Linefeed control in belt-type printers

An apparatus for supporting print media within a printer that has a print zone where ink is applied to print media, comprising:

• a belt that is operable for moving media from a support zone, through a hold zone, and then into the print zone;
• a heater underlying the belt in the support zone and in the hold zone for heating the belt in the support zone and the hold zone;
• a source of suction for securing the media to the belt in the print zone;
• a hold chamber connected to the source of suction and configured for directing suction through the belt and against the media in the hold zone thereby to hold the media immovable relative to the belt in the hold zone adjacent to the print zone;
• a support chamber connected to the source of suction for directing suction through the belt and against the media in the support zone;
• and
• regulator means for regulating the source so that the suction forces applied against the media in the hold zone are greater than the suction forces applied against the media in the support zone.

An apparatus for of securing a sheet of print media that is advanced through a printer that has a print zone in which ink is applied to the media, the apparatus comprising:

• a belt that supports the media and moves the media toward and through the print zone;
• a source for applying suction through the belt and against the media in a hold zone that is adjacent to the print zone the media reaching the hold zone before the print zone;
• a heater underlying the belt in a support zone that the advancing media reaches before the advancing media reaches the hold zone;
• a platen connected to the source and configured for directing suction through the belt and against the media in the support zone;
• and
• a regulator for regulating the suction so that the amount of suction force applied to the media in the hold zone is greater than the amount of suction force applied to the media in the support zone.