Pulsating vacuum mechanism for print media-advancement in a printing device

A printing device comprising:

• a vacuum control mechanism for controlling a vacuum force applied to a print media, the vacuum control mechanism having a platen with orifices therein through which the vacuum force is applied to the media, the vacuum control mechanism being configured to move a sealing plate to substantially open and close a vacuum chamber to control the vacuum force applied to the print media;
• the sealing plate forming a side of the vacuum chamber adjacent to the platen.

A print media advancement subsystem in a printing device, the print media advancement subsystem comprising:

• a vacuum chamber including a U-shaped vacuum guide, a platen covering the U-shaped vacuum guide and forming the top of the vacuum chamber, and a sealing plate forming a side of the vacuum chamber, wherein the sealing plate is removable to substantially open and substantially seal the vacuum chamber, a vacuum force being applied through the platen to a print media supported by a top surface of the platen when the vacuum chamber is substantially sealed, and the vacuum force being substantially removed from the print media when the vacuum chamber is substantially open;
• and
• a control mechanism connected to the sealing plate and configured to remove the sealing plate from the vacuum chamber in response to receiving a print media advance signal from a controller in the printing device.

A printing device comprising:

• a vacuum control mechanism for controlling a vacuum force applied to a print media, the vacuum control mechanism being configured to move a sealing plate to substantially open and close a vacuum chamber to control the vacuum force applied to the print media;
• the sealing plate forming a side of the vacuum chamber;
• and wherein the vacuum chamber includes a U-shaped vacuum guide, and a platen covering the U-shaped vacuum guide and forming the top of the vacuum chamber.

A printing device comprising:

• a vacuum control mechanism for controlling a vacuum force applied to a print media, the vacuum control mechanism being configured to move a sealing plate to substantially open and close a vacuum chamber to control the vacuum force applied to the print media;
• the sealing plate forming a side of the vacuum chamber;
• and wherein the vacuum control mechanism comprises a sealing plate control mechanism including a solenoid switch having a piston connected to the sealing plate forming a side of the vacuum chamber, the sealing plate being removable to substantially open and close the vacuum chamber.