Abstract:
A printer includes: a stationary inkjet printhead having a print zone; and a feed mechanism for feeding print media past the printhead along a media feed path. The media feed path guides print media past the printhead wherein the media feed path guides print media past the printhead at an inclined trajectory with respect to a horizontal plane of the printhead.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a duplexing printer for printing double-sided pages. It has been developed primarily for providing high-speed duplexing with minimal reduction in printing speed compared to simplex printing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The Applicant has developed a range of Memjet® inkjet printers as described in, for example, WO2011/143700, WO2011/143699 and WO2009/089567, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. Memjet® printers employ a stationary pagewidth printhead offering the advantages of high-speed printing and noise reduction compared to conventional scanning inkjet printers. 
         [0003]    To date, the commercially-available range of Memjet® printers provide simplex (i.e. single-sided) printing. Typically, paper is fed from a paper tray, around a C-chute, past the printhead, and delivered to an output tray positioned above the paper tray. The C-chute enables the output tray to be positioned above the paper tray, which reduces the overall footprint of the printer. It would be desirable to provide high-speed duplexed printers based on the Memjet® technology. 
         [0004]    One conventional approach to duplexed inkjet printing is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,640. In this type of duplexer, paper is fed past the printhead which prints onto a first side of the paper and then stops. Once the paper has stopped, it is reversed back past the printhead and around a duplexing unit, which may be a removable module of the printer. The duplexing unit typically feeds the paper around a drum such that an opposite second side of the paper is presented in its next pass of the printhead. Notably, this type of conventional duplexer feeds paper past the printhead from the same side of the printhead when printing the first and second sides. 
         [0005]    A disadvantage of conventional duplexers, such as the duplexer described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,640, is that duplex-printed pages are inevitably printed at slower speeds (typically about half the speed) of simplex-printed pages. Furthermore, the duplexer has a complex media feed path which may result in paper jams. Moreover, the duplexing unit requires drive rollers that operate in two directions and is relatively noisy. 
         [0006]    Other approaches to duplexed printing require two printheads. For example, Silverbrook&#39;s WO00/65679 describes a duplex printer having a pair of opposed pagewidth printheads. This increases the cost of the printer and, moreover, requires complex printhead maintenance systems. Alternatively, Silverbrook&#39;s WO2011/020152 describes a duplex web printer having a serpentine media feed path and two printheads positioned along the serpentine path. This arrangement has a relatively large footprint and is generally unsuitable for office printing. 
         [0007]    It would be desirable to provide an inkjet printer, which provides duplexing with little or no speed reduction compared to simplex printing; does not require two printheads; has a smooth operation that is not prone to paper jams; and does not require complex or noisy feed mechanisms. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In a first aspect, there is provided a printer comprising: 
         [0009]    a stationary inkjet printhead; 
         [0010]    a media feed path for guiding print media twice past the printhead; and 
         [0011]    a feed mechanism for feeding print media unidirectionally through the media feed path at a constant speed,
   wherein the media feed path comprises:   
 
         [0013]    a first section configured for feeding print media past the printhead from a first side of the printhead in a first direction with respect to the printhead; 
         [0014]    a second section downstream of the first section, the second section being configured for guiding print media around a single loop, the loop being positioned at a second side of the printhead opposite the first side; and 
         [0015]    a third section downstream of the second section, the third section being configured for feeding print media past the printhead from the second side of the printhead in an opposite second direction with respect to the printhead,
   and wherein a point of intersection of the loop is opposite the printhead.   
 
         [0017]    A key advantage of the printer described above is that duplex printing can be performed with no cost in speed. In other words, from the user&#39;s perspective, simplex printing and duplex printing are performed at the same speed, because the print media follow the same media feed path irrespective of whether the printer is performing simplex or duplex printing. 
         [0018]    Another advantage of the printer described above is that there is only one printhead. This obviously reduces the cost of the printer. 
         [0019]    Another advantage of the printer described above is that the feed mechanism feeds print media unidirectionally at a continuous, constant speed. Accordingly, there is no need for any reversing drive motors which are required in most duplexers. 
         [0020]    Another advantage of the printer described above is that the loop performs the same function as a C-chute in a conventional simplex printer, enabling a media output tray to be positioned at the same side of the printhead as a media input tray. This maintains a minimal overall footprint for the printer. Typically, the media output tray is positioned directly above the media input tray or vice versa. 
         [0021]    Optionally, the media feed mechanism comprises a first drive roller positioned at the first side of the printhead, the first drive roller being engaged with first and second idler rollers, wherein a first nip is defined between the first drive roller and the first idler roller, and a second nip is defined between the first drive roller and the second idler roller. 
         [0022]    During use, the print medium is engaged in the first nip when positioned upstream of the first section and the print medium is engaged in the second nip when positioned downstream of the third section. Generally, the first idler roller is positioned below the first drive roller and the second idler roller is positioned above the first drive roller. 
         [0023]    Optionally, the media feed mechanism comprises a second drive roller positioned at the second side of the printhead, the second drive roller being engaged with third and fourth idler rollers, wherein a third nip is defined between the second drive roller and the third idler roller, and a fourth nip is defined between the second drive roller and the fourth idler roller. Generally, the third idler roller is positioned above the second drive roller and the fourth idler roller is positioned below the second drive roller. 
