Method of printing an image on a first receiver and on a second receiver

Abstract: An inkjet printer (10), and method of assembling the printer, for printing an image (20) on a first receiver (30) of a first size and on a second receiver (40) of a second size. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first receiver is fed in a first direction (44) and the second receiver is fed in a second direction (46) orthogonal to the first direction. The printer includes an ink jet print head (70a, 70b) movable in the first direction to print the image on the first receiver in one printing pass and movable to-and-fro in the first direction for printing the image on the second receiver in at least one printing swath. Thus, printing on differently sized receivers is obtained without reorienting the receivers or changing-out the print head to a different size print head.

Description: This invention generally relates to printer methods for printing images on different sized media and more particularly relates to printing an image on a first receiver of a first size and on a second receiver of a second size, wherein a print head belonging to the printer prints the image on the first receiver and on the second receiver without reorienting the receivers or changing-out the print head to a different size print head. An ink jet printer produces images on a receiver by ejecting ink droplets onto the receiver in an imagewise fashion. The advantages of non-impact, low-noise, low energy use, and low cost operation in addition to the capability of the printer to print on plain paper are largely responsible for the wide acceptance of ink jet printers in the marketplace. However, it is often desirable to print images on differently sized paper supplies, such as 4 inch (10.16 cms) by 6 inch (15.24 cms) size paper or 8 inch (20.32 cms) by 10 inch (25.40 cms) sized paper. In the prior art, this is accomplished by using a relatively short length print head to print both paper sizes. In this case, multiple printing passes for either paper size are required because the image is printed in a plurality of adjacent "swaths". This is due to the relatively short length of the print head. In this case, productivity is reduced because the relatively short length "swaths" require multiple printing passes to print an image regardless of paper size. Typically, paper of a larger size is used whereon the image is printed and then the paper is cut to the desired size. In this case, paper is wasted and productivity is reduced particularly when the cutting operation is manual. U.S. Patent 5,312,196 titled "Portable Printer And Sheet Feeder" and issued May 17, 1994 in the name of Ng Lian Hock, et al. discloses an inkjet printer wherein the printer and sheet feeder are rotatable about a common axis into various operating modes, including one in which manual sheet feeding may be accomplished. Thus, this patent discloses orienting the sheet feeder in one direction to print in one operating mode and then reorienting (i.e., rotating) the sheet feeder in another direction to print in another printing mode. However, a problem apparently associated with the Ng Lian Hock, et al. device is that changing printing modes is time consuming and therefore cost-inefficient because the sheet feeder requires reorientation. That is, it would be preferable if changing printing modes were accomplished without sheet feeder reorientation. U.S. Patent 5,668,581 discloses printing on different receivers that are movable in orthogonal directions relative to each other. However, although the same print head is used to print on the different receivers, the receivers are printed while supported on different platens or belts requiring a relatively large apparatus to accommodate the different platens. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of printing an image on a first receiver of a first size and on a second receiver of a second size, wherein a print head belonging to the printer prints the image on the first receiver and on the second receiver without reorienting the receivers or changing-out the print head to a different size print head or requires separate platens for supporting the receivers. With the above object in view, the invention is defined by the several claims appended hereto. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an inkjet printer is provided for printing an image on a first receiver having a first width or for printing the image on a second receiver having a second width greater than the first width. The first receiver is fed in a first direction and the second receiver is fed in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. However, the print head prints the image on the first receiver while the print head moves relative to the first receiver only in the first direction or prints the image on the second receiver while the print head moves to-and-fro only in the first direction. Thus, the print head need not be reoriented or changed-out to print on either receiver. According to this preferred embodiment of the invention, the printer includes an ink jet print head capable of ejecting a plurality of ink droplets for printing the image on the first receiver and on the second receiver. A first receiver supply is disposed near the print head for supplying the first receiver to the print head. Also, a first feeder