Sheet media cleaning method and apparatus for a printer

Apparatus for cleaning a sheet medium at a cleaning station comprising a transport mechanism for driving the sheet medium in a transport direction through the cleaning station, the cleaning station having brushes for brushing opposed surfaces of the sheet medium to dislodge particulate matter from the sheet medium, the brushes housed in a plenum, and a port for applying a partial vacuum at the plenum for removing the dislodged particulate matter.

Apparatus as claimed in 11, the brushes including a first rotary brush for brushing a first surface of the sheet medium and a second rotary brush for brushing the reverse surface of the sheet medium, the first rotary brush operable to apply a brushing force to a first surface of the sheet medium in the transport direction, the second rotary brush operable to apply a brushing force to the reverse surface of the sheet medium in a direction opposite to the transport direction, the brushing force in the transport direction substantially balanced by the brushing force in the opposite direction.

Apparatus as claimed in 12, the first and second brushes mounted to apply brushing to respective surfaces of the sheet medium at a mutual coincident contact region.

Apparatus as claimed in 12, the first and second brushes having axes of rotation extending transverse to the transport direction.

Apparatus as claimed in 11, further comprising the transport mechanism having a first roller pair defining a nip for driving the sheet medium in the transport direction into the cleaning station, and a second roller pair defining a nip for drawing the sheet medium in the transport direction from the cleaning station.

Apparatus as claimed in 11, the brushes having bristles with a conducting surface layer, bristles of the brushes positioned to strike a grounding member upon rotation of the brushes.

Apparatus as claimed in 12, the first brush rotatable in a direction tending to drive a sheet medium transported though the cleaning station in the transport direction, the second brush rotatable in a direction tending to drive the sheet medium transported though the cleaning station in a direction opposite to the transport direction, and a deflector immediately upstream of the brushes for deflecting a leading edge of the sheet medium during transport thereof away from the second brush and towards the first brush.

Apparatus as claimed in 12, the brushes housed within respective chambers of the plenum, the chambers open at a contact region between the brushes.