Patent Description:
The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

The present invention is related to an image formation device according to claim <NUM>.

In some examples, the liquid carrier may comprise an aqueous-based fluid. In some examples, the liquid carrier may comprise a non-aqueous fluid.

In some such examples, the belt may comprise a non-porous belt which squeezes the liquid carrier out or off of the substrate, while in some examples, the belt may comprise a porous belt which may draw the liquid carrier out or off the substrate. Such liquid withdrawal may be achieved via capillary forces exerted via the porous belt and/or mechanisms.

Via such example arrangement, the contact portion of the belt establishes a belt-controlled contact zone in which the belt is in contact with the substrate over a significantly great length than a roller-to-roller-based nip, thereby providing a longer period of time over which liquid may be removed from the substrate. Moreover, such example arrangements may result in more uniform pressure along the contact zone (than a roller-to-roller nip) and a significantly lower pressure in the contact zone (than present in a roller-to-roller nip). In addition, in some examples, the belt moves at generally the same speed as the substrate such that shear forces are generally avoided, which stands in sharp contrast to a roller-to-roller nip in which shear forces may be present due to a speed differential between the belt (supported directly by a roller) and the imaging drum (e.g. roller).

Via such example arrangements, a high volume of liquid may be rapidly removed from a substrate following deposition of ink particles within a liquid carrier onto the substrate.

In the present invention, the image formation device comprises a charge element(s) to emit charges onto the belt in the contact zone to increase and control the pressure of the belt against the substrate, which may enhance engagement of the belt in the contact zone relative to the substrate. In some examples, a vacuum is applied to the belt in the contact zone to increase the rate of liquid removal, such as when the belt comprises a porous structure. In one aspect, placement of the vacuum and/or of the charge element(s) in this location may be enabled, at least in part, via the absence of a roller (to support the belt) at the contact zone.

These examples, and additional examples, are further described below in association with at least <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram including side views schematically representing at least some aspects of an example image formation device <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a support <NUM> supports a substrate <NUM> for movement along a travel path T. The support <NUM> may take various forms such as, but not limited to, a rotatable drum or a plurality of rollers, as later described in association with at least <FIG>, respectively.

As further shown in <FIG>, in some examples the image formation device <NUM> comprises a fluid ejection device <NUM> and a flexible belt <NUM>. The fluid ejection device <NUM> is located along the travel path T to deposit droplets <NUM> of ink particles <NUM> within a liquid carrier <NUM> onto the substrate <NUM> to at least partially form an image on the substrate <NUM>.

The flexible belt <NUM> is located downstream along the travel path T from the fluid ejection device <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, among other features the belt <NUM> includes a contact portion <NUM> to arcuately conform relative to, and be in moving contact against, a first arcuate portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> to remove at least a portion of the liquid carrier <NUM> from the substrate <NUM>. In some such examples, the belt <NUM> may sometimes be referred to as an endless belt because it forms a loop about a plurality of rollers in some examples, with the belt having no discrete end or beginning. In some examples, the belt <NUM> also may be referred to as rotating in an endless loop, i.e. a loop having no discrete end or beginning.

In some such examples, the moving contact may comprise rolling contact between the belt <NUM> and the substrate <NUM>. However, in some examples, the moving contact may comprise sliding contact.

Because belt <NUM> rotates in a loop (as represented by directional arrow E), the contact portion <NUM> corresponds to different portions of belt <NUM> which engage the substrate <NUM> as the belt <NUM> rotates. In other words, the contact portion <NUM> does not comprise a static portion of belt <NUM> in a static position. Similarly, at the same time that the belt <NUM> is rotating (directional arrow E) in a loop, the substrate <NUM> is moving along travel path T. In some such examples, the belt <NUM> moves (rotates in the endless loop) at a speed which is substantially the same as the speed at which substrate <NUM> travels along the travel path T. In one aspect, this arrangement may minimize or eliminate shear forces, which might otherwise be present if the belt <NUM> and substrate <NUM> were moving at substantially different speeds.

Depending upon the particular structure and/or materials forming the belt <NUM>, the belt <NUM> may absorb the liquid carrier <NUM> on the substrate <NUM> such as when the belt <NUM> is porous and/or the belt <NUM> may push the liquid carrier <NUM> off to the sides of the belt <NUM> (and/or in front of the control portion <NUM>), such as when the belt <NUM> is non-porous. At least some of these examples, will be further described below in association with at least <FIG>.

As further shown in <FIG>, in some examples the belt <NUM> forms part of a belt arrangement <NUM> comprising an array of rollers 154A, 154B, 154C, which act to drive and/or support the flexible belt <NUM> to continually rotate along path E (e.g. the endless loop) about the rollers. In some examples, the rollers 154A, 154B, 154C are positioned relative to each other, and relative to the substrate <NUM> to cause the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM> to be in arcuate conforming movable contact against the substrate <NUM>. In one aspect, the arc length AL1 is at least partially determined by a position of the rollers 154A and 154B with respect to a center of the arc (e.g. an arc center) (AC) of the contact portion <NUM> and by the a radius of the arc (e.g. arc radius) (AR) defined by the contact portion <NUM> of belt <NUM>.

In some examples, the belt <NUM> (<FIG>) may sometimes be referred to as a liquid removal element and/or the belt arrangement <NUM> (<FIG>) may sometimes be referred to as a liquid removal arrangement.

Via this arrangement, the contact portion <NUM> comprises a leading edge 157A at which the belt <NUM> initiates contact with the substrate <NUM> and a trailing edge 157B at which the belt <NUM> terminates contact with the substrate <NUM>. In one aspect, the distance along the contact portion <NUM> of belt <NUM> between the respective edges 157A, 157B may sometimes be referred to as arc length (AL1). The distance (L1) through which the belt <NUM> engages the substrate <NUM> also may be referred to as a contact zone, as represented by the dashed box CZ.

In some examples, the pressure of the belt <NUM> exerted against the substrate <NUM> may be, at least in part, be controlled via controlling a tension of belt <NUM>, the arc radius (AR), and an arc length (AL1), as further described below. Via this arrangement, in some examples the time duration of contact (between the belt <NUM> and the substrate <NUM>) in the contact zone CZ may be controlled generally independently from the average pressure in the contact zone CZ. In some examples, for small wrap angles (e.g. arc length less than <NUM> degrees), the average pressure in the contact zone CZ may be approximated by the formula Pressure = <NUM> x Tbelt/AR, where Tbelt comprises the tension on belt <NUM> per unit length (N/m). In some examples, the target average pressure (between the belt <NUM> and the substrate <NUM>) in the contact zone CZ is about <NUM> kiloPascals to about <NUM> kiloPascals. These average pressures in at least some of the examples of the present disclosure are significantly less than a pressure in an ordinary belt-roller nip, which may be around <NUM> MegaPascals, which is at least one order of magnitude greater than the target average pressure in the contact zone in the examples of the present disclosure. The lower pressure in the examples of the present disclosure may reduce wear and tear on the belt <NUM> and substrate <NUM> to promote longevity of the liquid removal arrangement, including belt <NUM>.

In some such examples, given the above-noted target average pressure, the tension per unit length of the belt (i.e. TBelt) may be computed from the range of average pressure (i.e. about <NUM> to about <NUM> kiloPascals) according to the desired arc radius (AR). In one aspect, a decrease in the arc radius (AR) will cause a higher average pressure in the contact zone for a given (i.e. same) same belt tension (Tbelt).

