Abstract: A printer includes a print station; a media transport mechanism arranged for conveying print media on a transport path past the print station, the transport mechanism having a support surface for supporting the media; and a vacuum device arranged for attracting the media against the support surface on a section of the transport path downstream of the print station. The vacuum device is divided, in the direction along the transport path, into at least two segments in which the media are attractable with different non-zero suction pressures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous reaction liquid composition including an anti-deforming agent. selected from the group consisting of a choline salt (formate, acetate, chloride), a guanidine salt (formate, acetate, chloride), trimethylglycine (betaine), potassium formate and ammonium nitrate. The present invention also relates to an aqueous reaction liquid composition including a Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) having urea in combination with an anti-deforming agent as disclosed above. In another aspect the invention relates to an ink set including such aqueous reaction liquid composition and an ink composition, preferably a pigmented ink composition. In another aspect the present invention relates to a printing method including application of an aqueous reaction liquid composition according to the present invention and application of an ink composition.

Abstract: A printer includes a print station; a media transport mechanism arranged for conveying print media on a transport path past the print station, the transport mechanism having a support surface for supporting the media; and a vacuum device arranged for attracting the media against the support surface on a section of the transport path downstream of the print station. The vacuum device is divided, in the direction along the transport path, into at least two segments in which the media are attractable with different non-zero suction pressures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous reaction liquid composition comprising an anti-deforming agent. selected from the group consisting of a choline salt (formate, acetate, chloride), a guanidine salt (formate, acetate, chloride), trimethylglycine (betaine), potassium formate and ammonium nitrate. The present invention also relates to an aqueous reaction liquid composition comprising a Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) comprising urea in combination with an anti-deforming agent as disclosed above. In another aspect the invention relates to an ink set comprising such aqueous reaction liquid composition and an ink composition, preferably a pigmented ink composition. In another aspect the present invention relates to a printing method including application of an aqueous reaction liquid composition according to the present invention and application of an ink composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a printing system with a transport mechanism for transporting sheets. The transport mechanism comprises: a conveyor body for supporting and conveying a plurality of sheets a transport path; suction means, and especially fan means, for generating an under-pressure at or adjacent to the conveyor body to hold the sheets fixed in position on the conveyor body as it conveys the plurality of sheets along the transport path; and a controller for controlling or regulating operation of the suction means to adjust the under-pressure generated. The controller is configured to control operation of the suction means based on delivery of the plurality of sheets to the conveyor body and/or a change in the delivery of the sheets to the conveyor body. Further, the invention provides a corresponding method of transporting sheets of a print medium in a printing system.

Abstract: A printing system for cut sheets includes a controller configured to control the printing of image data on a plurality of sheets and scheduling the plurality of sheets in a printing order, a paper path comprising a duplex printing loop and a rotational functional component arranged in the duplex printing loop for guiding and processing a printed sheet for two passes along or on a surface of the rotational functional component, a print engine arranged in the duplex printing loop and configured to dispose marking material on the sheets according to the image data, in two passes, one side per pass.

Abstract: A printing system for cut sheets includes a controller configured to control the printing of image data on a plurality of sheets and scheduling the plurality of sheets in a printing order, a paper path comprising a duplex printing loop and a rotational functional component arranged in the duplex printing loop for guiding and processing a printed sheet for two passes along or on a surface of the rotational functional component, a print engine arranged in the duplex printing loop and configured to dispose marking material on the sheets according to the image data, in two passes, one side per pass.

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 invention provides a printing system with a transport mechanism for transporting sheets. The transport mechanism comprises: a conveyor body for supporting and conveying a plurality of sheets a transport path; suction means, and especially fan means, for generating an under-pressure at or adjacent to the conveyor body to hold the sheets fixed in position on the conveyor body as it conveys the plurality of sheets along the transport path; and a controller for controlling or regulating operation of the suction means to adjust the under-pressure generated. The controller is configured to control operation of the suction means based on delivery of the plurality of sheets to the conveyor body and/or a change in the delivery of the sheets to the conveyor body. Further, the invention provides a corresponding method of transporting sheets of a print medium in a printing system.

Abstract: A sheet transport assembly is provided for transporting a sheet along a process unit configured for applying a process to the sheet. The sheet transport assembly comprises a conveying unit comprising a transport belt, which transport belt comprises air permeable openings, the sheet being placed with a contact side on a support surface of the transport belt; a separating unit for separating the sheet from the transport belt, the separating unit comprising a blowing unit connected to an air supply source and arranged adjacent the transport belt to direct a detach air flow through said air permeable openings of the transport belt in a detach area to lift the sheet from the transport belt; and a control unit configured for controlling the units of the sheet transport assembly. The separating unit further comprises a sheet attraction unit arranged for attracting the sheet to the support surface of the transport belt in two attraction areas.