mechanism is disposed near the first receiver supply for feeding the first receiver from the first receiver supply to the print head. A second receiver supply is disposed near the print head for supplying the second receiver to the print head. Also, a second feeder mechanism is disposed near the second receiver supply for feeding the second receiver from the second receiver supply to the print head. Moreover, an ink reservoir is connected to the print head for supplying ink to the print head. A pressure regulator is connected to the ink reservoir for regulating pressure in the ink reservoir to obtain a suitable flow of the ink from the ink reservoir to the print head. In addition, a controller is connected to the print head, the first feeder mechanism, the second feeder mechanism, the motor and the pressure regulator for controlling synchronous operation thereof. An image source is connected to the print head for supplying image data to the print head, so that the print head forms the image on the first receiver or on the second receiver. According to the invention, the print head controllably prints the image on the first receiver while the print head moves relative to the receiver only in the first direction or prints the image on the second receiver while the print head moves to-and-fro only in the first direction. In this manner, the printer prints the image on a first receiver of a first size to be fed in a first direction and on a second receiver of a second size to be fed in a second direction without reorienting the receivers or changing-out the print head. A feature of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is the provision of a print head that is movable relative to a receiver only in a first direction for printing an image on the first receiver of a first size fed in the first direction or movable to-and-fro only in the first direction to print the image on a second receiver of a second size fed in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is that a single print head may be used to print images on a first sized receiver and on a second sized receiver without reorienting the receivers or changing-out the print head. These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein there are shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing-out and distinctly claiming the subject matter of the present invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a preferred first embodiment inkjet printer for printing an image on a first receiver fed from a first receiver supply and on a second receiver fed from a second receiver supply disposed orthogonal to the first receiver supply, the printer including an inkjet print head movable only in the first direction for printing on the first receiver and movable to-and-fro only in the first direction for printing on the second receiver, the first and second receiver supplies being in the form of continuous rolls; Figure 2 is a view in partial elevation of the print head belonging to the present invention; Figure 3 is a view in elevation of the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a enlarged fragmentation view in plan of the first receiver showing a multiplicity of ink marks thereon (only some of which are shown), the marks having been printed as the print head moved in the first direction; Figure 5 is a view in plan of the second receiver as the print head reciprocates to-and-fro across the second receiver, alternating between the first direction and a third direction which is opposite the first direction; and Figure 6 is a view in perspective of a second embodiment of the present invention wherein the first and second receiver supplies are first and second receiver supply trays holding supplies of cuts sheets of receiver. The present description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, apparatus in accordance with the present invention. It is to be understood that elements not specifically shown or described may take various forms well known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a first embodiment inkjet printer, generally referred to as 10, for printing an image 20 on a first receiver 30 having a first width "W1". Printer 10 is also capable of printing image 20 on a second receiver 40 having a second width "W2", wherein second width "W2" (e.g., 10 inches or 25.40 cms) is greater than first width "W1" (e.g., 6 inches or 15.24 cms). For reasons disclosed hereinbelow, first receiver 30 is to be fed in a first direction 44 and second receiver 40 is to be fed in a second direction 46 orthogonal to and in the same plane as first direction 44. Each of receivers 30/40 may be a reflective-type receiver (e.g., paper) or a transmissive-type receiver (e.g., transparency). Moreover, according to this first embodiment of the invention, first receiver 30 is a continuous roll of receiver wound about a first spool 50 to define a first receiver supply 55. Second receiver 40 is also a continuous roll of receiver wound about a second spool 60 to define a second receiver supply 65. Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, printer 10 comprises a print head unit including an elongate print head 70 of length "P1" having a plurality of ink channels 80 formed therein spaced-apart by a constant pitch "P". For reasons disclosed hereinbelow, length of print head 70 may be equal to first width W1 or greater than first width W1. That is, for reasons of increased productivity, it is highly desirable that print head 70 be substantially wider than width W1 of receiver 30. In other words, second width W2 is greater than length of print head 70 and length of print head 70 is greater than first width W1. Thus, image 20 can be printed in one pass of print head 70. However, if desired for high image quality, multiple passes with print head dithering can be used; however, in this case "end effects" should be avoided. Referring again to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, each channel 80, which is adapted to hold an ink body 90, is defined by a pair of oppositely disposed parallel side walls 100a and 100b. Of course, in order to print image 20 on first receiver 30 and on second receiver 40, an ink droplet 110 must be released from ink channel 80 in the direction of first receiver 30 or second receiver 40, as the case may be, so that droplet 110 is intercepted by first receiver 30 or second receiver 40. To achieve this result, print head 70 may be a "piezoelectric" inkjet print head formed of a piezoelectric material, such as lead zirconium titanate (PZT). Such a piezoelectric material is mechanically responsive to electrical stimuli so that side walls 100a/b simultaneously inwardly deform when electrically stimulated. When side walls 100a/b simultaneously inwardly deform, volume of channel 90 decreases to squeeze ink droplet 110 from channel 90. Sidewalk 100a/b return to their quiescent initial positions when the electrical stimuli is removed. Of course, ink is supplied to channels 90 from an ink supply reservoir 120 connected to print head 70, such as by means of a suitable flexible conduit 125. Also, a pressure regulator 130 is connected to ink reservoir 120 for regulating pressure in ink reservoir 120. The purpose of regulating pressure in ink reservoir 120 is to obtain controlled flow of the ink from ink reservoir 120 to print head 70 and thus into channels 80. It may be appreciated, however, that the type of "drop on demand" piezoelectric print head disclosed hereinabove is but one of several types of print heads usable with the invention. The present invention is also usable with these other print head types, as well. For example, "drop on demand" piezoelectric print head 70 may instead be a "thermal" piezoelectric print head, wherein thermal energy is used to raise temperature of a ink meniscus poised at each nozzle in order to reduce surface of the meniscus. When surface tension is reduced to a predetermined value, an ink droplet is released from the nozzle. As another example, the invention is also usable with a "continuous" ink jet print head type rather than the piezoelectric print head type disclosed herein. Still referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a first feeder mechanism, generally referred to as 140, is disposed near first receiver supply 55. First feeder mechanism 140 is capable of intimately engaging first receiver 30 for feeding first receiver 30 in first direction 44, so that first receiver 30 feeds from first receiver supply 55 to print head 70. Also, a second feeder mechanism, generally referred to as 150, is disposed near second receiver supply 65. Second feeder mechanism 150 is capable of intimately engaging second receiver 40 for feeding second receiver 40 in second direction 46, so that second receiver 40 feeds from second receiver supply 65 to print head 70. In this regard, first feeder mechanism 140 may comprise a pair of oppositely disposed, elongate, and motorized first rollers 160a and 160b for transporting first receiver 30 therebetween. Similarly, second feeder mechanism 150 may comprise a pair of oppositely disposed, elongate, and motorized second rollers 170a and 170b for transporting second receiver 40 therebetween. Moreover, also provided is a platen 180 aligned with the travel paths of both first receiver 30 and second receiver 40. The purpose of platen 180 is to support first receiver 30 or second receiver 40 thereon while image 20 is printed. According to this first embodiment of the invention, platen 180 may be supported by a support 190. As best seen in Figs. 1 and 4, print head 70 is capable of printing image 20 on first receiver 30 in a single printing pass as print head 70 moves in first direction 44. This is so because length P1 of print head 70 is preferably greater than first width W1 of first receiver 30. However, length of print head 70 may be equal to first width W1, if desired. A motor 200 is connected to print head 70 for moving print head 70 across platen 180 in first direction 44.Note it would also be possible to hold print head 70 fixed and move receiver 30 to effect printing over an area W1 by L1. In this regard, as print head 70 makes a printing pass across platen 180 in first direction 44, ink channels 80 are selectively enabled so that print head 70 will print a multiplicity of ink marks 210 (only some of which are shown) spaced-apart by constant pitch P in order to form image 20. In this regard, marks 210 are formed as print head 70 moves in first direction 44 and are shown for purposes of illustration as arranged in two parallel rows 215a and 215b. Only two rows 215a/b of marks are shown for purposes of illustration, it being understood that the typical image 20 will contain a multiplicity of such