Method and apparatus for substrate handling and printing
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for transferring substrates to and from a printer, comprising:
- a first storage unit for storing substrates prior to a printing operation, the first storage unit having a plurality of vertically stacked substrate supports;
a platen for receiving a substrate from said first storage unit, aligning the substrate with a printhead prior to a printing operation, and displacing the substrate subsequent to a printing operation to an unloading position;
a second storage unit for storing substrates subsequent to said printing operation, the second storage unit having a plurality of vertically stacked substrate supports;
wherein the first and second storage units are movable vertically with respect to the platen, and in use, relative vertical movement of the first storage unit and the platen transfers a substrate from the supports of the first storage unit to the platen, and relative vertical movement of the second storage unit and the platen transfers a substrate from the platen to the supports of the second storage unit.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method are described for transferring substrates to and from a printer. In a described embodiment, the apparatus includes a pair of storage units for vertically stacking substrates, and a laterally moveable platen. The storage units are moveable vertically with respect to the platen in order to transfer substrates to and from the platen. The apparatus and method have particular application in the handling and printing large numbers of biological samples on glass slides.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. Apparatus for transferring substrates to and from a printer, comprising:
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a first storage unit for storing substrates prior to a printing operation, the first storage unit having a plurality of vertically stacked substrate supports;
a platen for receiving a substrate from said first storage unit, aligning the substrate with a printhead prior to a printing operation, and displacing the substrate subsequent to a printing operation to an unloading position;
a second storage unit for storing substrates subsequent to said printing operation, the second storage unit having a plurality of vertically stacked substrate supports;
wherein the first and second storage units are movable vertically with respect to the platen, and in use, relative vertical movement of the first storage unit and the platen transfers a substrate from the supports of the first storage unit to the platen, and relative vertical movement of the second storage unit and the platen transfers a substrate from the platen to the supports of the second storage unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for printing substrates on a platen, the method comprising the steps of:
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printing a first substrate by imparting linear movement to the printhead, thereby causing the printhead to traverse the first substrate in a first direction;
aligning a second substrate with the printhead, whilst reversing the direction of motion of the printhead;
printing the second substrate by imparting linear movement to the printhead, thereby causing the printhead to traverse the second substrate in a second direction opposite to the first. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for printing substrates on a platen, the method comprising the steps of:
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printing a first substrate whilst simultaneously transferring a further substrate between the platen and a substrate storage unit;
aligning the further substrate with the printhead;
printing the further substrate. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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23. A method for printing substrates on a platen, the method comprising the steps of:
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printing a substrate by imparting linear movement to the printhead, thereby causing the printhead to traverse the substrate in a first direction, whilst simultaneously transferring a further substrate between the platen and a substrate storage unit;
aligning the further substrate with the printhead while reversing the direction of motion of the printhead;
printing the further substrate by imparting linear movement to the printhead, thereby causing the printhead to traverse the substrate in a second direction opposite to the first.
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Specification