Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-04
2001-11-06
Barlow, John (Department: 2853)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Ink jet
Combined
C347S019000, C347S037000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312071
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a scanning type image formation apparatus having scanning means such as a carriage for scanning in a predetermining direction, in which the scanning means is scanned in a predetermining direction to form an image on a recording medium.
BACKGROUND ART
There are known, as output devices of computers and workstations, an image forming apparatus employing an ink-jet system in which ink is ejected to form an image on a recording medium, and an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotography. Of those apparatuses, as one having scanning means for scanning in a predetermining direction, in which the scanning means is scanned in a predetermining direction to form an image on a recording medium, for example, there is widely known an image forming apparatus employing an ink-jet system.
The image forming apparatus employing an ink-jet system comprises, for example, a print head for ejecting ink, a carriage on which the print head is mounted, said carriage reciprocating (scanning) in a predetermined direction, and a recording medium conveying device for conveying recording medium in a direction intersecting perpendicularly to the predetermined direction.
In the event that an image is recorded on a recording medium, the recording medium in the course of conveyance by the recording medium conveying device is temporarily stopped, and while the carriage is reciprocated in the predetermined direction, ink is ejected from the print head in accordance with an image signal carrying image information to form a band of image on a portion located at an image formation area of the recording medium on which area images are to be formed. Thereafter, the recording medium is fed by a band of width and stopped, and then again while the carriage is reciprocated in the predetermined direction, ink is ejected from the print head in accordance with the image signal carrying image information to form an image on a new portion located at the image formation area, of the recording medium. Such a performance is repeated to form an image.
Width (corresponding to a size with respect to a scanning direction of the carriage) of the scanning type image formation apparatus as mentioned above is generally determined by width of the recording medium and width of the scanning means. The shorter width of the scanning type image formation apparatus is more convenient in conveyance and installation. In order to shorten this width, the width of the scanning means may be shortened. However, there is a limit in shortening of width.
Now, for example, in case of a color image formation apparatus employing an ink-jet system, a carriage serves as scanning means. The carriage is loaded with at least four print heads. Thus, the carriage has an extended width per se. Further, it is needed for the color image formation apparatus to provide a registration with great accuracy, that is, an exact overlapping of the respective colors. For this reason, it happens that the carriage is loaded with a detection device for detecting a position of image formed with ink of each of the print heads at the time of the initial set up or an exchange of the print heads. In this case, it is usual that the detection device is mounted on the carriage in such a manner that it projects on an edge with respect to the scanning direction of the carriage. Accordingly, width of the carriage is extended by the corresponding projection of the detecting device.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention is to provide a scanning type image formation apparatus in which even if additional means such as a detection device is mounted thereon, there is no need to extend the corresponding width.
The present invention has been made to attain the above-mentioned object and is to provide a first scanning type image formation apparatus having scanning means for scanning in a predetermined direction, in which said scanning means is scanned in the predetermined direction to form an image on a recording medium, said scanning type image formation apparatus comprising:
(1) attachment means attached to an edge of said scanning means in the predetermined direction, said attachment means performing a predetermined function; and
(2) moving means for moving said attachment means in such a manner that when said attachment means performs the predetermined function, a part or the whole of said attachment means projects from the edge of said scanning means.
In order to accomplish the above-mentioned object, there is provided a second scanning type image formation apparatus having scanning means for scanning in a predetermined direction, in which said scanning means is scanned in the predetermined direction to form an image on a recording medium, said scanning type image formation apparatus comprising:
(3) attachment means attached to an edge of said scanning means in the predetermined direction, said attachment means performing a predetermined function; and
(4) moving means for moving said attachment means in such a manner that when said attachment means performs the predetermined function, a part or the whole of said attachment means projects from the edge of said scanning means, and when said scanning means is located at an edge side in the predetermined direction within the scanning range, a part or the whole of the attachment means is stored in an inside of said scanning means.
In the first or second scanning type image formation apparatus as mentioned above, it is preferable that
(5) said attachment means is an image matching apparatus for detecting a position of an image formed on a recording medium to establish a matching of the image formed on the recording medium.
In order to accomplish the above-mentioned object, there is provided a third scanning type image formation apparatus having a carriage for scanning in a predetermined direction, in which said scanning means is scanned in the predetermined direction to form an image on a recording medium, said carriage comprising:
(6) a main frame section for scanning the predetermined direction;
(7) a moving section projecting in the predetermined direction with respect to said main frame section, said moving section being movably fixed on said main frame section in such a manner that said moving section is movable in the predetermined direction.
In the third scanning type image formation apparatus as mentioned above, it is acceptable that
(8) said moving section loads ink tanks for supplying inks to print heads for ejecting inks.
Further, in the third scanning type image formation apparatus as mentioned above, it is acceptable that
(9) said moving section loads a junction substrate for supplying signals and electric power.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5975674 (1999-11-01), Beauchamp et al.
patent: 5980010 (1999-11-01), Stephenson
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patent: 5-220978 (1993-08-01), None
patent: 6-064168 (1994-03-01), None
Izuma Kensuke
Kawamura Iwao
Kiyohara Naoki
Murakami Kazuhiro
Namekata Kiyokazu
Barlow John
Copyer Co. Ltd.
Dellett and Walters
Do An H.
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