Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a platen for supporting a media sheet. The platen includes a contact surface, a channel and air passage. The channel is defined in the contact surface and includes a varying cross-sectional area along at least a portion of a length of the channel. The air passage extends from the channel to deliver negative pressure to the channel. The depth of the channel at the second end is less than the depth of the channel at the first end, and the width of the channel at the first end is greater than the width of the channel at second end.

Abstract: An ink-jet apparatus is disclosed having a vacuum type print media transport subsystem for moving the print media through a printing zone. A transport belt is provided with an array of perforations such that vacuum flow is restricted. The perforations only pass vacuum induced airflow through the belt when over vacuum ported platen regions.

Abstract: A method for determining a present air density for an imaging mechanism is presented. During a first time period: in a determining and storing action, a nominal air density is stored. In an increasing action, a fan input is increased until a known pressure in a cavity coupled to a fan receiving the fan input has been reached. In a determining and storing action, a nominal fan parameter is determined and stored after the known pressure is reached. During a second time period: in an increasing action, the fan input is increased until the known pressure in the cavity has been reached. In a determining action, a present fan parameter is determined after the known pressure is reached. In a calculating action, the present air density is calculated from the present fan parameter, the nominal fan parameter, and either the known pressure or the nominal air density.

Abstract: A vacuum platen and method for use thereof in a printing device are disclosed. An apparatus embodiment includes a first surface having a plurality of first apertures therethrough, a labyrinth configured to include a plurality of passageways each of which is fluidly coupled to at least one of the first apertures, and a second surface having a plurality of second apertures therethrough each of which is fluidly coupled to the vacuum source and at least one of the passageways thereby establishing an airflow from the first apertures, through the passageways, and out the second apertures. The vacuum platen also includes at least one receptacle in each of the passageways, each receptacle configured to collect debris from the airflow as it travels through the labyrinth.

Abstract: A printer with a media transport has a rigid, air-transmissive platen. A movable air-transmissive flexible web overlies the platen and moves along a feed axis. A suction device communicates with the platen to draw air through the web and through the platen so that a sheet of media carried on the web is biased toward the platen. A manifold underlies the platen and has a number of separate chambers open to the platen, so that the suction device is connected to each of the chambers. A controller operates to selectably prevent communication between the suction device and at least some of the chambers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed herein for drying printing composition on a print medium. A disclosed apparatus for use in a printing device configured to dispose printing composition on a print medium includes a blower configured to provide an airflow and a heater configured to heat the airflow. The apparatus also includes a duct coupled to the blower and configured to conduct the heated airflow by the print medium to help dry the printing composition on the print medium and a vacuum box coupled to the heated airflow and configured to provide a hold-down force on the print medium adjacent the vacuum box. Further characteristics and features of the present invention are disclosed herein, as are exemplary alternative embodiments. This abstract is not to be used in the interpretation of any of the claims.

Abstract: A printer with a media transport has a rigid, air-transmissive platen. A movable air-transmissive flexible web overlies the platen and moves along a feed axis. A suction device communicates with the platen to draw air through the web and through the platen so that a sheet of media carried on the web is biased toward the platen. A manifold underlies the platen and has a number of separate chambers open to the platen, so that the suction device is connected to each of the chambers. A controller operates to selectably prevent communication between the suction device and at least some of the chambers.

Abstract: An ink-jet apparatus employs a platen having an array of vacuum ports that are each filtered. The filter is constructed to provide restricted-airflow rates which remain uniform when the platen is either fully covered or partially uncovered. The filter mechanism provides both airflow restrictions such that ink drop flight trajectories in the printing zone are unaffected, acoustic dampening of the vacuum pump is provided, and vacuum pressure is kept relatively high proximate the print media edges.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed herein for drying printing composition on a print medium. A disclosed apparatus for use in a printing device configured to dispose printing composition on a print medium includes a blower configured to provide an airflow and a heater configured to heat the airflow. The apparatus also includes a duct coupled to the blower and configured to conduct the heated airflow by the print medium to help dry the printing composition on the print medium and a vacuum box coupled to the heated airflow and configured to provide a hold-down force on the print medium adjacent the vacuum box. Further characteristics and features of the present invention are disclosed herein, as are exemplary alternative embodiments. This abstract is not to be used in the interpretation of any of the claims.

