Electrophotography – Document handling – Copy
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-01
2001-11-13
Chen, Sophia S. (Department: 2852)
Electrophotography
Document handling
Copy
C399S407000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317580
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns an electrographic printing system for the printing of web-shaped recording media, whereby a first web-shaped recording medium and at least a second web-shaped recording medium are fed to a transfer station having a single intermediate carrier carrying toner images, whereby toner images of respectively same long print sides are transferred onto both recording media arranged side by side.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electrographic printing means is known from Patent Document EP-A 0 699 315, whereby a intermediate carrier, e.g. a photoconductor drum, has double the width of a web-shaped recording medium. Thus, it is possible to simultaneously print two recording media lying side by side. The two recording media are transported parallel through the printing means and are respectively provided with toner images on the side lying across from the intermediate carrier. Both web lines can then be fixed in one single fixing station.
A feeder means for single sheets is disclosed in European Patent Document EP-A 0 696 364. The single sheets are fed to a diplexer that distributes the single sheets onto two transport paths. A printing means having double the width of a single sheet prints the single sheets, which are carried away in parallel on the two transport paths. After printing, the single sheets of the two transport paths are fed anew to a diplexer which feeds the single sheets onto a single transport path and moves the sheets further. The single sheets are then stacked together.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an electrographic printing means which simplifies the transport of at least two web-shaped recording media and enables flexible further processing.
This object and others are achieved by the printing system for first and second web-shaped recording media which are fed to a transfer station, including a single intermediate carrier carrying the toner images. The toner images are transferred onto both recording media side-by-side. The print sides of the two recording media are offset from one another. A post processing station is provided into which the printed first and second recording media is fed so that both are processed simultaneously in the post-processing station.
As an improvement, the print sides of the two recording media become congruent prior to or in the post-processing station in a longitudinal direction. Preferably, the two recording media are identical to one another. It is also contemplated that the content being printed on the two recording media is identical.
In one embodiment, the distance between the print sides of the two recording media is selected to permit sagging loops of the recording media to form between the printer and the post-processing station. The two recording media cross at the post-processing station and are transported consequently with respect to their print sides into the post-processing station. The distance may be selected to be a length of one print side.
The present invention finds particular utility when a first form is printed on the first recording media and a second form is printed on the second recording media and the two forms are overlaid to create a manifold set.
In one embodiment, the post-processing station is a cutting station that simultaneously cuts the two recording media overlying one another. The post-processing station also stacks the cut sheets together.
A control is provided for the printing system that simultaneously receives the print data for the two recording media and the control delays the printing of the print side of the second recording media corresponding to the length of the distance between the print sides.
According to the invention, the print sides of the first recording medium path and of the second recording medium path are printed offset by a distance. This distance is then compensated in turn during the further transport of the two recording medium paths to a post-processing station. In this fashion, the path length is extended by the distance for a recording medium path, whereby it is possible, to lay, for example, both recording medium paths over one another. Accordingly, both recording medium paths are simultaneously processed in the post-processing station. This post-processing station can then have a narrower width than the sum of the widths of the recording medium paths. The guidance of the two recording medium paths is simplified, whereby the equipment costs are reduced. The printing means according to the present invention can be flexibly used for various application purposes due to the improved path guidance. It is possible, for example, to simultaneously cut both recording media together into single sheets by overlaying the two recording media paths.
The two recording media paths can be different; for example, the one recording media path may be used for cover sheets and can be provided with increased weight paper, while the other recording media path is used for manifold paper and may have a reduced weight paper. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, however, both recording media paths can be the same. In this instance, a high printing volume can be attained as a result of parallel printing, whereby both recording media paths are fed together after leaving the printer and can be moved onward on one single transport path.
In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, the distance between the print sides of the first recording media path and the second recording media path is selected such that sagging loops for the recording media form between the printing means and the post-processing station, whereby the two recording media cross while being fed to the post-processing station and, with respect to the print side, are congruently transported into the post-processing station. The distance preferentially amounts to the length of a print side. As a result of this step, a simple transport of both recording media paths is attained with limited equipment costs.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4941377 (1990-07-01), Ishihara et al.
patent: 5061967 (1991-10-01), Isobe
patent: 5348277 (1994-09-01), Crowley
patent: 5713071 (1998-01-01), Hausmann
patent: 6120142 (2000-09-01), Eltgen et al.
patent: 0 696 364 B1 (1996-02-01), None
patent: 0 699 315 B1 (1996-03-01), None
patent: 08-059070 (1996-03-01), None
patent: 08-240939 (1996-09-01), None
Chen Sophia S.
Oce Printing Systems GmbH
Schiff & Hardin & Waite
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