Abstract:
An apparatus for printing using an inkjet cartridge includes a fixed top portion and first and second fixed side portions coupled to the top portion, The apparatus also includes a third side portion disposed adjacent to the first fixed side portion and adapted to receive a printhead cartridge in a fixed relation thereto. The apparatus also includes an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of third side portion relative to the fixed side portions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT/US12/055570, with an international filing date of Sep. 14, 2012, which in turn claims benefit of Kanfoush et al., Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/535,150, filed on Sep. 15, 2011. The entire contents of both of these applications are incorporated herein by Reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to inkjet printing systems and more particularly to an apparatus and method for disposing an inkjet cartridge in a mount used in such systems. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    High-speed printing systems typically include one or more imaging units. Each imaging unit has one or more inkjet cartridges (or printheads). A controller controls each inkjet cartridge to eject a fluid such as ink or other composition) onto a receiving surface. Some printing systems use an imaging unit with a moving inkjet cartridge (or an array of inkjet cartridges) that traverses the width of the receiving surface as nozzles of the inkjet cartridge drop one or more lines of fluid to form a swath of an image along the width of the receiving surface. Upon completion of the swath, the receiving surface is advanced in accordance with the width of the swath and the inkjet cartridge again traverses the width of the receiving surface to print a next swath of the image. 
         [0006]    Other printing systems use an imaging unit with a fixed inkjet cartridge (or an array of inkjet cartridges) in which the receiving surface is moved under the inkjet cartridge and nozzles of the inkjet cartridge eject drops of fluid onto the receiving surface in accordance with the position of the receiving surface to print an image. Inkjet cartridges are interfaced with a controller that controls the formation and ejection of drops from the inkjet cartridge when such drops are needed. In addition, inkjet cartridges may be connected using fluid conduits to ink supplies that provide ink and/or other fluids to the inkjet cartridge to replenish any ink ejected and/or otherwise removed (e.g., by evaporation) therefrom. 
         [0007]    In a printing system, an inkjet cartridge is disposed in a carrier such that the nozzles of the inkjet cartridge are directed toward the receiving surface. The carrier may be manufactured from steel or other alloys that can be milled to a high precision. More than one inkjet cartridge may be disposed in a carrier in this fashion in a one or two-dimensional array. 
         [0008]    In some print systems, a mount is secured to a carrier and the inkjet cartridge is disposed in the mount. In some cases the inkjet cartridge may be removed from the mount, for example, for maintenance or replacement, without removing the mount from the carrier. In addition, some mounts may include adjustment mechanisms that allow adjustment of the position of the inkjet cartridge with respect to the mount and the carrier without removing the inkjet cartridge from the mount or the mount from the carrier. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    According to one aspect of the present invention a mount for holding a printhead cartridge includes a top portion and first and second side portions fixedly secured to the top portion. The mount also includes a third side portion disposed adjacent to the first side portion and an adjustment mechanism. The third side portion is adapted to receive a printhead cartridge in a fixed relation thereto. The adjustment mechanism is operable to adjust the position of the third side portion relative to the first and second side portions. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect of the present inventions a method of securing a printhead cartridge to a carrier plate includes the steps of securing a mount to the carrier plate, wherein the mount comprises first and second side portions fixedly secured to a top portion and a flexible portion attached to the first side portion. The method also includes the steps of securing the inkjet cartridge to the flexible portion and operating an adjustment mechanism to move the inkjet cartridge relative to the first and second side portions. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view with portions removed of a printing system of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are isometric views of an imaging unit of the printing system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are isometric views of a carrier plate used in the printing system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are isometric views of a mount that is used to secure an inkjet cartridge to the carrier plate of  FIGS. 3A and 3B ; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are isometric views of a portion of the mount of  FIGS. 4A and 4B ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5C  is a top planar view of the portion of the mount of  FIGS. 5A and 5B ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a post of the portion of the mount of  FIGS. 5A and 5B ; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are isometric views of another portion of the mount of  FIGS. 4A and 4B ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7C  is a top planar view of the portion of the mount of  FIGS. 7A and 7B ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8A  is a side elevations view of still another portion of the mount of  FIGS. 4   a  and  4 B; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8B  is an exploded view of the portion of the mount of  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8C  is an isometric view of an element of the portion of the mount of  FIG. 8B ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8D  is an isometric view of the portion of the mount of  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9A  is an isometric view of yet another portion of the mount of  FIGS. 4A and 4B ; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 9B  is a top planar view of the portion of the mount of  FIG. 9A . 
       
    
    
       [0026]    Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  comprises a side elevational view of a printing system  100  that includes a first imaging unit  104 , a second imaging unit  106 , a first dryer  108 , and a second dryer  110 . In the printing system  100 , the imaging unit  104  includes carriers  112  and  114  onto which inkjet cartridges may be secured. Similarly, the second imaging unit  106  includes carriers  116  and  118  onto which inkjet cartridges may be secured. The carriers  112 ,  114 ,  116 , and  118  are shown in an open, non-printing position in  FIG. 1 . A receiving surface  120  may be transported through the printing system  100  such that the first imaging unit  104  prints ink(s) on a front side  120   a  and the second imaging unit  106  prints ink(s) on the reverse side  120   b  thereof. The receiving surface  120  may comprise a web, sheet, or belt of paper or other material, as desired. In the illustrated embodiment, a web from a roll  122  and is supplied to the imaging units  104 ,  106 . In other embodiments, a web of paper from a roll  122  is supplied to the imaging units  104 ,  106 . 
         [0028]    In the printing system  100  of  FIG. 1 , each print unit  104  and  106  has leading and trailing portions. In particular, the print unit  104  has a leading portion  124  at which the carrier  112  is disposed and a trailing portion  126  at which the carrier  114  is disposed. Similarly, the print unit  106  has leading and trailing portions  128  and  130  at which carriers  116  and  118  are disposed, respectively. 
         [0029]    The dryers  108  and  110  may be used to thy ink(s) or other fluids deposited by the inkjet cartridges of the first and second imaging units  104  and  106 , respectively. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  show a portion of an embodiment of the imaging unit  104  that includes a drum  208  and carriers  114   a  and  114   b.    FIG. 2A  shows the carriers  114  in an open, non-printing position and  FIG. 2B  shows the carriers  114  in a closed, printing position. The carrier  114  includes apertures in the form of slots  214  into each of which an inkjet cartridge may be disposed and secured by a mount (described hereinafter). During operation, the receiving surface  120  is transported about the drum  208 . In some embodiments, a motor drives the drum  208  so that rotation of the drum  208  assists in transporting the receiving surface  120 . 
         [0031]    The inkjet cartridges (not shown) disposed in the slots  214  of the carriers  114   a  and  114   b  print on the same side of the receiving surface. The slots  214  are arranged in the carriers  114   a  and  114   b  in a two-dimensional pattern. The inkjet cartridges disposed on the slots  214  of the carriers  114   a  and  114   b  print, for example, on the left-hand and right-hand portions, respectively, of a side  120   a  of the receiving surface  120 . It should be apparent that the carriers  114   a  and  114   b  may be replaced by a single carrier or three or more carriers, wherein the single or multiple carriers together or individually span a width similar or identical to the combined width of the carriers  114   a  and  114   b.  Additional inkjet cartridges are mounted on carriers (not shown) similar or identical to the carriers  114   a  and  114   b  that are disposed on or adjacent the other portion  214  of the imaging unit  104 . Each carrier  114   a  and  114   b  has a bottom surface  216  and a top surface  218 . In the closed position, the bottom surfaces  216  face toward the drum  208 , and therefore, toward the receiving surface  120  transported about such drum  208 , and the top surfaces face away from the drum  208  and the receiving surface  120 . As seen in  FIG. 2B , in the closed position, nozzles of the inkjet cartridges disposed in slots  214  face the drum  208  and the receiving surface  120 , and the receiving surface  120  is transported between the drum  208  and such nozzles. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are isometric views of a top surface  218  and a bottom surface  216  of a carrier  114 . The pattern in which the slots  214  are arranged in the carrier  300  is different than the pattern in which the slots  214  arranged in the carriers  114   a  and  114   b.  It should be apparent that the slots  214  may be arranged in other two-dimensional patterns. 
         [0033]    The carrier  300  includes apertures and/or indents  302  through with elements of a mount  304  secured into a slot  214  may extend into and/or pass through. The apertures  302  may be used to accommodate one or more screws that secure the mount to the carrier  300 . The indents  302  may provide datum surfaces that aid in aligning the mount  304  with respect to the slot  214  in the carrier  300 . The carrier  300  may be an arcuate plate as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B  or a flat plate.  FIG. 3B  also shows an inkjet cartridge  306  disposed in the mount  304 . The mount  304  is secured to the carrier plate  300  and the inkjet cartridge  306  is secured to the mount  304  as described hereinbelow. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are isometric views of the mount  304  and an inkjet cartridge  306  disposed therein, The inkjet cartridge  306  includes a port  308  that may be connected to a fluid supply (such as ink). Ink or other fluid flushed from the inkjet cartridge  306 , for example, to change ink colors or to clean the inside of such cartridge, may be discharged from a port  310 . A fluid line may be connected to the port  310  to carry such fluid therefrom to a waste receptacle. 
