Systems And Methods of Aligning A Media Sheet In An Image Forming Apparatus
AssigneeLexmark International, Inc.
InventorsBrian Allen Blair, Kristi Ann Kappes, Jason Lee Rowe, Edward Lynn Triplett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present application is directed to systems and methods to align a media sheet in a media path of an image forming apparatus. In one embodiment, the system may include an input area with an alignment edge to initially laterally align the media sheet. The media sheet may then move through an alignment nip which is constructed to laterally move the media sheet against a reference edge. The media sheet moves along the reference edge and become aligned prior to moving to a transport belt. The media sheet may then move through one or more transfer nips to receive one or more images.
Claims20
A system to align a media sheet in a media path of an image forming apparatus comprising:
- an input area including a support member to support the media sheet and a first reference edge to initially align a lateral side of the media sheet;
- a second reference edge located downstream along the media path from the input area, the second reference edge offset laterally from the first reference edge;
- an alignment nip located downstream along the media path from the input area, the alignment nip comprising a drive roll aligned parallel with the second reference edge and a backup roll aligned transverse to the second reference edge;
- a transport belt located downstream along the media path from the alignment nip;
- and
- a transfer nip formed between a photoconductive member and the transport belt.
A system to align a media sheet in a media path of an image forming apparatus comprising:
- an input tray sized to hold the media sheet and including a floor, a contact member on a first side of the tray that is movable relative to the floor, and a first reference edge on a second side of the tray opposite from the contact member;
- a second reference edge positioned downstream from the input tray and positioned laterally outward from the first reference edge of the input tray;
- an alignment nip positioned downstream from the input tray and including a drive roll and a backup roll, a centerline of the backup roll positioned at a non-parallel angle to the drive roll to direct the media sheet laterally against the second reference edge;
- a transport belt located downstream from the alignment nip and the second reference edge;
- a transfer nip formed between a photoconductive member and the transport belt;
- each of the first and second reference edges being flat to align a lateral side of the media sheet.
A method of aligning a media sheet in an image forming apparatus comprising:
- aligning the media sheet against a first reference edge of an input tray;
- moving the media sheet out of the input tray;
- moving the media sheet through an alignment nip and laterally moving the media sheet against a second reference edge;
- moving the media sheet to a transport belt positioned downstream from the alignment nip;
- and
- moving the media sheet through a transfer nip along the transport belt while the media sheet remains in the alignment nip, the transfer nip moving the media sheet at a slower speed than the alignment nip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.