Patent ID: 8262186

Claim:
An imaging device comprising: a media transport system configured to transport print media along a media path; at least one printhead associated with the media path to deposit ink onto the print media, the deposited ink having a first average temperature; a non-contact cooling device positioned adjacent the media path to reduce the temperatures of the ink deposited onto the print media by the at least one printhead to a second average temperature that is less than the first average temperature; a leveler including a thermal control for maintaining the leveler at a third temperature that is different than the second average temperature, the leveler being configured to bring the temperatures of the ink to within a predetermined range about the third temperature; a heater for heating the ink and media to a fourth temperature after the leveler, the fourth temperature being greater than the third temperature; and a spreader for spreading the deposited ink on the print media after being heated to the fourth temperature by the heater.