Abstract: A printing assembly for printing on porous sheets of media from a stack of such sheets includes a retaining structure that is configured to retain the stack in an aligned condition. A pick-up device on the retaining structure includes a gas conduit that is in fluid communication with a gas supply and a nozzle arrangement that is in fluid communication with the gas conduit. The nozzle arrangement is shaped to define a pick-up surface. The pick-up device is displaceable along a feed path relative to the retaining structure. The nozzle arrangement is capable of directing a flow of gas onto a first sheet of the stack such that the gas passes partially through the first sheet and impinges on a second sheet, generating a cushion of air between the first and second sheets to separate the first and second sheets. The gas supply is reversible so that the first sheet can be drawn towards the pick-up surface and retained against the pick-up surface.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding porous sheets from a stack includes an air displacement device having an outlet conduit. Outlet nozzles are connected to the outlet conduit. The outlet nozzles are displaceable between a pick-up position proximate a first sheet of the stack and a feed position. The air displacement device is configured to generate a flow of air from the outlet nozzles sufficient to penetrate the first sheet such that a cushion of air is generated between the first sheet and a second sheet to lift the first sheet from the second sheet. An air extraction device has an inlet conduit. Inlet nozzles are connected to the inlet conduit. The inlet nozzles define a pick-up surface and are displaceable between a pick-up position proximate a first sheet of the stack and a feed position. The air extraction device is configured to generate a flow of air into the inlet nozzles such that the first sheet is drawn against the pick-up surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding porous sheets of media from a stack of such sheets includes a retaining structure that is configured to retain the stack in an aligned condition. A pick-up device is operatively arranged with respect to the retaining structure. The pick-up device includes a gas conduit that is in fluid communication with a gas supply and a nozzle arrangement that is in fluid communication with the gas conduit. The nozzle arrangement is shaped to define a pick-up surface. The pick-up device is displaceable along a feed path relative to the retaining structure. The pick-up device is positioned so that the nozzle arrangement is capable of directing a flow of gas onto a first sheet of the stack such that the gas passes partially through the first sheet and impinges on a second sheet, generating a cushion of air between the first and second sheets to separate the first and second sheets.

Abstract: A printer for printing on porous sheets of media fed from a stack of such sheets includes a gas stream supply mechanism that is configured to generate a gas stream and is positioned so that, in use, the gas stream impinges on a first sheet of the stack. The gas stream supply mechanism is configured so that the gas stream penetrates the first sheet to generate a cushion of gas between the first sheet and a second sheet, thereby lifting the first sheet from the second sheet. A capturing mechanism captures the first sheet and is displaceable between a pick-up position in which the first sheet is captured and a feed position. A displacement mechanism displaces the capturing mechanism between the pick-up and feed positions. A feed mechanism is arranged downstream of the capturing mechanism and is configured to engage the first sheet as the capturing mechanism is displaced from the pick-up position to the feed position and to feed the first sheet along a printing path.

Abstract: A method of feeding porous sheets of media from a stack of such sheets includes the step of applying a gas flow to a first sheet of a stack, via a gas conduit and nozzle so that the gas passes partially through the first sheet and impinges on a second sheet, generating a cushion of air between the first and second sheets to separate the first and second sheets. The gas flow is reversed so that the first sheet is drawn towards a pick-up surface and retained against the pick-up surface. A pick-up device that defines the pick-up surface is displaced along the feed path so that the first sheet is fed from the stack along the feed path.

Abstract: A printing assembly for printing on porous sheets of media from a stack of such sheets includes a retaining structure that is configured to retain the stack in an aligned condition. A pick-up device on the retaining structure includes a gas conduit that is in fluid communication with a gas supply and a nozzle arrangement that is in fluid communication with the gas conduit. The nozzle arrangement is shaped to define a pick-up surface. The pick-up device is displaceable along a feed path relative to the retaining structure. The nozzle arrangement is capable of directing a flow of gas onto a first sheet of the stack such that the gas passes partially through the first sheet and impinges on a second sheet, generating a cushion of air between the first and second sheets to separate the first and second sheets. The gas supply is reversible so that the first sheet can be drawn towards the pick-up surface and retained against the pick-up surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding porous sheets of media from a stack of such sheets includes a retaining structure that is configured to retain the stack in an aligned condition. A pick-up device is operatively arranged with respect to the retaining structure. The pick-up device includes a gas conduit that is in fluid communication with a gas supply and a nozzle arrangement that is in fluid communication with the gas conduit. The nozzle arrangement is shaped to define a pick-up surface. The pick-up device is displaceable along a feed path relative to the retaining structure. The pick-up device is positioned so that the nozzle arrangement is capable of directing a flow of gas onto a first sheet of the stack such that the gas passes partially through the first sheet and impinges on a second sheet, generating a cushion of air between the first and second sheets to separate the first and second sheets.

