Abstract: The invention provides a paper path structure that is able to perform the following four functions: pass a sheet of paper through the paper path structure with is original orientation maintained; pass a sheet of paper through the paper path structure with its original orientation reversed; stack a sheet of paper in a stack repository with its original orientation maintained; and stack a sheet of paper in the stack repository with its original orientation reversed. The invention also provides a method to operate said paper path structure as well as a stacker and a printer comprising said paper path structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a paper path structure that is able to perform the following four functions: pass a sheet of paper through the paper path structure with is original orientation maintained; pass a sheet of paper through the paper path structure with its original orientation reversed; stack a sheet of paper in a stack repository with its original orientation maintained; and stack a sheet of paper in the stack repository with its original orientation reversed. The invention also provides a method to operate said paper path structure as well as a stacker and a printer comprising said paper path structure.

Abstract: When a sheet ejector ejects an unsuitable sheet from a transport path in a printing system, additional sheets downstream of said unsuitable sheet are generally discharged to preserve the image order as prescribed by the print instructions. This results in large amounts of waste material (sheets and ink). The amount of waste may be reduced by providing a controller which, when receiving print instructions concerning a first and a second set of images, schedules the images of the first and second sets into an alternating image sequence defining the print order. Sheets printed with images from the first set are designated to a first output holder while sheets printed with images from the second set are transported to the second output holder. When a sheet for the second image set is rejected, the first image set need not be discharged, resulting in a reduced amount of waste material.

Abstract: A sheet flipping device includes a receiving member for receiving a sheet, a flipping volume being the volume which in operation is defined by the flipping movement of the sheet, and a flipping element for flipping the sheet around an axis of rotation within the flipping volume onto the receiving member. The sheet flipping device further includes an air vortex ring generator having an air vortex ring exit nozzle defining a translational direction of a generated air vortex ring when the generated vortex ring is in operation generated from the air vortex ring exit nozzle. The air vortex ring generator is mounted such that in operation the sheet is urged onto the receiving member by the air vortex ring during the flipping motion of the sheet through the flipping volume. A sheet stacking device and a printing apparatus include the sheet flipping device.

Abstract: A method for heat treatment of mixed media sheets in an image reproduction apparatus having an image forming station, a heat treatment station, a conveying path for conveying the sheets one by one through the image forming station and the heat treatment station, and a duplex loop for looping sheets back from the heat treatment station to the image forming station includes pre-heating a sheet before an image is formed thereon in the image forming station. The pre-heating includes the sub-steps of passing the sheet through the image forming station while the image forming station is idle, passing the sheet through the heat treatment station for pre-heating, and looping the sheet back to the image forming station.

Abstract: Belt conveyor system comprising: an endless mesh belt, the belt having a mesh structure and having edge areas at the lateral sides, a drive mechanism drivable by a drive motor to rotate the belt, and a steering roller for steering the lateral position of the belt, wherein an edge area comprises a band running substantially parallel to the lateral sides, the band comprising an elastic filler being provided inside the mesh structure, the elastic filler being discernible from the mesh structure, and wherein the belt conveyor system further comprises a band position detector for detecting the lateral position of the band.

Abstract: Belt conveyor system comprising: an endless mesh belt, the belt having a mesh structure and having edge areas at the lateral sides, a drive mechanism drivable by a drive motor to rotate the belt, and a steering roller for steering the lateral position of the belt, wherein an edge area comprises a band running substantially parallel to the lateral sides, the band comprising an elastic filler being provided inside the mesh structure, the elastic filler being discernible from the mesh structure, and wherein the belt conveyor system further comprises a band position detector for detecting the lateral position of the band.

Abstract: A method for heat treatment of mixed media sheets in an image reproduction apparatus having an image forming station, a heat treatment station, a conveying path for conveying the sheets one by one through the image forming station and the heat treatment station, and a duplex loop for looping sheets back from the heat treatment station to the image forming station includes pre-heating a sheet before an image is formed thereon in the image forming station. The pre-heating includes the sub-steps of passing the sheet through the image forming station while the image forming station is idle, passing the sheet through the heat treatment station for pre-heating, and looping the sheet back to the image forming station.

Abstract: A sheet flipping device includes a receiving member for receiving a sheet, a flipping volume being the volume which in operation is defined by the flipping movement of the sheet, and a flipping element for flipping the sheet around an axis of rotation within the flipping volume onto the receiving member. The sheet flipping device further includes an air vortex ring generator having an air vortex ring exit nozzle defining a translational direction of a generated air vortex ring when the generated vortex ring is in operation generated from the air vortex ring exit nozzle. The air vortex ring generator is mounted such that in operation the sheet is urged onto the receiving member by the air vortex ring during the flipping motion of the sheet through the flipping volume. A sheet stacking device and a printing apparatus include the sheet flipping device.

Abstract: A print media discharge unit includes a print media transport path along which in operation a sheet of print media is transported in a transport direction. The print media transport path is defined by a first electrically isolating print media guide and a second electrically isolating print media guide. The print media discharge unit further includes an electrically grounded electrically conductive discharge element extending through an opening in at least one of the first and second electrically isolating print media guides into the print media transport path. At least one of the first and second electrically isolating print media guide includes a plurality of guidance ribs aligned substantially in the transport direction at an angle with respect to the transport direction.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a print media discharge unit, comprising a print media transport path along which in operation a sheet of print media is transported in a transport direction, the print media transport path is defined by a first electrically isolating print media guide and a second electrically isolating print media guide, the print media discharge unit further comprising an electrically grounded electrically conductive discharge element extending through an opening in at least one of said first and second electrically isolating print media guides into the print media transport path, wherein at least one of said first and second electrically isolating print media guide comprise a plurality of guidance ribs aligned substantially in the transport direction at an angle with respect to the transport direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for steering a belt includes a steering roller supporting the belt, a rotatable element and a transmission. The steering roller is rotatable about a first axis and pivotable about a second axis, the second axis being substantial perpendicular to the first axis. The rotatable element is rotatable about a third axis, the third axis being parallel to the first axis. The transmission is arranged for converting a rotational motion of the rotatable element about the third axis into a pivoting motion of the steering roller about the second axis. The rotatable element is rotatable by a frictional force between a side portion of the belt and the rotatable element. A method for steering a belt in a steering mechanism includes such an apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for steering a belt includes a steering roller supporting the belt, a rotatable element and a transmission. The steering roller is rotatable about a first axis and pivotable about a second axis, the second axis being substantial perpendicular to the first axis. The rotatable element is rotatable about a third axis, the third axis being parallel to the first axis. The transmission is arranged for converting a rotational motion of the rotatable element about the third axis into a pivoting motion of the steering roller about the second axis. The rotatable element is rotatable by a frictional force between a side portion of the belt and the rotatable element. A method for steering a belt in a steering mechanism includes such an apparatus.