         [0035]    The mount  304  includes a top portion  402  that has apertures  404 ,  406 ,  408 , and  410 . The apertures  404 ,  406 ,  408 , and  410  are aligned with the slot  214  of the carrier  300  when the mount  304  is secured thereto. A fluid line (not shown) may be passed through the slot  214  and through the apertures  408  and/or  410  and connected to the ports  308  and/or  310 , respectively. Data and power sources (not shown) may be passed through the slot  214  and through the apertures  404  and  406  and connected to data and power ports (not shown), respectively, of the inkjet cartridge  306 . 
         [0036]    At a first end thereof, the mount  402  includes a wedge base assembly  416 , a wedge block assembly  418 , and a first flex plate  420 . The wedge base assembly  416  is secured to the top portion  402  of the mount. The first flex plate  420  is secured to the wedge base assembly  416  by screws  422   a  and  422   b.  The first flex plate  420  is also secured to the wedge block assembly  418  by screws  424 A and  424 B. In particular, the screws  424 A and  424 B secure the first flex plate  420  to a portion  418 -A of the wedge block assembly  418 . 
         [0037]    At a second end opposite the first end, the mount  402  includes a spring base assembly  426 , a spring block assembly  428 , a spring stop  430 , and a second flex plate  432 . The spring base assembly  426  is secured to the top portion  402  of the mount  304 . The second flex plate is attached to the spring base assembly  426  by screws  434   a  and  434   b.  The second flex plate is also secured to the spring block assembly  428  by screws  436   a  and  436   b.  The spring stop  430  is secured to the spring block assembly  428  by screws as will be described below. 
         [0038]    The inkjet cartridge  306  is secured to the wedge block assembly  418  by screws fastened through such assembly and into a threaded aperture  446  and another threaded aperture (not shown) at the rear of the mount  402 . The inkjet cartridge  306  is similarly attached to spring block assembly  428  by screws fastened through such assembly into a threaded aperture  448  and another threaded aperture (not shown) at the rear of the mount  402 . 
         [0039]    The wedge base assembly  416  includes a post  440  that extends upward therefrom. The post  440  passes through an aperture  441  in the top portion  402  of the mount  304  and may be passed through one of the apertures  302  in the carrier  300 . 
         [0040]    The top portion  402  of the mount  304  includes protrusions  442  that may be inserted into or aligned with the apertures and/or indents  302  of the carrier  300 . In addition the top portion  402  includes threaded apertures  444  that may be aligned with the apertures  302  of the carrier  300 . A screw may be passed through such an aperture  302  and fastened into the threaded aperture  444  aligned thereto. Screws  445  pass through apertures in the top portion  402  and into threaded apertures (described below) of the wedge base assembly  416  to secure the top portion  402  to the wedge base assembly  416 . Screws  450  pass through apertures in the top portion  402  and into threaded apertures (described below) of the spring base assembly  426  to secure the top portion  402  to the spring base assembly  426 . 
         [0041]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  show isometric views of the wedge base assembly  416  and  FIG. 5C  shows a top planar view of the wedge base assembly  416 . The wedge base assembly  416  includes a wedge base  500 , a wedge nut  502 , a wedge  504 , a compression spring  506 , and a wedge center block  508 . The wedge  504  has an angular face  505 . The wedge center block  508  is secured to the wedge base by screws  510 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  shows an isometric view of the post  440 . The post  440  includes a bottom portion  512 , a central portion  514  that is threaded, and a top portion  516 . An annular disc  518  separates the central portion  514  and the top portion  516 . 
         [0043]    Returning to  FIG. 5A , the post  440  is threaded through wedge nut  502 , passed through the wedge  504 , and the compression spring  506  and into the wedge center block  508 . The wedge center block  508  includes a hole to receive the bottom portion  512  of the post  440 . As the post  440  is turned in the direction A, the wedge nut  502  pushes wedge  504  in the direction B towards the compression spring  506 . As the post  440  is turned counter to the direction A, the compression spring pushes the wedge nut  502  and the wedge  504  in the direction C until the wedge nut  502  contacts the annular disc  518 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  show isometric views of the wedge block assembly  418 .  FIG. 7C  shows a top planar view of the wedge block assembly  418 . The wedge block assembly  418  includes an angular face  550 . When the wedge base assembly  416  and the wedge block assembly  418  are disposed in the mount as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  and affixed to the first flexible plate  420  as described above, at least a portion of the angular face  550  abuts at least a portion of the angular face  505  of the wedge  504 . 
