System for aligning a sheet for simultaneous modification of a plurality of areas

Abstract

A system and method are described for aligning a sheet for simultaneous modification of a plurality of areas of the sheet. The sheet may be received by an alignment device from a feeder. The alignment device may angularly align the sheet, which may cause the sheet to become flush to the alignment device. The alignment device may adjust the sheet to correct for an offset alignment which may cause the sheet to be aligned with the direction of travel of the sheet. The alignment device may also align the sheet with a plurality of print heads. A conveyor may then pass the sheet beneath the plurality of print heads. The plurality of print heads may simultaneously modify the plurality of areas of the sheet.

1 . A method for aligning a sheet for simultaneous modification of a plurality of areas on the sheet, comprising:
 receiving, by an alignment device, a sheet comprising of a plurality of areas;   performing, by the alignment device, an angular alignment of the sheet, wherein the performing of the angular alignment causes the sheet to become flush to the alignment device;   adjusting, by the alignment device, the sheet to correct for an offset alignment, wherein adjusting the sheet causes the sheet to be aligned with a direction of travel of the sheet;   aligning, by the alignment device, the sheet with the plurality of print heads; and   passing, by a conveyor, the sheet beneath the plurality of print heads.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein aligning, by the alignment device, the sheet with a plurality of print heads further comprises:
 modifying, simultaneously by the plurality of print heads, the plurality of areas of the sheet.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein performing, by the alignment device, the angular alignment of the sheet further comprises passing, by the alignment device, the sheet into a pair of stops, wherein the pair of stops angularly align the sheet. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein adjusting, by the alignment device, the sheet to correct for the offset alignment further comprises pulling, by the alignment device, a side of the sheet to correct for the offset alignment. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein aligning, by the alignment device, the sheet with a plurality of print heads further comprises:
 transporting, by the alignment device, the sheet over a plurality of angled belts; and   pushing, by a plurality of belts and rollers, the sheet against a straight edge.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the sheet comprising of a plurality of areas further comprises receiving the sheet comprising of a plurality of areas from a pallet load feeder. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein aligning, by the alignment device, the sheet with the plurality of print heads further comprises aligning, by the alignment device, at least one of the plurality of areas of the sheet with at least one of the plurality of print heads 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the conveyor comprises of a friction conveyor. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 passing, by the conveyor, the sheet to an outfeed conveyor; and   passing, by the outfeed conveyor, the sheet beneath a curing device.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the outfeed conveyor allows for a variable cure time of the sheet. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising, passing, by the outfeed conveyor, the sheet to a pallet unload stacker. 
   
   
       12 . An alignment device for aligning a sheet with a plurality of print heads wherein the alignment device performs the steps of:
 receiving a sheet comprising of a plurality of areas;   performing an angular alignment of the sheet, wherein performing the angular alignment causes the sheet to be flush to the alignment device; and   adjusting the sheet to correct for an offset alignment, wherein the adjusting the sheet causes the sheet to be aligned with a direction of travel of the sheet; and   aligning the sheet with the plurality of print heads.   
   
   
       13 . The alignment device of  claim 12  wherein the step of aligning the sheet with the plurality of print heads further comprises aligning at least one of the plurality of areas of the sheet with at least one of the plurality of print heads. 
   
   
       14 . The alignment device of  claim 12  wherein the step of performing the angular alignment of the sheet further comprises passing the sheet into a pair of stops, wherein the pair of stops angularly aligns the sheet. 
   
   
       15 . The alignment device of  claim 12  wherein the step of adjusting the sheet to correct for the offset alignment further comprises pulling a side of the sheet to correct for the offset alignment. 
   
   
       16 . The alignment device of  claim 12  wherein the step of aligning the sheet with the plurality of print heads further comprises:
 transporting the sheet over a plurality of angled belts; and   pushing, by a plurality of rollers and belts, the sheet against a straight edge.   
   
   
       17 . A system for aligning a sheet with a plurality of print heads, the system comprising:
 means for receiving a sheet comprising of a plurality of areas;   means for performing an angular alignment of the sheet, wherein performing the angular alignment causes the sheet to be flush to an alignment platform;   means for adjusting the sheet to correct for an offset alignment, wherein the adjusting the sheet causes the sheet to be aligned with a direction of travel of the sheet; and; and   means for aligning the sheet with the plurality of print heads.   
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein means for aligning the sheet with the plurality of print heads further comprises means for aligning at least one of the plurality of areas of the sheet with at least one of the plurality of print heads. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein means for performing the angular alignment of the sheet further comprises means for passing the sheet into a pair of stops, wherein the pair of stops angularly aligns the sheet. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 17  wherein means for adjusting the sheet to correct for the offset alignment further comprises means for pulling a side of the sheet to correct for the offset alignment.