Patent ID: 6045278
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An apparatus for transporting and printing a print medium, comprising:a guide plate having a recess therein;transport means, having a transport surface disposed orthogonally to said guide plate, for moving a print medium along said transport surface in a transport direction;an ink jet print head rigidly disposed in said recess of said guide plate during printing;control means for controlling said ink jet print head for causing said ink jet print head to print on said print medium when said print medium is moved adjacent said ink jet print head by said transport means, thereby producing a printed region on said print medium;said recess having a length in said transport direction so that said printed region of said print medium is free of mechanical contact downstream of said ink jet print head in said transport direction; andan auxiliary device having an ascending guide which non-mechanically holds said print medium adjacent said ink jet print head during printing and allows a predetermined slippage of said print medium in a direction perpendicular to said transport surface.