In some examples, the belt tension may have an upper limit set by the yield strength of the backbone of belt <NUM>, which depends on the particular materials and/or structure forming the belt <NUM>. This yield strength may in turn limit an upper value of the recommended average pressure in the contact zone for a given belt <NUM>. For example, for a belt <NUM> made of polyimide material, the yield strength is about <NUM> MegaPascals in some examples. Assuming a safety factor of <NUM>, and a belt <NUM> having a thickness of about <NUM> microns, the tension of the belt (i.e. TBelt) is to be limited to <NUM> kN/m, in some examples. Further assuming a drum radius in which the arc radius is AR=<NUM> meters, the resulting maximum average pressure in the contact zone would be <NUM> kiloPascals. It will be understood that this example represents just one example in determining tension and/or pressure on belt <NUM> for a given type of material, arc radius, etc. and is not limiting on the full range of some example target average pressures (e.g. <NUM> kiloPascals to about <NUM> kiloPascals) in the contact zone, as noted above.

In some examples, the arc length (AL1) may comprise between about <NUM> and about <NUM> centimeters. In some examples, the arc length (AL1) may comprise between about <NUM> and about <NUM> centimeters. In some examples, the arc length (AL1) may comprise between about <NUM> and <NUM> centimeters.

As further shown in <FIG>, a first non-contact portion 158A of the belt <NUM> precedes the contact portion <NUM> of belt <NUM>, while a second non-contact portion 158B follows the contact portion <NUM> of belt <NUM>. An arcuate portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> defines a region of the substrate <NUM> against which the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM> engages under pressure. At least the arcuate portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> is supported directly by an arcuate support structure in the region coextensive with the contact portion <NUM> of belt <NUM>, with the arcuate support structure <NUM> comprising a drum, support roller, or the like, as later shown in <FIG>. A first non-contact portion 107A of the substrate <NUM> precedes the contact zone CZ and a second non-contact portion 107B of the substrate <NUM> follows the contact zone CZ.

As shown in <FIG>, the belt <NUM> is supported by the rollers 154A, 154B, 154C which are spaced apart from each other along a length of the belt in a manner in which the rollers are positioned in locations other than the contact zone CZ. Stated differently, the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM> is supported without a backing roller on a side of the belt <NUM> opposite to the arcuate portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> within the contact zone. In other words, the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM> is unsupported by a roller in the contact zone CZ. This arrangement enables placing various elements (e.g. a vacuum, charge emitters, etc.) along the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM> at the contact zone CZ, to facilitate removing liquid from belt <NUM>, to increase and/or control the pressure at which the belt <NUM> engages the substrate <NUM>, and/or to implement other functions relative to belt <NUM> at the contact zone CZ.

As further shown in <FIG>, in some examples the belt arrangement <NUM> may comprise a positioner (schematically represented via box P) to control a position of at least some of the support rollers 154A, 154B, 154C in order to control a position of the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM> relative to the arcuate portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>. This position control may, in turn, control a pressure of the belt <NUM> against, and/or control an arc length of the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM> relative to, the substrate <NUM>. In some such examples, the positioner P may be cooperative with a frame (schematically represented via box F) of the belt arrangement <NUM> to support, and control positioning of, the rollers 154A, 154B, 154C to control pressure of the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM> on the substrate <NUM>. In some examples, such positioning also may at least partially determine a tension of the belt <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, in some examples the belt arrangement <NUM> comprises a belt tensioner <NUM> to control a tension of the belt <NUM>. In some such examples, the belt tensioner <NUM> may comprise a spring <NUM> (or equivalent element) connected between a roller (e.g. 154C) and an anchor or weight <NUM>.

In some examples, the belt positioner (P), belt tensioner (<NUM>), and/or other features, elements associated with the image formation device <NUM> (e.g. substrate speed, belt speed, etc.) shown in <FIG> may be controlled and/or monitored via an image formation engine and/or control portion, such as but not limited to the image formation engine <NUM> and/or control portion <NUM>, as later described in association with at least <FIG> and <FIG>.

In some examples, the fluid ejection device <NUM> comprises a drop-on-demand fluid ejection device. In some examples, the drop-on-demand fluid ejection device comprises an inkjet printhead. In some examples, the inkjet printhead comprises a piezoelectric inkjet printhead. In some examples, the fluid ejection device <NUM> may comprise other types of inkjet printheads. In some examples, the inkjet may comprise a thermal inkjet printhead. In some examples, the droplets may sometimes be referred to as being jetted onto the media. With this in mind, at least some of the aspects and/or implementations of image formation according to at least some examples of the present disclosure may sometimes be referred to as "jet-on-media", "jet-on-substrate", "jet-on-blanket", "offjet printing", and the like.

It will be understood that in some examples, the fluid ejection device <NUM> may comprise a permanent component of image formation device <NUM>, which is sold, shipped, and/or supplied, etc. as part of image formation device <NUM>. It will be understood that such "permanent" components may be removed for repair, upgrade, etc. as appropriate. However, in some examples, fluid ejection device <NUM> may be removably received, such as in instances when fluid ejection device <NUM> may comprise a consumable, be separately sold, etc..

In some examples, the liquid carrier <NUM> may comprise an aqueous liquid carrier.

However, in some examples, the liquid carrier <NUM> may comprise a non-aqueous liquid carrier, such as in the example image formation devices described in association with at least <FIG>. In some such examples, when non-aqueous dielectric inks are used, and when electrostatic fixation (i.e. pinning) of ink particles <NUM> is implemented as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, an electrically conductive element separate from the substrate <NUM> is provided to contact the substrate <NUM> in order to implement grounding of the substrate <NUM>.

In some examples, substrate <NUM> comprises a metallized layer or foil. However, in some examples, the substrate is not metallized and comprises no conductive layer.

In some examples, the substrate <NUM> comprises a non-absorbing material, non-absorbing coating, and/or non-absorbing properties. Accordingly, in some examples the substrate <NUM> is made of a material which hinders or prevents absorption of liquids, such as a liquid carrier <NUM> and/or other liquids in the droplets received on the medium. In one aspect, in some such examples the non-absorbing medium does not permit the liquids to penetrate, or does not permit significant penetration of the liquids, into the surface of the non-absorbing medium.

The non-absorbing example implementations of the substrate <NUM> stands in sharp contrast to some forms of media, such as paper, which may absorb liquid. The non-absorbing attributes of the substrate <NUM> may facilitate drying of the ink particles on the media at least because later removal of liquid from the media will not involve the time and expense of attempting to pull liquid out of the media (as occurs with absorbing media) and/or the time, space, and expense of providing heated air for extended periods of time to dry liquid in an absorptive media.

Via the above-described example arrangements in which a belt arrangement is used to remove a liquid carrier from a substrate, the example device and/or associated methods can print images on a non-absorbing medium (or some other medium) with minimal bleeding, dot smearing, etc. while permitting high quality color on color printing. Moreover, via these examples for belt-controlled liquid removal, image formation on a non-absorbing medium (or some other medium) can be performed with less time, less space, and less energy at least due to a significant reduction in drying time and capacity. These example arrangements stand in sharp contrast to other printing techniques lacking such belt-controlled liquid removal, such as high coverage, aqueous-based step inkjet printing utilizing roller-to-roller nip based liquid removal (or similar mechanical elements) which may not adequately remove the liquid unless higher cost, and lengthy drying is applied.

