Patent Publication Number: US-10315420-B2

Title: Printing apparatus and method for printing

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a 35 USC 371 national stage entry of PCT/CA2015/051325 filed on Dec. 15, 2015 and which claims priority on U.S. 62/092,593 filed on Dec. 16, 2014. These documents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to a printing apparatus and method for printing, and more particularly a method and system in which the ink is heated and undergoes a phase change. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,325,910 to Pelletier discloses a sublimation pen or cartridge for use in a dye sublimation printing system, which is to be used with sublimation inks of the type including at least a liquid carrier and solid-form pigments insoluble in the liquid carrier. The sublimation pen includes a pen main body, an ink inlet provided on the pen main body, and a variable-width ink passageway defined within the pen main body and capable of fluidly communicating with the ink inlet. The ink passageway defines a sublimation chamber vestibule adjacent to the ink inlet and capable of fluidly communicating therewith, and a sublimation chamber in fluid communication with the sublimation chamber vestibule, the sublimation chamber being wider than the sublimation chamber vestibule. The sublimation pen further includes a heating device means capable of transmitting heat to the sublimation chamber; and a nozzle mounted to the pen main body, the nozzle defining a narrow discharge channel opening at a first end into the sublimation chamber outlet, and opening at a second end outwardly of the sublimation pen. Sublimation ink injected in the pen body through the pen sublimation ink inlet may flow in the ink passageway, first through the sublimation chamber vestibule and then into the wider sublimation chamber within which the solid-state pigments of the sublimation ink are sublimed, the sublimed pigments being thereafter forcibly discharged out of the pen through the discharge channel of the nozzle. 
     SUMMARY 
     It would thus be highly desirable to be provided with a device, system or method that would at least partially address the disadvantages of the existing technologies. 
     The embodiments described herein provide in one aspect a printing apparatus comprising a housing defining an ink treatment chamber, an inlet for receiving into the ink treatment chamber ink in a non-gaseous state, heating elements for heating the ink received in the ink treatment chamber, and a nozzle for ejecting the heated ink. 
     The embodiments described herein provide in another aspect a method for printing, the method comprising providing ink in a non-gaseous state, heating the ink, and applying the ink to a material after heating. 
     The embodiments described herein provide in another aspect a printing system comprising a first printing apparatus according to various exemplary embodiments described herein, the ink of the first printing apparatus having a first color, and a second printing apparatus according to various exemplary embodiments described herein, the ink of the second printing apparatus having a second color. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings represent non-limitative examples in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an elevated cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of a printing apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a sectional view along the line A-A of a body member of the exemplary printing apparatus; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the top surface of the body member of the exemplary printing apparatus; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an elevated cross-sectional view of a nozzle of the printing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded view of a printing system according to one exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom perspective view of a support member of the printing system according to the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a plan view of the support member of the printing system according to the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a front cross-sectional view of the support member of the printing system according to the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the support member of the printing system according to the exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an ink dispensing device  300  according to one exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a schematic representation of a control system according to one exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a schematic representation of a control system according to another exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a schematic representation of a printing system according to one exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS 
     The following examples are presented in a non-limiting manner. 
     The word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one”, but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more”, “at least one”, and “one or more than one” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Similarly, the word “another” may mean at least a second or more unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
     As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “include” and “includes”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contain” and “contains”), are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or process steps. 
     The terms “coupled” or “coupling” as used herein can have several different meanings depending in the context in which these terms are used. For example, the terms coupled or coupling can have a mechanical or electrical connotation. For example, as used herein, the terms coupled or coupling can indicate that two elements or devices are directly connected to one another or connected to one another through one or more intermediate elements or devices via an electrical element, electrical signal or a mechanical element depending on the particular context. 
     According to example apparatuses disclosed herein, heating the ink causes the ink to be changed to gas in the ink treatment chamber and wherein the nozzle ejects the ink in the gaseous state. 
     According to example apparatuses disclosed herein, the ink in the non-gaseous state is received in a solid state and wherein heating the ink causes sublimation of the ink. 
     According to example apparatuses disclosed herein, the ink treatment chamber is pressurized at a range of pressures permitting sublimation of the ink. 
