device for control of temperature and humidity within the apparatus;
wherein the range of acceptable humidities and acceptable temperatures defines an area of set points of acceptable humidities and temperatures;
and wherein while said print engine prints on an article moved in a process direction, said fan provides an air flow across said article in a direction transverse to the process direction.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Printing apparatus and method with improved control of humidity and temperature

Life of this patent

Printing apparatus and method with improved control of humidity and temperature

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims5