Printer with vacuum platen having bimetallic valve sheet providing selectable active area
US6571702B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 29, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jun 3, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J11/0085
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A printer has a media transport with a rigid, air-transmissive platen. A movable air-transmissive flexible web overlays the platen. A suction device communicates with the platen to draw air through the web and through the platen such that a sheet of media carried on the web is biased toward the platen. A valve sheet overlays or underlies the platen, and includes a plurality of shut-off elements, each movable in response to temperature changes between a closed position in which the element contacts a portion of the platen to prevent air flow through that portion of the platen, and an open position, in which the element is spaced apart from the platen to admit air to the platen portion. The shut off elements may include resistive heaters and bimetallic strips, so that application of electricity generates heat to flex the strip to an open position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.