         [0024]    By positioning the idler rollers above and below the drive rollers in this manner, the engagement forces between the idler rollers and the drive roller largely counter each other, thus lowering the radial loads on the drive roller shaft bearings. This allows higher bearing speeds. 
         [0025]    Moreover, the dual use of each drive roller, with its respective pair of upper and lower idler rollers, significantly simplifies the feed mechanism compared to other types of duplexers. 
         [0026]    Typically, the second drive roller rotates in an opposite direction to the first drive roller. 
         [0027]    The first and second drive rollers are driven by respective drive motors. An advantage of the present invention is that the drive motors are run at a steady speed. This allows lower power motors, higher inertia motors for smoothness, smaller motor drivers and cooler motor running. 
         [0028]    During use, the print medium is engaged in the third nip when entering the second section and the print medium is engaged in the fourth nip when exiting the second section. 
         [0029]    Optionally, the loop extends from the third nip and loops back to the fourth nip. 
         [0030]    Optionally, the loop is shorter than a length of a sheet of print medium, such that, during use, a leading portion of the print medium is gripped in the fourth nip whilst a trailing portion of the print medium is simultaneously gripped in the third nip. For example, for a standard office printer printing A4 (210×297 mm) and US Letter (216×279 mm) sheets of paper, the loop between the third and fourth nips has a length of less than about 279 mm, typically in the range of 220 to 275 mm. 
         [0031]    Optionally, the first section feeds print media past the printhead in a generally ascending trajectory with respect to a horizontal plane of the printhead. It has been found that angled trajectories with respect to the printhead are usually preferable for optimal print quality during high-speed pagewidth printing. 
         [0032]    Optionally, the third section feeds print media past the printhead in a generally ascending trajectory with respect to the horizontal plane of the printhead, wherein an angle of trajectory in the first section is opposite an angle of trajectory in the third section. 
         [0033]    Optionally, the angle of trajectory in the first and third sections is in the range of 2 to 30 degrees. 
         [0034]    Optionally, at least part of the second section is defined by a guide for feeding the print medium around the loop. Typically, the guide has first and second (or inner and outer) guide surfaces. Typically, the first and second guide surfaces are separated from each other by a distance of less than 10 mm or less than 5 mm, around the length of the guide. 
         [0035]    Optionally, the guide is configured to provide a curvature in the print media path which is a continuous function having no discontinuities. In mathematical terms, this continuous function means that the second differentiation of the curve varies smoothly i.e. with no step jumps in the curve tangents. With these criteria, it is possible to make a sheet of paper rest against either one of the guide surfaces continuously around the entire looped section of the media feed path once the paper is threaded. Typically, the looped section between the third and fourth nips is absent any rollers. 
         [0036]    Optionally, the guide comprises a jink or chicane corresponding to a point of inflection in the curvature of the print medium in the second section. At a point of inflection, the curvature of the print medium (e.g. paper) flips from one side of the paper to the other. 
         [0037]    Accordingly, in a second aspect, there is provided a printer having a guide for guiding print media around a curved media feed path, wherein the guide comprises a jink (or chicane) corresponding to a point of inflection in the curved media feed path. 
         [0038]    Optionally, the guide comprises first and second guide surfaces and the jink is configured to transfer the print medium from contact with the second guide surface to contact with the first guide surface or vice versa. Accordingly, the print medium gently touches the first or second guide surfaces everywhere except in a gap across the jink. Any resultant drag is typically small and can be overcome by an upstream roller. Typically, the jink obviates the need for any rollers at the point of inflection in the curvature of the media feed path. 
         [0039]    Optionally, the jink is configured to allow the print medium to follow a substantially linear path as it transfer from one guide surface to the other. It will be appreciated that a suitable configuration of the jink may be determined by varying the distance of separations between the two guides surfaces and the angle of the jink. Typically, the jink comprises two angular deviations of less than 45 degrees or less than 30 degrees (e.g. 10 to 30 degrees). 
         [0040]    Optionally, the first and second guide surfaces are separated from each other by a distance of less than 5 mm or less than 3 mm (e.g. 1 to 4 mm) along the jink. Hence, the distance over which the print medium is unsupported as it transfers from one guide surface to the other is relatively short, thereby minimizing the risk of paper jams. 
         [0041]    Optionally, the guide comprises a double-jink configured to provide tangential points of contact for the print medium on respective first and second surfaces of the guide. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0042]    Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0043]      FIG. 1  is a cutaway side view of a printer comprising a media feed path and media feed mechanism according to the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 2  shows curvature “combs” on a loop section of the media feed path, which includes a point of inflection; and 
           [0045]      FIG. 3  shows a jink in inner and outer guide surfaces. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a printer  1  configured for duplexed printing. The printer  1  comprises a stationary inkjet printhead  2  and a media feed path defined by a “loop-the-loop” or criss-cross path  3 . A media feed mechanism comprises a first roller assembly positioned at a right-hand side of the printhead  1  as shown in  FIG. 1 , and a second roller assembly positioned at a left-hand side of the printhead  1 . 
