food product printer

Abstract

To provide a printer and corresponding method of printing an image on a surface of a plurality of food products 12 by providing a system 10.SOLUTION: A system 10 includes a printer with an extendable and retractable receiving arm 20 and a rotating food product delivery tray 22. The delivery tray 22 continuously and automatically provides delivery of unprinted food products, the unprinted food products are retracted into the printer, printed on, and returned by the receiving arm 20 to the rotatable delivery tray 22 and the tray 22 further moves to deliver subsequent food products 12 for printing.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 894,323, filed August 30, 2019, U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Application No. 17 / 004,674, filed August 27, 2020, U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Application No. 17 / 004,700, filed August 27, 2020, U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Application No. 17 / 004,868, filed August 27, 2020, U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Application No. 17 / 004,886, filed August 27, 2020, and U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Application No. 17 / 004,908, filed August 27, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. [Background technology]

[0002] Printing with edible inks onto food products is done for the purpose of identifying, marking, decorating, or personalizing the food product. For example, a food product such as a cookie can be passed under a print head that ejects edible ink onto the top surface of the cookie, whether frosted or plain, and can be printed with a selected design.

[0003] Currently, a conveyor belt system or tray is used where one or more cookies are spaced in an array on the conveyor belt or tray and passed under the print head of the printer. Alternatively, signs made of edible paper can be printed with edible ink and applied to the food product with an edible adhesive such as frosting or icing.

[0004] Prior art systems capable of printing images onto an array of food products supported on a conveyor belt or tray with two or more rows of food products require larger, more expensive printers on the scale of commercial printers, and such systems also typically require sophisticated sensing systems to identify the location of each food product for printing.

[0005] In prior art systems, loading and unloading food products onto a tray or conveyor while it is being printed is generally not practical. The conveyor or tray is often not accessible while the products are being printed. It is also difficult to accurately load food products onto a moving conveyor or tray. It is also difficult to load food products onto a moving conveyor or tray without adversely affecting the print quality of the image currently being printed. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a printing system for printing images or content with edible ink on the surface of an edible food product. The edible food product printer of the present disclosure allows a user to print edible ink directly onto the food product in both small and larger quantities of food products. Additionally, the system includes a delivery tray that is outside the printer's print window and spaced from the path of the print head. The delivery tray is configured to deliver stationary but automatically and continuously unprinted food products and receive printed food products during printing of the food product, thereby allowing the system to easily reload additional unprinted food products for printing and the process to be open and visible for viewing and inspection, including entertainment associated with watching the printing process.

[0007] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a system for printing on a surface of a plurality of food products. The system includes a printer having a receiving arm extendable and retractable across a path of a print head of the printer, the receiving arm positioned to extend from the printer and retract into the printer to receive one of the plurality of food products, deliver one of the plurality of food products to a position below the print head, and return the one of the plurality of food products after the food product has been printed. The system further includes a delivery tray spaced from the printer and having a plurality of surfaces spaced above the delivery tray, each surface configured to support one of the plurality of food products thereon.

[0008] In another aspect of the disclosure, the delivery tray is configured to move in synchronization with the extension and retraction of the receiving arm to automatically deliver each one of the plurality of food products in a sequential manner to the receiving arm to print on the food products and receive the printed food products returned for removal from the printer.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, a base is provided for operatively supporting a delivery tray at a location spaced from the printer. In one or more embodiments, the surface of the delivery tray has one or more support sides for holding one or more sides of a food product and an opening therebetween for receiving an end of a receiving arm therebetween. In one or more embodiments, to facilitate the delivery and return of the food product between the print head and the delivery tray, the receiving arm is further configured to rise and / or lower such that a receiving surface of the arm is positionable within the opening. Raising the receiving arm allows the transfer of the food product from the delivery tray to the receiving arm, and conversely, when the receiving arm returns the printed food product, lowering the receiving arm deposits the printed food product onto the delivery tray. Additionally or alternatively, the delivery tray can be raised and / or lowered for the purpose of transferring the food product between the receiving arm and the delivery tray. In one or more embodiments, the surface has a positioning mechanism configured to guide the loading of each one of the multiple food products onto the delivery tray.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the delivery tray is constructed from a material comprising a metal or plastic material such as stainless steel, and the receiving arm is made of the same or different material as the delivery tray. In one or more embodiments, the material is food grade and meets all standards to be considered safe for food preparation, storage, and eating. In one or more embodiments, the plurality of food products are edible elements having a substantially flat surface, cookies, frosting sheets, rice paper, or combinations thereof.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the system is configured to automatically and continuously deliver food products to the receiving arm for printing and receiving the printed food products from the receiving arm after printing, where the system prints preselected content on one of the multiple food products at a time. In one or more embodiments, the movement of the delivery tray is synchronized with the extension and retraction of the receiving arm such that the delivery tray advances when the receiving arm is extended, extended, retracted, or retracted, and is stationary or lowered when the receiving arm is fully extended. The receiving arm can be fully extended and ready to receive the subsequent food product from the delivery tray when the delivery tray moves.

[0012] In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a method for automatically printing a selected number of food products includes loading at least one food product onto a support surface of a delivery tray spaced from a printer, extending a receiving arm supported by the printer toward the delivery tray to remove the at least one food product from a first support surface of the delivery tray, and retracting the receiving arm into the printer to position the food product beneath a print head of the printer. Once positioned, printing of content directly onto a surface of the food product can occur, and extending the receiving arm supported by the printer toward the delivery tray allows for returning the at least one food product to the delivery tray after printing.

[0013] The method may be performed continuously such that extending the receiving arm toward the delivery tray to remove the second food product from the second support surface of the delivery tray and retracting the receiving arm into the printer to position the second food product under the print head of the printer may be performed a predetermined number of times. After printing content directly onto the surface of the second food product and extending the receiving arm toward the delivery tray to return the second food product to the delivery tray, the delivery tray is moved to deliver the subsequent food product to the receiving arm. The receiving arm may maintain the extended position as the delivery tray moves to the next food product for delivery by advancing the delivery tray to a third support surface of the delivery tray supporting the third food product, and the process continues.

[0014] The receiving arm can be raised and lowered as the receiving arm is extended for the purpose of ensuring delivery of unprinted food products and return of printed food products between the print head and the delivery tray.

[0015] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a printer with a hinged housing having an upper portion and a lower portion with a cavity therebetween, the upper and lower portions being connected by one or more hinges such that the housing opens about the hinge connection between the upper and lower portions to expose the cavity therebetween.

[0016] The upper portion is positioned above the lower portion, and a hinge connection allows the upper portion to be raised relative to the lower portion to expose one or more printer components for access through the cavity. One or more hinges secure the upper portion to the lower portion, and the one or more hinges are positioned on the same periphery of the housing such that the housing opens about one side. One or more hinges are provided on a rear side of the housing connecting the upper portion to the lower portion, and a front side of the housing includes an opening for positioning a print surface relative to the printhead and within a print area within the cavity.

[0017] The upper portion has a top and one or more peripheral sidewalls extending downwardly therefrom, and the lower portion has a floor and one or more peripheral sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom, such that a rear peripheral sidewall of the upper portion and a rear peripheral sidewall of the lower portion are connected by one or more hinges spaced along the rear peripheral sidewall. The upper portion supports a frame for operably holding one or more printer components selected from the group consisting of a printhead, a gantry for linear movement of the printhead therealong, a controller for the printer system, a printhead ink maintenance system for cleaning one or more nozzles of the printhead, or combinations thereof.

[0018] The lower portion includes a floor and supports one or more removable components for the printer including an ink mist collection system, a debris tray, or a combination thereof. In one or more embodiments, the printer is for printing on a surface of a food product, and one of the upper portion or the lower portion operably supports a receiving arm that is extendable and retractable within the cavity and across the path of the printer's print head to provide the food product to the print head for printing. The lower portion has a floor configured to be removably coupled to a housing of a motorized base that operably supports a delivery tray that operates in sync with the receiving arm.

[0019] The printer can be opened about a hinge connection to expose one or more removable components for cleaning, inspection, or replacement, and the printer can be opened and closed manually and without tools.

[0020] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a printer having a multi-piece housing with two hinge connections including a first hinge connection between a base housing and a printer body housing such that the hinge connections enable selective manual access to components of the printer, and a second hinge connection between the printer body housing and a cover portion for first side access to the printer body housing.

[0021] The first hinge connection is located on a second side of the printer and the second hinge connection is located on a first side of the printer, the first and second sides being opposite sides of the printer. The first side is the front of the printer and the second side is the rear of the printer. The base housing includes a floor and three side walls extending upwardly therefrom, such that one side is open, in addition to an open top of the base housing. The printer body housing includes a top and three side walls extending downwardly therefrom, such that one side is open, in addition to an open bottom of the printer body housing.

