Drying method for a printer

1. A method for drying a moving web of media in a printer, the method comprising the steps of:

loading the web in a path that traverses a compartment in a dryer within the printer, the compartment having an opening across the top;

allowing the moving web to descend into the compartment, as required, so as to adopt a suspended partial loop; and

blowing heated air from above the opening into the compartment so as to dry printing on the suspended partial loop of the media web.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

a door covers the opening and acts to support the web when the door is closed.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of:

opening the door along an axis transverse to the path to reveal the opening.

4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of:

operating the door with a motor that operates a spool;

the spool winding and releasing a cord which operates the door.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

heating the web with a preheater in the path and located before the opening.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein:

the preheater is in the same plane as the door.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the source of heated air comprises a blower which feeds a stream of air into a plenum in which is located a heating element.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of:

using a temperature sensor in the plenum to control the flow of heated air.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

recirculating air from the compartment through a recirculation duct.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of:

recirculating air from the compartment to an intake of an air supply that feeds the compartment.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of:

exhausting air from the recirculation duct through a tube which extends upwardly from the compartment and includes an exhaust vent at an upper extremity.

12. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of:

using a second blower which feeds a stream of air into the plenum.

13. The method of claim 7 , wherein:

the plenum has external recirculation ducts for the compartment at either end.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the compartment has two vents, each one supplying vented air to a separate recirculation duct, the ducts located on opposite sides of the compartment, each duct supplying recirculated air to a source of heated air and each one having an exhaust opening at an upper extremity.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein:

the source of heated air is a pair of blowers which can receive recirculated air from the compartment.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein:

the blowers are located above the plenum.

17. The method of claim 7 , wherein:

the dryer is located within an on-demand wallpaper printer and is controlled by a processor which controls the printer.

18. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer has a full width digital color printhead such that the web of media is printed by the printhead at a rate exceeding 0.02 square meters per second (775 square feet per hour).

19. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer has a full width digital color printhead such that the web of media is printed by the printhead at a rate exceeding 0.1 square meters per second (3875 square feet per hour).

20. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer has a full width digital color printhead such that the web of media is printed by the printhead at a rate exceeding 0.2 square meters per second (7750 square feet per hour).

21. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer has a full width digital color printhead and the printhead has more than 7680 nozzles.

22. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer has a full width digital color printhead and the printhead has more than 20,000 nozzles.

23. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer has a full width digital color printhead and the printhead has more than 100,000 nozzles.

24. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer has a full width digital color printhead and the printhead has more than 250,000 nozzles.

25. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer has a full width digital color printhead and the printhead prints ink drops with a volume of less than 5 picoliters.

26. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer has a full width digital color printhead and the printhead prints ink drops with a volume of less than 3 picoliters.

27. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer has a full width digital color printhead and the printhead prints ink drops with a volume of less than 1.5 picoliters.

28. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer is a self contained printer for producing rolls of wallpaper, the printer comprising:

a cabinet in which is located a media path which extends from a media cartridge loading area to a winding area;

a full width digital color printhead located in the media path;

a processor which accepts operator inputs which are used to configure the printer for producing a particular roll; and

the winding area adapted to removably retain a core and wind onto it, wallpaper produced by the printer.

29. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein utilizing an on-demand printer further comprises:

loading a media cartridge into the printer, the media cartridge, comprising:

a case in which a roll of blank media may be deployed;

the case having two halves, hinged together, an area between the two halves, when closed, defining a media supply slot; and

the case having internally and adjacent to the slot, a pair of rollers, at least one of the rollers being a driven roller which is supported at each end, by the case, for rotation by an external motor.

30. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a consumer tote for carrying the roll of wallpaper, the tote comprising:

a disposable exterior in which is formed a main access flap and a pair of core access openings; and

the tote having an interior in which is located a disposable core which is aligned with the access openings.

31. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer has a transverse cutter, the transverse cutter comprising:

a chassis having end plates;

the end plates being separated to allow a web of media to pass between them;

the end plates supporting between them a cutting blade; and

the blade supported at each end to perform a cutting motion which begins on one side of the web and fishes on an opposite side of the web.

32. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer has a slitting mechanism, the slitting mechanism comprising:

a chassis having end plates;

the end plates being separated by a transverse portion of the chassis to allow a web of media to pass between them;

one or more rotating slitting shafts extending between the end plates, each shaft having one or more slitters arranged along its length, each slitter having a cutting edge; and

the slitting mechanism selectively engageable to either enter or not enter a path followed by the web according to an input provided by an operator of the printer.

33. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer has a dryer, the dryer comprising:

a compartment with a top opening for receiving a media web fed from the printer;

a source of heated air located above the top opening for blowing heated air into the opening to dry printing on the media web.

34. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer comprises:

a cabinet in which is located a media path which extends from a media loading area to a winding area;

a printhead located in the media path;

a processor which accepts operator inputs from one or more input devices which are used to configure the printer for producing a particular roll; and

the winding area adapted to removably retain a core and wind onto it, wallpaper produced by the printer wherein,

the length and design of the roll are determined by the operator inputs.

35. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

utilizing an on-demand printer comprising a cabinet in which is located a media path which extends from a media loading area to a winding area, there being a printhead located in the media path, a processor which accepts operator inputs from one or more input devices;

using one or more input devices which communicate with the processor to capture data from an operator regarding a specification for an operator's requirements;

using the processor to operatively control the printer according to the data; and

printing a single roll of wallpaper, on demand, according to a selected pattern.

36. A method as claimed in claim 1 adapted for operating a wallpaper printing business, the method further comprising the steps of:

utilizing an on-demand printer comprising a cabinet in which is located a media path which extends from a media loading area to a printhead and from the printhead to a dispensing slot;

using one or more printer input devices which communicate with a processor to capture data regarding one or more customer's requirements;

the data comprising at least a customer selected pattern;

printing a roll of wallpaper, onto a web of blank media, on demand, according to the selected pattern; and

charging a customer for the roll.

37. A method as claimed in claim 1 adapted for operating a wallpaper printing franchise, the method further comprising the steps of:

providing to franchisees, an on-demand printer comprising a cabinet in which is located a media path which extends from a media loading area to a printhead and from the printhead to a dispensing slot;

the printer having one or more printer input devices which communicate with a processor to capture data regarding one or more customer requirements, the data comprising at least a customer selected pattern;

providing the franchisee with a collection of patterns in a digital storage medium that can be read by the printer;

enabling the franchisee to print a roll of wallpaper, onto a web of blank media, on demand, according to the selected pattern; and

obtaining or attempting to obtain a fee from the franchisee.

38. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer adapted to produce rolls of wallpaper, the printer comprising:

a frame in which is located a media path which extends from a media loading area to a winding area;

a printhead located across the media path;

one or more input devices for capturing operator instructions;

a processor which accepts operator inputs which are used to configure the printer for producing a particular roll; and

the winding area adapted to removably retain a core and wind onto it, wallpaper produced by the printer.

39. A method as claimed in claim 1 adapted for printing wallpaper onto a web of media, the method further comprising the steps of:

utilizing an on-demand printer comprising a cabinet in which is located a media path, there being a full width printhead located across the media path, there being a processor which accepts operator inputs from one or more input devices and which controls the printer;

using one or more input devices which communicate with the processor to capture data from an operator regarding a specification;

running the printer according to the data;

printing a single roll of wallpaper, on demand, according to a selected pattern and configuration;

changing the pattern according to a new datum from an operator; and

then printing a new roll onto the same web.

40. A method as claimed in claim 1 adapted for supplying a media web to a wallpaper printer, further comprising the steps of:

opening a reusable case;

placing into the case a core onto which has been located a supply roll of blank wallpaper media;

supporting the core for rotation within the case;

leading a free edge of the roll between a pair of rollers and past an edge of the open case; then

with the rollers located within the case and on either side of the web, closing the case and loading it into a printer.

41. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer has a printhead assembly which prints onto a moving web that follows a path, the assembly comprising:

a full width printhead located across the path;

the printhead comprising a color printhead which is at least as wide as the web;

the printhead being supplied with a number of different inks which are remote from the printhead and which supply the printhead through tubes.

42. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer is adapted to produce rolls of wallpaper, the printer comprising:

a housing in which is located a media path which extends from a blank media intake to a wallpaper exit slot;

a multi-color roll width removable printhead located in the housing and across the media path;

the printhead being supplied by separate ink reservoirs, the reservoirs connected to the printhead by a an ink supply harness, there being a disconnect coupling between the reservoirs and the printhead;

one or more input devices for capturing operator instructions;

a processor which accepts operator inputs which are used to configure the printer for producing a particular roll.

43. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a consumer tote for carrying the roll of wallpaper, the tote comprising:

a disposable exterior in which is formed a main access flap and a pair of core access openings;

the tote having an interior in which is located a disposable core which is aligned with the access openings;

both openings exposing a moulded coupling, one coupling attached to each end of the core, at least one of the couplings being a driven coupling and adapted to engage a driving spindle that rotates the core.

44. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer is adapted to print onto a moving web, the printer comprising:

a full width stationary printhead located on a rail along which it slides for service and removal;

a number of replaceable ink reservoirs which supply the printhead with different inks;

the printhead comprising a color printhead which is at least as wide as the web; and

the printhead being supplied with the different inks through tubes which can be disconnected so the printhead may be removed.

45. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the printer is a self threading printer for producing rolls of wallpaper, the printer comprising:

a media loading area adapted to support a media cartridge in a position so that a media supply slot of the cartridge is closely adjacent to a pilot guide;

a cabinet housing a media path which extends from the pilot guide to a printed media dispensing slot;

a printhead located across the media path;

a processor which accepts operator inputs which are used to configure the printer for producing a particular roll;

a motor within the cabinet for advancing a media web out of the media cartridge; and

one or more other motors adapted to urge the media along the path and out of the slot.

46. A method as claimed in claim 1 adapted for producing wallpaper on-demand, the method further comprising the steps of:

utilizing an on-demand printer comprising a cabinet in which is located a media path which passes a printhead on the way to a dispensing slot;

selecting a pattern and a configuration;

using one or more printer input devices which communicate with a processor to input the pattern and the configuration; and

printing a roll of wallpaper, onto a web of blank media, on demand, according to the selected pattern and configuration.