Patent ID: 6478492
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An improved platen apparatus, comprising:an elongate platen member; a set of apertures in said platen member that join a top surface and a bottom surface of said platen member; a media-receiving surface portion on said top surface of said platen member; elongated grooves formed in said top surface of said platen member extending generally in a direction of media travel over said platen member; at least one compartment coupled to said apertures on one side, said at least one compartment having a fan port formed in another side of said at least one compartment; and at least one fan coupled to said fan port and adapted to evacuate said compartment when said at least one fan is energized; wherein at least a subset of said set of apertures couple said media-receiving surface portion of said platen member to said at least one compartment within said elongated grooves formed in said media-receiving portion of said platen.