[0022] In one aspect, the cover portion housing includes a top and three side walls extending downwardly therefrom such that one side is an open side in addition to the open bottom, and a second hinge connection connects the open side of the cover portion and the open side of the printer body housing such that when closed, the cover portion and the printer body housing enclose the printer components operably supported by the printer body housing with its top and four peripheral side walls. In one aspect, a surface for printing is provided to the print head through the open side of the base housing.

[0023] The base housing is made of aluminum, stainless steel, food grade metal, hard plastic, or a combination thereof. The printer body housing is made of aluminum, stainless steel, food grade metal, hard plastic, or a combination thereof. The cover portion is made of aluminum, stainless steel, food grade metal, hard plastic, or a combination thereof.

[0024] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a printer system in which the working components and various debris collection and maintenance components are easily accessible for cleaning and / or removal or replacement. The printer system has a main body and a support base connected together in a manner providing a cavity therebetween, one or both of the main body and support base operatively supporting one or more printing components such that when in a closed position the printer system receives a substrate for printing thereon. The main body and support base are pivotally or hingedly connected to provide a printer system that is openable, and the main body and support base remain connected while opening, also allowing the printer cavity and internal components to be exposed for maintenance, inspection, and cleaning.

[0025] In one aspect, the printer system is generally a printer for printing images or other content onto the surface of an edible food product with edible ink. The edible food product printer of the present disclosure allows a user to print edible ink directly onto the food product in both small and larger volume food products.

[0026] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a depleted printer ink collection system including a channel extending from a printing area to a filtration system, the filtration system including one or more filters, the channel configured to direct airborne ink and mist generated during printing to the filtration system, and at least one of the channel and the filtration system being removable from the printer for purposes of cleaning the ink collection system.

[0027] The channel includes one or more side walls, and the channel has an opening proximate the print area for entry of airborne ink and mist. The channel is configured to direct the airborne ink and mist from the print area to a filtration system. An airflow can be introduced into the channel to direct the airborne ink and mist to the filtration system. The filtration system extends at least partially into the channel and collects the airborne ink and mist that is directed into the channel from the print area.

[0028] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a printer having a system for collecting airborne ink mist from the printer, the printer having a printhead movable within a printing area, the printhead configured to receive and dispense ink from one or more ink cartridges, an ink mist filtration system configured to capture at least one of airborne ink mist or ink droplets, and a channel extending from the printing area to the ink mist filtration system and configured to direct the ink mist from the printing area to the filtration system.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the printer comprises a main printer body and a support base, the main printer body being positioned above the support base, a cavity being provided between the main printer body and the support base, and a printing area being positioned within the cavity.

[0030] One or more hinges secure the main printer body to the support base such that a hinge connection is provided for access to the cavity. The hinge connection allows access to an interior area of ​​the channel for cleaning collected ink mist from the channel or filtration system. The channel directs airborne ink mist or unused ejected droplets of ink away from the printing area and towards the filtration system for collection. In one or more embodiments, the printer has a receiving arm supported by the printer and extendable and retractable within the cavity and across the path of the printer's print head to deliver a substrate to the printing area for printing and remove printed substrates from the printing area.

[0031] In one or more embodiments, the filtration system includes a filter, which is removable for cleaning. The filter may be supported in a filter retainer.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, the printer is configured for printing on a surface of one or more food products, the food products being delivered and received within the cavity for printing. In one or more embodiments described herein, the substrate comprises a food product or edible element having a substantially flat surface, a cookie, a frosted sheet, rice paper, or a combination thereof.

[0033] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for collecting airborne ink mist from a printer. When printing content on a substrate with ink ejected from one or more ink cartridges carried by a print head, directing airborne ink mist generated during ink ejection and not deposited on the substrate away from a printing area of ​​the printer through a channel and into a filtration system comprising one or more filters allows the airborne ink mist to be collected in a cleanable system rather than allowing the ink mist or spent droplets to collect or deposit on various interior surfaces and / or working components of the printer. Cleaning the collection system and removing the ink mist includes accessing the channels and filtration system in the printer to clean the channels and filters after collection of the ink mist.

[0034] Accessing the channel and filtration system involves opening the printer via a hinged connection between two portions of the printer, with the channel and filtration system housed within a cavity between the two portions of the printer.

[0035] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for printing on a surface of a plurality of food products, the system including a printer configured to print an edible ink on a surface of the food product, and a removable debris collection tray positioned within the printer for capturing debris of the food product, the removable debris collection tray configured to capture debris generated during at least one of delivery of the food product to the printer, printing on the food product, or removal of the printed food product from the printer.

[0036] The printer has a print head and a receiving arm supported by the printer and extendable and retractable across the path of the printer's print head for delivery and return of the food product to a position below the print head for printing thereon. A removable debris collection tray is positioned at least partially below the path of travel of the food product within the printer and between the print head and the receiving arm. In one or more embodiments, the debris collection tray comprises a floor with side walls extending upwardly therefrom with an open top section for capturing food product debris therein. In one or more embodiments, the debris collection tray has a length and width, the length extending substantially from a first position below the retracted position of the receiving arm for printing on the food product and a second position below the extended position of the receiving arm where the arm receives the food product and returns it to the delivery tray.

[0037] Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method of capturing and removing debris from a system for printing on a surface of a food product. Capturing and removing debris from a printer configured to print on the surface of one or more food products includes collecting debris from one or more food products in the printer with a debris collection mechanism positioned within the printer and removing the debris collection mechanism from the printer. The debris collection mechanism can then be cleaned or cleared of debris and replaced within the printer to capture and remove debris from a subsequent printing process.

[0038] The debris collection mechanism is positioned below the print area within the printer. Additionally, the debris collection mechanism is positioned below the path of travel of the food product within the printer. In one or more embodiments, the debris collection mechanism is a tray.

[0039] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a removable debris collection mechanism for a printer, the debris collection mechanism comprising a tray having a floor configured to capture debris from a substrate printed thereon by the printer and an integral peripheral sidewall, the tray being positioned within the printer below the path of travel of the substrate through the printer.

[0040] In one or more embodiments, the substrate is a food product, such that the debris comprises crumbs. In one or more embodiments, the debris collection tray is constructed from stainless steel, aluminum, or a combination thereof. In one or more embodiments, the plurality of food products are edible elements having a substantially flat surface, cookies, frosted sheets, rice paper, or a combination thereof.

[0041] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to an ink maintenance system for a printer. The system has a first tray having a base and a plurality of side walls, the first tray having a first length and an open top along the length. The system further includes a fan and a filter. The system, when removably installed in the printer, captures ink from the printer and does so in accordance with NSF standards for food safety without the use of foam materials such as foam-based filters. Thus, there is no foam in the first tray.

[0042] The first tray is a catch tray for catching ink droplets from one or more nozzles operatively connected to the ink cartridge. The fan is coupled to the second tray. The second tray has a plurality of side walls, the second tray having a second length, an open top, and a bottom that is at least substantially open along the length. A filter is also positioned within the second tray. The second tray is positioned above the first tray and covers at least a portion of the length of the open top of the first tray.

[0043] The second tray houses a filter and a fan, the second tray at least partially covering the open top of the first tray. The first tray and the second tray are removably coupled to one another to form an assembly for positioning within the printer. The filter is removable from the second tray for cleaning or replacement of the filter.

[0044] The first tray and filter are cleanable for reuse, and the first tray and second tray are constructed from aluminum, stainless steel, or combinations thereof. Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a removable ink maintenance system for a printer comprising a first tray having a base and multiple sidewalls, the first tray having a first length and an open top along the length, the first tray being removable from the printer system, cleanable for reuse, or combinations thereof, a first tray, a fan, and a filter, the filter being removable from the ink maintenance system, cleanable for reuse, or combinations thereof.

[0045] The ink maintenance system is incorporated into a printer system for printing on a surface of a plurality of food products. The incorporated system includes a printer having a print head and configured to receive an ink cartridge, and a receiving arm supported by the printer and extendable and retractable across a path of the print head of the printer to sequentially deliver one of the plurality of food products to a position below the print head for printing. The system may further include a delivery tray spaced from the printer and configured to deliver each one of the plurality of food products to the receiving arm for printing. The ink cartridge maintenance system includes an ink catch tray, a filter, and a fan, the ink cartridge maintenance system being removably positioned within the printer.

[0046] The ink cartridge maintenance system is positioned adjacent to a standby position of the printhead in the printer. The ink cartridge maintenance system includes a filter retainer for supporting the filter therein, and the fan is coupled to the filter retainer. The first tray is removable from the printer for cleaning.