In some such examples, the non-absorptive substrate <NUM> may comprise other attributes, such as acting as a protective layer for items packaged within the media. Such items may comprise food or other sensitive items for which protection from moisture, light, air, etc. may be desired.

With this in mind, in some examples the substrate <NUM> may comprise a plastic media. In some examples, the substrate <NUM> may comprise polyethylene (PET) material, which may comprise a thickness on the order of about <NUM> microns. In some examples, the substrate <NUM> may comprise a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) material. In some examples, the substrate <NUM> may comprise a biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET) polyester film, which may be sold under trade name Mylar in some instances. In some examples, the substrate <NUM> may comprise other types of materials which provide at least some of the features and attributes as described throughout the examples of the present disclosure. For examples, the substrate <NUM> or portions of substrate <NUM> may comprise a metallized foil or foil material, among other types of materials.

In some examples, substrate <NUM> comprises a flexible packaging material. In some such examples, the flexible packaging material may comprise a food packaging material, such as for forming a wrapper, bag, sheet, cover, etc. As previously mentioned for at least some examples, the flexible packaging materials may comprise a non-absorptive media.

In some examples, the image formation device may sometimes be referred to as a printer or printing device. In some examples in which a media is supplied in a roll-to-roll arrangement or similar arrangements, the image formation device may sometimes be referred to as a web press and/or the print medium can be referred to as a media web.

At least some examples of the present disclosure are directed to forming an image directly on a print medium, such as without an intermediate transfer member. Accordingly, in some instances, the image formation may sometimes be referred to as occurring directly on substrate <NUM>, which may sometimes be referred to the print medium in such instances. However, this does not necessarily exclude some examples in which an additive layer may be placed on the print medium prior to receiving ink particles (within a carrier fluid) onto the print medium. In some instances, the print medium also may sometimes be referred to as a non-transfer medium to indicate that the medium itself does not comprise a transfer member (e.g. transfer blanket, transfer drum) by which an ink image is to be later transferred to another print medium (e.g. paper or other material). In this regard, the print medium may sometimes also be referred to as a final medium or a media product. In some such instances, the medium may sometimes be referred to as product packaging medium.

In some examples, the substrate <NUM> may sometimes be referred to as a non-transfer substrate, i.e. a substrate which does not act as a transfer member (e.g. a member by which ink is initially received and later transferred to a final substrate bearing an image). Rather, in some such examples, the substrate <NUM> may comprise a final print medium such that the printing or image formation may sometimes be referred as being direct printing because no intermediate transfer member is utilized as part of the printing process.

In some examples, the substrate <NUM> comprises an intermediate transfer member, such as (but not limited to) the example image formation device <NUM> further described in association with at least <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>. In some instances, such an intermediate transfer member may be referred to as a blanket.

As shown in <FIG>, in some examples, there are no features, elements, etc. (along the travel path T) located between the fluid ejection device <NUM> and the belt <NUM>. However, as schematically represented by the black dots X, in some examples the image formation device <NUM> may comprise additional features, elements, etc. located along the travel path T between the fluid ejection device <NUM> and the belt arrangement <NUM> including flexible belt <NUM>. The image formation device <NUM> comprises a charge emitter (e.g. located after the fluid ejection device <NUM>) to emit electrostatic charges onto the deposited droplets <NUM> to cause electrostatic migration toward, and electrostatic fixation of, the ink particles <NUM> relative to the substrate, as further described in association with at least <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram including a side view schematically representing an example image formation device <NUM>. In some examples, the image formation device <NUM> comprises at least some of substantially the same features and attributes as the image formation device <NUM> in <FIG>, while being implemented with a substrate <NUM> supported by a rotatable drum <NUM>. In a manner consistent with <FIG>, the image formation device <NUM> comprises a fluid ejection device <NUM> and belt arrangement <NUM> arranged in series about an external surface of substrate <NUM> which rotates (as represented by arrow R). The rotating substrate <NUM> receives, via the fluid ejection device <NUM>, deposited droplets <NUM> (of ink particles <NUM> within a liquid carrier <NUM>) to at least partially form an intended image on the substrate <NUM>. After such deposition, belt arrangement <NUM> removes at least a portion of the liquid carrier from the substrate <NUM>. In some such examples, it will be understood that at this point in the process of forming an image on the substrate, the belt <NUM> is not acting to remove ink residue from substrate <NUM> in the same manner as is to be performed later by cleaner unit <NUM> after formation of the image on the substrate <NUM> has been fully completed, such as after media transfer station <NUM>.

In some examples, the belt arrangement <NUM> may comprise at least some of substantially the same features and attributes as the belt arrangement <NUM> previously described in association with <FIG> and/or those belt arrangements later described in association with at least <FIG>.

As further shown in <FIG>, in some examples image formation device <NUM> may comprise a dryer <NUM> downstream from the belt arrangement <NUM> to further remove liquid (including but not limited to liquid carrier <NUM>) from the substrate <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, the image formation device <NUM> may comprise a media transfer station <NUM>, which may comprise an impression roller or cylinder <NUM> which forms a nip <NUM> with drum <NUM> to cause transfer of the formed image on substrate <NUM> of drum <NUM> to print medium <NUM> moving along path W.

As further shown in <FIG>, in some examples the image formation device <NUM> may comprise a cleaner unit <NUM>, which follows the media transfer arrangement <NUM> and which precedes the fluid ejection device <NUM>. The cleaner unit <NUM> is to remove any residual ink particles <NUM> and/or components of droplets <NUM> from the substrate <NUM> prior to operation of the fluid ejection device <NUM>.

With regard to any of the examples involving a non-porous belt <NUM>, the belt arrangement (e.g. <NUM> in <FIG>, etc.) may be placed at a bottom <NUM> of a drum (e.g. <NUM> in <FIG>) or at a lower portion of a belt-type substrate (e.g. <FIG>) so that gravity may aid in the removal and collection of some of the liquid which may to accumulate (in small volumes) just prior to the leading edge of the contact zone CZ of the belt <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram including a side view schematically representing an example image formation device <NUM>. In some examples, the image formation device <NUM> comprises at least some of substantially the same features and attributes as the image formation device <NUM> in <FIG>, except with a substrate <NUM> being implemented in an endless belt arrangement <NUM> (instead of a drum-type arrangement) among other differences noted below. As shown in <FIG>, the substrate-belt arrangement <NUM> includes an array <NUM> of rollers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, with at least one of these respective rollers comprising a drive roller and the remaining rollers supporting and guiding the substrate <NUM>. Via these rollers, the substrate <NUM> continuously moves in travel path T to expose the substrate <NUM> to at least the fluid ejection device <NUM> and belt arrangement <NUM>, in a manner consistent with the devices as previously described in association with at least <FIG>, and <FIG>.