     According to example apparatuses disclosed herein, the ink in the non-gaseous state is received in a liquid state and wherein heating the ink causes evaporation of the ink. 
     According to an example, wherein the ink can comprise at least one component in a solid state and/or at least one component in a liquid state. 
     According to example apparatuses disclosed herein, the nozzle is adapted for accelerating the ink when ejecting the ink. 
     According to example apparatuses disclosed herein, the nozzle comprises a Laval nozzle 
     According to example apparatuses disclosed herein, the heating elements are positioned outside the ink treatment chamber. 
     According to example apparatuses disclosed herein, the housing comprises: a block member, a first bore machined in the block member defining the ink treatment chamber, and at least a second bore machined in the block member for receiving the heating element. 
     According to example systems disclosed herein, the block member of the first printing apparatus and the block member of the second printing apparatus are received in a thermally insulated support member. 
     According to example methods disclosed herein, heating the ink causes the ink to be changed to gas and wherein applying the ink comprises applying the ink in the gaseous state. 
     According to example methods disclosed herein, the ink in the non-gaseous state is provided in a solid state and heating the ink causes sublimation of the ink. 
     According to example methods disclosed herein, the ink in the non-gaseous state is provided in an ink treatment chamber, the ink is heated in the ink treatment chamber, and the ink treatment chamber is pressurized to a range of pressures permitting sublimation of the ink. 
     According to example methods disclosed herein, the ink in the non-gaseous state is provided in a liquid state and heating the ink causes evaporation of the ink. 
     According to example methods disclosed herein, the method further comprises accelerating the ink prior to applying the ink to the material. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , therein illustrated is an elevated cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus  1  according to various exemplary embodiments. The printing apparatus  1  includes a housing  8  defining an ink treatment chamber  16 . 
     The printing apparatus  1  further includes an inlet  24  for receiving ink into the ink treatment chamber  16 . The ink may be received from a source of ink, such as an ink cartridge. The providing of ink into the ink treatment chamber  16  via the inlet  24  may be controlled using an ink dispensing device, which may be a device known in the art. 
     The printing apparatus further includes at least one heating element  28  ( FIG. 2 ). The at least one heating element emits heat into the ink treatment chamber  16 , thereby heating the ink received therein. The heating element  28  may be any element known in the art that emits heat, such as a heating coil or resistive heating element. 
     The printing apparatus  1  further includes a nozzle  32  in fluid communication with the ink treatment chamber  16 . Ink received in the ink treatment chamber  16  is treated according to various exemplary embodiments described herein. After being treated, the treated ink is ejected from the nozzle  32 . In use, the nozzle  32  is positioned proximate a material to be printed such that the ejected ink contacts the material, thereby causing printing of the material. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , therein illustrated is an exploded view of a printing apparatus  1  according to various exemplary embodiments. As illustrated, the housing  8  may include a block member  40  defining a recess  48  having a first opening  56 . The recess  48  may be formed by machining a bore from a top surface  60  of the block member  40 . The bore may extend through the length  64  of the block member  40 . Alternatively, the bore may extend through a portion of the length  64  of the block member  40 . The recess  48  defines a portion of the ink treatment chamber  16 . 
     The recess  48  may be covered by a cap member  64 . The cap member  64  has a throughhole  72 , which may be internally threaded. The cap member  64  may be disposed against the top surface  60  of the block member  40  to partially cover the first opening  56  of the recess  48 . It will be appreciated that the ink treatment chamber  16  communicates with an exterior of the housing  8  through the throughhole  72  of the cap member  64 . 
     The printing apparatus  1  may further include an inlet member  80  defining the inlet  24  of the printing apparatus  1 . The inlet member  80  is adapted to be fluidly coupled to an ink line, which may be further connected to a source of ink. The inlet member  80  may be externally threaded and appropriate sized to engage the internally threaded the throughole  72  of the cap member  64 . 
