U.S. patent application number 13/245402 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-28 for horizontal straight-line duplex imaging architecture.
This patent application is currently assigned to XEROX CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is James A. Dunst. Invention is credited to James A. Dunst.
Application Number | 20130075968 13/245402 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47910408 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130075968 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dunst; James A. |
March 28, 2013 |
HORIZONTAL STRAIGHT-LINE DUPLEX IMAGING ARCHITECTURE
Abstract
An imaging architecture and method for duplex printing including
a first imaging station operative to mark a first side of a
substrate media with a first image, a first media transport module
configured and operative to convey the substrate media in proximity
with the first imaging station in a process direction along which
the substrate media passes through the imaging architecture, and to
invert the orientation of the substrate media without interrupting
the conveyance of the substrate media in the process direction. A
second imaging station is operative to mark the inverted substrate
medium on a second side opposing the first side with a second
image, and a second media transport module is configured and
operative to convey the inverted substrate media in proximity with
the second imaging station in the process direction.
Inventors: |
Dunst; James A.; (Victor,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Dunst; James A. |
Victor |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
XEROX CORPORATION
Norwalk
CT
|
Family ID: |
47910408 |
Appl. No.: |
13/245402 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/3.19 ;
271/186 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41J 3/60 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/3.19 ;
271/186 |
International
Class: |
B65H 5/26 20060101
B65H005/26; B65H 29/58 20060101 B65H029/58 |
Claims
1. An imaging architecture comprising: a first imaging station
operative to mark a substrate media on a first side with a first
image; a first media transport module configured and operative to
convey the substrate media in proximity with the first imaging
station in a process direction along which the substrate media
passes through the imaging architecture, and to invert the
orientation of the substrate media without interrupting the
conveyance of the substrate media in the process direction; a
second imaging station operative to mark a second side of the
substrate media opposing the first side with a second image; a
second media transport module configured and operative to convey
the inverted substrate media in proximity with the second imaging
station in the process direction.
2. The imaging architecture according to claim 1, wherein the first
media transport module is configured and operative to invert the
substrate media around an axis transverse to the process
direction.
3. The imaging architecture according to claim 1, wherein the
second media transport module is configured and operative to invert
the orientation of the substrate media without interrupting the
conveyance of the substrate media in the process direction.
4. The imaging architecture according to claim 3, wherein the
second media transport module is configured and operative to invert
the substrate media around an axis transverse to the process
direction.
5. The imaging architecture according to claim 1, wherein at least
one of the first imaging station and the second imaging station
comprises a direct marking technology to mark the substrate media
with a respective first or second image.
6. The imaging architecture according to claim 1, wherein at least
one of the first imaging station and the second imaging station
comprises a plurality of imaging engines, each of the plurality of
imaging engines being configured and operative to mark the
substrate media according to a predetermined characteristic.
7. The imaging architecture according to claim 1, wherein the first
media transport module is configured and operative to apply a hold
down force sufficient to hold the substrate media against the first
media transport module, and to release the inverted substrate media
at a predetermined position of the substrate media.
8. The imaging architecture according to claim 7, wherein the first
media transport module is configured and operative to effect a
localized interruption of the hold down force to release the
inverted substrate media.
9. The imaging architecture according to claim 1, further
comprising a barrier near or against the first media transport
module, operative to separate the substrate media from the first
media transport module.
10. The imaging architecture according to claim 9, wherein the
barrier comprises a knife edge positioned to come between the
substrate media and the first media transport module.
11. The imaging architecture according to claim 1, further
comprising a fluid nozzle configured and operative to direct a flow
of fluid towards the first media transport module that is
sufficient to separate the substrate media from the first media
transport module.
12. The imaging architecture according to claim 1, further
comprising at least one image treatment station positioned
downstream in the process path from the first or second imaging
station, the image treatment station operative to apply a treatment
to the substrate media to affix the first or second image
thereto.