In a manner consistent with at least <FIG>, the image formation device <NUM> comprises a fluid ejection device <NUM> and belt arrangement <NUM> arranged along the travel path T through which the substrate <NUM> moves so that the substrate <NUM> may receive, via the fluid ejection device <NUM>, deposited droplets <NUM> (of ink particles <NUM> within a liquid carrier <NUM>) to at least partially form an intended image on the substrate <NUM>. After such deposition, belt arrangement <NUM> removes at least a portion of the liquid carrier <NUM> from the substrate <NUM>. In some examples, the belt arrangement <NUM> may comprise at least some of substantially the same features and attributes as the belt arrangement <NUM> previously described in association with <FIG> and/or those belt arrangements later described in association with at least <FIG>.

As further shown in <FIG>, in some examples image formation device <NUM> may comprise a dryer <NUM> downstream from the belt arrangement <NUM> to further remove liquid (including but not limited to liquid carrier <NUM>) from the substrate <NUM>. As further shown in <FIG>, in some examples the image formation device <NUM> may comprise a media transfer station <NUM>, which may comprise an impression roller or cylinder <NUM> which forms a nip <NUM> with roller <NUM> (e.g. a drum) to cause transfer of the formed image from substrate <NUM> at roller <NUM> onto print medium <NUM> moving along path W. As further shown in <FIG>, in some examples the image formation device <NUM> may comprise a cleaner unit <NUM> which follows the media transfer arrangement <NUM> and which precedes at least the fluid ejection device <NUM>. The cleaner unit <NUM> is to remove any residual ink particles <NUM> and/or components of droplets <NUM> from the substrate <NUM> prior to operation of the fluid ejection device <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, in some examples the image formation device <NUM> comprises a primer unit <NUM> which precedes (i.e. is upstream from) the fluid ejection device <NUM> and which may deposit a primer layer or layer of binder material onto the substrate <NUM> and onto which the image may be formed, such as via operation of fluid ejection device <NUM>, belt arrangement <NUM>, dryer <NUM>. In some examples, this primer layer or binder layer may be transferred with the formed image onto the print medium <NUM>.

In some examples, such a primer unit <NUM> may be implemented in the image formation device <NUM> of <FIG> with the primer unit <NUM> being located between the cleaner unit <NUM> and the fluid ejection device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram including a side view schematically representing a belt arrangement <NUM> for removing liquid from a substrate in an example image formation device. In some examples, the belt arrangement <NUM> comprises at least some of substantially the same features and attributes as, and/or an example implementation of, the belt arrangement <NUM> in <FIG>, <NUM> in <FIG>, and <NUM> in <FIG>.

In some examples, the belt <NUM> may comprise a porous belt or may comprise a non-porous belt (act like squeegee).

As shown in <FIG>, in some examples the belt arrangement <NUM> comprises a second liquid removal element <NUM>, which is located downstream from the contact zone CZ and which may be used to remove liquid from the belt <NUM>. Removal of the liquid from portions of the belt <NUM> after it passes through the contact zone CZ prepares these portions of the belt <NUM> to again remove the liquid carrier <NUM> from the substrate <NUM> upon the next revolution (in endless loop/path E) of these portions in pressing contact against the substrate <NUM> in the contact zone CZ.

In some examples, as shown in <FIG>, the second liquid removal element <NUM> may comprise a blade <NUM>, forced air <NUM>, and/or other mechanical element <NUM> to further remove liquid from the belt <NUM>. In some such examples, the blade <NUM> may be implemented in association with a support roller, squeegee, and the like.

<FIG> is a diagram including a sectional view schematically representing an example belt <NUM> and substrate <NUM> of an example image formation device, in which the belt <NUM> comprises one example implementation of belt <NUM>. In some examples, the belt <NUM> may have a thickness (T1) of about <NUM> microns while the substrate <NUM> may have a thickness (T2) of about <NUM> millimeter, as shown in <FIG>. In some examples, belt <NUM> may be employed in the belt arrangement of the example image formation device as further described in association with <FIG> and/or belt <NUM> may be employed in the belt arrangement of the example image formation devices, as further described in association with <FIG>, <FIG>.

In some examples, belt <NUM> may comprise a non-porous structure, which may comprise a polyimide material in some instances such that the belt <NUM> is strong, non-absorbing, and smooth. In some such examples, the belt <NUM> may comprise a single layer of a polyimide material. When the belt <NUM> comprises this non-porous structure, then the belt <NUM> removes the liquid carrier <NUM> from the substrate <NUM> by squeezing the liquid to the sides of the belt <NUM> before and during the contact zone CZ. In some examples, the second liquid removal element <NUM> (FIG. 2B) may be implemented as a blade located after the contact zone CZ to remove liquid from the belt <NUM> to prepare the belt <NUM> for its next revolution through the contact zone CZ for removing liquid from the substrate <NUM>.

In some such examples, belt <NUM> may be used as belt <NUM> in the example image formation device <NUM> of <FIG>, as further described later. In some examples, belt <NUM> may be used in the example image formation device <NUM> of <FIG>, as further described later.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> including a side view schematically representing an example liquid removal arrangement <NUM> including a belt arrangement <NUM> for removing liquid from a substrate <NUM> and including a vacuum arrangement <NUM>. In some examples, the liquid removal arrangement <NUM> comprises at least some of substantially the same features and attributes as, and/or an example implementation of, the belt arrangement <NUM> in <FIG>, <NUM> in <FIG>, <NUM> in <FIG>, <NUM> in <FIG>, and <NUM> in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, in some examples the vacuum arrangement <NUM> comprises a shell <NUM> defining a chamber <NUM> through which a vacuum (V) (e.g. negative pressure) is applied via a vacuum source (VS) <NUM>, such as a negative pressure element. In one aspect, the vacuum arrangement <NUM> is located on a side of the belt <NUM> opposite from the arcuate portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> being engaged by the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM>, which is a location well-suited to directly and rapidly remove liquid from the belt <NUM>, which was previously removed from the substrate <NUM> via belt <NUM>. This arrangement is achieved, at least in part, by the intended absence of a support roller (e.g. 154A, 154B, 154C) in the contact zone CZ of the belt <NUM>. This configuration, is in turn, achieved via aligning the rollers 154A, 154B relative to the arcuate portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> in a position which forces the segment <NUM> of belt <NUM> extending between rollers 154A, 154B into wrapping conformation contact against the arcuate portion <NUM> of substrate <NUM> to effectuate the contact portion <NUM> and contact zone CZ.

In some such examples, opposite end portions 643A, 643B of the shell <NUM> are spaced apart from each other by a distance greater than an arc length (AL1) of the contact portion <NUM>, which enables the shell <NUM> to at least partially surround the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM>. Accordingly, a distance between the ends 643A, 643B generally correspond to a length (L1) of the contact zone CZ. In some examples, the applied vacuum pressure acts to draw liquid from the belt <NUM>, which has been removed from the substrate <NUM> in the contact zone CZ via the pressing engagement of contact portion <NUM> of belt <NUM>. The liquid drawn by the vacuum may be recycled, reused, and/or discarded depending on the type and/or volume of such liquid. It will be understood that <FIG> omits the dashed box CZ for illustrative simplicity and clarity but that the contact zone CZ is still present in the example image formation device of <FIG> in a manner similar to that shown in <FIG>.