[0047] Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method of cleaning print nozzles in a printer, the nozzles being cleaned by positioning a printhead of the printer in a standby or cleaning position in the printer, ejecting ink from one or more print nozzles into an ink maintenance system in the printer such that the ejected ink is collected in at least one of a catch tray or a filter of the ink maintenance system, and removing the ink maintenance system from the printer for cleaning of at least one of the catch tray or filter. The system is then replaceable into the printer for subsequent use.

[0048] When cleaning the ink maintenance system, the system can be further cleaned by separating the catch tray and filter from one another and removing the filter from the filter retainer.

[0049] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a printing system for printing images or content with edible ink on the surface of an edible food product. The edible food product printer of the present disclosure allows a user to print edible ink directly onto the food product in both small and larger volume food products. The ink maintenance system described herein can be incorporated therein. The present invention provides, for example, the following: (Item 1) 1. A system for printing on a surface of a plurality of food products, the system comprising: A printer; a receiving arm supported by the printer, the receiving arm being extendable and retractable across a path of a print head of the printer, the receiving arm being positioned to extend from and retract into the printer to receive one of the plurality of food products, deliver one of the plurality of food products to a position below the print head, and return the one of the plurality of food products after the food product has been printed; a delivery tray spaced from the printer; Equipped with The delivery tray has a plurality of surfaces spaced apart thereon, each surface configured to support one of the plurality of food products thereon, the delivery tray comprising: automatically delivering each one of the plurality of food products to the receiving arm in a sequential manner for printing on the food product; receiving the returned printed food product for removal from the printer; and configured to move synchronously with the extension and retraction of the receiving arm to perform the steps of: (Item 2) Item 10. The system of item 1, further comprising a base for operatively supporting the delivery tray at a location spaced from the printer. (Item 3) 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the delivery tray is a rotatable delivery tray. (Item 4) 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the surface of the delivery tray has one or more support sides for holding one or more sides of the food product and an opening therebetween for receiving an end of the receiving arm therebetween. (Item 5) 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the surface further comprises a positioning mechanism configured to guide the loading of each one of the plurality of food products onto the delivery tray. (Item 6) 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiving arm is configured to move between a raised position and a lowered position, whereby the receiving arm can be raised or lowered within the delivery tray opening to deliver or retrieve the food product from the delivery tray. (Item 7) 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery tray is constructed from a material comprising a metal such as stainless steel or a plastic material, and the receiving arm is made of the same or a different material as the delivery tray. (Item 8) 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery tray is constructed from a food grade material comprising a metal or plastic material such as stainless steel, and the receiving arm is made of the same or a different food grade material as the delivery tray. (Item 9) 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of food products are edible elements having a substantially flat surface, cookies, frosting sheets, rice paper, or combinations thereof. (Item 10) 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to automatically and continuously deliver food products to a print head of the printer through cooperation of the receiving arm and delivery tray, and the system prints preselected content onto one of the plurality of food products at a time. (Item 11) 3. The system of claim 2, wherein movement of the delivery tray is synchronized with extension and retraction of the receiving arm. (Item 12) 1. A method for automatically printing a plurality of selected food products, the method comprising: loading at least one food product onto a first support surface of a delivery tray spaced from the printer; extending a receiving arm supported by the printer toward the delivery tray to remove at least one food product from a first support surface of the delivery tray; retracting the receiving arm into the printer to position the food product under a print head of the printer; printing content directly onto the surface of the food product; extending the receiving arm supported by the printer towards the delivery tray to return at least one food product to the delivery tray after printing; advancing the delivery tray to a second support surface of the delivery tray supporting a second food product; A method comprising: (Item 13) delivering the second food product from a second support surface of the delivery tray to the receiving arm; retracting the receiving arm into the printer to position the second food product beneath a print head of the printer; printing content directly onto a surface of the second food product; extending the receiving arm towards the delivery tray to return the second food product to the delivery tray; delivering the second food product from the receiving arm to a second support surface of the delivery tray; advancing the delivery tray to a third support surface of the delivery tray supporting a third food product; Item 13. The method of item 12, further comprising: (Item 14) Item 14. The method of item 13, further comprising reloading the one or more support surfaces after printing on the one or more food products. (Item 15) Item 13. The method of item 12, further comprising moving the receiving arm between a lowered position and a raised position to return printed food products to the delivery tray and to receive unprinted food products. (Item 16) A printer comprising a housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, the housing having a cavity between the upper portion and the lower portion; A printer, wherein the upper and lower portions are connected by one or more hinges, whereby the housing opens about a hinge connection between the upper and lower portions to expose the cavity therebetween, the upper portion being positioned above the lower portion, and the hinge connection allowing the upper portion to be lifted relative to the lower portion to expose one or more printer components for access through the cavity. (Item 17) Item 17. The printer of item 16, wherein the one or more hinges secure the upper portion to the lower portion, the one or more hinges being positioned on a same periphery of the housing such that the housing opens about one side. (Item 18) Item 17. The printer of item 16, wherein the one or more hinges are provided on a rear side of the housing and connect the upper portion to the lower portion, and the front side of the housing includes an opening for positioning a printing surface relative to a print head and within a printing area within the cavity. (Item 19) Item 17. The printer of item 16, wherein the upper portion has a top and one or more peripheral sidewalls extending downwardly therefrom, and the lower portion has a floor and one or more peripheral sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom, the upper portion rear peripheral sidewall and the lower portion rear peripheral sidewall being connected by the one or more hinges spaced along the rear peripheral sidewall. (Item 20) Item 17. The printer of item 16, wherein the upper portion supports a frame for operably holding one or more printer components selected from the group consisting of a printhead, a gantry for linear movement of the printhead therealong, a controller for the printer system, a printhead ink maintenance system for cleaning one or more nozzles of the printhead, or combinations thereof. (Item 21) Item 17. The printer of item 16, wherein the lower portion includes a floor and supports one or more removable components for the printer including an ink mist collection system, a debris tray, or a combination thereof. (Item 22) Item 17. The printer of item 16, wherein the printer is for printing on the surface of a food product, and one of the upper or lower parts is extendable and retractable into the cavity and across the path of a print head of the printer to operably support a receiving arm and present the food product to the print head for printing thereon. (Item 23) Item 23. The printer of item 22, wherein the lower portion has a floor configured to removably couple to a housing of a motorized base that operably supports a delivery tray that moves in synchronization with the receiving arm. (Item 24) Item 17. The printer of item 16, wherein the printer is openable about the hinge connection to expose one or more removable components for cleaning, inspection, or replacement, and wherein the printer is openable and closeable manually and without tools. (Item 25) A printer having a multi-piece housing, the multi-piece housing comprising two hinge connections including a first hinge connection between a base housing and a printer body housing and a second hinge connection between the printer body housing and a cover portion for first side access to the printer body housing, whereby the hinge connections enable selective manual access to components of the printer. (Item 26) 26. The printer of claim 25, wherein the first hinge connection is located on a second side of the printer and the second hinge connection is located on a first side of the printer, the first and second sides being opposite sides of the printer. (Item 27) 27. The printer of claim 26, wherein the first side is a front of the printer and the second side is a rear of the printer. (Item 28) Item 26. The printer of item 25, wherein the base housing includes a floor and three side walls extending upwardly therefrom, whereby one side is an open side in addition to the open top of the base housing. (Item 29) Item 26. The printer of item 25, wherein the printer body housing has a top and three side walls extending downwardly therefrom, whereby one side is an open side in addition to an open bottom of the printer body housing. (Item 30) 30. The printer of claim 29, wherein the cover portion housing has a top and three side walls extending downwardly therefrom, whereby one side is an open side in addition to an open bottom, and the second hinge connection connects the open side of the cover portion to the open side of the printer body housing, whereby when closed, the cover portion and the printer body housing enclose the printer components operably supported by the printer body housing with its top and four peripheral side walls. (Item 31) Item 29. The printer of item 28, wherein a surface for printing is provided to a print head through the open side of the base housing. (Item 32) 26. The printer of item 25, wherein the base housing is made of aluminum, stainless steel, food grade metal, hard plastic, or a combination thereof. (Item 33) 26. The printer of item 25, wherein the printer body housing is made of aluminum, stainless steel, food grade metal, hard plastic, or a combination thereof. (Item 34) 26. The printer of item 25, wherein the cover portion is made of aluminum, stainless steel, food grade metal, hard plastic, or a combination thereof. (Item 35) A printer ink mist collection system comprising a channel extending from a printing area to a filtration system comprising one or more filters, the channel configured to direct airborne ink and mist generated during printing to the filtration system, the channel and filtration system being removable from the printer for purposes of cleaning the ink