Envelope Printing Head Interference via Segmented Image Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face difficulties in printing on envelopes due to the varying profile of envelopes, which causes interferences between the flap and the print heads, leading to potential failures in transfer, deformation, or degradation of print quality.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that stores image data for both the back and flap of an envelope, generating and printing separate data sets for the back and flap to ensure consistent printing without interference, using an image data memory and mapper to manage and print the data in a way that prevents head interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flap is folded back to close the envelope, then the envelope can be sealed properly, but the profile becomes thickened and causes interference between the flap and print heads
Solution Approach 1:
The printing process is segmented into two separate operations: first printing on the back of the envelope body, then printing on the face of the flap after it is folded back. This segmentation allows each printing operation to be performed on a flat, accessible surface, avoiding interference between the folded flap and print heads while ensuring complete coverage of the back surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The back of the envelope body is printed on first, before the flap is folded back. This preliminary action ensures that the back surface is completely printed without interference from the folded flap, and subsequent printing on the flap face completes the coverage after the flap is in its final closed position.
2Manufacturing precision
If printing is performed on the back of the envelope with the flap folded back, then complete coverage is achieved, but the varying profile causes variations in head gap and potential printing failures
Solution Approach 1:
The printing operation is divided into two separate printing sections: one for the back of the envelope body and another for the face of the flap. Each section is printed independently when the surface is flat and accessible, eliminating head gap variations caused by the folded flap profile while ensuring complete back surface coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The back of the envelope body is printed on first, while the flap is in its open, flat position, ensuring optimal head gap and printing stability. After this preliminary printing, the flap is folded back, and then the flap face is printed, completing the coverage without encountering head gap issues.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the flap is left open during printing, then head interference is avoided, but parts of the backside data may be hidden when the flap is closed afterward
Solution Approach 1:
The backside data is segmented into two parts: data printed on the back of the envelope body and data printed on the face of the flap. By printing on the flap face after it is folded back, the solution ensures that no backside data is hidden, while avoiding head interference by performing the flap printing operation when the flap is in its folded position.
Solution Approach 2:
The back of the envelope body is printed on first, while the flap is open. Then the flap is folded back, and the flap face is printed subsequently. This sequence ensures complete backside data visibility while avoiding head interference during both printing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming machine includes an image data memory, an image data mapper, and a printer. For an envelope, the image data memory stores image data to be printed on a back of the body and a face of the flap, as backside image data. Based on this data, the image data mapper generates print data including a first print data to be printed on the body back and a second print data to be printed on the flap face. The printer prints a part of the backside image data on the body back in accordance with the first print data, and a remaining part of the backside image data on the flap face in accordance with the second print data.