Patent ID: 9056464
Filing Date: 2015-06-16
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A printing system comprising: a printhead configured to deposit phase change ink on a continuous web of recording media in response to image data as the continuous web moves through the printing system; a spreading apparatus including a spreader drum and pressure roller defining a pressurized nip through which the continuous web moves to enable the phase change ink deposited by the printhead on the continuous web to contact the spreader drum and be fixed to the continuous web at the pressurized nip; a release agent apparatus having a reservoir, a flow rate detector and a release agent dispenser, the reservoir being connected to a supply path to deliver a liquid release agent to the release agent dispenser for application to the spreader drum and the flow rate detector being disposed in a return path within the release agent apparatus to the reservoir and configured to generate a signal indicating a flow rate of liquid release agent returned to the reservoir from the spreader drum; a metering device disposed adjacent the spreader drum, the metering device being configured to meter the liquid release agent applied to the spreader drum and direct liquid release agent from the spreader drum to the return path in the release agent apparatus to enable the flow rate of the liquid release agent returned to the reservoir to be compared to the predetermined threshold for generation of the alert signal; and a controller operatively connected to the flow rate detector to receive the signal from the flow rate detector, the controller being configured to identify a flow rate to the release agent dispenser with reference to a percent area coverage of the continuous web with the phase change ink, an age of the metering device, and a speed at which the continuous web moves through the printing system and to generate a signal indicating a fault condition in the release agent apparatus in response to the controller detecting the identified flow rate being greater than a predetermined threshold.