13. A method of duplex printing comprising: conveying, with a first
media transport module, a substrate media through an imaging
architecture in a process direction along which the substrate media
passes through the imaging architecture, in proximity with a first
imaging station operative to mark a first side of the substrate
media with a first image; inverting the orientation of the
substrate media without interrupting the conveyance of the
substrate media in the process direction; and conveying the
inverted substrate in proximity with a second imaging station
operative to mark a second side of the substrate media opposing the
first side with a second image.
14. The method of duplex printing according to claim 13, further
comprising: inverting the orientation of the substrate media around
an axis substantially transverse to the process direction.
15. The method of duplex printing according to claim 13, further
comprising: holding the substrate media to the first media
transport module.
16. The method of duplex printing according to claim 15, further
comprising: releasing the inverted substrate media from the first
media transport module and conveying the inverted substrate media
to a second media transport module for conveyance in proximity with
the second imaging station.
17. The method of duplex printing according to claim 16, further
comprising: holding the substrate media is held to the first media
transport module by one or more or a vacuum force and an
electrostatic force, and releasing the inverted substrate media by
interrupting a force holding the substrate media to the first media
transport module at a predetermined position of the substrate
media.
18. The method of duplex printing according to claim 16, further
comprising: releasing the substrate media from the first media
transport module with a physical barrier imposed between the
substrate media and the first media transport.
19. The method of duplex printing according to claim 18, wherein
the physical barrier has a substantially knife edge presented at
the interface of the substrate media and the first media transport
module.
20. The method of duplex printing according to claim 16, further
comprising: directing a flow of fluid towards the first media
transport module that is sufficient to separate the substrate media
from the first media transport module.
21. The method of duplex printing according to claim 13, further
comprising: inverting the inverted substrate media following its
transport in proximity with the second imaging station.
22. The method of duplex printing according to claim 21, further
comprising: inverting the inverted substrate media around an axis
substantially transverse to the process direction.
23. The method of duplex printing according to claim 21, further
comprising: inverting the inverted substrate media without
interrupting the conveyance of the substrate media in the process
direction.
24. The method of duplex printing according to claim 13, further
comprising: applying an image treatment downstream in the process
path from at least the first or second imaging station operative
affix the first or second image to the substrate media.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0002] The present disclosure relates document creation. More
specifically, the present disclosure is directed to an improved
system and method for printing on both sides of a sheet medium.
[0003] 2. Brief Discussion of Related Art
[0004] In a printer it is often desirable to print text, images, or
the like, on both sides of a substrate medium (e.g., paper, vellum,
etc.), known in the art as "duplex" printing. Current state of the
art in duplexing technology involves printing on one side of the
medium, for example a cut sheet medium, and diverting medium having
already been printed on one side, away from the process path and
feeding the medium into a blind spur off the process path. In the
blind spur, the cut sheet is stopped, and then reversed in
direction to be fed back into the process path in a reversed
orientation, e.g., what was the trailing edge now being the leading
edge, and vice-versa, and the orientation of the flat sheet sides
of the cut sheet medium is reversed as well. The cut sheet medium
is thereby inverted by the diversion process.
[0005] This technique has drawbacks. Among these, the inverter spur
off the process path occupies space in the unit which is only
occasionally and optionally used. The reversal of direction of the
cut sheet medium requires a re-registration of the medium in the
process path for acceptable image quality. The reversal process
also interrupts the flow of media through the process path as a
whole, and therefore reduces print cycle time (e.g., pages per
minute, PPM). The current state of the art in duplex direct marking
print technology is therefore wanting.
SUMMARY
[0006] In order to overcome these and other drawbacks in the
present state of the art, provided according to the present
disclosure is an imaging architecture comprising a first imaging
station operative to mark a substrate media with a first image, a
first media transport module configured and operative to convey the
substrate media in proximity with the first imaging station in a
process direction along which the substrate media passes through
the imaging architecture, and to invert the orientation of the
substrate media without interrupting the conveyance of the
substrate media in the process direction. A second imaging station
is operative to mark the inverted substrate media with a second
image, and a second media transport module is configured and
operative to convey the inverted substrate media in proximity with
the second imaging station in the process direction.
