Guide method and apparatus for use in an internal drum imaging system

A guide apparatus for use in an internal drum imaging system in which media including a curled leading edge is moved through the system in a first direction along an inner surface of a cylindrical drum, said guide apparatus comprising:

• one or more rollers that rotate about a roller axes;
• actuation means for radially outwardly moving said one or more rollers toward the inner surface of the cylindrical drum to permit said one or more rollers to contact a surface of the media proximate the curled leading edge and to maintain contact with the surface of the media as the media moves in the first direction along the inner surface of the cylindrical drum while inhibiting movement of the media in a direction transverse to the first direction;
• and
• retraction means for radially inwardly moving said one or more rollers away from the inner surface of the cylindrical drum.

A method of guiding media in an internal drum imaging system in which media is moved through the system in a first direction along an inner surface of a cylindrical drum, said method comprising the steps of:

• radially outwardly moving at least one roller toward the inner surface of the cylindrical drum;
• contacting, with at least one roller, a surface of the media that is proximate to the curled leading edge, and maintaining contact with the surface of the media as the media moves in the first direction along the inner surface of the cylindrical drum while inhibiting movement of the media in a direction transverse to the first direction;
• and
• radially inwardly moving the at least one roller away from the inner surface of the cylindrical drum.