Adaptive media handling system for printing mechanisms
US5838338A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 30, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 17, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 30, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J25/308
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An adaptive media handling system is provided for an inkjet printing mechanism having a printhead that prints on media in a printzone. A motor drives a media advance mechanism to move the media through the printzone, where the media is held by a media support member adjacent the printhead. A spacing adjuster is operatively engaged by the motor to position the media support member for a selected spacing between the media and the printhead. Fresh media is picked from a supply container using a lifter member operatively engaged by the spacing adjuster. The spacing adjuster may be a dual-sided cam, with one side for spacing adjust and the other for media picking. Motor rotation of the spacing adjuster adjusts the printhead-to-media spacing to a selected value, for instance, to accommodate manufacturing tolerances, or in response to the type of media or the type of image being printed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.