rows of marks 210. When a desired length "L1" (e.g., 8 inches or 20.32 cms) of receiver 30 has been printed upon, receiver 30 of length L1 is cut by a first cutter (not shown) to obtain a finished print of size W1 by L1. Referring to Figs. 1 and 5, the manner of printing image 20 on receiver 40 will now be described. In this regard, previously mentioned motor 200 will move print head 70 in first direction 44 to print a first "swath" 217a having dimensions W2 by P1. Second receiver 40 is then incremented distance of up to P1 in the second direction 46. Motor 200 will then reverse direction of print head 70 to move print head 70 in a third direction 218 opposite first direction 44 in order to print a second swath 217b also having dimensions W2 by P1, this is referred to as "bi-directional" printing. Alternatively, motor 200 will reverse direction in order to return print head 70 to its starting position, without printing a second swath, for "mono-directional" printing. After second swath 217b is printed, second receiver 40 is again incremented distance up to P1 and motor 200 again reverses direction of print head 70 to move print head 70 in first direction 44 in order to print a third swath 217c having dimensions W2 by P1. In this manner, print head 70 reciprocates to-and-fro across second receiver 40 as second receiver 40 moves in second direction 46. When a desired length L2 (e.g., 10 inches or 25.40 cms) of receiver 40 has been printed upon, receiver 40 of width W2 is cut by a second cutter (not shown) to obtain a finished print of size W2 by L2. As best seen in Fig. 1, a controller 220 is connected to print head 70 by a first wire 222, to first feeder mechanism 140 by a second wire 224, to second feeder mechanism 150 by a third wire 226, to motor 200 by a fourth wire 227, and to pressure regulator 130 by a fifth wire 228, for controlling synchronous operation of these components. In this regard, controller 220 may be a model "COMPUMOTOR" controller available from Parker Hannifin, Incorporated located in Rohrnert Park, California, U.S.A. Moreover, an image source 230 is connected to controller 220, and thus to print head 70, such as by a sixth wire 229. The purpose of image source 230 is to supply image data to print head 70 so that print head 70 is capable of forming image 20 on first receiver 30 and second receiver 40. In this regard, image source 230 may be a personal computer, scanner, camera, or other similar image input device. Referring to Figs. 1 and 5, it may be appreciated that the preferred first embodiment of printer 10 is configured to print image 20 on either first receiver 20 or second receiver 40 without reorienting either of first receiver supply 55 or second receiver supply 65 and without changing-out print head 70 to a different size print head. In other words, print head 70 prints entire image 20 on first receiver 30 while print head 70 moves only in first direction 44. This aspect of the invention advantageously allows print head 70 to perform "full-width" printing on receiver 30, which has relatively narrow first width W1. Thus, while print head 70 prints on first receiver 30, print head 70 "fast scans" across first receiver 30 moving along first length "L1" of first receiver 30. Again referring to Figs. 1 and 5, it may be appreciated that print head 70 prints image 20 on second receiver 40 by performing printing using substantially the same motion as used for printing image 20 on first receiver 30. In other words, print head 70 prints image 20 on second receiver 40 while print head 70 reciprocates to-and-fro only in first direction 44 and second direction 218. Thus, second receiver 65 need not be rotated to print on second receiver 40. That is, print head 70 prints in two orthogonal directions without reorienting first receiver supply 55 or second receiver supply 65 and without changing-out print head 70 to a print head of a different size. As disclosed more fully hereinafter, this aspect of the invention advantageously allows print head 70 to efficiently perform printing on receiver 40 having relatively wider second width W2. Moreover, while print head 70 prints on second receiver 40, print head 70 fast scans across second receiver 40 moving along second width W2 of second receiver 40 as second receiver 40 rests on platen 180. Still referring to Figs. 1 and 5, it may be understood from the description hereinabove that substantially the same movement of print head 70 is used for printing images 20 on receivers moving orthogonally with respect to each other. That is, as first receiver 30 moves in a first direction, print head 70 is used to cover the full width (i.e., W1) of first receiver 30 to obtain relatively high printing productivity by avoiding need for "swath" printing. Also, when moving in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, print head 70 scans across second receiver 40 for producing prints of any desired length L2 limited only by the total length of second receiver 65. After each image 20 is produced, first cutter (not shown) or second cutter (also not shown) cuts either first receiver 30 or second receiver 40, as the case may be, to provide a print of desired size. Referring to Fig. 6, there is shown a second embodiment of the present invention for printing image 20 on first receiver 30 and second receiver 40. This second embodiment of the invention