In some such examples, the belt <NUM> comprises a porous belt to permit liquid to be drawn from, and through, the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM> in the contact zone CZ. In some such examples, the belt <NUM> may comprise a single layer while in some examples, the belt <NUM> comprises a double layer structure where a backing layer of the belt <NUM> provides strength. In some examples, a top portion of the single layer structure or of a double layer structure may comprise a coating to further tune the belt <NUM> for its expected chemical interaction with the image on substrate <NUM> in order to minimize any effects on the formed image on substrate <NUM>. In some such examples, the coating may comprise a low energy coating.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> including a side view schematically representing a liquid removal arrangement <NUM> for removing liquid from a substrate <NUM> in an example image formation device, and which includes a charge emitting element array <NUM> to facilitate engagement of belt <NUM> against substrate <NUM>. In some examples, the liquid removal arrangement <NUM> comprises at least some of substantially the same features and attributes as, and/or an example implementation of, the belt arrangement <NUM> in <FIG>, <NUM> in <FIG>, <NUM> in <FIG>, <NUM> in <FIG>, and <NUM> in <FIG>, while further comprising the charge emitting element array <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, in some examples the charge emitting element array <NUM> comprises a plurality of charge emitting elements 770A, 770B, 770C spaced apart along the contact zone CZ and positioned to emit charges <NUM> onto the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM>. In some such examples, the substrate <NUM> may carry positive charges while the charge emitting elements 770A, 770B, 770C emit negative charges <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. However, in some examples, the substrate <NUM> may carry a negative charges and the charge emitting elements 770A, 770B, 770C may emit positive charges.

With further reference to <FIG>, each charge emitter (e.g. 770A, 770B, 770C) may comprise a corona, plasma element, or other charge generating element to generate a flow of charges. The charge emitter may sometimes be referred to as a charge source, charge generation device, and the like. The generated charges may be negative or positive as desired. In some examples, the charge emitter comprises an ion head to produce a flow of ions as the charges. It will be understood that the term "charges" and the term "ions" may be used interchangeably to the extent that the respective "charges" or "ions" embody a negative charge or positive charge (as determined by the emitters 770A, 770B, 770C).

In general terms, the emitted charges <NUM> act to at least partially control the pressure of the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM> against the substrate <NUM> in the contact zone CZ. In particular, the emission of charges <NUM> onto the belt <NUM> is to cause electrostatic attraction of the belt <NUM> (in the contact zone CZ) against the substrate <NUM>, which is grounded (e.g. GND) via a conductive backing and which exhibits positive charges <NUM> in at least the arcuate contact portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM>. In some examples, this pressure, which is at least partially caused by the electrostatic attraction, may comprise pressures up to the order of <NUM>,<NUM> Pascals. In some examples, the pressure may comprise up pressures up to the order of <NUM>,<NUM> Pascals, while in some examples the pressure may comprise up to the order of <NUM>,<NUM> Pascals. In some examples the pressure may comprise up to the order of <NUM>,<NUM> Pascals.

In some examples, when charging the belt <NUM> via emitted charges, a maximum voltage of the charge emitters may comprise on the order of <NUM> kiloVolts. In some such examples, for a belt <NUM> having a thickness T1 (e.g. <FIG>) of <NUM> microns and a dielectric constant of <NUM>, a maximum charge/area may comprise about <NUM><NUM><NUM> Coulumb/m<NUM> and a pressure on the order of <NUM> × <NUM><NUM> Pascals. In another example, assuming the belt <NUM> has a dielectric constant of <NUM>, a thickness T1 of <NUM> microns, and a dielectric thickness of <NUM> microns, then with a maximum voltage (for the charge emitters) of <NUM> kiloVolts, a maximum charge/area may comprise about <NUM> × <NUM><NUM> Coulumb/m<NUM> and a pressure of <NUM> × <NUM><NUM> Pascals.

In general terms, a different dielectric strength of the belt <NUM> may be selected depending on the various materials and structures forming the belt <NUM>. In some examples, a belt <NUM> comprising a parylene material may comprise a dielectric strength of about <NUM> Volts/micron while in some examples, a belt <NUM> comprising a polyimide material may comprise a dielectric strength of about <NUM> Volts/micron. Meanwhile, in some examples in which the belt <NUM> comprises various plastic materials, the dielectric strength may comprise on the order of tens of V/micron. With such dielectric strengths, the applied voltage will not result in a breakdown through the belt <NUM>. For instance, with an applied voltage of <NUM> kiloVolts (via applied charges <NUM>) on a belt <NUM> having a thickness of <NUM> microns, the electric field across the belt <NUM> may comprise about <NUM> Volts/microns, which is at a level unlikely to cause deterioration of the belt <NUM> due to applied charges <NUM>.

In some examples, the belt <NUM> may comprise a resistivity tuned to achieve a response time (to discharge the applied charges) on the order of a few milliseconds (e.g. <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) so as to avoid immediate discharge of the belt. In some such examples, this response time is applicable for a contact portion <NUM> having an arc length (AL1) of about <NUM> to about <NUM> centimeters and a belt speed of about <NUM> meter/seconds. Given this relatively quick response time of the belt <NUM>, several charge emitters 770A, 770B, 770C are arranged in series in a spaced apart relationship to ensure that enough charges <NUM> are emitted onto the belt <NUM> over the arc length (AL1) of the contact portion <NUM> to ensure it remains sufficiently charged to result in the desired electrostatic attraction (relative to substrate <NUM>) to create the desired pressure of the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM> against the substrate <NUM>.

In some examples, the response time of the belt <NUM> may be on the order of tens of milliseconds, assuming a contact portion of about <NUM> to about <NUM> centimeters and a belt speed of <NUM> meter/second. In some such examples, just the first charge emitter 770A (and emitters 770B, 770C) may be implemented since the response time of the belt <NUM> (to discharge the applied charges) is slow enough for the charges <NUM> to remain in and/or on the contact portion <NUM> of belt <NUM> through the length (L1) of the contact zone CZ to achieve the desired electrostatic attraction and pressure of belt <NUM> against substrate <NUM>. However, in some such examples, the response time of the belt <NUM> is less than <NUM> milliseconds, assuming a contact portion of about <NUM> to about <NUM> centimeters and a belt speed of <NUM> meter/second, to facilitate recombination of the charges not long after a given portion of the belt <NUM> leaves the contact zone CZ.

In some examples of the arrangement in the example of <FIG>, the belt <NUM> may comprise a porous belt such as the belt <NUM> in <FIG>, or may comprise a non-porous belt.

In one aspect, the charge emitters 770A, 770B, 770C are located on a side of the belt <NUM> opposite from the arcuate portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> being engaged by the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM>, which is a location well-suited to directly and rapidly remove liquid from the belt <NUM> which was in turn removed from the substrate <NUM>. This arrangement is achieved, at least in part, by the intended absence of a support roller (e.g. 154A, 154B, 154C) in the contact zone CZ of the belt <NUM>. This configuration, is in turn, achieved via aligning the rollers 154A, 154B relative to the arcuate portion <NUM> of the substrate <NUM> in a position which forces the segment <NUM> of belt <NUM> extending between rollers 154A, 154B into wrapping conformation contact against the arcuate portion <NUM> of substrate <NUM> to effectuate the contact portion <NUM> and contact zone CZ.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> including a sectional view schematically representing an example belt <NUM> of a liquid removal arrangement and an example substrate <NUM> of an example image formation device. In some examples, belt <NUM> may be used as the belt <NUM> of belt arrangement <NUM> of liquid removal arrangement <NUM> in <FIG>, while in some examples, belt <NUM> may be used as the belt <NUM> of belt arrangement <NUM> of liquid removal arrangement <NUM> in <FIG>. The belt <NUM> may comprise a single layer as shown in <FIG>, or may comprise several layers having an overall resistivity which is substantially the same as a resistivity of a single layer. In some examples, a conductivity of the belt <NUM> may be tuned to have a discharge response time across a thickness (T1) of belt <NUM> slower than a few tens of millimeters, depending on the arc length (AL1) of the contact zone CZ. For instance, if the contact zone CZ has an arc length (AL1) of about <NUM> centimeters to about <NUM> centimeters, and a speed of 1meter/second, then in some examples the discharge response time may be greater than a few tens of milliseconds, and less than the belt period time which is a circumference of belt <NUM> (e.g. belt <NUM>) divided by the belt speed which can be on the order of <NUM>'s of milliseconds. In some examples, the resistivity of the belt <NUM> may be on the order of <NUM>^<NUM>-<NUM>^<NUM> ohm-cm).

