Typewriting machines – Sheet or web – For feeding web record-medium
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-30
2001-05-29
Eickholt, Eugene (Department: 2854)
Typewriting machines
Sheet or web
For feeding web record-medium
C400S614000, C400S617000, C347S104000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238113
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to the field of imaging systems, and particularly relates to imaging systems in which a continuous web of media is fed through an imaging apparatus.
Imaging systems that feed recording media through an imaging apparatus may include a movable optical carriage that displaces a beam of light from an imaging source, such as a laser. The carriage moves in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the web in a slow scan to expose a supply of recording media to the light beam. Such a carriage for use in an imaging system including an internal imaging drum for supporting the recording media, is disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,739, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, in a conventional imaging system
10
including an imaging drum
12
, a web of image recording media
14
travels from a supply cassette
16
around the inner support surface
18
of the drum
12
to a take up cassette
20
. The media generally has sufficient inherent stiffness that it maintains the cylindrical shape of the inner surface
18
of the drum
12
when coupled to cassettes
16
and
20
. A movable carriage
22
may be used to position a beam of laser light
24
on desired portions of the recording surface
26
of the media
14
. The imaging system
10
is typically coupled to a computer controlled image processor (not shown). The media is typically driven through the system by drive rollers
28
and
30
.
Each cassette
16
and
20
is typically sealed from light as appropriate, and each provides an elongated opening through which the web of media may pass as it exits the supply cassette
16
and enters the take up cassette
20
. The cassettes may be loaded into the system via access openings and/or by removing a top cover. A portion of the media extending from supply cassette must be fed between the drive rollers
28
so that it may be drawn from the supply cassette and fed through the imaging system. One of the rollers
28
may be separable from the other roller to facilitate the introduction of the media therebetween. This leading portion is necessarily exposed to light during conventional operation of the imaging system.
It is desirable that the media be fed between the drive rollers in optimal alignment with the imaging region. If the leading portion of the media is shifted to one side or the other as it enters the nip between the rollers
28
(or as the rollers
28
come together to sandwich the media), then the media will not be aligned. Also, if one side edge of the media is fed in advance of the opposing other side edge, then the media will not be aligned with the imaging region. Precise alignment of the photosensitive media is critical, as entire multicolor printing operations of very high resolution depend on the proper orientation of the imageable media within the imaging region. Potential problems exist where the media must be fed by hand between the drive rollers, particularly when the leading edge of the web of media is not cut squarely, and/or when buckles are formed in the media between the supply cassette and the drive rollers.
It is desirable to provide a media supply system that is accurate and relatively easy to use, yet involves relative little mechanical complexity. It is further desirable to provide a media supply system that is relatively economical to produce.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides media supply cassette for use in an imaging system for processing a web of imageable media. The media supply cassette includes a first roller and a second roller for providing a nip through which the media exits the supply cassette through rotation of the first roller. The supply cassette also includes a third roller coupled to the first roller such that rotation of the third roller causes the first roller to rotate. The third roller is positioned to contact a fourth roller in the imaging system such that rotation of the fourth roller causes the third roller to rotate thereby providing rotation of the first roller which causes the media to exit the cassette and enter the imaging system. A predetermined amount of film will extend outside the supply cassette nips, minimizing the amount of film media that is wasted during loading. In an embodiment, the nip drives in the imaging system assist in rewinding film into the supply cassette.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4205323 (1980-05-01), Williams et al.
patent: 4480933 (1984-11-01), Shibayama et al.
patent: 4560990 (1985-12-01), Sue et al.
patent: 4707712 (1987-11-01), Buckley et al.
patent: 5671005 (1997-09-01), McNay et al.
patent: 5867199 (1999-02-01), Knox et al.
patent: 5988903 (1999-11-01), Baitz et al.
patent: 6168270 (2001-01-01), Saikawa et al.
patent: 2477074 (1981-09-01), None
patent: 0257270 (1985-12-01), None
patent: 0205165 (1986-09-01), None
Agfa Corporation
Eickholt Eugene
Hilton William E.
Sabourin Robert A.
LandOfFree
Media feed apparatus for imaging system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Media feed apparatus for imaging system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Media feed apparatus for imaging system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2457824