Abstract: The present invention seeks to flatten a sheet when transferred onto an endless belt conveyor facing a print head assembly in a simple and/or low costs manner. Thereto a sheet conveyor is provided comprising an endless, air permeable belt and pressing means. The pressing means comprise a plurality of pressing members spaced apart from one another in a lateral direction of the belt, each pressing member comprising a body which body is moveable in a perpendicular direction with respect to the belt as well rotatable or pivotable around an axis in the perpendicular direction independent of the corresponding bodies of other pressing members. This provides a simple and passive sheet flattening means, resulting in low operational and material costs.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus for a printing system includes a rotary drum having an inner chamber circumferentially surrounded by an outer peripheral wall with perforations formed therein. By means of sucking an air flow through the perforations of the drum to a suction system, sheets are attracted to the peripheral wall of the drum. A stationary shutter member is positioned inside the inner chamber for blocking the flow of air through the perforations when they pass, with the rotation of the drum, through a first predetermined angular range. The shutter member includes protrusions while the rotary drum includes recesses for receiving the protrusions, such that a meandering air flow passage is formed between the shutter member and the rotary drum. As such, friction between the rotary drum and the stationary shutter member is reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of the suction system.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus for a printing system includes a rotary drum having an inner chamber circumferentially surrounded by an outer peripheral wall with perforations formed therein. By means of sucking an air flow through the perforations of the drum to a suction system, sheets are attracted to the peripheral wall of the drum. A stationary shutter member is positioned inside the inner chamber for blocking the flow of air through the perforations when they pass, with the rotation of the drum, through a first predetermined angular range. The shutter member includes protrusions while the rotary drum includes recesses for receiving the protrusions, such that a meandering air flow passage is formed between the shutter member and the rotary drum. As such, friction between the rotary drum and the stationary shutter member is reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of the suction system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveyor mechanism for conveying sheets. The conveyor mechanism comprises a movable conveyor body, a drive mechanism, and an adjustment system configured to detect and correct skewing of the conveyor body, comprising one or more markers provided on or in the conveyor body, a sensor arrangement for detecting each marker at two or more discrete positions, and a processor to determine the skewing of the conveyor body. The conveyor body and the drive mechanism of the conveyor mechanism are mounted on a movable conveyor frame, and the adjustment system includes a frame shifting device comprising one or one or more actuator for shifting or moving the conveyor frame relative to a fixed framework. The invention also provides a related method of correcting skewing in a conveyor mechanism for conveying sheets along a transport path.

Abstract: An ink storage apparatus and an agitator device in a printing system having at least one agitator member rotatable about an axis, wherein the agitator member includes a plurality of fin elements that extend out of a primary plane of the agitator member. The agitator member includes a paddle element having a generally planar rectangular configuration, and a plurality of fin elements that extend out of a plane of the paddle element. The ink storage apparatus has at least one ink container defining a storage volume for holding a predetermined volume of printing ink, and the agitator device is arranged within the storage volume of the ink container for agitating the ink.

Abstract: An ink storage apparatus and an agitator device in a printing system having at least one agitator member rotatable about an axis, wherein the agitator member includes a plurality of fin elements that extend out of a primary plane of the agitator member. The agitator member includes a paddle element having a generally planar rectangular configuration, and a plurality of fin elements that extend out of a plane of the paddle element. The ink storage apparatus has at least one ink container defining a storage volume for holding a predetermined volume of printing ink, and the agitator device is arranged within the storage volume of the ink container for agitating the ink.

Abstract: The present invention provides a calibration system, comprising a movable conveyor body configured to hold a plurality of sheets, and a drive mechanism which supports and/or drives the movement of the conveyor body to convey the sheets along a transport path. The calibration system is adapted or configured to detect a position and/or a speed of the conveyor body as it conveys the sheets, the calibration system comprising one or more markers which are provided on or in the conveyor body and a sensor arrangement for detecting each marker at two or more discrete positions spaced apart from one another. The markers are distributed along and fixed with respect to the conveyor body, wherein each marker is uniquely identifiable or distinguishable by the sensor arrangement. The present invention also provides an associated method of calibrating a sheet conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveyor mechanism for conveying sheets. The conveyor mechanism comprises a movable conveyor body, a drive mechanism, and an adjustment system configured to detect and correct skewing of the conveyor body, comprising one or more markers provided on or in the conveyor body, a sensor arrangement for detecting each marker at two or more discrete positions, and a processor to determine the skewing of the conveyor body. The conveyor body and the drive mechanism of the conveyor mechanism are mounted on a movable conveyor frame, and the adjustment system includes a frame shifting device comprising one or one or more actuator for shifting or moving the conveyor frame relative to a fixed framework. The invention also provides a related method of correcting skewing in a conveyor mechanism for conveying sheets along a transport path.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus includes a print unit with print elements for ejecting an amount of ink on a plurality of sheets, of which each size in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the sheets under the print unit is smaller than the size of the print unit in the same direction, and a displacing mechanism for displacing the sheets in the same direction. The displacement of the displacing mechanism is so extreme that an alignment of a sheet is variable from an alignment of one side of the sheet with one end of the print unit to an alignment of the other side of the sheet with the other end of the print unit. Also a method for application by such a reproduction apparatus is disclosed.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus includes a print unit with print elements for ejecting an amount of ink on a plurality of sheets, of which each size in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the sheets under the print unit is smaller than the size of the print unit in the same direction, and a displacing mechanism for displacing the sheets in the same direction. The displacement of the displacing mechanism is so extreme that an alignment of a sheet is variable from an alignment of one side of the sheet with one end of the print unit to an alignment of the other side of the sheet with the other end of the print unit. Also a method for application by such a reproduction apparatus is disclosed.

Abstract: A roller for a printer includes an outer tube and at least one inner tube. The inner tube is position within the outer tube. The outer tube extends in an axial direction from a first to a second end and the inner tube extends substantially parallel to the outer tube, defining an inter tubular space between the outer and the inner tube and an intra tubular space within the inner tube. The roller also includes a blocking element dividing the inter tubular space and the intra tubular space into a first part extending substantially from the first end to the blocking element and a second part extending substantially from the blocking element to the second end. A first and a second duct connects the first and second part of the inter tubular space with the second and first part, respectively, of the intra tubular space via the blocking element.

Abstract: A roller for a printer includes an outer tube and at least one inner tube. The inner tube is position within the outer tube. The outer tube extends in an axial direction from a first to a second end and the inner tube extends substantially parallel to the outer tube, defining an inter tubular space between the outer and the inner tube and an intra tubular space within the inner tube. The roller also includes a blocking element dividing the inter tubular space and the intra tubular space into a first part extending substantially from the first end to the blocking element and a second part extending substantially from the blocking element to the second end. A first and a second duct connects the first and second part of the inter tubular space with the second and first part, respectively, of the intra tubular space via the blocking element.