Patent ID: 6467410
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising:a print medium handler that creates a print path via which a sheet of paper is fed through the apparatus in a first direction; and a gas flow system to reduce cockle growth in a portion of the sheet of paper by holding the portion of the sheet substantially flat, while the sheet is fed in the first direction, for a substantial period of time after the portion has been printed on using ink, wherein the portion spans the sheet in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and wherein the substantial period of time is sufficient for the sheet to have been fed in the first direction while multiple additional portions spanning the sheet in the second direction have been printed on, wherein the portion of the sheet is less than the entire sheet, wherein the substantial period of time is dependent on an amount of time necessary to reduce cockle growth in the sheet, and wherein the gas flow system is to hold the portion substantially flat in a zone after the portion has been printed on that is five to ten times larger than another zone that the portion is in while being printed on.