Typewriting machines – Sheet or web – For feeding sheet from stack or pack holder
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-02
2001-12-04
Eickholt, Eugene (Department: 2854)
Typewriting machines
Sheet or web
For feeding sheet from stack or pack holder
C347S104000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325559
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to media handling methods and apparatus, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for reducing the time to eject one media sheet and pick and load the next media sheet.
In print recording technologies, such as inkjet printing, factors which relate to print recording throughput include factors which affect the time to apply print to the media, and factors which affect the time in between applying print to one media sheet and applying print to the next media sheet. The time to record print to a single media sheet is related to the recording technology and the print mode being used. For example, for inkjet printing technologies, there are typically draft, normal and best modes. For a given print recording technology, the time in between applying print from one sheet to the next typically remains relatively constant regardless of the printing mode. Such “in-between” time is used to eject the finished page, pick the next page, and load such next page into position to receive print. The subject matter of this invention relates to reducing such “in-between” time.
In faster printing modes, such as the draft mode listed above, the “in-between” time typically is a significant percent of the total time required to complete a print job. A typical “in-between” time is approximately two seconds. For an exemplary draft print job which prints at 6 seconds per media sheet, one third of the throughput is due to this “in-between” time. In higher quality print modes the proportion of time is less. In general, however, “in-between time” is a significant source of the throughput activity of a print recording device, such as an inkjet print recording system. Accordingly, there is a need for a method and apparatus which reduces the time in between recording print to one media sheet and the next media sheet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, the time “in-between” recording print on one media sheet and a subsequent media sheet is substantially reduced by performing the operation for ejecting the one media sheet and the operations for picking and loading the next media sheet within a single transmission state. Performance of these operations within a single transmission state avoids the significant time required to switch transmission states.
According to one aspect of the invention, in a continuous feed mode of individual media sheets, media sheets are continuously picked and loaded during a multi-sheet print recording job. The leading edge of one media sheet is substantially adjacent to the trailing edge of the prior media sheet.
During continuous feed mode, a media support plate is maintained in a raised position during the entire print job. The support plate biases the paper stack into communication with a pick roller. As the trailing edge of one media sheet exits the media stack, the leading edge of the next media sheet is already in position for engagement with the pick roller.
In some embodiments, upon completion of print recording, a media sheet is ejected into an output tray by accelerating the media sheet. Such acceleration is achieved while remaining in the single transmission state.
One advantage of the invention is that the time to pick a media sheet and the time to eject a media sheet are substantially reduced. As a result, the time in between recording print to one media sheet and the next media sheet is reduced. Correspondingly, the throughput rate of the print recording system is increased. These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application 09/311,919, entitled “Method And Apparatus For Multiplexed Wet-Dye Printing,” pending.
Kaiser Pierre J.
Olson Allan G.
Shepherd Matthew A.
Eickholt Eugene
Hewlett--Packard Company
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