Suction array layouts

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11279150-B2
Application number	US-201815918943-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 12, 2018
Priority date	Apr 18, 2017
Publication date	Mar 22, 2022
Grant date	Mar 22, 2022

Abstract

In an example, there is provided a method including: receiving, at a processor, data specifying the shape of a blank to form a folded article; and determining, using the processor, based on the received data, a suction array layout to hold the blank against a media support, wherein the suction array layout conforms to the shape of the blank.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus for a printer comprising:
a vacuum platen having multiple suction holes therein and a sealing sheet on the platen over an area that includes all of the suction holes in the platen, the sealing sheet comprising:
a first part defining an operative area of the platen to be covered by a pre-fabricated blank for printing, the first part of the sheet having:
multiple first holes therein each substantially aligned with a suction hole in the platen such that the sheet covers some but not all of the suction holes in the operative area of the platen;
multiple second holes therein each not substantially aligned with a suction hole in the platen; and
a passage from each of the second holes to a suction hole in the platen; and

a second part defining a non-operative area of the platen, the second part of the sheet covering all of the suction holes in the non-operative area of the platen.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least some of the holes in the first part of the sheet comprise suction cups.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sheet comprises a flexible sheet.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the passages from the second holes to suction holes in the platen include a passage from one or more of the second holes to a corresponding one or more of the suction holes in the non-operative area of the platen.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the passages from the second holes to suction holes in the platen include a passage from one or more of the second holes to a corresponding one or more of the suction holes in the operative area of the platen.

6. An article for a printer vacuum platen having suction holes, the article comprising a sheet to extend over an area that includes all of the suction holes in the platen, the sheet comprising:
a first part configured to, when the sheet is placed on the platen, define an operative area of the platen to be covered by a pre-fabricated blank for printing, the first part of the sheet having:
multiple first holes therein each substantially aligned with a suction hole in the operative area of the platen such that the sheet covers some but not all of the suction holes in the operative area of the platen;
multiple second holes therein each not substantially aligned with a suction hole in the platen; and
a passage from each of the second holes to a suction hole in the platen; and

a second part configured to, when the sheet is placed on the platen, define a non-operative area of the platen and cover all of the suction holes in the non-operative area of the platen.

7. An article as claimed in claim 6 , wherein at least some of the holes in the first part of the sheet comprise suction cups.

8. An article as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the sheet comprises a flexible sheet.

9. An article as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the passages from the second holes to suction holes in the platen include a passage from one or more of the second holes to a corresponding one or more of the suction holes in the non-operative area of the platen.

10. An article as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the passages from the second holes to suction holes in the platen include a passage from one or more of the second holes to a corresponding one or more of the suction holes in the operative area of the platen.

Assignees

• Hp Scitex Ltd

Inventors

• Veis Alex
• Halevi Eviatar

Classifications

• B41J11/06

  Flat page-size platens {or smaller flat platens having a greater size than line-size platens (B41J11/0085 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B65H11/005

  Suction belts · CPC title

• B65H5/222

  by suction devices · CPC title

• B41J11/0085 Primary

  Using suction for maintaining printing material flat (on rotatable drums B41J13/226) · CPC title

• B65H2404/71

  Adaptor, mask, i.e. restricting the working area of the parts for transporting or guiding the handled material · CPC title