Patent ID: 9211736
Filing Date: 2015-12-15
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A system for reducing electrostatic fields underneath print heads, the system comprising: a plurality of print heads for depositing ink onto a surface of a media substrate in a plurality of ink deposition areas; a media transport for moving the media substrate along a media path in a process direction past the plurality of print heads, wherein the media transport comprises a media transport belt, and wherein the media substrate has an electrostatic charge on the surface; a conductive platen contacting the media transport belt, wherein the conductive platen has a plurality of apertures in a staggered full width array configuration across said platen, wherein each of the apertures has a length and a width, and wherein the width is at least 20 mm and extends in the process direction and the length is greater than the width; and an electrostatic field reducer comprising an alternating current corona device positioned upstream of the plurality of print heads in the process direction, wherein the electrostatic field reducer reduces the electrostatic charge on the surface of the media substrate, wherein said plurality of print heads are arrayed opposite from said apertures across said media transport belt, said plurality of print heads being in the same staggered full width array configuration as said apertures so as to be in registration therewith.