[0007] In further embodiments, the first media transport module is
configured and operative to invert the substrate media around an
axis transverse to the process direction. The second media
transport module may also be configured and operative to invert the
orientation of the substrate media without interrupting the
conveyance of the substrate media in the process direction, in
particular around an axis transverse to the process direction.
[0008] The first or second imaging stations may comprise a direct
marking technology to mark the substrate media with a respective
first or second image. The first or second imaging station may
comprise a plurality of imaging engines, each of the plurality of
imaging engines configured and operative to mark the substrate
media according to a predetermined characteristic.
[0009] In certain embodiments, the first media transport module is
configured and operative to apply a hold down force sufficient to
hold the substrate media against the first media transport module,
and to release the inverted substrate media at a predetermined
position of the substrate media. The first media transport module
may be configured and operative to effect a localized interruption
of the hold down force to release the inverted substrate media.
Alternately or additionally, a barrier may be provided near or
against the first media transport module, operative to separate the
substrate media from the first media transport module. The barrier
may have a knife edge positioned to come between the substrate
media and the first media transport module. Alternately or
additionally, a fluid nozzle configured and operative to direct a
flow of fluid towards the first media transport module sufficient
to separate the substrate media from the first media transport
module is provided.
[0010] In a further embodiment, at least one image treatment
station is positioned downstream in the process path from the first
or second imaging station. The image treatment station is operative
to apply a treatment to the substrate media to affix the first or
second image thereto.
[0011] Also provided by the present disclosure is a method of
duplex printing including conveying, with a first media transport
module, a substrate media through an imaging architecture in a
process direction along which the substrate media passes through
the imaging architecture, in proximity with a first imaging station
operative to mark the substrate media with a first image. The
orientation of the substrate media is inverted without interrupting
the conveyance of the substrate media in the process direction, the
inverted substrate media conveyed in proximity with a second
imaging station operative to mark the substrate media with a second
image. Inverting the orientation of the substrate media may be
performed around an axis substantially transverse to the process
direction.
[0012] The substrate media may be held to the first media transport
module, for example by one or more of a vacuum force and an
electrostatic force. The inverted substrate media is released from
the first media transport module, for example by interrupting a
force holding the substrate media to the first media transport
module at a predetermined position of the substrate media, and
conveyed to a second media transport module for conveyance in
proximity with the second imaging station. Alternately or
additionally, releasing the substrate media from the first media
transport module includes a physical barrier imposed between the
substrate media and the first media transport, the physical barrier
optionally having a substantially knife edge presented at the
interface of the substrate media and the first media transport
module.
[0013] The presently disclosed method optionally includes inverting
the inverted substrate media following its transport in proximity
with the second imaging station, in some cases without interrupting
the conveyance of the substrate media in the process direction, and
in some cases around an axis substantially transverse to the
process direction.
[0014] These and other purposes, goals and advantages of the
present application will become apparent from the following
detailed description of example embodiments read in connection with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Some embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not
limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a duplex architecture according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a substrate media in
a preliminary position along the process path; and
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrate the exemplary duplex architecture
according to the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the substrate media
in an intermediate position along the process path.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Introduction
[0018] As used herein, a "printer" refers to any device, machine,
apparatus, and the like, for forming images on substrate media
using ink, toner, and the like. A "printer" can encompass any
apparatus, such as a copier, bookmaking machine, facsimile machine,
multi-function machine, etc., which performs a print outputting
function for any purpose. Where a monochrome printer is described,
it will be appreciated that the disclosure can encompass a printing
system that uses more than one color (e.g., red, blue, green,
black, cyan, magenta, yellow, clear, etc.) ink or toner to form a
multiple-color image on a substrate media.
[0019] As used herein, "substrate media" refers to a tangible
medium, such as paper (e.g., a sheet of paper, a long web of paper,
a ream of paper, etc.), vellum, transparencies, parchment, film,
fabric, plastic, paperboard or other substrates on which an image
can be printed or disposed.
[0020] As used herein "process path" refers to a path traversed by
a unit of substrate media through a printer to be printed upon by
the printer on one or both sides of the substrate media. A unit of
substrate media moving along the process path from away from its
beginning and towards its end will be said to be moving in the
"process direction".