     The block member  40  may have further formed therein second recesses  88  for receiving the heating elements  28 . The second recesses  88  may be located peripherally of the first recess  48 . The second recesses  88  may be elongated to receive elongated heating elements  28 . The second recesses may extend through a substantial portion of length of  64  the block member  40  and the elongated heating element  28  extends through an approximately equivalent portion of the length  64  of the block member  40 . For example, the second recesses and the elongated heating element  28  may extend through at least about 80% of the length of the block member  40 . The second recesses  88  may be formed by machining bores from a top surface  60  of the block member  40 . It will be appreciated that by having the heating element  28  located peripherally of the ink treatment chamber  16  and extending over a substantial portion of the length  64  of the ink treatment chamber  16 , heat emitted by the heating elements  28  may be transmitted substantially evenly into the ink treatment chamber  16 . As illustrated, the heating elements  28  may be positioned outside the ink treatment chamber  16 . 
     An end  96  of the body member  40  opposite the top surface  64  may define a second opening  104  for receiving the nozzle  32 . For example, the second opening  104  may be formed by machining a bore through the body member  40 . For example, the bore may be the same as the bore for forming recess  48 . Alternatively, an additional bore having a diameter lesser than the bore for forming recess  48  may be machined to form the second opening  104 . According to various exemplary embodiments, the second opening  104  may be internally threaded to engage an externally threaded portion  112  of the nozzle  32 . 
     The body member  40  may further include third internally threaded bores  120  for receiving fasteners as described elsewhere herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , therein illustrated is a sectional view along the line A-A of the body member  40  of the housing  8  according to various exemplary embodiments. It will be appreciated that the first recess  48  extends along a first recess length  122 , which is less than the length  64  of the body member  40 . The first recess  48  is further in fluid communication with second opening  104 . It will also be appreciated that the second recesses  88  extends along a second recess length  124 , which is less than the length  64  of the body member  40 . The third threaded bores  120  extend along a third bore length  126 , which may be shorter than half the length  64  of the bore member  40 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , therein illustrated is a top view of the top surface of the body member  40  showing the positioning of the first recess  48 , second recesses  88  and third threaded bores  120 . 
     The body member  40  may be formed of a thermally conductive material so that heat emitted from the heating elements  28  are transferred to inside the ink treatment chamber  16 . 
     According to various exemplary embodiments, ink that is initially in a non-gaseous state is received in the ink treatment chamber  16 . Accordingly, the heating elements  28  are selected so that the heat emitted into the ink treatment chamber  16  is sufficient to cause a phase change in the ink received in the ink treatment chamber  16 . For example, the initially non-gaseous ink is changed to a gaseous ink due to heating. 
     According to various exemplary embodiments, the ink is initially received in a liquid state into the ink treatment chamber  16  through the inlet  24 . Due to heating from heating elements  28 , the liquid ink is transformed to gaseous ink through evaporation. The gaseous ink may then be emitted from the nozzle  32  for printing a material. 
     According to various exemplary embodiments, the ink is initially received in a solid state into the ink treatment chamber  16  through the inlet  24 . For example, the solid ink may be carried in a liquid carrier, such as alcohol. Due to heating from heating elements  28 , the solid ink is transformed to gaseous ink through sublimation. The gaseous ink may then be emitted from the nozzle  32  for printing a material. Accordingly, the ink treatment chamber  16  may be pressurized at a pressure that corresponds to about the triple point of the material forming the ink. For example, the ink treatment chamber  16  may be appropriately sized to achieve and maintaining the pressure corresponding to about the triple point of the material forming the ink. 
