US 11,780,247 B2
Device and method for transporting substrates in a printing machine
Edmond Abergel, Paris (FR); and Louis Gautier Le Boulch, Meudon (FR)
Assigned to MGI Digital Technology, Fresnes (FR)
Filed by MGI Digital Technology, Fresnes (FR)
Filed on Mar. 2, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/190,309.
Application 17/190,309 is a continuation of application No. 16/304,688, granted, now 10,960,689, previously published as PCT/EP2017/062714, filed on May 25, 2017.
Claims priority of application No. 16305614 (EP), filed on May 27, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0197588 A1, Jul. 1, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B41J 11/06 (2006.01); B41J 11/00 (2006.01); B65G 54/02 (2006.01); B65H 5/04 (2006.01)
CPC B41J 11/06 (2013.01) [B41J 11/007 (2013.01); B41J 11/0085 (2013.01); B65G 54/02 (2013.01); B65H 5/04 (2013.01); B65H 2405/352 (2013.01); B65H 2405/3521 (2013.01); B65H 2801/15 (2013.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for transporting substrates in a printing machine comprising one or more treatment stations, including at least one printing station, along a transport path from at least one input area supplying the printable and/or printed substrates up to at least one output area receiving the treated substrates, comprising a substrate conveyor for guiding and moving the substrates through the treatment stations, the conveyor comprising at least one carriage, which holds the substrates in a stationary position and which transports the substrates along the transport path; and
wherein:
1. The substrate-transport device comprises a drive system for moving the carriage along the transport path;
2. The substrate-transport device being equipped with at least one displacement detection system for detecting displacement to measure a displacement of the carriage relative to the transport path and at least one other displacement detection system for measuring a displacement of the carriage relative to one of the treatment stations; and
3. the carriage comprises a table for holding the substrate in a stationary position relative to the table along the transport path during the treatment(s) of the substrate;
wherein the displacement detection system for measuring the displacement of the carriage relative to the transport path comprises at least one displacement sensor “O” comprising a movable part and a fixed part, and the displacement detection system for measuring the displacement of the carriage relative to the treatment station(s) comprises a displacement sensor “M” comprising a movable part and a fixed part, the fixed part of the displacement sensor “O” is a ruler positioned along the transport path, the movable part of the displacement sensor “O” is a reader integrated into the carriage, the movable part of the displacement sensor “M” is a ruler fixed to the carriage, and the fixed part of the displacement sensor “M” is a reader integrated in the treatment station(s).