Michael A Graziano

US Patent:

6335978, Jan 1, 2002

Filed:

Feb 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/246736

Inventors:

Anthony Moscato - North Tonawanda NY
Michael A. Graziano - Grand Island NY
Steven R. Bridon - West Seneca NY
Timothy D. Collins - Grand Island NY
Anthony B. DeJoseph - East Amherst NY

Assignee:

Moore North America, Inc. - Grand Island NY

International Classification:

G06K 900

US Classification:

382112, 382218, 356430, 25055907

Abstract:

A method and system for verifying the intended imaging produced by a printer allow this task to be accomplished in essentially real-time, and utilizing relatively inexpensive, and high speed (e. g. about 200 feet per minute or greater) components. A computer control commands a raster image processor (RIP) to generate electronic print data (e. g. a bitmap) that is sent to an electronic digital printer (such as an inkjet cartridge array) and also to a print monitor. The printer images the bitmap onto a web or sheet, then a linear digital photosensor (e. g. photodiode) array scans essentially every pixel across the width of the web or sheet image area and transmits the scanned data to the print monitor system, which compares it to the bitmap produced by the RIP. If there is some discrepancy (of any sort), a message is generated which is ultimately transmitted back to the computer control where it may be used to log defective documents (MAG) being produced, generate human recognizable indicia (such as a warning light or sound), or shut down the system components. A second linear photodiode array may be provided before the printer and the data from it sent to the print monitor system to be combined with the electronic bitmap and compared to the data from the first sensor to determine whether there is any deficiency.

US Patent:

58777881, Mar 2, 1999

Filed:

May 9, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/437926

Inventors:

Henk Haan - Niagara Falls NY
Roger J. Rowland - Niagara Falls NY
Anthony V. Moscato - North Tonawanda NY
Kenneth C. Chapin - Grand Island NY
Michael A. Graziano - Grand Island NY
Paul J. Paroff - E. Amherst NY

Assignee:

Moore Business Forms, Inc. - Grand Island NY

International Classification:

B41J 2015
B41J 2165

US Classification:

347 28

Abstract:

A fluid (liquid or water) wash is used to clean the front surface of an ink jet printer cartridge. In addition, a nozzle plate that overlies the nozzle shields the nozzle array from the splatter of ink. In ink jet printers, ink droplets are propelled from an array of orifices in a nozzle plate in the printer head. During the ink droplet ejection, ink is sprayed or deposited around the orifices. The ink droplets are deposited on a paper web adjacent the nozzle and mist from the droplets drifts back to coat the face of the nozzle plate. Some ink seeps behind the nozzle plate onto the array of nozzle orifices. The ink coating attracts particles that tend to clog the nozzle orifices. The ink coating is washed away by fluid streams that flow over the nozzle surface and in some embodiments flow over the nozzle orifices themselves. The fluid may be water, ink or other liquid that is channelled across the nozzle surface, or the fluid may be an air stream that blows across the nozzle surface.

US Patent:

58383433, Nov 17, 1998

Filed:

May 12, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/440462

Inventors:

Kenneth C. Chapin - Grand Island NY
Michael A. Graziano - Grand Island NY
Henk Haan - Niagara Falls NY
Anthony V. Moscato - N. Tonawanda NY
Roger J. Rowland - Niagara Falls NY

Assignee:

Moore Business Forms, Inc. - Grand Island NY

International Classification:

B41J 2155
B41J 2145
B41J 215
B41J 2165

US Classification:

347 22

Abstract:

In a printer assembly having a rack of ink-jet print cartridges, a backup cartridge is moved into alignment with a cartridge to be cleaned and the backup cartridge substitutes for printing of the cartridge being cleaned until the cleaned cartridge is moved back to its printing position. The backup cartridge is then moved into alignment with another cartridge and prints for that cartridge which is then cleaned. Ink-jet print cartridges must be periodically cleaned to wipe excess ink and particles from the nozzle array on the front face of the cartridge. Cartridges are cleaned by moving them to a cleaning station that wipes clean the front face of the cartridge. To avoid interruption of printing while cartridges are being cleaned, a backup cartridge is moved into alignment and substitute prints for a cartridge to be cleaned.

US Patent:

58476741, Dec 8, 1998

Filed:

May 2, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/641743

Inventors:

Paul J. Paroff - E. Amherst NY
Susan Garrity - Cheektowaga NY
Roger J. Rowland - Niagara Falls NY
Michael A. Graziano - Grand Island NY
Anthony V. Moscato - North Tonawanda NY

Assignee:

Moore Business Forms, Inc. - Grand Island NY

International Classification:

B41J 2165

US Classification:

347 33

Abstract:

Substantially optimum print quality is maintained for an ink jet printer which includes a nozzle plate having a number of orifice openings from which ink droplets for printing are sprayed. It is electronically determined when a particular orifice opening has been inactive for a predetermined period of time, and then an exercise print command is supplied to the orifice causing an ink droplet to dribble out of the orifice, rather than being sprayed out of the orifice, to keep the orifice clear for printing when a print command is supplied to it. The dribbling drops have a smaller size than the sprayed drops, and may be formed by supplying heater elements associated with the openings with pulses of shorter duration than normal. Dribbling ink droplets are automatically removed from the printer cartridge by one or more strands (e. g. continuous filament rayon thread) moving past the nozzle at a speed of between about 1-3 feet per hour while being positively guided.