     Ejecting the ink in a gaseous state for printing may advantageously permit embedding the ink within a material to be printed. For example, whereas liquid ink may only print an exterior surface of the material to be printed, gaseous ink can permeate into the material, thereby resulting in embedding of the gaseous ink with the material. When printing the material, the gaseous ink may return to a liquid and/or solid state. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , therein illustrated is an elevated cross-sectional view of a nozzle  32  according to one exemplary embodiment. The nozzle  32  defines an upper channel  132  in fluid communication with the ink treatment chamber  16  or partly defining the ink treatment chamber  16 . The upper channel  132  leads through a transitional channel  136  having a decreasing diameter. The transitional channel  136  further leads to a lower channel  140  having a diameter that is substantially less than a diameter of the upper channel  132 . A spout  148  of the nozzle  32  has an increasing diameter. It will be appreciated that the narrowing of the channel flowed by an increasing diameter at the spout  148  creates a Venturi effect whereby the flow of ink when being ejected through the nozzle  32  is accelerated. For example, the lower channel  140  of the nozzle  32  defines a Laval nozzle. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , therein illustrated is an exploded view of a printing system  200  according to various exemplary embodiments. The printing system  200  includes a plurality of printing apparatuses  1  according to various exemplary embodiments described herein. The printing apparatuses  1  are shown having been assembled, wherein the cap member  64  is coupled to the body member  40  and the heating elements  28  are inserted into recesses  88  of the body member  40 . At least two of the printing apparatuses  1  may be adapted for ejecting ink of different color, material or texture. For example, a first of the printing apparatuses  1  is adapted to eject ink of a first color, material or texture and a second of the printing apparatuses  1  is adapted to eject ink of a second color, material or texture that is different from the first color, material of texture. 
     The printing system  200  further includes a support member  208  for supporting the plurality of printing apparatuses  1 . The support member  208  has a top surface  216  defining a plurality of throughholes. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , therein illustrated is a bottom perspective view of the support member  208  according to various exemplary embodiments. The support member  208  includes a plurality of slots  220  each being sized to receive one printing apparatus  1 . 
     Continuing with  FIGS. 6 and 7  together, the printing apparatuses  1  are each inserted into a respective slot  220  of the support member  208 . The printing apparatuses  1  are oriented in the direction shown and as denoted by arrows  224 . In particular, the top surface  232  of the cap member  64  of the printing apparatuses are oriented in the direction of the arrows  224 . 
     According to various exemplary embodiments, the support member  200  is formed of a thermally insulating material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The thermally insulating support member ensures that heat emitted from the heating elements  28  are kept within the slots  220  and in particular emitted to the ink treatment chamber  16 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a plan view of the support member  200 . It will be appreciated that the throughholes correspond to recesses of the printing apparatuses  1 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the plurality of througholes of the support member  208  extend through the top surface  216  to communicate with the slot  220  of the support member  208 . 
     For example, the throughholes include first holes  224  corresponding to inlets  24  of printing apparatuses  1 . An ink line connecting an inlet  24  of a printing apparatuses  1  to a source of ink may extend through one of the first holes  224 . 
     For example, the throughholes include second holes  228  corresponding to second recesses  88  of the printing apparatuses  1 . Leads or wires connecting the heating elements  28  to a power source may extend through the second holes  228 . 
     For example, the throughholes include third holes  232  corresponding to third recesses  120  of the printing apparatuses  1 . Fasteners  240  may extend through the third holes  232  to engage the third recesses  120  of the printing apparatuses  1 , thereby maintaining the printing apparatuses  1  in their respective slots  220  of the support member  200 . 
     According to various exemplary embodiments, the fasteners  240  may be spring members that allow some movement of the printing apparatuses  1  within the slots  220  and in both directions denoted by arrows  224 . For example, movement of the printing apparatuses  1  allows some play in the printing apparatuses  1  in response to uneven printing materials. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , therein illustrated are a front cross-sectional view and side sectional view of the support member  200  according to various exemplary embodiments. It will be appreciated that the third holes  232  are spaced apart from the bottoms  244  of the slots  220  by elongated channels  248 . The spring members of the fasteners  240  are positioned within the elongated channels  248 , thereby allowing extension and contraction of the spring members, further leading to movement of the printing apparatuses  1  within the slots  220 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , therein illustrated is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary ink dispensing device  300 . The ink dispensing device  300  is positioned upstream of the inlet  24  of a printing apparatus and controls the flow of ink from the ink source to the ink treatment chamber  16  of the printing apparatus  1 . The ink dispensing device  300  includes a plunger member  308  for selectively pinching an ink line  310 . As illustrated, a first end  312  of the ink line  310  leads from an ink source and a second end  314  of the ink line  310  leads to the printing apparatus  1 . 