collection system. (Item 36) Item 36. The system of item 35, wherein the filtration system comprises a filter removably supported in a filter holder. (Item 37) Item 36. The system of item 35, wherein the channel comprises a tray having one or more side walls, the channel having an opening near the print area for the entry of airborne ink and mist. (Item 38) Item 36. The system of item 35, further comprising a fan for directing airflow into the channel through the printing area or ink spray. (Item 39) Item 36. The system of item 35, wherein the channel is constructed from metal and is cleanable for reuse. (Item 40) A printer, the printer having a system for collecting airborne ink mist from the printer, the printer comprising: a print head movable within a printing area, the print head configured to receive and dispense ink from one or more ink cartridges; an ink mist filtration system configured to capture at least one of ink mist or ink droplets in the air; a channel extending from the printing area to the ink mist filtration system and configured to direct the ink mist from the printing area to the filtration system; A printer comprising: (Item 41) Item 41. The printer of item 40, wherein the printer comprises a main printer body and a support base, the main printer body being positioned above the support base, a cavity being provided between the main printer body and the support base, and the printing area being positioned within the cavity. (Item 42) Item 42. The printer of item 41, wherein one or more hinges secure the main printer body to the support base such that a hinge connection is provided for accessing the cavity. (Item 43) Item 42. The printer of item 41, further comprising a receiving arm supported by the printer, the receiving arm being extendable and retractable into the cavity and across the path of the printer's print head to deliver a substrate to the printing area for printing and to remove printed substrates from the printing area. (Item 44) Item 42. The printer of item 41, wherein the filtration system includes a filter, the filter being removable from a filter holder for cleaning. (Item 45) Item 42. The printer of item 41, wherein the hinged connection allows access to an interior area of ​​the channel for cleaning collected ink mist from the channel or filtration system. (Item 46) Item 42. The printer of item 41, wherein the channel directs airborne ink mist or unused ejected droplets of ink away from the print area and towards the filtration system for collection. (Item 47) Item 42. The printer of item 41, wherein the printer is configured for printing on a surface of one or more food products, the food products being delivered and received within the cavity for printing thereon. (Item 48) Item 48. The printer of item 47, wherein the substrate comprises a food product or edible element having a substantially flat surface, a cookie, a frosted sheet, rice paper, or a combination thereof. (Item 49) Item 48. The printer of item 47, further comprising a fan for directing the airflow. (Item 50) 1. A method for collecting airborne ink mist from a printer, the method comprising: printing content onto a substrate using ink ejected from one or more ink cartridges carried by a print head; directing airborne ink mist generated during the ejection of the ink and not deposited on the substrate away from a printing area of ​​the printer through a channel to a filtration system comprising one or more filters; accessing the channels and filtration system in the printer to clean the channels and filters after collection of ink mist; A method comprising: (Item 51) Item 51. The method of item 50, wherein accessing the channel and filtration system includes opening the printer via a hinge connection between two portions of the printer, the channel and filtration system being housed within a cavity between the two portions of the printer. (Item 52) Item 51. The method of item 50, wherein the substrate comprises a food product or edible element having a substantially flat surface, a cookie, a frosted sheet, rice paper, or a combination thereof. (Item 53) 1. A system for printing on a surface of a plurality of food products, the system comprising: a printer configured to print an edible ink onto a surface of the food product; a removable debris collection tray for capturing debris of a food product positioned within the printer; Equipped with The system, wherein the removable debris collection tray is configured to capture debris generated during delivery of a food product to the printer, printing on the food product, or removal of a printed food product from the printer. (Item 54) The printer includes: A print head; a receiving arm supported by the printer; Equipped with the receiving arm being extendable and retractable across the path of a print head of the printer for delivering and returning a food product to a position beneath the print head for printing thereon; Item 54. The system of item 53, wherein the removable debris collection tray is positioned at least partially below the path of travel of the food product within the printer and between the print head and a receiving arm. (Item 55) Item 54. The system of item 53, wherein the debris collection tray comprises a floor with a sidewall extending upwardly from the floor, the sidewall having an open top section for capturing food product debris therein. (Item 56) Item 54. The system of item 53, wherein the debris collection tray is constructed from stainless steel, aluminum, or a combination thereof. (Item 57) Item 55. The system of item 54, wherein the debris collection tray has a length and a width, the length extending substantially from a first position below a retracted position of the receiving arm for printing on the food product and a second position below an extended position of the receiving arm where the arm receives the food product and returns it to a delivery tray. (Item 58) Item 55. The system of item 54, wherein the printer is configured to print on a substantially flat surface of each of the plurality of food products. (Item 59) 1. A method for capturing and removing debris from a system for printing on a surface of a food product, the method comprising: providing a printer configured to print an edible ink onto a surface of the food product; printing onto the surface of one or more food products; collecting debris from the one or more food products in the printer with a debris collection mechanism positioned within the printer; removing the debris collection mechanism from the printer, cleaning the debris collection mechanism, and removing the collected debris; replacing the debris collection mechanism in the printer; A method comprising: (Item 60) Item 59. The method of item 58, further comprising positioning the debris collection mechanism below a print area in the printer. (Item 61) Item 59. The method of item 58, further comprising positioning the debris collection mechanism below a path of travel of the food product within the printer. (Item 62) Item 59. The method of item 58, wherein the debris collection mechanism is a tray. (Item 63) Item 59. The method of item 58, wherein the pieces comprise bread crumbs. (Item 64) A removable debris collection mechanism for a printer, the debris collection mechanism comprising a tray having a floor and an integral peripheral sidewall, the tray having an open top and an open front section, the tray configured to capture debris from a substrate being printed by the printer, the tray being removably positioned within the printer below a path of travel of the substrate through the printer. (Item 65) 1. An ink maintenance system for a printer, the system comprising: a first tray having a base and a plurality of sidewalls, the first tray having a first length and an open top along the length; With fans, Filters and Equipped with A system, wherein the ink maintenance system captures ink from a printer system, the ink maintenance system doing so without the use of a foam component to receive the ink. (Item 66) Item 66. The system of item 65, wherein the first tray is a catch tray for catching ink droplets from one or more nozzles operably connected to an ink cartridge. (Item 67) Item 66. The system of item 65, wherein the fan is coupled to a second tray. (Item 68) Item 66. The system of item 65, wherein the filter is positioned in a second tray. (Item 69) Item 70. The system of item 68, wherein the second tray is positioned above the first tray and covers at least a portion of the length of the open top of the first tray. (Item 70) Item 67. The system of item 66, wherein the second tray houses the filter and the fan, and the second tray at least partially covers the open top of the first tray. (Item 71) Item 71. The system of item 70, wherein the second tray has an open bottom such that airflow is directed from the front of the first tray, through the bottom of the second tray, and into the filter in the second tray. (Item 72) Item 71. The system of item 70, wherein the first tray and second tray are removably coupled to one another to form an assembly for positioning within a printer. (Item 73) Item 69. The system of item 68, wherein the filter is removable from the second tray for cleaning or replacement of the filter. (Item 74) 1. A removable ink maintenance system for a printer, the system comprising: a first tray having a base and a plurality of side walls, the first tray having a first length and an open top along the length, the first tray being removable from a printer system, cleanable for reuse, or a combination thereof; With fans, a filter, the filter being removable from the ink maintenance system, cleanable for reuse, or a combination thereof; The system comprises: (Item 75) The ink maintenance system is incorporated into a printer system, the incorporated system comprising: a printer having a print head, the printer being configured to receive an ink cartridge; a receiving arm supported by the printer, the receiving arm being extendable and retractable across a path of a print head of the printer to sequentially deliver one of the plurality of food products to a position beneath the print head for printing; a delivery tray spaced from the printer, the delivery tray configured to deliver each one of the plurality of food products to the receiving arm for printing thereon; An ink cartridge maintenance system including an ink catch tray, a filter, and a fan. Equipped with Item 75. The system of item 74, wherein the ink cartridge maintenance system is removably positioned within the printer. (Item 76) Item 76. The system of item 75, wherein the ink cartridge maintenance system is positioned adjacent to a standby position of the printhead within the printer. (Item 77) Item 75. The system of item 74, wherein the ink cartridge maintenance system includes a filter retainer, the filter retainer supporting the filter therein, and the fan coupled to the filter retainer. (Item 78) Item 77. The system of item 76, wherein the ink cartridge maintenance system is removable from the printer for cleaning. (Item 79) Item 77. The system of item 76, wherein the ink cartridge maintenance system is configured for disassembly for cleaning of one or more of its individual components. (Item 80) 1. A method of cleaning a print nozzle in a printer, the method comprising: positioning a printhead of the printer in a standby or cleaning position within the printer; ejecting ink from one or more print nozzles into an ink maintenance system within the printer such that the ejected ink is collected in at least one of a catch tray or a filter of the ink maintenance system; removing the ink maintenance system from the printer for cleaning at least one of the catch tray or the filter; replacing said ink maintenance system in said printer; A method comprising: (Item 81) Item 81. The method of item 80, further comprising disassembling the ink maintenance system by separating the catch tray and filter from one another and removing the filter from a filter retainer. (Item 82) Item 81. The method of item 80, further comprising directing an airflow from the catch tray to the filter to collect airborne ink in the filter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0050] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food product printing system.

