Patent ID: 6052144
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A printer to print images on a continuous web having:(a) a print station at which the images are printed on the web; and(b) a web transport to transport the web in a lengthwise direction through the print station, the web transport including a slack loop station having:(i) a web feeder and a web receiver, spaced apart from one another to transport the web in the lengthwise direction while establishing a slack loop therebetween in the web which extends in a first direction; and(ii) a web proximity sensor which is directed along the first direction to measure a distance between the sensor and the slack loop;wherein:the slack loop station additionally comprises a baffle oriented in the first direction so as to restrain movement of a meniscus of the slack loop in a direction tangential to the meniscus; andthe printer additionally comprises a secondary print head positioned opposite the baffle so as to print on a back side of the web as it passes between the secondary print head and the baffle.