[0021] As used herein, "straight line" refers to the substrate
media traveling along a process path in a process direction away
from the beginning of the process path and towards the end of the
process path without stoppage, and/or more particularly, reversal.
"Straight line" does not imply or require that the process path or
the substrate media traversing it is precluded from rotation or
translation in three-dimensional space.
Description
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrated schematically is a
straight-line duplex imaging architecture, generally 10, according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A substrate media 12 to
be printed upon, in the exemplary embodiment only a cut sheet of
paper, is introduced into a process path 14 and transported to a
first imaging station 16. In the exemplary embodiment the imaging
station is a direct marking imaging station and uses the influence
of gravity to carry a marking ink from the imaging station to the
substrate media 12. The first imaging station 16 may include a
plurality of imaging engines 16a, 16b, 16c, etc. For example, but
without limitation, each of the plural imaging engines 16a, 16b,
16c may be configured to mark the first side 12a of the substrate
media 12 according to a predetermined characteristic, including
without limitation a particular type or color ink.
[0023] In some cases, it may be advantageous to accelerate a drying
or curing process of the first image marked on the first side 12a
of the substrate media 12. In that case a first image fixing
station 18 may optionally be provided downstream in the process
path 14 from the first imaging station 16. In the case where the
ink used to fix an image on the first side 12a of the substrate
media 12 is fixed by drying, the first fixing station 18 may
comprise a heat source and/or an airflow source directed at the
image-marked first side 12a of the substrate media 12. Alternately
or additionally, the marking technology of the first imaging
station 16 may include an ink that responds to ultraviolet (UV)
radiation, in which case the first fixing station 18 may comprise a
UV source, which exposes the first side 12a of the substrate media
12 to the UV radiation.
[0024] The imaging architecture 10 further comprises a first media
transport module 20, comprising an endless belt 22 routed over at
least two drum rollers 24, 26. Either or both of drum rollers 24,
26 may be driven by a motor (not shown) to move the belt 22. A
non-driven roller among the two 24, 26 is an idler roller. The
substrate media 12 is carried by the belt 22 past the first imaging
station 16, where an image is marked on a first side 12a of the
substrate media 12. Further, the first media transport module is
operative to hold the substrate media 12 against the belt 22, for
example by vacuum pressure as is known in the art, but alternately
or additionally by electrostatic force, also in conventional
fashion. The first media transport module 20, and particularly the
endless belt 22, holds and/or carries the substrate media 12 as the
belt travels around roller 26, thereby inverting the substrate
media 12 with respect to an axis transverse to the process
direction.
[0025] In the depicted embodiment, the substrate media 12 is
inverted by turning it over the drum roller 26 with the endless
belt 22, i.e., around an axis transverse to the process path 14. It
is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that the substrate media
12 is inverted by turning it with respect to an axis aligned or
substantially parallel with the direction of the process path
14.
[0026] The substrate media 12 is released from the first media
transport module 20, in this particular embodiment at or about an
underside 28 of the roller 24, and delivered towards a second
imaging station 30. The substrate media 12 may be released from the
first media transport module by a physical barrier 52, in
particular one with a knife edge 54 or the like, which may be
imposed near or against the surface of the endless belt 22.
Configured at or near the interface of the endless belt 22 and the
substrate media 12, the barrier 52 prevents a substrate media 12
from continuing beyond a desired point where the barrier 52 is
located which remaining engaged with the endless belt 22.
[0027] Alternately or additionally, the substrate media is
separated from the first media transport 20 by application of a
specifically directed fluid flow (e.g., air) from a release nozzle
56 (FIG. 2). The flow of air from the release nozzle is set to be
sufficient and operative to separate the substrate media 12 from
the endless belt 22 and the first media transport module 20 against
the vacuum, electrostatic or similar holding force.
