Print table
AssigneeInca Digital Printers Limited
InventorPhilip Russell James Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A table for a flatbed printer comprises an upper plate (4) and a lower plate (6) separated by an intermediate layer (8). The intermediate layer is configured to provide a fluid flow path (34) that promotes a flow of fluid alternating between a position adjacent the upper plate and a position adjacent the lower plate, so as to promote heat transfer between the upper plate and the lower plate. The fluid flow path may be formed using a plurality of holes (26) in the intermediate layer. A method of manufacturing the printer table is also described.
Claims16
A flatbed printer table, comprising
- an upper plate and a lower plate separated by an intermediate layer, an upper surface of the upper plate defining a plane,
- the intermediate layer having a plurality of apertures therein which alternate between a position adjacent the upper plate and a positon adjacent the lower plate to promote a fluid flow path alternating between the position adjacent the upper plate and the position adjacent the lower plate, so as to promote heat transfer between the upper plate and the lower plate, wherein the upper plate comprises a plurality of negative pressure apertures and the fluid flow path comprises a fluid flow path from at least one of the negative pressure apertures,
- the flatbed printer table further comprising a fluid extraction location adjacent at least one edge of the table, wherein the fluid flow path between the upper and lower plates extends substantially in the plane of the table towards the fluid extraction location.
A method of manufacturing an intermediate layer for use in a print table having upper and lower plates with the intermediate layer arranged therebetween, the method comprising:
- arranging a plurality of elongate layers of planar, deformable material in a stack, wherein portions of each layer are attached to an adjacent layer and portions of each layer are unattached;
- forming apertures through the stack of layers at intervals along the length of the elongate layers between the attached portions of the layers, wherein a first plurality of apertures are formed adjacent to one edge of the elongate layers and a second plurality of apertures are formed adjacent to the other edge of the elongate layers;
- and
- pulling apart the unattached portions of the layers of material to form from the stack a lattice structure comprising a plurality of cells.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.