[0051] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the food product printing system with the cover portion opened to expose an interior portion of the printer portion of the system.

[0052] [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the food product printing system with the automatic delivery tray components removed and the printer cover removed.

[0053] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a side view of a food product printing system with an automated delivery tray component removably secured to a tray base portion.

[0054] [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a top view of the delivery tray.

[0055] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base portion of the tray.

[0056] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a top view of a food product printing system with a food product loaded thereon for printing.

[0057] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the printing system opened about the hinge connection with the cover portion open.

[0058] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view of the printing system with the cover portion open and opened about the hinge connection.

[0059] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view of the printing system with the cover portion open.

[0060] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the ink maintenance collection system.

[0061] [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the ink maintenance collection system in a printer with the housing and additional printer elements removed for illustration purposes.

[0062] [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the debris tray on the base portion of the printer and a perspective view of the ink maintenance system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0063] The food product printing system of the present disclosure includes a printer system for printing an image onto a surface of a food product. The printing surface may be the actual surface of the food product itself. The printer system includes a printer having a receiving arm and a delivery tray supported on a base. The system also includes a plurality of different trays, each of which may be configured for sequential delivery of a varying number of food products and / or for food products of different or specific dimensions.

[0064] The receiving arm is configured to receive the food products from the delivery tray and move the food products from the delivery tray into the printer and to a printing position. The printing position is substantially below the print head of the printer such that the surface to be printed is in the path of the print head. Once the food product is printed, the receiving arm returns the printed food product to the delivery tray. The delivery tray is configured to move in one or more directions to sequentially, continuously and automatically deliver multiple food products to the receiving arm.

[0065] One embodiment of a printing system 10 is generally illustrated in Figures 1-7. The printing system 10 is configured to receive food products 12 from a delivery tray 22, print on the surfaces of the food products 12, and return the food products 12 to the delivery tray 22. The system is also configured to do so automatically and continuously for a predetermined number of food products 12. The system 10 includes a printer 14 having a print head 16 and a nozzle (not shown), the print head 16 and nozzle configured for printing with edible ink. The print head 16 may be a carriage for an ink cartridge, which may be filled with edible printer ink. The printer 14 further supports an extendable and retractable receiving arm 20 therein.

[0066] The receiving arm 20 is operatively connected to a power source within the printer 14. The receiving arm 20 is extendable and retractable relative to a location in the path of the print head 16. The receiving arm 20 has a first end, a second opposing end, and a substantially flat receiving surface extending therebetween. The first end is operatively connected to a mechanism for retracting and extending the arm 20. The second end and at least a portion of the receiving surface of the receiving arm 20 are configured to extend outwardly from the printer 14. When extended, the receiving arm 20 may receive a food product, hold a food product, and / or return a printed food product to the delivery tray 22. The receiving arm holds or supports the food product during printing onto the surface of the food product 12 within the printer 14.

[0067] With respect to the printer 14, the print head 16 moves linearly back and forth along a gantry in the manner of a standard inkjet printer to eject (edible) ink towards a printing surface, thus printing preselected content onto a printing surface positioned below the path of the print head 16. The printer 14 is in communication with a controller and software may be used to control the printing of content onto one or more food products.

[0068] In more detail, the receiving arm 20 moves in a direction perpendicular to the print head path as illustrated by arrow 18 such that the receiving arm 20 extends and retracts across or through the path of the print head 16. In one embodiment, the receiving arm 20 is a substantially flat rectangular support plate that extends towards a retainer 26 of the delivery tray 22 to engage the food product 12, remove it from the delivery tray 22, and return the printed food product to the delivery tray. The upper surface of the receiving arm 20 is the receiving surface for the food product and may be textured or provided with a surface to increase the coefficient of friction between the receiving arm 20 and the food product to retain the food product on the arm 20.

[0069] The receiving arm extends to receive or return the food product 12 from the tray 22 and retracts to a position below the print head 16 and into the printer 14 for printing. Once the content is printed on the food product, the receiving arm 20 extends to return the food product 12 to the delivery tray 22. The delivery tray 22 then advances to provide the second unprinted food product 12 to the receiving arm 20. The receiving arm 20 is also configured for vertical movement such that the receiving surface of the receiving arm 20 is movable between two positions, a raised position and a lowered position, which allow the receiving arm 20 to retrieve and return the food product 12 to the delivery tray 22, and when the receiving arm 20 is extended, it may allow the delivery tray 22 to be advanced. Once loaded, the receiving arm 20 is retracted to a printing position with the food product 12 thereon. This process continues continuously and automatically each time a predetermined amount of food product is printed. It is also envisioned that the delivery tray 22 may be raised or lowered to allow the delivery tray 22 to advance to a subsequent holder 26 or opening 28 on the delivery tray 22 for automatically delivering and receiving, and therefore printing, multiple food items 12 thereon.

[0070] The delivery tray 22 is comprised of a plurality of holders 26, as described in further detail below. Each holder 26 is configured to receive, support, and deliver a food product 12 to the receiving arm 20. The delivery tray 22 illustrated herein includes twelve (12) holders 26, however, trays for holding fewer or more food products are envisioned and within the scope of the present disclosure. The number of holders on a tray may be adjusted based on the type or size of the items to be printed.

[0071] 5, in one embodiment, each holder 26 has two support sides 24 extending from a center 28 of the tray 22 and an opening 28 between the support sides 24. A food product is supported on the holder by being placed on the two support sides 24 of the holder. The opening 28 between the sides 24 of the holder 26 is configured to receive the receiving arm 20 therein, allowing the receiving arm 20 to assume a position to receive and return the food product to the delivery tray 22. That is, the receiving arm 20 can extend into this opening 28 and contact the bottom surface of the food product 12 supported on each side 24 of the holder 26. The receiving arm 20 then supports the food product 12 thereon as it is retracted into position for printing.

[0072] Each retainer 26 is configured to support or hold one or more sides, edges, or perimeters of the food product 12 via contact of the support side 24 with the bottom surface of the food product 12. The retainers 26 may have one or more positioning mechanisms 30 for indicating the position of the food product 12 when loaded onto the delivery tray 22. A positioning mechanism 30 is provided, for example, on each of the support sides 24. Utilizing the positioning mechanisms 30 to set the position of the food product 12 during loading of the delivery tray 22 ensures delivery of the food product 12 to the receiving arm 20, thereby ensuring that the food product 12 is balanced on and supported by the receiving arm 20 and that the surface of the food product is centered for printing of content onto the food product.

[0073] Each of the positioning mechanisms 30 includes a pair of pegs 32 that protrude upward from the tray 22 and are configured to mark a placement location for the round food product 12 on the delivery tray 22. Each one of the pair of pegs 32 protrudes from a location on a corresponding one of the support sides 24 of each retainer 26. When the food product 12 is placed on the retainer 26, the front face of the food product 12 contacts the pegs 32 to ensure sufficient placement for delivery to the receiving arm 20. The retainer 26 may have dimensions that allow the position of the food product 12 to be loaded onto the tray 22 in a known position. Once the food product 12 is delivered to the receiving arm 20, the position of the print surface of the food product 12 relative to the print head 16 can be known when the receiving arm 20 is retracted. In some embodiments, this allows for the elimination of sensors or other location or item detection means and eliminates other delays due to location or position detection prior to printing. Instead, upon retraction of the receiving arm 20, printing can commence and the automated process can proceed continuously and efficiently at increased speed.

[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 6 , a base 40 for providing power and controlling the advancement and vertical positioning of the delivery tray 22 is positioned proximate the printing system. The base 40 is spaced from the printer 14 and may be removably connected to the printer 14 via a stabilizing arm 50 that extends from a housing of the base 40 and removably connects or couples to a housing of the printer 14. The arm 50 also positions the base 40 at an adjustable distance from the printer 14 and thus the receiving arm 20, thereby accommodating the delivery tray 22 supported thereon in a manner that cooperates with the receiving arm 20. The base 40 may also be operably connected to a controller and a power supply of the printer 14 to control the movement of the tray 22 in a manner that is synchronized with the printer 14.

