Moving platen architecture for an ink jet printer
US5216442A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 14, 1991 |
| Grant date | Jun 1, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 14, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J11/06
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ink jet printer includes a platen having a planar surface sized to hold a sheet upon which an image is to be printed flat on the planar surface. The platen is movably mounted for linear reciprocal movement between a sheet receiving position and a sheet releasing position. In operation, a sheet is fed onto or otherwise acquired on the platen. The sheet can be held on the platen by a holddown force such as by vacuum or electrostatic attraction. The platen moves a sheet held thereon across a full width printhead located between the two positions to print an image on the sheet. Sheets are released from the platen at the sheet releasing position which may include an output tray. After the sheet is released from the platen, the platen is reciprocated back to the receiving position to accept another sheet. During periods when the platen is at either the sheet receiving position or at the sheet releasing position, a maintenance station located between the receiving position and the releasing position on a side of the platen opposite from the printhead may be used to perform maintenance on the printhead.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.