[0028] Alternately or additionally, the vacuum force holding the
substrate media 12 to the endless belt 22 of the first media
transport module 20 may be interrupted at a predetermined point to
effect the release of the substrate media 12 from the endless belt
22. Where electrostatic force is used in place of or in addition to
vacuum pressure to hold the substrate media 12 to the endless belt
22 of the first media transport module 20, the electrostatic force
can also be interrupted and/or discontinued at the desired release
point.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated is the straight-line
duplex imaging architecture 10 as the substrate media 12 is
delivered to a second imaging station 30. A second media transport
module 40, comprising an endless belt 42 routed over at least two
drum rollers 44, 46. Either or both of drum rollers 44, 46 may be
driven by a motor (not shown) to move the belt 42. A non-driven
roller among the two rollers 44, 46 is an idler roller. The
substrate media 12 is carried by the belt 42 past the second
imaging station 30, where an image is marked on a second side 12b
of the substrate media 12. Further, the second media transport
module is operative to hold the substrate media 12 against the belt
42, for example by vacuum pressure as is known in the art, but
alternately or additionally by electrostatic force, also known in
the art.
[0030] As a result of the inversion of the substrate media by the
first media transport module 20, a second side 12b of the substrate
media 12 is facing upward to receive an image at the second imaging
station 30. The second imaging station 30 may include a plurality
of imaging engines 30a, 30b, 30c, etc. For example, but without
limitation, each of the plural imaging engines 30a, 30b, 30c, etc.,
may be configured to mark a different type or color ink on the
second side 12b of the substrate media 12.
[0031] In some cases, it may be advantageous to accelerate a drying
or curing process of the first image marked on the second side 12b
of the substrate media 12. In that case a second image fixing
station 32 may optionally be provided downstream in the process
path 14 from the second imaging station 30. In the case where the
ink used to fix an image on the second side 12b of the substrate
media 12 is fixed by drying, the second fixing station 32 may
comprise a heat source and/or an airflow source directed at the
image-marked second side 12b of the substrate media 12. Alternately
or additionally, the marking technology of the second imaging
station 30 may include an ink that responds to ultraviolet (UV)
radiation, in which case the second fixing station 32 may comprise
a UV source, which exposes the second side 12b of the substrate
media 12 to the UV radiation.
[0032] Having passed through the second imaging station 30, the
substrate media 12 is marked with an image on both a first side 12a
and a second side 12b, and is considered duplexed. Beyond the
second imaging station 30, the second media transport module 40,
and particularly the endless belt 42, holds and/or carries the
substrate media 12 as the belt travels around roller 46, thereby
again inverting the substrate media 12 with respect to an axis
transverse to the process direction, such that a first side 12a of
the substrate media 12 is facing upwards. The substrate media 12
is, in the depicted embodiment released from the second media
transport module 40 at or about a bottom 48 of the roller 44, and
transported to an end 50 of the process path 14.
[0033] Alternately, the process path 14 may be terminated beyond
the second imaging station 30 without further inversion by the
second media transport module 40. For example, it may be acceptable
to the user to receive the duplex-printed substrate media 12 having
a first side 12a face-down, either as a matter of course or by an
affirmative selection.
[0034] Still alternately, in the case that a particular instance of
substrate media 12 is to be printed on a first side 12a only, the
architecture 10 may include a diverter in the process path 14
beyond the first imaging station 16. The substrate media 12 may be
selectively diverted from the process path 14 to the end 50 of the
process path. Such an embodiment and instance maintains the
characteristic that the substrate media 12 moves in a single
direction through the process path 14 without stoppage or reversal.
This does, however, introduce the complexity of a diversion from a
singular and unified process path 14, by creating a compound
process path 14 with more than one possible unique paths.
[0035] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
certain alterations or modifications of the system and methods of
the present disclosure, including their features and functions, or
alternatives thereof, may be apparent. The same may be desirably
combined into many other different systems or applications. The
systems and methods disclosed are offered as merely exemplary of,
and not liming on, the scope of the present disclosure. Various
presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications,
variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by
those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed
by the following claims.
[0036] For example, the exemplary embodiment has been described
with reference to a cut sheet of substrate media 12. It will be
appreciated that this is an example only, and that the disclosed
architecture 10 is applicable for use with a generally continuous
web of substrate media 12, without departing from the scope of the
present disclosure.
* * * * *