Abstract: A device for lifting a porous sheet from a stack of such sheets includes a gas stream supply mechanism that is configured to generate a gas stream and is positioned so that, in use, the gas stream impinges on a first sheet of the stack. The gas stream supply mechanism is configured so that the gas stream penetrates the first sheet to generate a cushion of gas between the first sheet and a second sheet, thereby lifting the first sheet from the second sheet. A capturing mechanism captures the first sheet.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding porous sheets from a stack includes an air displacement device having an outlet conduit. Outlet nozzles are connected to the outlet conduit. The outlet nozzles are displaceable between a pick-up position proximate a first sheet of the stack and a feed position. The air displacement device is configured to generate a flow of air from the outlet nozzles sufficient to penetrate the first sheet such that a cushion of air is generated between the first sheet and a second sheet to lift the first sheet from the second sheet. An air extraction device has an inlet conduit. Inlet nozzles are connected to the inlet conduit. The inlet nozzles define a pick-up surface and are displaceable between a pick-up position proximate a first sheet of the stack and a feed position. The air extraction device is configured to generate a flow of air into the inlet nozzles such that the first sheet is drawn against the pick-up surface.

Abstract: A printer for printing on porous sheets of media fed from a stack of such sheets includes a gas stream supply mechanism that is configured to generate a gas stream and is positioned so that, in use, the gas stream impinges on a first sheet of the stack. The gas stream supply mechanism is configured so that the gas stream penetrates the first sheet to generate a cushion of gas between the first sheet and a second sheet, thereby lifting the first sheet from the second sheet. A capturing mechanism captures the first sheet and is displaceable between a pick-up position in which the first sheet is captured and a feed position. A displacement mechanism displaces the capturing mechanism between the pick-up and feed positions. A feed mechanism is arranged downstream of the capturing mechanism and is configured to engage the first sheet as the capturing mechanism is displaced from the pick-up position to the feed position and to feed the first sheet along a printing path.

Abstract: A method of separating a sheet of print media from a stack (28) of sheets, the sheets being porous, includes blowing fluid on to a top surface of a topmost sheet (28.1) of the print media on the stack (28) so that the fluid passes through at least the topmost sheet (28.1) of the stack (28) and capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet for conveyance to a printing station (13) of a printer (10).

Abstract: An apparatus (32) for separating a sheet of print media from a stack (30) of porous sheets includes a sheet conveyor for conveying a topmost sheet (30.1) of print media which has been separated from the stack (30) to a printing station (12) of a printer (10). A separator (44) is associated with the sheet conveyor for separating the sheet of print media from the stack (30). The separator (44) includes a fluid delivery arrangement (46) for blowing fluid on to a top surface of the stack (30) for effecting separation of the topmost sheet (30.1) of print media from the stack (30). A capturing arrangement (54) is carried by the sheet conveyor for capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet (30.1) and for facilitating conveyance of the topmost sheet by the sheet conveyor to the printing station (12).

Abstract: A method of separating a sheet of print media from a stack of sheets, the sheets being porous, includes blowing fluid on to a top surface of a topmost sheet of the print media on the stack so that the fluid passes through at least the topmost sheet of the stack and capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet for conveyance to a printing station of a printer.

Abstract: To maintain quality printed images in high speed photographic quality printing it is necessary to ensure accurate registry of the print media with the printheads. To ensure this result an alignment mechanism is provided for the stack of print media to be fed to the printer. The alignment mechanism comprises a receptacle to hold the stack of print media, a registry stop and a tapping mechanism located opposite the registry stop, to maintain the stack of print media in accurate abutment with the registry stop.

Abstract: A method of separating a sheet of print media from a stack of sheets, the sheets being porous, includes blowing fluid on to a top surface of a topmost sheet of the print media on the stack so that the fluid passes through at least the topmost sheet of the stack and capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet for conveyance to a printing station of a printer.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a sheet of print media from a stack of porous sheets includes a sheet conveyor for conveying a topmost sheet of print media which has been separated from the stack to a printing station of a printer. A separator is associated with the sheet conveyor for separating the sheet of print media from the stack. The separator includes a fluid delivery arrangement for blowing fluid on to a top surface of the stack for effecting separation of the topmost sheet of print media from the stack. A capturing arrangement is carried by the sheet conveyor for capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet and for facilitating conveyance of the topmost sheet by the sheet conveyor to the printing station.

Abstract: A method of separating a sheet of print media from a stack of sheets, the sheets being porous, includes blowing fluid on to a top surface of a topmost sheet of the print media on the stack so that the fluid passes through at least the topmost sheet of the stack and capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet for conveyance to a printing station of a printer.

Abstract: A method of separating a sheet of print media from a stack of sheets, the sheets being porous, includes blowing fluid on to a top surface of a topmost sheet of the print media on the stack so that the fluid passes through at least the topmost sheet of the stack and capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet for conveyance to a printing station of a printer.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a sheet of print media from a stack of porous sheets includes a sheet conveyor for conveying a topmost sheet of print media which has been separated from the stack to a printing station of a printer. A separator is associated with the sheet conveyor for separating the sheet of print media from the stack. The separator includes a fluid delivery arrangement for blowing fluid on to a top surface of the stack for effecting separation of the topmost sheet of print media from the stack. A capturing arrangement is carried by the sheet conveyor for capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet and for facilitating conveyance of the topmost sheet by the sheet conveyor to the printing station.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a sheet of print media from a stack of porous sheets includes a sheet conveyor for conveying a topmost sheet of print media which has been separated from the stack to a printing station of a printer. A separator is associated with the sheet conveyor for separating the sheet of print media from the stack. The separator includes a fluid delivery arrangement for blowing fluid on to a top surface of the stack for effecting separation of the topmost sheet of print media from the stack. A capturing arrangement is carried by the sheet conveyor for capturing at least a part of the topmost sheet and for facilitating conveyance of the topmost sheet by the sheet conveyor to the printing station.