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US 2021/0252877 A1Published application
Method and apparatus for supporting and heating a recording media without physical contact
AssigneePalo Alto Research Center Incorporated
InventorDavid K. BIEGELSEN
Life of this patent
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Abstract
According to aspects of the embodiments, there is provided process and apparatus using an in-line air bearing heater to maintain ambient elevated temperature or to provide extra heating to a recording media moving along a path in an imaging system. The heated air bearing is also useful for shearing the surface of molten toner or inks to level and gloss an image at the recording media.
Claims20
An apparatus useful in processing a recording media moving along a path in an imaging system, comprising:
- a print zone including a first plurality of marking material deposition sources configured to facilitate surface coatings on a side of the recording media;
- a blower configured to provide a flow of pressurized air;
- at least one turnbar with at least one aperture disposed thereon to provide, from the flow of pressurized air, an air bearing having a leading edge and a trailing edge;
- wherein the turnbar defines a first tangent line corresponding to an initial point of contact of the recording media and the turnbar in the absence of the air bearing, a second tangent line corresponding to a last point of contact of the recording media with the turnbar in the absence of the air bearing, and a contacting area disposed between the first tangent line and the second tangent line in the absence of the air bearing;
- wherein the turnbar having an exterior surface defining a first region and a second region, which is substantially devoid of apertures, the first region having the at least one aperture operatively connected to the blower, the at least one aperture defining a pattern aligned in a longitudinal direction along a length of the turnbar, the at least one aperture being configured to direct the pressurized air from the exterior surface of the turnbar, and the pressurized air through the second region is not directed from the exterior surface.
2 more elements
A method for heating a recording media moving along a path in an imaging system, comprising:
- applying surface coatings on a side of the recording media;
- providing a flow of pressurized air;
- providing at least one turnbar with at least one aperture disposed thereon to provide, from the flow of pressurized air, an air bearing having a leading edge and a trailing edge;
- wherein the turnbar defines a first tangent line corresponding to an initial point of contact of the recording media and the turnbar in the absence of the air bearing, a second tangent line corresponding to a last point of contact of the recording media with the turnbar in the absence of the air bearing, and a contacting area disposed between the first tangent line and the second tangent line in the absence of the air bearing;
- wherein the turnbar having an exterior surface defining a first region and a second region, which is substantially devoid of apertures, the first region having the at least one aperture operatively connected to a blower, the at least one aperture defining a pattern aligned in a longitudinal direction along a length of the turnbar, the at least one aperture being configured to direct the pressurized air from the exterior surface of the turnbar, and the pressurized air through the second region is not directed from the exterior surface;
- moving the recording media along a substantially curved path, wherein the substantially curved path is adjacent to the first region of the at least one turnbar;
- bending the recording media as it is moves along the substantially curved path and preventing by application of the pressurized air the recording media from contacting the first curved surface.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.