Variable cross-section vacuum grooves in an imaging system
AssigneeAgfa NV
InventorsJames J. Hebert, Philip A. Rombult
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for holding recording media against a media support surface of an imaging system using an arrangement of variable cross-section vacuum grooves. Each vacuum groove has a continuously decreasing cross-section along its length. Each vacuum groove has a maximum cross-section adjacent a vacuum port and a minimum cross-section at a distal end of the vacuum groove.
Claims49
An apparatus comprising:
- a media support surface;
- and
- at least one variable depth vacuum groove in the media support surface, wherein a depth of each vacuum groove varies continuously along a length of the vacuum groove.
A method for holding media on a media support surface, comprising the steps of:
- positioning the media over at least one variable depth vacuum groove in the media support surface, wherein a depth of each vacuum groove varies continuously alone a length of the vacuum groove;
- and
- applying a vacuum to each vacuum groove.
An imaging system comprising:
- a supply of recording media;
- a media support surface for supporting the supply of recording media;
- at least one variable cross-section vacuum groove in the media support surface, wherein the cross-section of each vacuum groove varies continuously along a length of the vacuum groove;
- a vacuum system for applying a vacuum to each vacuum groove to hold the recording media against the media support surface;
- and
- a system for recording image data onto the recording media.
An apparatus comprising:
- a support surface;
- and
- at least one variable cross-section vacuum groove in the support surface, wherein the cross-section of each vacuum groove varies continuously along a length of the vacuum groove.
A method for holding material on a support surface, comprising the steps of:
- positioning the material over at least one variable cross-section vacuum groove in the support surface, wherein the cross-section of each vacuum groove varies continuously along a length of the vacuum groove;
- and
- applying a vacuum to each vacuum groove.
An imaging system comprising:
- a media support surface for supporting a supply of recording media;
- at least one variable cross-section vacuum groove in the media support surface, wherein the cross-section of each vacuum groove varies by a factor in the range of about 7 to 1 from a first end of the vacuum groove to a second end of the vacuum groove;
- a vacuum system for applying a vacuum to each vacuum groove to hold the recording media against the media support surface;
- and
- a system for recording image data onto the recording media.
An apparatus comprising:
- a support surface;
- and
- at least one variable cross-section vacuum groove in the support surface, wherein the cross-section of each vacuum groove varies by a factor in the range of about 7 to 1 from a first end of the vacuum groove to a second end of the vacuum groove.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.