# US 8,540,361 B2 · Printing system with input media roller and output vacuum belts > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,361 B2 - Document ID: US8540361B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/845,724 - Filed: 2010-07-29 - Published: 2011-02-03 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2009-07-31 - Assignees: Zamtec Ltd - Applicants: Robert Rosati; David Petch; David Burney; Jim Sykora; Kenneth A Regas; Andy Bound; Neil Doherty; Scott Dennis; Ben Jones; Oksana Buyda; Locson Tonthat; Andrew Buyda; Patrick Kirk; Loren Hunt; Jason Dewey; Jim Trinchera; Bill Cressman; Ron Zech - Inventors: Robert Rosati; David Petch; David Burney; Jim Sykora; Kenneth A Regas; Andy Bound; Neil Doherty; Scott Dennis; Ben Jones; Oksana Buyda; Locson Tonthat; Andrew Buyda; Patrick Kirk; Loren Hunt; Jason Dewey; Jim Trinchera; Bill Cressman; Ron Zech - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540361B2 ## CPC - B41J 11/0085: {Using suction for maintaining printing material flat (on rotatable drums B41J13/226)} - B41J 2/165: Prevention {or detection} of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles - B41J 2/16547: {the wipers and caps or spittoons being on the same movable support} - B41J 2/16585: {for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads} - B41J 2/175: Ink supply systems {; Circuit parts therefor} - B41J 2/1752: {Mounting within the printer} - B41J 2/18: Ink recirculation systems - B41J 3/543: {with multiple inkjet print heads (B41J2/17503, B41J2/2103 take precedence)} - B41J 11/001: {Handling wide copy materials} - B41J 11/007: {Conveyor belts or like feeding devices} - B41J 29/02: Framework - B41J 15/04: Supporting, feeding, or guiding devices; Mountings for web rolls or spindles - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract A printing system that has a print zone, a drive roller positioned at an input side of the print zone, a vacuum platen assembly positioned under the print zone, a printhead assembly overlaying and spanning the print zone and a vacuum belt assembly configured to receive media from the print zone. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A printing system comprising: a print zone; a media path extending through the print zone; a drive roller positioned upstream of the print zone; a vacuum platen assembly comprising a fixed vacuum platen positioned under the print zone for supporting and contacting media in the print zone; a printhead assembly overlaying and spanning the print zone; and a vacuum belt assembly positioned downstream only of the print zone, the vacuum belt assembly being configured to receive media from the fixed vacuum platen, wherein the vacuum belt assembly comprises a plurality of individual moving belts and a vacuum chamber for drawing the media onto the plurality of individual moving belts. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The printing system according to claim 1 wherein the printhead assembly has a staggered array of printheads that, during use, collectively span the media. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The printing system according to claim 2 wherein the fixed vacuum platen comprises a plurality of embedded rotatable service modules, each with a vacuum platen configured for alignment with a corresponding printhead in the array of printheads. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The printing system according to claim 3 wherein the service modules are configured to cross the media path to engage the printhead during a capping or servicing operation. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The printing system according to claim 1 further comprising a scanner adjacent the vacuum belt assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The printing system according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of individual moving belts share a common belt drive mechanism. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The printing system according to claim 1 further comprising a media encoder embedded within the vacuum platen assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A printing system according to claim 1 wherein the service modules are independently operable. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The printing system according to claim 1 wherein the media path is greater than 432 mm (17 inches) wide. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The printing system according to claim 9 wherein the media path is between 914 mm (36 inches) and 1372 mm (54 inches) wide. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The printing system according to claim 10 wherein the print zone has an area less than 129032 square mm (200 square inches). ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The printing system according to claim 11 configured to generate less than 0.2 psi pressure difference between one surface of the media and the other as the media is fed across the fixed vacuum platen. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The printing system according to claim 11 configured to generate between 0.036 psi to 0.116 psi pressure difference between one surface of the media and the other as the media is fed across the fixed vacuum platen. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The printing system according to claim 11 wherein the vacuum platen assembly is configured to generate a normal force on the media of between 4 lbs to 13.5 lbs as the media is fed across the fixed vacuum platen. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The printing system according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of individual moving belts are configured to transport the media at a faster speed than the drive roller. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The printing system according to claim 15 wherein during use, the media simultaneously engages both the drive roller and the plurality of individual moving belts such that the media slips relative to the belts.