Air bearing imaging platen
US5798825A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J11/00
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An air-bearing imaging platen (20) for supporting imaging medium (40). The imaging platen (20) is comprised of an array of disks (62). Each disk has an air exit hole (64) in an approximate center of the disk (62) and a pneumatic system provides air to each disk. Air exits the hole (64) and flows in a radial direction across a surface (69) of the disk (64) creating a negative pressure in the area between the hole (64) and an edge (68) of the disk (62). The negative pressure holds the imaging medium (40) close to the hole (64), and the air flow provides a cushion which supports the imaging medium (40), thus insuring frictionless support while holding the image medium (40) in a curved shape. The air flow exits at the edge (68) of each disk. In various embodiments the contour of the surface (69) of the disk (62) may have various cross sectional shapes such as flat, conical, or spherical.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.