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> including a sectional view schematically representing an example belt <NUM> of a liquid removal arrangement and an example substrate <NUM> of an example image formation device. In some examples, the belt <NUM> may comprise a porous belt. Accordingly, in some examples, belt <NUM> may be used as the belt <NUM> of belt arrangement <NUM> of liquid removal arrangement <NUM> in <FIG>, while in some examples, belt <NUM> may be used as the belt <NUM> of belt arrangement <NUM> of liquid removal arrangement <NUM> in <FIG>. In some examples, the belt <NUM> may comprise a double layer such as layers <NUM> and <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The first layer <NUM> (to contact the substrate <NUM>) may comprise a porous layer and the second layer <NUM> may comprise a porous layer as well. In some such examples, the first layer <NUM> may comprise an electrically insulative layer or a partially conductive layer, while the second layer <NUM> may comprise a support layer. However, in some examples, the belt <NUM> may comprise a single layer, such as a mesh fiber structure that is both porous and strong. In a manner similar to that described in previous examples, the resistivity of the belt <NUM> may be tuned to get the desired response time.

In some examples, the second layer <NUM> (e.g. a support layer) may be conductive, such as having a resistivity less than <NUM>^<NUM> ohm-cm, such as but not limited to examples in which support rollers (e.g. 154A, 154B, 154C in <FIG>, <FIG>) are in an electrically floating configuration and the layer <NUM> is conductive enough to keep a constant voltage in the contact zone CZ. As noted in the example of <FIG> and <FIG>, one charge emitter (e.g. 770A) will suffice to maintain enough electrostatic charge on the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM>, and therefore achieve sufficient electrostatically-induced pressure of belt <NUM> against the substrate <NUM>.

However, in some examples, the second layer <NUM> (e.g. a support layer) may be conductive, such that a <NUM> kiloVolt charge may be provided directly to the belt <NUM> from a power supply via a conductive brush.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> including a side view schematically representing a liquid removal arrangement <NUM> for removing liquid from a substrate <NUM> in an example image formation device. In some examples, the liquid removal arrangement <NUM> comprises at least some of substantially the same features and attributes as, and/or an example implementation of, the belt arrangement <NUM> in <FIG>, <NUM> in <FIG>, <NUM> in <FIG>, <NUM> in <FIG>, and <NUM> in <FIG>, while further comprising both the charge emitting element array <NUM> of the liquid removal arrangement of <NUM> of <FIG> and the vacuum arrangement <NUM> of the liquid removal arrangement <NUM> of <FIG>. Accordingly, the liquid removal arrangement <NUM> may enhance the removal of liquid from substrate <NUM> by belt <NUM> by the assistance of electrostatically-enhanced application (via the charge emitters 770A, 770B, 770C) of pressurized contact of belt <NUM> against the substrate <NUM> and by the assistance of the vacuum arrangement <NUM> to remove liquid from the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM>. Via this combined arrangement, contact of the belt <NUM> against the substrate <NUM> is ensured while large volumes of liquid can be rapidly removed from the substrate <NUM> in an efficient, effective manner. As in the example of <FIG>, and <FIG>, the liquid removal arrangement <NUM> also may comprise a second liquid removal element <NUM> to further remove liquid from the belt <NUM> after the contact zone CZ.

In some such examples, the belt <NUM> comprises a porous belt to facilitate liquid to be drawn from, and through, the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM> in the contact zone CZ.

<FIG> is a diagram including a side view schematically representing a liquid removal arrangement <NUM> for removing liquid from a substrate <NUM> in an example image formation device. In some examples, the liquid removal arrangement <NUM> comprises at least some of substantially the same features and attributes as, and/or an example implementation of, the belt arrangement <NUM> in <FIG>, <NUM> in <FIG>, <NUM> in <FIG>, <NUM> in <FIG>, and <NUM> in <FIG>, while further comprising a charge emitting element 770A (e.g. such as element 770A of the liquid removal arrangement of <NUM> of <FIG>) and a discharge element <NUM>. In some such examples, as in the previous examples associated with <FIG> and <FIG>, the single charge emitting element 770A may emit charges to cause electrostatic attraction of contact portion <NUM> of belt <NUM> to substrate <NUM> with the response time of the belt <NUM> being slow enough such that just a single charge emitting element 770A may apply enough charges <NUM> to maintain sufficient electrostatic attraction of contact portion <NUM> of belt <NUM> against substrate <NUM> throughout the arc length (AL1) of the contact zone CZ. In some such examples, the response time of the belt <NUM> may be greater than a few tens of milliseconds, such as when the arc length of the contact portion <NUM> comprises about <NUM> to about <NUM> centimeters and the belt speed is about <NUM> meter/second. In some such examples, the belt <NUM> comprises a non-conductive belt having a resistivity greater than <NUM>^<NUM> ohm-cm.

However, in order to ensure that such charges <NUM> become sufficiently discharged after the contact zone CZ, in some examples the liquid removal arrangement <NUM> may comprise a discharge element <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the discharge element <NUM> may comprise a conductive roller or drum forming a nip <NUM> or may otherwise be in movable contact against a roller of the belt arrangement <NUM>, such as roller 154B, with both the discharge roller <NUM> and roller 154B being connected to ground GND. As belt <NUM> moves through nip <NUM>, any remaining charges on belt <NUM> will become discharged to help the belt <NUM> return to neutral state.

In some examples, the liquid removal arrangement <NUM> may comprise additional charge emitting elements such as charge emitting elements 770B and/or 770C in <FIG> and <FIG> to enhance pressurized application of belt <NUM> again substrate <NUM>, depending on the relative speed of the response time of the belt <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically representing an example image formation device <NUM>. In some examples, the image formation device <NUM> comprises an example image formation device comprising at least some of substantially the same features and attributes as, and/or an example implementation of, the liquid removal arrangement <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), and/or <NUM> (<FIG>). Moreover, the image formation device <NUM> comprises at least some of substantially the same features and attributes as the image formation devices described in association with <FIG>, <FIG>. Moreover, downstream from the fluid ejection device <NUM>, the image formation device <NUM> comprises a charge emitter <NUM> to emit charges onto deposited droplets <NUM> (of ink particles <NUM> within a liquid carrier <NUM>) to cause electrostatic migration of the ink particles <NUM> through the liquid carrier <NUM> toward the substrate <NUM> as shown in portion <NUM> of <FIG>, and to cause electrostatic fixation of the ink particles <NUM> against the substrate <NUM>, as shown in portion <NUM> of <FIG>. In some examples, the liquid carrier <NUM> may comprise a non-aqueous fluid, which in some examples may comprise a low viscosity, dielectric oil, such as an isoparaffinic fluid. Some versions of such dielectric oil may be sold under the trade name Isopar®. Among other attributes, the non-aqueous liquid carrier may be more easily removed from the substrate <NUM>, at least to the extent that the substrate <NUM> may comprise some aqueous absorptive properties.

