Fluid application
Certain examples of apparatus for applying fluid in a printing system are described. The apparatus comprise a first chamber having a first aperture extending along a first axis, and a second chamber having a second aperture extending along a second axis, wherein the first axis is substantially parallel to the second axis. The second chamber is movable with respect to the first chamber. Also, methods for supplying a fluid, and printing systems are described.
1. An apparatus to apply a fluid in a printing system comprising:
a first chamber arranged to receive the fluid, the first chamber comprising a first housing, and a first elongate aperture extending along a first axis to discharge the fluid,
a second chamber arranged to receive the fluid, the second chamber comprising a second housing, and a second elongate aperture extending parallel to the first axis to discharge the fluid,
a third chamber arranged to receive the fluid, the third chamber comprising a third housing and a third elongate aperture extending parallel to the first axis to discharge the fluid,
wherein the second and third chambers are movable laterally with respect to the first chamber to adjust a width over which the fluid is collectively applied by the apertures of the first, second and third chambers,
wherein the second and third chambers are attached to an endless belt.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a linear guide, and wherein the second chamber is arranged to slide along the linear guide.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second chamber is arranged to be movable between a minimum width position and a maximum width position, wherein in the minimum width position, the second aperture substantially completely overlaps with the first aperture in a print medium transport direction.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein in the maximum width position the second aperture has a minimum overlap in the print medium transport direction with the first aperture.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second and third chambers are configured to move in opposite directions with respect to the first chamber.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the second and third chambers are configured to move in unison.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second chamber is attached to a front portion of the endless belt and the third chamber is attached to a rear portion of the endless belt so that movement of the belt causes the second and third chambers to move in opposite directions.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a length of the elongate aperture of the first chamber is twice that of the elongate aperture of the second and third chambers.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a manifold to provide four equal fluid flows to inlets of the first, second and third chambers, wherein the first chamber has two inlets and the second and third chambers each have one inlet.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a shim setting a size of the elongate aperture of the first chamber.
11. An apparatus to apply a fluid in a printing system comprising:
a first chamber arranged to receive the fluid, the first chamber comprising a first housing, and a first elongate aperture extending along a first axis to discharge the fluid,
a second chamber arranged to receive the fluid, the second chamber comprising a second housing, and a second elongate aperture parallel to the first axis to discharge the fluid,
a third chamber arranged to receive the fluid, the third chamber comprising a third housing and a third elongate aperture parallel to the first axis to discharge the fluid,
wherein the second and third chambers are movable laterally in directions parallel with the first axis and with respect to the first chamber so as to adjust a width over which the fluid is collectively applied by the first, second and third chambers,
wherein a length of the second and third apertures parallel to the first axis is substantially half a length of the first aperture along the first axis.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the second and third chambers are attached to an endless belt.
13. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the second chamber is attached to a front portion of the endless belt and the third chamber is attached to a rear portion of the endless belt so that movement of the belt causes the second and third chambers to move in opposite directions.
14. A printing system comprising:
the apparatus according to claim 1 , and further comprising a transfer member to transfer the fluid from the apparatus to a print medium, and wherein the transfer member comprises an anilox roller.
15. The printing system according to claim 14 , wherein the fluid is a primer fluid.
16. The printing system according to claim 14 , further comprising a doctor blade spaced from the first and second chambers in a direction of movement of the surface of the anilox roller.