Wet-print cut-sheet media handling system

An ink-jet hard copy apparatus comprising:

• a print media input tray;
• an output tray having a substantially horizontal output tray floor;
• a printing zone located in a paper path between the input tray and the output tray;
• a paper transport mechanism adjacent the input tray and the output tray, for sheet feeding print media sheets sequentially from the input tray along the paper path through the printing zone to the output tray;
• a print media first guide mechanism, mounted superjacent the output tray, to capture a predetermined first side edge of a print media sheet output by the paper transport mechanism, the first guide mechanism having an upper guide having a lower guide surface and a lower guide having an upper guide surface wherein the lower guide surface and upper guide surface form a first channel therebetween, the first channel having an upstream segment defining a plane substantially parallel to and above the output tray floor and a downstream segment rising upwardly from the plane such that a sheet-stiffening bend is imparted to the sheet output as the sheet is ejected by the transport mechanism through the first channel;
• and
• a media release mechanism coupling the paper transport mechanism to the lower guide such that the lower guide is selectively retractable wherein the sheet is dropped by the guide mechanism toward the output tray floor.

A method for preventing premature contact between consecutive sheets of output print media having wet ink print thereon, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first sheet of advancing output print media having wet ink print thereon at an output stacking area having a substantially horizontal floor plane;
• consecutively receiving and holding in a plane above the floor plane each subsequent sheet of advancing output print media along a longitudinal edge of each the subsequent sheet by receiving each subsequent sheet of advancing output print media along both longitudinal edges of each the subsequent sheet;
• imparting an upward bend to the subsequent sheet by directing a leading edge of the sheet at an angle of ascension from the substantially horizontal plane wherein the angle is predetermined to impart a sheet-stiffening bend to the sheet such that the sheet is supported above the output stacking area by holding the longitudinal edge until a trailing edge of the subsequent sheet is received;
• and
• following receiving the trailing edge and holding the subsequent sheet for a time period sufficient for drying ink on a sheet, releasing the subsequent sheet to fall under force of gravity onto each immediately preceding sheet in the output stacking area.