[0075] The base 40 is configured with one or more mechanisms for operatively engaging and supporting the tray 22 thereon. In one embodiment, the base 40 includes one or more drive posts 44 and centering pins 46 that allow the delivery tray 22 to be placed thereon as the tray includes reciprocal mechanisms for mating with the drive posts 44 and centering pins 46. The system allows a variety of delivery trays 22 of different sizes and configurations for holding food products 12 to be movably connected to the base 40. Although the above interface between the tray 22 and the base 40 is described, alternative interfaces and non-locking mechanisms for transferring motion generated at the base 40 to the tray 22 for controlled advancement of the delivery tray 22 are also envisioned.

[0076] The base 40 has a rotatable element 42, such as a housing cover or plate 42, that supports a drive post 44 and a locating pin 46. The base 40 then transmits motion to the delivery tray 22, advancing the position of the tray 22 with respect to the opening 28. The base 40 can be controlled, for example, such that the delivery tray 22 automatically advances from an opening 28 to the next adjacent opening 28 after the food product 12 has been returned to the tray 22 from the printer 14 by the receiving arm 20.

[0077] The delivery tray 22 and base 40 may be a carousel for continuous delivery, where a printed food product is returned to the delivery tray 22 and subsequently removed, followed by loading and reloading of an unprinted food product. Although a rotatable tray is illustrated herein, the delivery tray 22 may be advanced linearly, moved in multiple directions, or moved in the manner of a conveyor belt, as non-limiting examples. That is, as the delivery tray 22 advances to the next adjacent opening 28 for the purpose of delivering one or more subsequent food products 12 to the printer 14, printed, and returned to the delivery tray 22, the printed and advanced food product may be removed and a new unprinted food product 12 may be placed on the tray 22. Thus, the delivery of unprinted food products and the receipt of the same after printing is cyclical in nature, and may be limited only by the supply or selection of a predetermined amount to be printed, for example.

[0078] The base 40 may include its own power supply for providing rotational force to the rotatable plate 42, or the base 40 may be operably connected to a power supply of the printer system 10. The base 40 is in communication with a controller (not shown), which controls the extension and retraction of the receiving arm 20 and the printing of images onto the received food products 12 such that the rotation of the delivery tray is synchronized with the extension and / or retraction of the receiving arm 20.

[0079] In the illustrated embodiment, the base 40 provides power to rotate the delivery tray 22 between various positions (including alignment of the extended receiving arm 20 with the initial and one or more subsequent openings 28) and to rotate the delivery tray 22 to advance the delivery tray 22 to the next opening 28 while the receiving arm 20 is extended. In an embodiment in which the delivery tray 22 may be in one of two positions (raised or lowered) depending on whether items are to be delivered to or returned from the tray 22 and to prevent the receiving arm 20 from interfering with the advancement or rotation of the delivery tray 22, the base 40 is configured to allow the delivery tray 22 to be moved between the two positions, thus raising and lowering the tray or tilting the tray 22 upwards or downwards at the opening 28 positioned for delivery or return of the food products 12. In such an embodiment, when the receiving arm 20 is extended and positioned within the opening 28, the upper surface of the receiving arm 20 may be substantially flush with the upper surface of the delivery tray 22. To ensure or facilitate the delivery of the food product 12 supported on the delivery tray 22, the delivery tray 22 is tilted or lowered downwards towards the receiving arm 20. This allows the receiving arm 20 to contact and support the bottom surface of the food product 12 and remove support by the delivery tray 22, thereby transferring the food product 12 to the receiving arm 20. Conversely, when the receiving arm 20 is returning the food product after printing thereon, the delivery tray 22 may be provided in a lowered position and tilted or raised upwards after the receiving arm 20 supporting the printed food product 12 has been extended into the opening 28. This allows the retainer 26 to lift the food product from the receiving arm 20 for removal from the print queue.

[0080] In additional or alternative embodiments, the printer system may have a hinged housing, allowing easy access to the printer's internal components and the printer's printing area, making it easier to clean and service the printer without disassembly of the housing or the use of tools. The printer system described herein is a printer having a main body or upper portion and a supporting base or lower portion. The two portions are connected in a manner that allows the upper portion of the printer to be lifted for full access to the internal portions and the printing area for inspection and cleaning of one or more components. The upper portion remains connected to the lower portion and is lifted to expose the printer components supported by both the upper and lower portions so that it is easy to access the printer's internal components. Replacement of the upper portion over the lower portion is easy and similarly does not require tools.

[0081] In one embodiment, the connection is a hinge connection where one or more hinges allow the printer to be opened. The housing may also have one or more hinged covers for targeted access to the printing components, such as those supported by the upper portion.

[0082] The printer system may also have one or more maintenance or collection systems for ink, ink mist, crumbs, debris, etc., substrate receiving arms, or other print item delivery structures within the printing area of ​​the printer. These systems and structures may be removable for cleaning, which removal is made easier by the openable printer system described herein.

[0083] In the embodiment illustrated herein, the hinged printer system is a food product printing system that includes a printer system for printing an image on a surface of a food product. The printing surface can be the actual surface of the food product itself. The printer system includes a printer having a receiving arm and a delivery tray supported on a base that is spaced from and separable from the printer. Although the embodiment illustrated herein is a food product printing system, the embodiments described herein can be incorporated into printing systems for use with non-food items and other items, substrates, or products that have the height, mass, or dimensions for printing within the print area described herein.

[0084] Opening the printer in the manner described herein allows for easy visual and physical access to both the upper and lower portions of the printer for inspection and cleaning. Opening the printer as described herein also allows for easy inspection, cleaning, and / or removal of various collection and cleaning elements of the printer system, such as the print debris or crumb collection tray, the ink mist or printed ink mist filtration system, and / or the print cartridge maintenance tabs and associated filters.

[0085] As illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 8-10, the printer system 10 is configured as an openable printer system 10. The illustrated embodiment is a tabletop printer system 10, however, the printer system described herein may be scaled up for industrial use. One example of a mechanism for opening the printer system 10 is a hinge connection 170 between the upper printer body 150 and the lower printer base 160. One or more hinges 172 are positioned along the perimeter length of the printer system 10 and operatively connect the upper printer body 150 and the lower printer base 160. For example, the hinge 172 is provided along the rear side of the printer system 10, and the front side of the printer system 10 is the feed side of the printer system 10 where the product is received for printing therein. In one embodiment, the food product 12 enters the printer system 10 from the front and is directed into the cavity 152 between the upper print body 150 and the lower print base 160 for printing within the printer system 10.

[0086] The upper printer body 150 supports a frame, which allows the frame to support one or more printing components of the printer, namely, but not limited to, the printhead 16, the carriage, and a gantry for the movement of the printhead 16. The printhead 16 can be a carriage for holding one or more ink cartridges. The frame can also support an ink maintenance system, which is positioned at a standby location of the printhead 16 and is composed of tabs for receiving ejected ink during maintenance or cleaning operations between printing operations, and further includes a filter for capturing ink particles in the air and preventing said particles from depositing on other printer components. The frame can also support electronics, controls, and power elements for the printer and for operatively connecting the printer to control software and a power source.

[0087] The lower support base 160 may then support a removable debris tray 300 for collecting debris generated during printing, such as a debris tray positioned below the print area 18 of the printer 14. The debris tray may slide into and optionally couple to one or more interior surfaces of the lower support base 160. The lower support base 160 may then also support an ink mist collection system 400, which may be positioned in the rear or back portion of the printer 14 in the print area 18, with airflow directed to collect depleted airborne ink or ink mist and prevent the ink from depositing or collecting on other elements in the printer.

[0088] As illustrated in Figures 8-10, the housing of the printer system 10 described herein is a multi-piece housing with two hinge connections. The upper body housing 150 is connected to the lower base housing 160 along a corresponding outer perimeter sidewall 164 via one or more hinges 172 along the outer perimeter sidewall 154. The upper body housing 150 includes a top portion 151 and one or more sidewalls 154, 156, 158 extending downwardly from the outer perimeter of the top portion 151, one side 153 of which is open. Similarly, the lower base housing 160 includes a floor portion 161 and one or more sidewalls 164, 166, 168 extending upwardly from the outer perimeter of the floor portion 161, one side 163 of which is open. The open side 163 allows for an opening to the cavity 152 when the printer housing is closed, through which items are provided to the interior of the printer 10 for printing thereon. This is the operational access opening, which may be considered the front side of the printer 10. The hinge connection 170 is then provided on the side opposite the operational access opening, and thus may be located along the rear side of the printer. For example, a hinge may operably secure one side wall 164 of the lower base housing 160 to a corresponding side wall 154 of the printer body housing 150.

[0089] A cover 180 is then provided and connected via one or more hinges 182 to cover the open side 153 of the top 151 and thus may protect the print head 16 or other printer system elements supported by the upper body 150. The cover 180 similarly has a top 181 and side walls 184, 186, 188 with an open side 183 such that the open side 183 is connected to the open side 153 of the upper body housing 150. For example, a hinge 182 connects the top 151 along the open side 153 to the top 181 of the cover along its open side 183. Thus, the hinges 172 and 182 provide hinged connections to opposite sides of the printer 10.