         [0047]    The first roller assembly comprises a first drive roller  10  engaged with both a first lower idler roller  11  to define a first nip  12  and a second upper idler roller  14  to define a second nip  15 . Likewise, the second roller assembly comprises a second drive roller  20  engaged with both a third upper idler roller  21  to define a third nip  22  and a fourth lower idler roller  24  to define a fourth nip  25 . 
         [0048]    The media feed path  3  comprises a first section  3   a  for feeding print media past the printhead from an input tray  30  positioned at one side of the printhead. In use, print media are lifted from a stack of sheets in the input tray  30  using a picker  31  and fed into the nip  12  defined between the first drive roller  10  and the first idler roller  11 . Rotation of the first drive roller  10 , in a clockwise sense as shown in  FIG. 1 , feeds the print media through the first section  3   a  of the media feed path past the printhead  2 . It will be seen from  FIG. 1  that the first section  3   a  feeds print media in a generally upwardly ascending trajectory past the printhead  2 . 
         [0049]    After exiting the first section  3   a,  the print media enter the second section  3   b  of the media feed path. The second section  3   b  guides the print media around a single loop which is positioned at an opposite side of the printhead  2  relative to the media input tray. The second section comprises a guide having an first inner guide surface  36  and a second outer guide surface  38 . The second drive roller  20  is used to feed print media around the second section  3   b  and into a third section  3   c  of the media feed path. Specifically, after exiting the first nip  12  and being fed past the printhead  2 , print media enter the third nip  22  defined between the third upper idler roller  22  and the second drive roller  20 . Rotation of the drive roller  20 , in a counterclockwise sense as shown in  FIG. 1 , feeds the print media around the loop and into the fourth nip  25  defined between the second drive roller  10  and the fourth lower idler roller  24 . 
         [0050]    The length of the loop between the third and fourth nips  22  and  25  is such that a leading edge of a sheet is gripped in the fourth nip  25  whilst a trailing edge of the sheet is gripped in the third nip  22 . 
         [0051]    From the fourth nip  25 , print media enter the third section  3   c  of the media feed path in which they are fed past the printhead  2  again, but this time in an opposite direction with respect to the printhead. It will be seen from  FIG. 1  that the third section  3   c  feeds print media in a generally upwardly ascending trajectory past the printhead  2 . This angle of trajectory in the third section  3   c  is typically opposite the angle of trajectory in the first section  3   a.    
         [0052]    Finally, after being fed past the printhead  2  in the third section, the print media enter the second nip  15  defined between the first drive roller  10  and the second idler roller  14 , from where they are delivered to a media output tray. Typically, the media output tray  60  is defined by an exterior surface of a printer housing (not shown). The overall footprint of the printer is relatively small by virtue of placing the media output tray  60  above the media input tray  30 , and this is made possible by the criss-cross media feed path. The criss-cross media path effectively replaces the C-chute used in conventional simplex printers. 
         [0053]    Notably, the print media present an opposite face to the printhead  2  in the second pass (third section  3   c ) compared to the first pass of the printhead (first section  3   a ). This provides the option of duplex printing, although of course the print media follow an identical path for simplex printing. Thus, simplex printing offers no particular advantages in terms of higher speeds, reduced risk of paper jams or reduced noise. This potentially changes users&#39; perceptions of ‘normal’ printing—that is, duplexing becomes the norm. 
         [0054]    In order to provide a smooth media feed path with reduced noise and risk of paper jams, the guide surfaces in the second section provide a media feed path having curvature with a continuous function. As shown in  FIG. 2 , there are no step jumps in the curve tangents of the media feed path. With this continuous functions curvature, a print medium can rest against a guide surface at virtually all points, such that the curvature of the guide corresponds to the natural curvature of the print medium. 
         [0055]    At certain points in the media feed path, the print medium is required to change its sense of curvature (i.e. from convex to concave or vice versa). At these points of inflection in the curvature of the print medium (and media feed path), one or more jinks are defined in the guide surfaces such that the print medium is handed over from the second outer guide surface  38  to the first inner guide surface  36  or vice versa. 
         [0056]      FIG. 3  shows part of the guide have an inner guide surface  36  and an outer guide surface  38  with a jink  40  at a point of inflection  42  in the curvature of the media feed path  3 . It can be seen from  FIG. 3  that the print medium swaps from the inner guide surface  36  to the outer guide surface  38 , across a gap between the two guide surfaces. Thus, the print medium gently touches either one of the guide surfaces except across the jink. 
         [0057]    In  FIG. 1 , there is shown a double-jink  50  in the guide surfaces  36  and  38 . This double-jink is positioned at another point of inflection in the media feed path  3 . It can be seen that the print medium has tangential points of contact  51  and  52  with the inner guide surface  36  and outer guide surface  38  respectively when passing through the double-jink. These tangential points of contact  51  and  52  provide additional support for the print medium at its point of inflection. 
         [0058]    It will, of course, be appreciated that the present invention has been described by way of example only and that modifications of detail may be made within the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.