Printer for forming an inkjet image

摘要

The present invention relates to a printer for forming a phase change inkjet image. The printer comprises a platen comprising a print surface, an advancing mechanism adapted for moving a print substrate in a transport direction over the print surface and a print station adapted for providing the phase change inkjet image on a first surface of the print substrate in a print area of the print surface. The advancing mechanism comprises a plurality of feed nips, said plurality of feed nips being arranged upstream of the print surface. Each of said plurality of feed nips comprising a feed roller which comprises a main rotational axis, wherein each main rotational axis of said plurality of feed nips is aligned with respect to each other in a second direction, which second direction is substantially perpendicular to the transport direction. The advancing mechanism further comprises a star wheel. Said star wheel is arranged in between two adjacent feed nips in the second direction and faces a support surface. Said star wheel in printing operation is arranged in rolling contact with the first surface of the print substrate upstream of the print area in the transport direction of the print substrate and is adapted for urging the print substrate towards the support surface.

主权项

1. A printer for forming a phase change inkjet image, the printer comprising:
a platen comprising a print surface; an advancing mechanism adapted for moving a print substrate in a transport direction over the print surface; and a print station adapted for providing the phase change inkjet image on a first surface of the print substrate in a print area of the print surface;the advancing mechanism comprising a plurality of feed nips, said plurality of feed nips being arranged upstream of the print surface, each of said plurality of feed nips comprising a feed roller which comprises a main rotational axis, each main rotational axis of said plurality of feed nips being substantially aligned with respect to each other in a second direction, which second direction is substantially perpendicular to the transport direction, the advancing mechanism further comprising a star wheel, said star wheel being arranged in between two adjacent feed nips in the second direction and facing a support surface, said star wheel comprising an axis of rotation and a plurality of projections arranged for, in printing operation, being in rolling contact with the first surface of the print substrate upstream of the print area in the transport direction for urging the print substrate towards the support surface, wherein each projection comprises a tip, which tip in printing operation is arranged in rolling contact with the first surface of the print substrate, wherein the tips have a substantially spherical shape having a mean diameter of at least 0.05 mm and at most 0.8 mm.