[0090] The printer 10 can then be opened and accessed in one or more locations for full or partial access to the printer components within the housing. Each hinge connection allows the printer to be opened about the hinge connection manually and without tools. The printer can also be closed manually and without tools to allow printing. Once full access is provided, one or more components of the printer system 10 can be manually removed for cleaning.

[0091] These elements, and additional elements described further below, are located within printer system 10 such that they are not otherwise inaccessible without disassembly of printer 10. However, the hinged printer housing and structure described herein allows easy access to these elements for inspection, cleaning, and replacement, and such access here is tool-free and can be performed manually without assistance.

[0092] One embodiment of the printing system 10 as illustrated in Figures 8-10 is configured to receive food products 12 from a delivery tray 22, print on the surface of the food products 12, and return the food products 12 to the delivery tray 22 in a manner substantially identical to that already described above with respect to the embodiment of Figures 1-7. The system is also configured to do so automatically and continuously for a predetermined number of food items. The system 10 includes a printer 14 having a print head 16 and a nozzle (not shown), the print head 16 and nozzle being configured for printing with edible ink. The printer 14 also supports an extendable and retractable receiving arm 20.

[0093] With respect to the printer 14, the print head 16 moves linearly back and forth along a gantry in the manner of a standard inkjet printer to eject (edible) ink towards a printing surface, thus printing preselected content onto a printing surface positioned below the path of the print head 16. The printer 14 communicates with a controller, and software may be used to control the printing of content onto one or more food products. The print head 16 and associated cartridges and gantry may be supported by, and thus secured to, an upper portion of the printer body 150.

[0094] In one or more embodiments, an ink mist collection system such as that illustrated at 100 in Figures 11-12 may be incorporated. Although the ink mist collection system is described herein in connection with or incorporated into a printing system configured for printing on the surface of a food product such as that illustrated in Figures 1-10, such an ink mist collection system may be incorporated into any inkjet printing system, etc. Thus, the embodiment described and illustrated herein provides one illustrative example of an environment for the ink mist collection system and is not to be considered limiting in any manner.

[0095] The ink mist collection system 400 utilizes a channel 110, which may be defined as having a base and sidewalls, that provide the channel 110 with a length and a depth. The channel 110 leads from the print area to a filtration system 112, which includes at least one filter 114. The system 100 may further include an air flow, directed as illustrated by arrow 130, from the print area to or through the channel 110 and then to the filtration system 112 to facilitate collection of mist or other unused but ejected ink droplets by the filter 114. For example, a fan 116 may be provided to direct the air flow through the channel 110, and additionally or alternatively, a negative air flow, such as a vacuum, may be provided in the vicinity of the filtration system 112 to pull the air flow through and along the channel 110.

[0096] The filter 114 is supported at or near an end or side of the channel 110 and / or extends at least partially into the depth of the channel 110 at the end of the channel 110. The filter 114 and channel 110 are positioned within the printing system 10 in a space adjacent a print area within the printer system 10, as described in more detail below. For example, the channel 110 and filtration system 112 are positioned adjacent to or offset from the print area 18 and behind or adjacent the ink spray 118 generated during printing. The channel 110 begins at or near the print area 18 and moves away from it so as not to interfere with the printing of automatically successive products 12.

[0097] In one embodiment, the filter 114 is supported by a filter retainer 120 and is removable therefrom for replacement or cleaning. The filter 114 may be made of a porous foam material that can be easily cleaned for reuse or replaced after use. The filter retainer 120 may be fixed to the printer system 10, fixed to the channel 110, or the filter retainer 120 and channel 110 may be supported by a removable tray 122 that slides into the printer 14 at or within the print area 18.

[0098] Filter 114 is removably supported within filter retainer 120 in a manner that allows airflow through filter 114 to allow collection of ink mist therein. Filter retainer 120 may be a cage or other device that does not significantly obstruct the surface area of ​​filter 114 or significantly impede the ability of filter 114 to capture or collect mist directed at it.

[0099] The inner surface 126 of the channel 110 may further be directed away from the print area 18 to collect unused ink droplets or other ink debris that contact the inner surface 126 of the channel 110 or that is not otherwise collected by the filter 114. Because the channel 110 is removable from the printer 14, the channel 110 and the filter 114 are therefore removable for cleaning.

[0100] One or more of the channel 110 and filter retainer 120 may generally be made of a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, but may alternatively or additionally be made of a plastic material. When accessed, the channel 110 and / or filter retainer 120 are easily cleanable by rinsing, wiping, washing, or a combination thereof. The channel 110 is accessible in a printer system 10, the printer comprising a main body and a support base, which are removably or pivotally connected to each other such that the internal cavity is accessible by opening the printer system 10. When the internal cavity is exposed, the channel 110 and filtration system 112 are accessible for cleaning and / or removal.

[0101] In the illustrated embodiment, the channel 110 is a rectangular body having a length that extends at least partially along the width or depth of the printer system 10. The channel 110 extends a length such that the filtration system 112 is spaced or offset from the printing area of ​​the printing system 10 away from the printing area.

[0102] In embodiments in which the printer system 10 is configured as a hinged printing system 10 in which an upper printer body 150 supporting printing components such as the print head 14 is hingedly connected to a base portion 160, the channel 110 and the filtration system 112 are connectable to the upper printer body 150 or the base portion 160 of the printer system 10, and therefore they are accessible when the printer system 10 is opened about a hinge connection 170 that pivotally connects the upper body 150 and the base portion 160. The food product enters the printer system 10 for printing at a space 152 between the upper body 150 and the base portion 160. The channel 110 extends along and into this space 152 and is accessible from this space 152 when the space 152 is opened by opening the printing system 10 about the hinge connection 170. In some embodiments, the channel 110 may also be removable for cleaning.

[0103] 13, the debris collection system 302 includes a debris tray 310 that is removably positioned within the print area 18 of the printing system 10. The debris tray 310 may be rectangular in shape to fit within the print area 18 of the printing system and capture debris generated therein. For example, the debris tray may have a floor 212 and peripheral sidewalls 314, 316, 318 that open along its front to receive items for printing and open along its top to receive and collect debris from the printer system 10.

[0104] The debris tray 310 may be made of a metal such as stainless steel or aluminum, the tray 310 may also be made of plastic or other durable yet lightweight materials that are easily cleanable for reuse. The debris tray 310 can be cleaned, for example, rinsed, washed or wiped dry between uses, and can withstand sanitization procedures and soap. The debris tray 310 is removable and replaceable.

[0105] In an embodiment in which the printer system 10 is a hinged printing system 10 or configured to hinge open to the printing area, the debris collection tray 310 is positioned in the space 152 between the upper printer body 150 and the support base 160 of the printer system 10. The printing area for the food product is in the space or cavity 152 formed between the upper printing body 150 and the support base 160. The printing area allows the food product to be delivered in an unobstructed manner from outside the printer system 10, into the cavity 152 and below the print head 16 in the printing area, as the support base 160 has dimensions that provide a height to the printing area, and the upper printer body 150 supports the print head above it. While the upper printer body 152 supports many of the operational components of the printer system, such as the print head 16 and the gantry along which the print head is movable, and one or more of the ink tank equipment and control and power components for the printer system, the support base 152 supports at least the debris collection system 300. The debris tray 310 is removably connectable to the floor 162 of the support base 160 by sliding therein or with clips, channels, or other mating connectors that enable the debris tray 310 to be secured within the cavity 152 below the food product path in the printer system 10 in a manner that is easily removable for cleaning.

[0106] The debris collection and removal tray 310 may also support the spent ink collection and filtration system 200 .

[0107] To remove debris such as crumbs and clean the debris tray 310 for further use, the printer system 10 is opened about the hinge connection 170 to expose the cavity 152 for easy removal and replacement of the debris tray 310.

[0108] During printhead maintenance, ink is fired from all nozzles of the printhead, keeping the nozzles clear, to preserve the ink cartridge when the nozzles are not in use. All of this expelled ink must be captured so it does not contaminate areas of the printer that must remain clean, areas that are difficult to clean. The maintenance system includes a removable tab and a filter that can be easily removed from the tab manually, and therefore without the use of tools.

[0109] The removable tub is a tray that is removable from the printer and captures the actual ink droplets without a foam material in the tub. The filter is provided in a second separate tray, which is removable from the tray for cleaning. This arrangement allows the system to capture ink without using a foam material to capture the ink. Alternatively, foam may be incorporated into the filter portion of the system, but is not used in the tub to capture the ink. The system described herein is NSF certified. The foam in the tub will become saturated when wet and allow for bacterial growth. Thus, the removable waste ink system described herein is washable to further prevent bacterial growth in the system.