is similar to the first embodiment of the invention, except that first receiver supply 55 and second receiver supply 65, which in the first embodiment are continuous rolls of receiver, are replaced by a first receiver supply tray 240 and a second receiver supply tray 250, respectively. First tray 240 holds a supply of cuts sheets of first receiver 30 therein and second tray 250 holds a supply of cut sheets of second receiver 40 therein. Also, first rollers 160a/b of the first embodiment are replaced by a motorized first picker feed roller 260a capable of intimately engaging individual sheets of first receiver 30 in order to feed the sheets to print head 70. Moreover, second rollers 170a/b of the first embodiment are replaced by a motorized second picker feed roller 260b capable of intimately engaging individual sheets of second receiver 40 in order to feed the sheets to print head 70. Each of picker feed rollers 260a/b are connected to controller 220, such as by means of previously mentioned second wire 224 and third wire 226, respectively, for controlling operation of feed rollers 260a/b. An advantage of this second embodiment of the invention is that cut sheets of receiver, rather than continuous rolls of receiver, may be printed by printer 10, if desired. It may be appreciated from the description hereinabove, that an advantage of the preferred embodiment (see Fig. 1) of the present invention is that a single print head is used to print images on a first sized receiver and on a second sized receiver without reorienting the receivers or changing-out the print head to a different sized print head. The receivers need not be reoriented because substantially the same movement of the print head is used to print the image on either receiver. The print head need not be changed-out because only a single print head is needed. Another advantage of the present invention is that high printing productivity is obtained. High printing productivity results when P1>W1 without losing the format flexibility that results when P1 < W2. This is preferable to having two print heads, where P1 > W1 and P2 < W2, P1 and P2 being oriented perpendicular to each other. In addition, although the present invention has been disclosed with reference to use with an inkjet printer, the invention may also be used with other types of printers, such as thermal dye printers and laser printers or whenever it is desirable to print images on different sized receivers without reorienting the receivers or changing-out the print head to a different size print head. Therefore, what is provided is a method of printing an image on a first receiver of a first size and on a second receiver of a second size without reorienting the receivers or changing-out the print head to a different size print head.

Claims: A method of operating a printer capable of printing a first image on a first receiver (30) of a first size and a second image on a second receiver (40), the second receiver being of a second size larger than the first size, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a print head (70) movable along a first direction, printing the first image on the first receiver in one printing pass during a first printing mode while the first receiver is supported on a platen (180) and the first receiver moves relative to the print head in the first direction and printing the second image on the second receiver during a second printing mode while moving the print head to-and-fro in the first direction and printing the second image on the second receiver in at least one printing swath while the second receiver is supported on the platen, so that the first image is printed on the first receiver and the second image is printed on the second receiver with the first receiver and the second receiver being supported on the same area of the platen above which printing occurs in both printing modes; (b) providing a first receiver supply associated with the print head and supplying the first receiver to the platen in the first printing mode by moving the first receiver in the first direction; and (c) providing a second receiver supply associated with the print head and supplying the second receiver to the platen in the second printing mode by moving the second receiver to the platen in the second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction. The method of claim 1, (a) wherein the step of providing a first receiver supply comprises the step of providing a first receiver supply that is a continuous roll of receiver; and (b) wherein the step of providing a second receiver supply comprises the step of providing a second receiver supply that is a continuous roll of receiver. The method of claim 1, (a) wherein the step of providing a first receiver supply comprises the step of providing a first receiver supply that is a first receiversupply tray; and (b) wherein the step of providing a second receiver supply comprises the step of providing a second receiver supply that is a second receiver supply tray. The method of claim I through 3, wherein the step of providing a print head comprises the step of providing an ink jet print head.

Inventors: FOWLKES WILLIAM Y, FOWLKES, WILLIAM Y., Fowlkes, William Y., c/o Eastman Kodak Company
Applicants: EASTMAN KODAK CO, EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B41J3
IPC codes: B41J2, B41J11, B41J15