Patent ID: 6932451
Filing Date: 2005-08-23
Classification: B41J,B42D,C23F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A system for forming a pattern on plain or holographic metallized film or hot stamp foil having a metallized surface comprising: a piezoelectric ink jet printhead comprising a plurality of piezoelectric slices and piezoelectric transducers and electrodes on the transducers, said piezoelectric slices being aligned to each other and each including a plurality of ink jet channels and respective ink jets that receive an etchant-resistant mask material for ejecting the etchant-resistant mask material through respective ink jets onto the metallized surface, an interface circuit carried by the piezoelectric inkjet printhead and operatively connected to each piezoelectric slice; a controller operatively connected to the interface circuit of the piezoelectric ink jet printhead for individually and digitally controlling ejection of the etchant-resistant mask material through respective ink jets in a programmed manner for ink jet printing on the metallized surface a pattern of etchant-resistant mask material to form subsequently an item specific pattern, wherein image data for an item specific pattern is daisy-chained into a serial stream using the interface circuit and a controlled slew rate of a signal to the electrodes allowing inkjets to fire either simultaneously or individually and eject the etchant-resistant mask material in a controlled manner for an item specific pattern; and an etchant into which the metallized surface is exposed for etching the metallized surface after an etchant-resistant mask material has been ink jet printed.