Abstract: An ink-jet apparatus is disclosed having a vacuum type print media transport subsystem for moving the print media through a printing zone. A transport belt is provided with an array of perforations such that vacuum flow is restricted. The perforations only pass vacuum induced airflow through the belt when over vacuum ported platen regions.

Abstract: A vacuum platen and method for use thereof in a printing device are disclosed. An apparatus embodiment includes a first surface having a plurality of first apertures therethrough, a labyrinth configured to include a plurality of passageways each of which is fluidly coupled to at least one of the first apertures, and a second surface having a plurality of second apertures therethrough each of which is fluidly coupled to the vacuum source and at least one of the passageways thereby establishing an airflow from the first apertures, through the passageways, and out the second apertures. The vacuum platen also includes at least one receptacle in each of the passageways, each receptacle configured to collect debris from the airflow as it travels through the labyrinth.

Abstract: A vacuum platen and method for use thereof in a printing device are disclosed. An apparatus embodiment includes a first surface having a plurality of first apertures therethrough, a labyrinth configured to include a plurality of passageways each of which is fluidly coupled to at least one of the first apertures, and a second surface having a plurality of second apertures therethrough each of which is fluidly coupled to the vacuum source and at least one of the passageways thereby establishing an airflow from the first apertures, through the passageways, and out the second apertures. The vacuum platen also includes at least one receptacle in each of the passageways, each receptacle configured to collect debris from the airflow as it travels through the labyrinth.

Abstract: An ink-jet apparatus is disclosed having a vacuum type print media transport subsystem for moving the print media through a printing zone. A transport belt is provided with an array of perforations such that vacuum flow is restricted. The perforations only pass vacuum induced airflow through the belt when over vacuum ported platen regions.

Abstract: Methogology and apparatus are described which employ an improved modular service station design wherein a printhead-servicing sled is selectively vertically driven to effect execution of servicing tasks. In keeping with its desired modularity, the sled is made readily removable using an improved clamp and sled arrangement. The sled is driven by a unique drive system such drive system being capable of effectively selectively stalling or locking instrumentality such as the sled in various positions defined along its path of vertical movement. To save time and space, both the printhead and the servicing mechanism such as the wipers and the caps are moved so as to place them in proper relative positions for execution of a task.

Abstract: A sheet media realignment mechanism is described for use in, for example, a printer. Preferably, the mechanism includes a lever located in the sheet-feeding path adjacent and beneath a rotatable member that mounts a plurality of sheet-feeding rollers. At the beginning of a sheet-feeding cycle, the lever is urged from its extreme upstream pivotal orientation by a pivot-mounted strut into a downstream orientation in which a top sheet of the printer's infeed stack is fed by frictional forces into the feed zone. Upon release of the lever by the strut at a predefined pivotal orientation of the rotatable member, the lever is urged farther into an extreme downstream orientation by the sheet being advanced.

Abstract: The invented printer includes a carriage-actuated clutch and a motor-driven gear element. The clutch is selectively engageable with the element and causes the printer to perform different tasks when engaged. More specifically, the invented printer includes a motor-driven gear, a printhead and a printhead carriage, a clutch having a flexible portion, and a gripping surface on the flexible portion for engaging the motor-driven gear. To actuate the clutch, the carriage pushes against the clutch causing it to flex and engage the motor-driven gear. When engaged, rotating the gear a predetermined distance causes the clutch to rotate a predetermined distance, in turn causing the printer to perform a certain task. Continuing to rotate the clutch causes the printer to perform other tasks.The invented printer also includes a paper-feed mechanism for picking up and feeding a sheet of paper into the printer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for operating an ink jet print head 14 of the type having an air chamber 64 to which a stream of air is delivered and an ink chamber 32. A valve 48 interrupts the flow of air to the air chamber 64 from time to time, such as after each copy of a print is printed by the print head. This reduces the air pressure within the air chamber 64 and permits ink from ink chamber 32 to enter the air chamber 64 and replenish ink within the air chamber. The ink pressure is increased while the air pressure is reduced. This reduces the time required to replenish the ink. With the ink in the air chamber maintained at a consistent quantity and shape, the convergence of ink drops on printing medium is enhanced.