Modular printing system
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsBarry Paul Mandel, James J. Spence, Henry T. Bober
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for a modular printing system having individual units comprising input modules, transporter modules, marking engine modules, fuser modules and exit modules each with its own support structure and cabinet. The modular units have common matching interface configurations for paper feed and electrical connections so as to permit numerous combinations and variations of printing systems capable of monochrome, color, duplex, hybrid and simplex printing by modular interconnection as opposed to built-up systems.
Claims20
A modular digital printer for sheet media comprising at least one sheet feeding module, at least one marking module and at least one stacking/finishing module wherein said at least one marking module is comprised of:
- (a) at least one marking engine module having a discrete support structure with a releasable left and right side interface for media feed/transport and electrical connection thereto;
- (b) a releasable input module including a media registration system having a discrete support structure with a releasable left and right side interfaces for media feed/transport and electrical connection thereto;
- (c) a releasable output module including an inverter having a discrete support structure with left and right side interfaces for media feed/transport and electrical connection thereto;
- and,
- (d) a fuser module having a discrete support structure having a releasable left and right side interface for media feed/transport and electrical connection thereto, wherein the fuser module is operative to receive media sheets at one of the left and right side interface thereof from the marking engine module.
A modular digital printer for sheet media comprising at least one sheet feeding module, an upper marking system, a lower marking system and at least one stacking/finishing module wherein said upper and lower marking systems are comprised of:
- (a) an upper marking engine module having a discrete support structure with a releasable left and right side interface for media feed/transport and electrical connection thereto;
- (b) a lower marking engine module having a discrete support structure with a releasable left and right side interface for media feed/transport and electrical connection thereto;
- (c) upper and lower releasable input modules each including a registration system and each having a discrete support structure with a releasable left and right side interface for media feed/transport and electrical connection thereto;
- and
- (d) upper and lower releasable output modules each including an inverter having a discrete support structure with an left and right side interface for media feed/transport and electrical connection thereto;
- and,
- (e) a fuser module having a discrete support structure with a releasable left and right side interface for media transport and electrical connection thereto.
A modular digital printer for sheet media comprising at least one sheet feeding module, at least one marking module and at least one stacking/finishing module wherein said at least one marking module is comprised of:
- (a) at least one marking engine module having a discrete support structure with releasable interfaces for media feed/transport and electrical connection thereto;
- (b) a releasable input module having a discrete support structure with a releasable interfaces for media feed/transport and electrical connection thereto;
- (c) a releasable output module including an inverter having a discrete support structure with releasable interfaces for media feed/transport and electrical connection thereto;
- and,
- (d) a fuser module having a discrete support structure with a releasable left and right side interface for media feed/transport and electrical connection thereto.
A modular digital printer for sheet media comprising at least one sheet feeding module, an upper marking system, a lower marking system and at least one stacking/finishing module wherein said upper and lower marking systems are comprised of:
- (a) an upper marking engine module having a discrete support structure with a releasable interfaces for media feed/transport and electrical connection thereto;
- (b) a lower marking engine module having a discrete support structure with a releasable interfaces for media feed/transport and electrical connection thereto;
- (c) upper and lower releasable input modules each having a discrete support structure with releasable interfaces for media feed/transport and electrical connection thereto;
- (d) upper and lower releasable output modules each including an inverter having a discrete support structure with releasable interfaces for media feed/transport and electrical connection thereto;
- and,
- (e) a fuser module having a discrete support structure with a releasable left and right side interface for media feed/transport and electrical connection thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.