Patent ID: 9676178
Date: 2017-06-13
CPC Classifications: B41F,B41J

Claim:
1. A printer for printing a film that can later be hydrographically printed onto an object, comprising: a) a frame; b) a printing mechanism mounted on said frame and having an exterior surface, said printing mechanism having an inlet for receiving a leading edge of a film, advancing means for advancing said film at a controlled speed through said printing mechanism, a print head capable of reciprocating on a rail located above said advancing film and depositing a plurality of ink droplets onto said advancing film, and an outlet for allowing said printed film to exit said printing mechanism; c) a lid secured to said printing mechanism, said lid being movable between a closed position, where said film is covered, and an open position, where said film is exposed; d) a first heating element secured to said lid which heats incoming air; e) a first fan located adjacent to said first heating element which directs said heated air onto said plurality of ink droplets deposited onto said advancing film; f) an inlet aperture formed in said exterior surface of said printing mechanism which is aligned with said first fan; g) a cover positioned over said inlet aperture, said aperture cover having at least one opening formed there through which creates an open area; h) a baffle positioned below said cover and having a plurality of openings formed there through, and said baffle regulating the volume of air passing through said inlet aperture to said first fan; i) a pair of second fans positioned on either side of said print head for regulating the air temperature surrounding said print head; and j) a heater control unit which regulates the temperature of said first heating element.