Apparatus for controlling sheet flatness under an imaging system robust to media curl

An arrangement for removing curl from sheets conveyed in a paper path, comprising:

• a charge coupled array;
• a first transport for conveying sheets past said charge coupled array towards a downstream device, said first transport including a single baffle on which the sheets are conveyed;
• a second transport downstream of and adjacent to said first transport, said second transport including a single baffle on which the sheets are conveyed;
• a curved member positioned between said first and second transports;
• an air flow device positioned adjacent said curved member;
• and
• wherein said air flow device is configured to apply a layer of high velocity air that follows a portion of a surface of said curved member to divert the sheets towards said portion of a surface of said curved member to thereby remove curl from leading edges of the sheets.

A method for removing curl from sheets passing under an imaging system, comprising:

• providing a first transport including a baffle along which sheets are conveyed;
• providing a second transport including a baffle along which sheets are conveyed downstream of said first transport;
• providing a curved member positioned orthogonally between said first and second transports;
• providing a charge coupled device array positioned immediately above said curved member for imaging sheets passing beneath said charge coupled device array;
• and
• providing an air flow device that produces a high velocity air stream over an inboard to outboard length of said curved member positioned adjacent said curved member;
• said air flow device configured to output a layer of high velocity air that follows a surface portion of said curved member and thereby diverts said sheets towards said curved member and thereby remove curl from said sheets.