As further shown in dashed box B of portion <NUM> of <FIG>, the deposited charges <NUM> become attached to the deposited ink particles <NUM>, which then migrate to substrate <NUM> due to the electrostatic forces of the charges <NUM> being attracted to the grounded substrate <NUM>. Moreover, as shown in dashed box C in portion <NUM> of <FIG>, upon all of the deposited ink particles <NUM> (with attached charges <NUM>) becoming electrostatically fixed relative to the substrate <NUM>, the liquid carrier <NUM> exhibits a supernatant relationship relative to the ink particles <NUM>, which are electrostatically fixed against the substrate <NUM>. With the liquid carrier <NUM> in this arrangement, the liquid carrier <NUM> can be readily removed from the substrate <NUM> without disturbing (or without substantially disturbing) the electrostatically fixed ink particles <NUM> in their desired, targeted position on the substrate <NUM> by which an image is at least partially formed. With this in mind, the liquid removal arrangement <NUM> acts to remove the liquid carrier <NUM> from the substrate <NUM> in a manner consistent with the previously described examples of a liquid removal arrangement, such as but not limited to liquid removal arrangement <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), and/or <NUM> (<FIG>).

With further reference to <FIG>, the charge emitter <NUM> may comprise a corona, plasma element, or other charge generating element to generate a flow of charges. The charge emitter <NUM> may sometimes be referred to as a charge source, charge generation device, and the like. The generated charges may be negative or positive as desired. In some examples, the charge emitter <NUM> comprises an ion head to produce a flow of ions as the charges. It will be understood that the term "charges" and the term "ions" may be used interchangeably to the extent that the respective "charges" or "ions" embody a negative charge or positive charge (as determined by emitter <NUM>).

In the particular instance shown in <FIG>, the emitted charges <NUM> can become attached to the ink particles <NUM> to cause all of the charged ink particles to have a particular polarity, which will be attracted to ground. In some such examples, all or substantially all of the charged ink particles <NUM> will have a negative charge or alternatively all or substantially all of the charged ink particles <NUM> will have a positive charge.

<FIG> is a diagram including a side view schematically representing an example image formation device <NUM>, which comprises at least one example implementation of the image formation device <NUM> of <FIG>. In some examples, the image formation device <NUM> comprises at least some of substantially the same features and attributes as image formation device <NUM> in <FIG>, while further comprising a charge emitter <NUM> located along the travel path T of substrate <NUM> (on rotatable drum <NUM>) between the fluid ejection device <NUM> and the belt arrangement <NUM>. In a manner similar to that represented in <FIG>, the charge emitter <NUM> emits charges (e.g. <NUM> in <FIG>) to cause electrostatic migration of the ink particles <NUM> through the liquid carrier <NUM> , and electrostatic fixation of, ink particles <NUM> relative to substrate <NUM> in manner described in association with <FIG>. As in the example of <FIG>, the liquid carrier <NUM> may be a non-aqueous fluid.

With regard to both of the examples described in association with <FIG> and <FIG> in which the charge emitter <NUM> may be implemented with example liquid removal arrangements associated with <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the polarity of charges <NUM> emitted by emitters 770A, 770B, 770C (to cause pressurized contact of belt <NUM> against substrate <NUM>) may be selected to be the same polarity of charges <NUM> emitted by the emitter <NUM> (for electrostatic fixation) upstream from the liquid removal arrangement. By doing so, the emitted charges <NUM> may enhance the electrostatic fixation of the ink particles <NUM> (relative to the substrate <NUM>) which was first caused by the charges <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram schematically representing an example image formation engine <NUM>. In some examples, the image formation engine <NUM> may form part of a control portion <NUM>, as later described in association with at least <FIG>, such as but not limited to comprising at least part of the instructions <NUM>. In some examples, the image formation engine <NUM> may be used to implement at least some of the various example devices and/or example methods of the present disclosure as previously described in association with <FIG> and/or as later described in association with <FIG>. In some examples, the image formation engine <NUM> (<FIG>) and/or control portion <NUM> (<FIG>) may form part of, and/or be in communication with, an image formation device.

In general terms, the image formation engine <NUM> is to control at least some aspects of operation of the image formation devices and/or methods as described in association with at least <FIG> and <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the image formation engine <NUM> may comprise a fluid ejection engine <NUM>, a charge source engine <NUM>, and/or a liquid removal engine <NUM>.

In some examples, the fluid ejection engine <NUM> controls operation of the fluid ejection device <NUM> (e.g. at least <FIG>) to deposit droplets of ink particles <NUM> within a liquid carrier <NUM> onto a substrate <NUM> (e.g. at least <FIG>) as described throughout the examples of the present disclosure.

In some examples, the charge emitter engine <NUM> comprises a belt attraction parameter <NUM> to control operation of the charge emitter(s) (e.g. 770A, 770B, 770C in <FIG>, <FIG>) to cause electrostatic attraction of the control portion <NUM> of belt <NUM> against the substrate <NUM> to at least partially control a pressure of the contact portion <NUM> of belt <NUM> against the substrate <NUM>. This arrangement may facilitate liquid removal from the substrate <NUM> and/or further liquid removal from the belt <NUM> after the liquid has been removed from the substrate <NUM>. In some such examples, the belt attraction parameter <NUM> and/or portion of the charge emitter engine <NUM> may cooperate with, and/or form part of, the liquid removal engine <NUM> to the extent that the charge emitters facilitate liquid removal via the pressurized contact of belt <NUM> relative to the substrate <NUM>.

In some examples, the charge emitter engine <NUM> comprises a fixation parameter <NUM> to control operation of a charge emitter (e.g. <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>) to emit airborne electrical charges to induce electrostatic migration of ink particles <NUM> toward the substrate <NUM> and electrostatic fixation of the migrated ink particles <NUM> at their target locations in a pattern at least partially forming an image, such as described in association with <FIG> and/or various examples throughout the present disclosure.

In some examples, in general terms the liquid removal engine <NUM> controls operation of at least a liquid removal arrangement to remove the liquid carrier <NUM> from the substrate <NUM>. Such control may comprise control of operation of at least the various elements, portions, aspects of the liquid removal throughout the examples of the present disclosure, such as but not limited to the examples of <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), <NUM> (<FIG>), and/or <NUM> (<FIG>).

In some examples, the liquid removal engine <NUM> comprises a belt engine <NUM>, which may comprise pressure parameter <NUM> by which a pressure of the belt (e.g. <NUM> in <FIG>) is controlled (and/or tracked) via various elements such as but not limited to, a positioner (P) and/or tensioner (<NUM>) in <FIG>, charge emitters (e.g. 770A, 770B, 770C in <FIG>,<FIG>), the support rollers (e.g. 154A, 154B, 154C), and/other elements described throughout <FIG> related to applying and/or controlling the belt pressure.

