Disclosed is a plant for continuously drying a coated film including a cavity (3) with a first open end (3a) through which a film (F) enters and a second open end (3b) through which the dried film exits, a plurality of rollers (7) for supporting the film inside the cavity (3), a feed and extraction system (10) adapted to feed a flow of air to a first blowing element (9), adapted to direct a flow of air onto the surface of the coated film (F), and to extract a flow of air from the cavity (3) through a suction element (27, 28), characterized in that it includes a second blowing element (11) fed by the feed and extraction system (10), adapted to direct a flow of heated air onto the opposite surface of the film.

Disclosed is a plant for continuously drying a coated film including a cavity (3) with a first open end (3a) through which a film (F) enters and a second open end (3b) through which the dried film exits, a plurality of rollers (7) for supporting the film inside the cavity (3), a feed and extraction system (10) adapted to feed a flow of air to a first blowing element (9), adapted to direct a flow of air onto the surface of the coated film (F), and to extract a flow of air from the cavity (3) through a suction element (27, 28), characterized in that it includes a second blowing element (11) fed by the feed and extraction system (10), adapted to direct a flow of heated air onto the opposite surface of the film.

Systems and methods for adjustable interlacing of drying rollers in a print system. One system is an apparatus that includes first rollers that conduct heat from a heat source, and dry a web of print media as the web travels over a front side of the first rollers in a first direction. A last roller of the first rollers turns the web in a second direction. The apparatus also includes second rollers disposed a distance above the first rollers and that transport the web in the second direction. The apparatus further includes a movement mechanism that reduces the distance between the second rollers and the first rollers to cause the second rollers to occupy spaces between the first rollers so that the web traveling in the second direction contacts a back side of the first rollers to further dry the web.

Systems and methods for adjustable interlacing of drying rollers in a print system. One system is an apparatus that includes first rollers that conduct heat from a heat source, and dry a web of print media as the web travels over a front side of the first rollers in a first direction. A last roller of the first rollers turns the web in a second direction. The apparatus also includes second rollers disposed a distance above the first rollers and that transport the web in the second direction. The apparatus further includes a movement mechanism that reduces the distance between the second rollers and the first rollers to cause the second rollers to occupy spaces between the first rollers so that the web traveling in the second direction contacts a back side of the first rollers to further dry the web.

Microwave dryers and a method of fabricating microwave dryers are disclosed. The microwave dryers include a microwave source that generates electromagnetic energy to dry a wet colorant applied to a continuous-form print medium. The microwave dryers further include a microwave waveguide electromagnetically coupled to the microwave source that transports the electromagnetic energy between a first end and a second end. The microwave waveguide includes a passageway that is sized to pass the continuous-form print medium through the microwave waveguide. The microwave dryer further includes a plurality of microwave absorbing elements within the microwave waveguide that absorb the electromagnetic energy and heat the wet colorant.

Systems and methods for concentric duct system for a dryer of a printing system. One embodiment includes a dryer of a printing system and a duct system. The dryer includes web conditioners sources to condition a web of print media, intake ports to supply air for the web conditioners, and outlet ports to remove air for the web conditioners. The duct system includes a supply hub and a return hub. The supply hub includes a tubular body with a lower portion and an upper portion, and supply nodes around the lower portion. The return hub includes a body around the upper portion of the supply hub, and return nodes around the body. The duct system further includes supply ducts to connect the supply nodes and the intake ports, and return ducts to connect the return nodes and the outlet ports.

Systems and methods for adjustable interlacing of drying rollers in a print system. One system is an apparatus that includes first rollers that conduct heat from a heat source, and dry a web of print media as the web travels over a front side of the first rollers in a first direction. A last roller of the first rollers turns the web in a second direction. The apparatus also includes second rollers disposed a distance above the first rollers and that transport the web in the second direction. The apparatus further includes a movement mechanism that reduces the distance between the second rollers and the first rollers to cause the second rollers to occupy spaces between the first rollers so that the web traveling in the second direction contacts a back side of the first rollers to further dry the web.

Microwave dryers and a method of fabricating microwave dryers are disclosed. The microwave dryers include a microwave source that generates electromagnetic energy to dry a wet colorant applied to a continuous-form print medium. The microwave dryers further include a microwave waveguide electromagnetically coupled to the microwave source that transports the electromagnetic energy between a first end and a second end. The microwave waveguide includes a passageway that is sized to pass the continuous-form print medium through the microwave waveguide. The microwave dryer further includes a plurality of microwave absorbing elements within the microwave waveguide that absorb the electromagnetic energy and heat the wet colorant.

Serpentine microwave dryers and a method of fabricating same are disclosed. The serpentine microwave dryers utilize microwave waveguides that includes passages through a short axis of the microwave waveguides that are sized to pass a continuous-form print medium. A long axis of the microwave waveguides are positioned across a width of a media path of the continuous-from print medium. Electromagnetic energy transported along the microwave waveguides is used to dry wet colorants applied to the continuous-form print medium. At least one of the microwave waveguides has an offset from other microwave waveguides that is perpendicular to the media path of the continuous-form print medium. The offset reduces an attenuation of the electromagnetic energy in microwave waveguide(s) that are offset.

Serpentine microwave dryers and a method of fabricating same are disclosed. The serpentine microwave dryers utilize microwave waveguides that includes passages through a short axis of the microwave waveguides that are sized to pass a continuous-form print medium. A long axis of the microwave waveguides are positioned across a width of a media path of the continuous-from print medium. Electromagnetic energy transported along the microwave waveguides is used to dry wet colorants applied to the continuous-form print medium. At least one of the microwave waveguides has an offset from other microwave waveguides that is perpendicular to the media path of the continuous-form print medium. The offset reduces an attenuation of the electromagnetic energy in microwave waveguide(s) that are offset.