     The plunger member  308  may be movable along the direction  316  and may be biased to a pinching position by spring members  320 . In the pinching position, the plunger member  308  pinches the ink line  310  to prevent flow of ink from the first end  312  to the second  314 . 
     The plunger member  308  is moved away from its pinching position so as to permit flow of ink from the first end  312  to the second end. For example, the plunger member  308  may be coupled to a magnet  324  which surrounded by coiled windings  328 . Sending a current through the coiled windings  328  induces an electromagnetic field, which causes the magnet  324 , and therefore also the plunger member  308 , to be moved away from the pinching position. 
     According to various exemplary methods described herein, ink for printing a material is provided in a non-gaseous state. Heating is applied to the ink. After heating the ink, the ink is applied to a material so as to print on that material. 
     For example, the ink is heated so that it is changed to a gaseous state and the gaseous ink is applied to the material. 
     For example, the ink is provided in a solid state and heating the ink causes sublimation of the ink. The solid ink may be provided in a liquid carrier. The solid ink may be undissolved within the liquid carrier and is transported with the flow of the liquid carrier. The solid ink may be heated in a pressure-controlled environment, such as an ink treatment chamber, wherein the pressure is controlled to correspond to the triple point of the material forming the ink. 
     For example, the ink is provided in a liquid state and heating the ink causes sublimation of the ink. 
     For example, prior to applying the ink to the material, the flow of the ink in the gaseous state may be accelerated, such as through a Laval nozzle. 
     For example, various methods described herein may be carried out using one or more printing apparatuses  1  described herein. 
     For example, the disclosure also comprises a printing system comprising at least one printing apparatus as defined in the present disclosure and at least one control system as defined in the present disclosure. 
     For example, there is provided the use of a printing apparatus as described in the present disclosure, for use in a printing system. 
     For example, the printing apparatuses described in the present disclosure can be used in a printing system (PS 1 ) as the one schematically represented in  FIG. 14 . The system of  FIG. 14  can comprise control systems. For example, it can comprise one control system as shown in  FIG. 12  (CS 1 ) (see M 1 , M 2 , M 3  and M 4 ) and one control system as shown in  FIG. 13  (CS 2 ) (see M 5 , M 6 , M 7  and M 8 ). 
     In  FIGS. 12-14 , M 1 , M 2 , M 3 , M 4 , M 5 , M 6 , M 7  and M 8  refer to different motors, the term M referring to a motor in general; in  FIG. 14 , C 1 , C 2 , C 3  and C 4  refer to different cartridges, while B 1 , B 2 , B 3  and B 4  refer to different print heads or printing apparatuses. In  FIGS. 12 and 13 , T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , T 4 , T 5 , T 6 , T 7  and T 8  refer to different fix buttons, while Start refer to a start button and Stop refer to a stop button 
     In  FIG. 12 , R 1  refers to a relay and Res 1 , Res 2 , Res 3  and Res  4  refer to variable resistors, while GL and RL refer respectively to green light and red light. 
     Regarding CS 1  of  FIG. 12 , when system is OFF, the red light (RL) will be on, no motor will be running. Pushing the start button will power relay  1  (R 2 ), closing R 1  contact and creating a latch, it will also turn the green light on, turn red light off. While R 1  is closed, closing T 1  will activate M 1 , closing T 2  will activate M 2 , closing T 3  activates M 3 , and T 4  activates M 4 . All motors speeds are variable and controlled by one variable switch. Pushing the STOP push button, will de-energize R 1  relay. It will open the close R 1  contacts which will power off all motors. It will also close the open R 1  contact and will power the RED light. 
     Regarding CS 2  of  FIG. 13 , while Start  2  button is closed, closing T 5  will activate M 5 , closing T 6  will activate M 6 , closing switch T 7  will activate M 7  and closing switch T 8  will activate M 8 . Opening the Start  2  switch will stop all motors. 
     The examples provided in  FIGS. 12-14  clearly show how the printing apparatuses and methods of the disclosure can be used in a printing system. The person skilled in the art would clearly know how to integrate and/or incorporate the various possibilities described in the present disclosure into different printing systems. 
     It will be appreciated that, for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements or steps. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein in any way but rather as merely describing the implementation of the various embodiments described herein.