Abstract: A removal system for removing an interleaf sheet that is interposed between plate sheets in an imaging system, wherein said removal system contains a substantially horizontal member, at least two roller assemblies, a disposal roller assembly, a rail assembly, and at least one springing roller.

Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a media transportation apparatus that is comprised a conveying and supporting sections. The conveying section is comprised of a motor and a first timing belt, wherein operation of the motor causes the first timing belt to travel in a first direction. The supporting section is comprised of rollers configured to roll in the same first direction. The first timing belt has a belt surface and the rollers have a rolling surface, such that the belt surface and the rolling surface are substantially coplanar with respect to one another. The apparatus receives media of any size from an imager that is operating at a first speed, transport the media with a transporter operating at a second speed, and deliver the media to a processor operating at a third speed. The first speed, second speed, and third speed, need not be the same speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods that remove an interleaf sheet interposed between plate sheets from a material stack used, for example, in a computer-to-plate imaging system and/or environment. Embodiments of the system and method can also remove plate sheets from an interleaf sheet, and transport the plate sheet for subsequent imaging.

Abstract: A platesetting system and method comprising a pair of dual capstan rollers that receives a recording medium and records an image on the received medium as the medium is transported through the system. The system and method advantageously enable at least a portion of the image to extend from a leading edge of the medium to a trailing edge of the medium.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a guide which transports a recording medium and a roller which holds the recording medium in place to pull the recording medium through an imaging plane defined by a surface of the roller. A device forms an image onto the recording medium at the imaging plane. The roller is a vacuum roller that uses a vacuum produced at the imaging plane to hold the recording medium in place during transport and imaging.

Abstract: A platesetting system and method comprising a pair of dual capstan rollers that receives a recording medium and records an image on the received medium as the medium is transported through the system. The system and method advantageously enable at least a portion of the image to extend from a leading edge of the medium to a trailing edge of the medium.

Abstract: A vacuum roller includes a roller having transverse holes and surface holes, in which each of the surface holes intersects with at least one of the transverse holes. A cap mates to a portion of the roller where the transverse holes are exposed. The cap has a cavity that aligns to at least one of the transverse holes and remains substantially stationary during rotation of the roller. A vacuum device evacuates the cavity.

Abstract: Tension is controlled in a recording medium fed from a roll by detecting a rotational velocity of the roll as the recording medium is fed, and applying a torque to the roll to maintain tension in the recording medium. The torque applied by the motor is controlled based on the rotational velocity of the roll.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying a recording medium includes first and second rollers which define a common area through which the recording medium is conveyed. The first and second rollers contact the recording medium in the common area and rotate in concert to convey the recording medium from the common area. A cam leverages the second roller to vary an amount of nonzero force applied to the recording medium in the common area.

Abstract: The invention features a flat field image printing apparatus. The printing apparatus includes: a light source responsive to an image modulated signal and producing a image modulated light beam; a beam deflector supported for rotary motion to deflect the image modulated light beam onto an image recording medium in response to the rotary motion; and a lens assembly configured to convert the deflected image modulated light beam into an achromatic focused beam spot which moves repeatedly in a first scan direction and over a range of scan angles to provide a highly resolved printed image across the recording medium. In other aspects, the invention features a high-speed printing apparatus employing multiple light sources, and an achromatic f-theta lens for use in such printing apparati.

Abstract: A light scanner includes a beam deflector supported for rotary motion to deflect an incoming light beam into an image field in response to being rotationally aligned. A motor mechanically couples to rotate the deflector in and out of the rotational alignment. The beam deflector scans the image field with the deflected incoming light in response to being rotated. A gas permeable screen structure partially encloses a region adjacent the rotating beam deflector and reduces gas turbulence in the region of the deflector.

Abstract: Improvements in apparatus for making a halftone reproduction of an original document, of the type having an optical system comprising a source of light and a deflecting member for providing deflecting scanning and recording beams, a drive for providing relative motion between the original document and the scanning beam in a direction transverse to the direction of deflection thereof so that the scanning beam will trace a succession of scan lines across the document respectively during a succession of scanning cycles, an electro-optical pickup operative during each scanning cycle to detect the light from the scanning beam after it has impinged upon the document and to thereby provide an electrical output representative of the tone density (including any variation thereof) of the document along the scan line traced during that scanning cycle, video circuitry connected to the pickup for converting the electrical output into a video signal, a source of a succession of dot reference signals representative of the d