In some examples, the belt engine <NUM> may comprise a speed parameter <NUM> by which a speed of the belt (e.g. <NUM> in <FIG>) is controlled (and/or tracked) via operation of the support and/or drive rollers of one of the various example belt arrangements described in association with at least <FIG>.

In some examples, the liquid removal engine <NUM> may comprise a vacuum parameter <NUM> to control (and/or track) a vacuum pressure (e.g. negative pressure) applied to the contact portion <NUM> of the belt <NUM> to remove liquid from the belt <NUM>, such as described in association with <FIG>, <FIG>.

It will be understood that, in at least some examples, the image formation engine <NUM> is not strictly limited to the particular grouping of parameters, engines, functions, etc. as represented in <FIG>, such that the various parameters, engines, functions, etc. may operate according to different groupings than shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a block diagram schematically representing an example control portion <NUM>. In some examples, control portion <NUM> provides one example implementation of a control portion forming a part of, implementing, and/or generally managing the example image formation devices, as well as the particular portions, fluid ejection devices, charge emitters, belts, vacuums, liquid removal elements, elements, devices, user interface, instructions, engines, parameters, functions, and/or methods, as described throughout examples of the present disclosure in association with <FIG> and <FIG>.

In some examples, control portion <NUM> includes a controller <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. In general terms, controller <NUM> of control portion <NUM> comprises at least one processor <NUM> and associated memories. The controller <NUM> is electrically couplable to, and in communication with, memory <NUM> to generate control signals to direct operation of at least some the image formation devices, various portions and elements of the image formation devices, such as fluid ejection devices, charge emitters, belts, vacuums, liquid removal elements, user interfaces, instructions, engines, functions, and/or methods, as described throughout examples of the present disclosure. In some examples, these generated control signals include, but are not limited to, employing instructions <NUM> stored in memory <NUM> to at least direct and manage depositing droplets of ink particles and liquid carrier to form an image on a media, jetting droplets, directing charges onto ink particles, removing liquids (e.g. via a belt, charge emitters, vacuum, dryer, etc.), etc. as described throughout the examples of the present disclosure in association with <FIG> and <FIG>. In some instances, the controller <NUM> or control portion <NUM> may sometimes be referred to as being programmed to perform the above-identified actions, functions, etc. In some examples, at least some of the stored instructions <NUM> are implemented as a, or may be referred to as, a print engine, an image formation engine, and the like, such as but not limited to the image formation engine <NUM> in <FIG>.

In response to or based upon commands received via a user interface (e.g. user interface <NUM> in <FIG>) and/or via machine readable instructions, controller <NUM> generates control signals as described above in accordance with at least some of the examples of the present disclosure. In some examples, controller <NUM> is embodied in a general purpose computing device while in some examples, controller <NUM> is incorporated into or associated with at least some of the image formation devices, portions or elements along the travel path, fluid ejection devices, charge emitters, belts, vacuums, liquid removal elements, user interfaces, instructions, engines, functions, and/or methods, etc. as described throughout examples of the present disclosure.

For purposes of this application, in reference to the controller <NUM>, the term "processor" shall mean a presently developed or future developed processor (or processing resources) that executes machine readable instructions contained in a memory or that includes circuitry to perform computations. In some examples, execution of the machine readable instructions, such as those provided via memory <NUM> of control portion <NUM> cause the processor to perform the above-identified actions, such as operating controller <NUM> to implement the formation of an image as generally described in (or consistent with) at least some examples of the present disclosure. The machine readable instructions may be loaded in a random access memory (RAM) for execution by the processor from their stored location in a read only memory (ROM), a mass storage device, or some other persistent storage (e.g., non-transitory tangible medium or non-volatile tangible medium), as represented by memory <NUM>. The machine readable instructions may include a sequence of instructions, a processor-executable machine learning model, or the like. In some examples, memory <NUM> comprises a computer readable tangible medium providing non-volatile storage of the machine readable instructions executable by a process of controller <NUM>. In some examples, the computer readable tangible medium may sometimes be referred to as, and/or comprise at least a portion of, a computer program product. In other examples, hard wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with machine readable instructions to implement the functions described. For example, controller <NUM> may be embodied as part of at least one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), at least one field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and/or the like. In at least some examples, the controller <NUM> is not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and machine readable instructions, nor limited to any particular source for the machine readable instructions executed by the controller <NUM>.

In some examples, control portion <NUM> may be entirely implemented within or by a stand-alone device.

In some examples, the control portion <NUM> may be partially implemented in one of the image formation devices and partially implemented in a computing resource separate from, and independent of, the image formation devices but in communication with the image formation devices. For instance, in some examples control portion <NUM> may be implemented via a server accessible via the cloud and/or other network pathways. In some examples, the control portion <NUM> may be distributed or apportioned among multiple devices or resources such as among a server, an image formation device, and/or a user interface.

In some examples, control portion <NUM> includes, and/or is in communication with, a user interface <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In some examples, user interface <NUM> comprises a user interface or other display that provides for the simultaneous display, activation, and/or operation of at least some of the image formation devices, portions thereof, elements, user interfaces, instructions, engines, functions, and/or methods, etc. as described in association with <FIG> and <FIG>. In some examples, at least some portions or aspects of the user interface <NUM> are provided via a graphical user interface (GUI), and may comprise a display <NUM> and input <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flow diagram schematically representing an example method. In some examples, method <NUM> may be performed via at least some of the same or substantially the same image formation devices, portions, fluid ejection devices, charge emitters, belts, vacuums, liquid removal elements, elements, control portion, user interface, etc. as previously described in association with <FIG>. In some examples, method <NUM> may be performed via at least some of the same or substantially the same image formation devices, portions, fluid ejection devices, charge emitters, belts, vacuums, liquid removal elements, elements, control portion, user interface, etc. other than those previously described in association with <FIG>.

As shown at <NUM> in <FIG>, the method comprises moving a substrate along a travel path. As shown at <NUM> in <FIG>, method <NUM> comprises depositing, via a fluid ejection device, droplets of ink particles within a liquid carrier onto the substrate to at least partially form an image on the substrate.

As shown at <NUM> in <FIG>, method <NUM> comprises removing at least a portion of the liquid carrier from the substrate via applying a contact portion of a flexible first belt in pressured conformable engagement against the substrate to define an arcuate contact zone between the contact portion and a first portion of the substrate.

In some examples, method <NUM> may further comprise supporting the belt via a plurality of rollers spaced apart from each other along a length of the belt, wherein the rollers are positioned in locations other than the contact zone.

Claim 1:
An image formation device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a support (<NUM>) to support movement of a substrate (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) along a travel path;
a fluid ejection device (<NUM>) along the travel path to deposit droplets of ink particles within a liquid carrier onto the substrate (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to at least partially form an image on the substrate (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a flexible belt (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) located downstream along the travel path from the fluid ejection device (<NUM>) and including a contact portion to arcuately conform relative to, and be in moving contact against, a first arcuate portion of the substrate (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to at least partially remove the liquid carrier from the substrate (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and characterized by comprising:
at least one second charge emitter on a side of the belt (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) opposite the support/substrate in the contact zone to emit airborne charges onto the contact portion of the belt (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to cause the belt (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to exert pressure against the substrate (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).