Platen having media suction and vapor recovery ports
US6478492B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 17, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 12, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J11/06
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The apparatus of the present invention thus increases the precision for controlling the movement of a printing media through an improved set of vacuum apertures formed in the platen surface, a discrete set of compartments inside the platen each fluidly coupled to a unique set of improved vacuum apertures, and vapor/dust recovery apertures fluidly coupled to a storage, collection, or other disposal vessel. In a preferred embodiment the present invention comprises at least four exhaust fans each fluidly coupled to a discrete compartment within the platen and at least one said compartment connects to each end of the platen surface adjacent to the printing zone and is adapted to evacuate the entire interior space of a large format printing engine. In each of these embodiments, at least some of the improved vacuum apertures located near the edges of the printing zone extend to a recess, or grooved, segment of the platen surface. Also in each said embodiment of the present invention using a planar, or flat, printing zone, a set of gradually tapering transition platen sections promote the best vacuum seal between the platen (within the printing zone) and the printing media. These graduall…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.