Heated media input tray for an imaging device
US6375318B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 21, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 21, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/00666
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A media input tray for an imaging device such as a laser printer is configured to heat media disposed in the tray in order to reduce potential curl of the media caused by image processing in the imaging device. In a preferred embodiment, the input tray is configured with a flexible printed circuit having conductive traces for dissipating heat in response to an electric current. The flexible circuit is coupled to a power supply in the imaging device to enable a continuous warming of media in the tray, independent of any imaging operations by the imaging device. A method of image processing includes providing a heating device in a media input tray of an image processing device, and heating the media disposed in the input tray with the heating device such that media curl, caused by image processing operations, is reduced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.