[0110] The ink maintenance system described herein can be incorporated into any type of ink-based printing system, however, as a non-limiting example, one embodiment described herein incorporates the ink maintenance system into a food product printing system.

[0111] The ink maintenance system 200 of one or more embodiments described herein can be positioned near the print head storage 16 or standby location of any printer system type so that ink cartridge and print nozzle cleaning and maintenance can be performed between printing procedures. The ink maintenance system 200 is generally illustrated in FIG.

[0112] The ink maintenance system 200 includes a catch tray or tub 202 and a channel 204 coupled to the catch tray 202. For example, the catch tray 202 is rectangular in shape having a floor 204 and side walls 206 and 208 with end walls 210 and 212. The catch tray 202 has an open top and an interior cavity for collecting ink droplets. An open area 240 of the catch tray 202 is configured to receive ink ejected during maintenance. Thus, ink generally collects within the tray 202 for subsequent cleaning of the tray 202 and removal from the system, as described in more detail below.

[0113] The channel 214 is rectangular in shape and has a length that is shorter than the catch tray 202, but a width that substantially matches the width of the catch tray 202. The channel 214 has side walls 218 and 220 with at least one end wall 222, an open top with an internal cavity, and at least a portion of the base or bottom of the channel 214 is adapted to receive the filter 222 retained therein from the tray 202. 8 The channel 214 is open to allow airflow therethrough. The channel 214 also supports a fan 224 within or otherwise coupled thereto. The fan 224 may be positioned on one end of the channel 214, thus providing a sort of second end wall. The embodiment illustrated herein includes a rectangular shaped catch tray 202 and corresponding channel 214, but other shapes and dimensions are contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure as varying to accommodate different sizes, makes, and types of printer systems. The channel 214 also includes tabs or other elements 226 on the outside of the channel 214, which extend from an open or substantially open bottom, which may include a mesh or slotted opening, and couple the channel 214 over at least a portion of the open top of the catch tray 202, thus serving as a mechanism for covering it. These tabs or other elements 226 may also be used to removably secure the system 200 and / or the channel 214 within the printer system for secure use.

[0114] The interior of the channel 214 is sized to act as a filter retainer and is therefore configured to hold the filter 228 in combination with the fan 224 which directs the airflow from the catch tray 202 to the filter 228. Thus, any ink ejected into the catch tray 202 that is in the air or that is not otherwise collected on the surface of the catch tray 202 is pulled into the filter 228 and thus prevented from entering the printer system. Thus, the system 200 has components that cooperate to capture and clean ink from one or more nozzles of the printer's printhead. The fan 224 helps to direct the airflow and control the direction of any ink mist generated so that the ink mist is captured by the filter 228 and / or in or on the interior surface of the catch tray 202. The filter 228 is removable from the channel 214 for subsequent cleaning and / or replacement, and the catch tray 202 and channel 214 are removable from the printer system and separable from one another for cleaning the interiors of both the tray 202 and the channel 214. The ink maintenance system allows for the removal of ink from the nozzles of the printheads to maintain the integrity of the print nozzles and ink cartridges and to prevent ink from building up on other areas of the printer.

[0115] The catch tray 202 and channel 214 may be made of metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel, although additional materials can be used, such as various hard plastics, that can withstand the environment within the printer and are easily cleanable via wiping and / or washing. The material of the tray 202 and channel 214 should be durable and lightweight.

[0116] In any one or more of the embodiments described herein, the food product is a dessert item such as a cookie. However, examples of food items include cookies of various shapes, sizes, and types, but the food items that can be printed using the system are not so limited. Frosting sheets, rice paper, bakery goods, and other food items having at least one substantially flat surface for printing an image can be printed using the system. The delivery tray can be configured with a positioning mechanism that is adjusted to the specific shape, size, thickness, type, etc. of the food product to be printed, and thus the system can be provided as a kit including the printer described herein, including a receiving arm and one or more delivery trays for delivery of one or more different food products of various sizes, dimensions, or food products having different dimensions.

[0117] In any one or more of the embodiments described herein, the system further comprises one or more control boards that communicate with a computer or controller to configure and initiate the printing process. However, the delivery tray, in combination with the receiving arm, is configured with one or more positioning mechanisms such that when the food product is delivered to the printer and positioned under the print head, the need for a sensing system or series of sensors to detect the position of the food product is eliminated. Sensors may be utilized in the printer to confirm the presence of the food product in the printer for printing. Sensors may be positioned on the print head and used to detect only the presence of the substrate for printing. The system is a fixed spot printing system, and therefore there is no need for any scanning regarding the position of the printing surface. The system also allows for the loading of non-printed food products and the unloading of printed food products during printing or otherwise "on the fly". The control board or boards enable delivery of a first food product, printing of the first food product, returning of the first food product, advancing of the delivery tray to provide a second food product for delivery, delivery of the second food product, printing of the second food product, returning of the second food product to the delivery tray, and advancing for delivery of one or more subsequent food products for printing and returning. Thus, the system enables the automated delivery, printing thereon, and returning of multiple food products.

[0118] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. 1. A system for printing on a surface of a plurality of food products, the system comprising: a printer configured to print on a food product surface, said printer comprising a print head; a receiving arm supported by the printer, the receiving arm being extendable and retractable across a path of the print head of the printer, the receiving arm being positioned to extend from and retract into the printer to receive one of the plurality of food products, deliver one of the plurality of food products to a position below the print head, and return the one of the plurality of food products after the food product has been printed; a delivery tray spaced from the printer, the delivery tray configured to support one of the plurality of food products thereon, the delivery tray configured to deliver one of the plurality of food products to the receiving arm for printing thereon; A system comprising:

2. A system for printing on a surface of a plurality of food products, the system comprising: a printer configured to print on a food product surface, said printer comprising a print head; a receiving arm supported by the printer, the receiving arm being extendable and retractable across a path of the print head of the printer, the receiving arm being positioned to extend from and retract into the printer to receive one of the plurality of food products, deliver one of the plurality of food products to a position below the print head, and return the one of the plurality of food products after the food product has been printed; Equipped with a housing of the printer having an upper portion and a lower portion with a cavity therebetween, the upper portion and the lower portion being connected by a hinge connection comprising one or more hinges such that the housing opens about the hinge connection between the upper portion and the lower portion to expose the cavity therebetween.

3. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein a printing area is positioned within the cavity, and one side of the housing has an opening to allow extension and retraction of the receiving arm to receive a food product within the cavity through the opening.

4. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the printer further comprises a gantry for linear movement of the print head therealong, a controller for the printer system, a print head ink maintenance system for cleaning one or more nozzles of the print head, an ink mist collection system, a removable debris tray, or combinations thereof.

5. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein one or more of the gantry, the controller, the printhead ink maintenance system, the ink mist collection system, the removable debris tray, or combinations thereof are positioned within the cavity.

6. A system for printing onto a surface of a plurality of food products, the system comprising: a printer configured to print on a food product surface, said printer comprising a print head; a receiving arm supported by the printer, the receiving arm being extendable and retractable across a path of the print head of the printer, the receiving arm being positioned to extend from and retract into the printer to receive one of the plurality of food products, deliver one of the plurality of food products to a position below the print head, and return the one of the plurality of food products after the food product has been printed; Equipped with The system wherein the upper surface of the receiving arm is a receiving surface having a texture or surface configured to increase the coefficient of friction between the receiving arm and the food product to retain the food product on the arm.

7. A method for automatically printing on a plurality of selected food products using a printer, the method comprising: selecting a food product platform for supporting at least one food product thereon; removably coupling the food product platform to a movable receiving arm; placing a food product on the food product platform; Positioning the food product platform within a printing area of ​​a printer; printing edible content directly onto a surface of said food product; extending the receiving arm and the food product platform toward an opening in a housing of the printer for receiving the food product thereon; retracting the receiving arm into the printer to position the food product under a print head of the printer; extending the receiving arm supported by the printer toward the opening in the housing of the printer for removal of the food product after printing thereon; A method comprising:

8. A method for automatically printing on a plurality of selected food products using a printer, the method comprising: selecting a food product platform for supporting at least one food product thereon; removably coupling the food product platform to a movable receiving arm; placing a food product on the food product platform; Positioning the food product platform within a printing area of ​​a printer; printing edible content directly onto a surface of said food product; moving an upper body of the printer away from a lower body of the printer about a hinge connection to expose a cavity therein; Removing one or more of the ink maintenance system, the ink mist collection system, and the debris tray for cleaning or replacement thereof; A method comprising:

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