Honeycomb core platen for media transport
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsCarlos M. Terrero, Brian J. Dunham, James J. Spence
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Abstract
Disclosed is a media transport system utilizing a honeycomb core platen for transporting and maintaining the flatness of a sheet of media in an associated printing system. According to one exemplary embodiment, the honeycomb platen includes a plurality of laminated layers that include features configured to communicate vacuum throughout the entire thickness of the platen.
Claims32
A platen for use in a media transport system operatively associated with a printing system, the platen comprising:
- a honeycomb core comprising an array of hollow columnar cells formed between vertical walls, and
- at least one face layer as an outermost layer of the platen, the at least one face layer operatively connected to the honeycomb core and including a plurality of slots in vacuum communication with the array of hollow columnar cells,
- wherein at least one surface of the platen is configured to operatively connect to a vacuum source and communicate a negative pressure through the array of hollow columnar cells and plurality of slots.
A media transport system operatively associated with a printing system comprising:
- a perforated belt including a plurality of belt apertures mounted on a plurality of rollers;
- a platen having a surface disposed below the perforated belt including a honeycomb core having a thickness and composed of an array of hollow columnar cells formed between vertical walls;
- and
- a vacuum plenum being operatively connected to a vacuum source and configured to apply a negative pressure to a media through the array of hollow columnar cells and plurality of belt apertures for securing the media to the perforated belt.
A process for making a platen for use in a media transport system associated with a printing system comprising:
- providing a honeycomb core composed of an array of hollow columnar cells formed between vertical walls;
- laminating via an adhesive at least one layer to a first surface of the honeycomb core;
- and,
- generating a substantially flat top surface by pressing the at least one laminated face layer and honeycomb core in a press machine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.