         [0045]    The wedge block assembly  418  includes screw holes  556 . A screw may be passed through the aperture  556  and into the aperture  446  of the inkjet cartridge  306 , thereby securing the inkjet cartridge  306  to the wedge block assembly  418 . The wedge block assembly  418  also includes screw receiving apertures  552  into which screws  424  may be fastened to secure the first flex plate  420  to the wedge block assembly  418 . Protrusions  554  extend from the wedge block assembly  418  that may be used to provide datum surfaces to align the first flex plate  420  and the wedge block assembly  418 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 8A  shows a side elevational view of the spring block assembly  428  and a spring stop  430  of the mount  304 . A compression spring (not shown in  FIG. 8A ) and a spring retainer  802  are disposed in the spring stop  430  such that a portion of the spring retainer  802  passes through an aperture  804  of the spring block assembly  428  and extends outwards therefrom. The spring stop includes protrusions  806  that extend outwardly therefrom that provide datum surfaces to align the second flex plate  432  with the spring block assembly  428 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 8B  shows an exploded view of the spring block assembly  428  and the spring stop  430  and  FIG. 8C  shows an isometric view of the spring stop  430 .  FIG. 8D  shows an isometric view of the spring block assembly  428 . A compression spring  810  is disposed in a cavity  812  of the spring retainer  802 . The spring retainer  802  is thereafter disposed in a cavity of the spring stop  430  so that the compression spring is substantially enclosed between the spring stop  430  and the spring retainer  802 . The spring stop includes apertures  814   a  and  814   b  through which screws  816   a  and  816   b,  respectively, pass into threaded apertures  818   a  and  818   b,  respectively, of the spring block assembly  428 , thereby securing the spring stop  430  to the spring block assembly  428 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 9A  shows an isometric view and  FIG. 9B  shows a top planar view of the spring base assembly  426 . The spring base assembly  426  includes threaded apertures  902  for receiving the screws  434  that secure the second flex plate  432  to the spring base assembly  426 . In addition, the spring base assembly  426  includes apertures  906  for receiving screws that secure the spring base assembly  426  to the top portion  402  of the mount  304 . 
         [0049]    Referring once again to  FIGS. 4A and 5A , when the post  440  is turned in a direction A so that the wedge  504  is moved in the direction B, the abutment of angular faces  550  and  505  urges the wedge block assembly  418  and the inkjet cartridge  306  secured thereto away from the wedge base assembly  416  (and toward the spring base assembly  426 ). Similarly, turning the post  440  in a direction counter to A so that the wedge  504  in moved in the direction C, the compression spring urges the wedge block assembly  418  and the inkjet cartridge  306  towards the wedge base assembly  416 . In this fashion, the position of the inkjet cartridge  306  relative to the top portion  402 , the wedge base assembly  416 , and/or the spring base assembly  426  may be adjusted while the cartridge remains secured in the mount. The top portion  402 , the wedge base assembly  416 , and the spring base assembly  426  remain fixed relative to one another. Adjusting the position of the cartridge may be useful, for example, to align inkjet cartridges mounted to the carrier  300  relative to one another to stitch an image therebetween. 
         [0050]    The post  440  may be turned manually by an operator by a motor, for example, a step motor, operated by a controller. 
         [0051]    The first and second flex plates  420  and  432  are made of a sufficiently flexible material to allow the movement of the wedge block assembly  418  described above. Such flex plates may be manufactured from steel or other metal allows, metals, or polymers. The other components of the mount  304  are manufactured from known durable materials including steel or other metal alloys, metals, and/or polymers. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0052]    The apparatus and method disclosed herein may be utilized to position and dispose an inkjet cartridge in a mount therefor. The mount is designed to allow the position of the inkjet cartridge to be adjusted without having to remove the inkjet cartridge from the mount. Further, various modifications may be apparent to enhance the efficacy of mounting inkjet cartridges. Still further, the apparatus disclosed herein is easily scalable to be utilized with a wide variety of sizes, types, and configurations of printing systems. In addition, the apparatus and method described herein may be used in applications in which a first body is secured to a second body and the position of the first body needs to be modified after such securing. 
         [0053]    Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure and to teach the best mode of carrying out the same. The exclusive right to all modifications within the scope of this disclosure is reserved.