Patent ID: 6092894
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A printing medium holding apparatus for use in an ink jet printer designed to effect printing by applying ink from ink nozzles onto a printing medium held on a drum rotating at a prescribed circumferential speed and thus rotating together with the drum, said apparatus comprising:a plurality of negative pressure generating chambers formed by dividing an interior of the drum into a plurality of sections, by using partition walls which extend in a radial direction;a plurality of suction holes in said negative pressure chambers, extending in a radial direction, and connecting the interior and exterior of the drum;a plurality of suction ports in one end of the drum and connecting said negative pressure generating chambers and an exterior thereof;shutters arranged to open and close said suction ports;an open/close mechanism provided at a stationary side for opening and closing said shutters sequentially from downstream toward upstream of a rotating direction of the drum, by utilizing rotation of the drum; anda suction fan for drawing air from the negative pressure generating chambers through said suction ports when said suction ports are opened,wherein the printing medium is held onto an outer circumferential surface of the drum by virtue of negative pressures generated in said negative pressure generating chambers.