Abstract:
The present invention provides a capability to form an image along a trailing edge of the paper by the use of a trailing edge deletion prevention apparatus capable of manipulating the paper to allow components capable of forming the image to travel in proximity to the paper without obstruction. In various embodiments, the invention involves the use of a biasing member or an interdigitated support element, each providing a trailing edge deletion prevention capability.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the positioning of printing surfaces and printing devices and specifically to the capability of printing on a trailing edge of a piece of paper.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Image forming systems involve a variety of internal components configured to manipulate a piece of paper and produce an image on the paper. Conventional image forming systems are unable to produce an image along a trailing edge of the paper due to physical interference between internal components forming a paper path, e.g. manipulating the paper, and components capable of forming the image. Typically, the unprintable portion of the trailing edge may be up to approximately 3 cm, thereby reducing the utility of the image forming system to form an image on the paper.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention overcomes the limitations of conventional image forming systems as discussed above by the use of a trailing edge deletion prevention apparatus capable of manipulating the paper to allow components capable of forming the image to travel in proximity to the paper without obstruction.  
           [0004]    According to a first embodiment of the invention, a trailing edge deletion prevention apparatus suitable for use with an image forming system is provided, having a paper guide mounted along a paper path and adapted to guide the paper along the paper path and a biasing member mounted to the image forming system and biased against the paper guide along the paper path and allowing a printing device to pass proximate to the biasing member while printing along a trailing edge of the paper.  
           [0005]    According to a further embodiment of the invention, a trailing edge deletion prevention apparatus suitable for use with an image forming system is provided, having a paper guide mounted along a paper path and adapted to guide the paper along the paper path and a biasing member mounted to the image forming system and biased against the paper guide to cause the paper to be taut to a location further along the paper path and configured to accommodate a printing device to access a trailing edge of the paper.  
           [0006]    According to a first embodiment of the invention, a trailing edge deletion prevention apparatus suitable for use with an image forming system is provided, having an interdigitated support element forming a plane and having a first portion interdigitated with a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are movable relative to each other within the plane, an attachment device to secure a piece of paper to at least one of the first portion and the second portion, wherein the attachment device is adapted to selectively secure the paper to one of the first portion and the second portion to allow the paper to be advanced along the plane by the relative movement of the first portion and the second portion.  
           [0007]    According to a first embodiment of the invention, a method for deleting a trailing edge of a piece of paper processed by an image forming system is provided having the steps of biasing a biasing member against a paper guide, passing a piece of paper between the biasing member and the paper guide such that the piece of paper is taut to a location further along a paper path and locating a printing device proximate to the biasing member and the paper guide to allow an image to be formed along a trailing edge of the paper. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings illustrate principles of the invention and, although not to scale, show relative dimensions.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention having a biasing member; and  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a side view of a further embodiment of the present invention having an interdigitated support element.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]    The present invention is directed toward trailing edge deletion prevention, minimizing a portion along the trailing edge of the paper which cannot be imprinted due to the structure of the image forming system.  
         [0012]    The term “image forming system” includes a collection of different printing technologies, such as electrophotographic, electrostatic, electrostatographic, ionographic, acoustic, piezo, thermal, laser, ink jet, and other types of image forming or reproducing systems adapted to capture and/or store image data associated with a particular object, such as a document, and reproduce, form, or produce an image. An example of an image forming system can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,629 to Brewington et al., the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. As used herein, the term “paper” is intended to include a wide variety of imprintable media.  
         [0013]    According to a first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1 provides an illustration of a biasing member  600  in communication with a paper guide  610  so as to provide the ability to hold a piece of paper  620  on a paper path firmly to the paper guide  610 , allowing the head carriage  630  to come in communication with the paper  620  near a trailing edge of the paper  620 . The biasing member  600  is biased against the paper guide  610 , preferably asserting a force against the paper guide  610  so as to keep the paper taut to a location further along the paper path. By keeping the paper taut, an image can be properly formed on the paper by a printing device. Examples of biasing members  600  include a pinch spring, leaf spring or other spring or elastic member. The biasing member  600  is preferably securely mounted to an image forming system frame at an end opposite the end of the biasing member  600  in communication with the paper guide  610 . Alternatively, biasing member  600  may be mounted at any of one or more locations along biasing member  600  such that a portion of biasing member  600  is biased against the paper guide  610 . The paper guide  610  functions to guide the paper within the image forming system. Preferably, the paper guide  610  is a roller, but may also be a device formed to guide the paper, such as a metal or plastic component formed to allow the paper to slide along the device.  
         [0014]    The present invention allows a printing device to be moved over a piece of paper  620  while allowing an edge  632  of the printing device  630  to extend beyond the paper guide  610 . Therefore, a printing area  635  of printing device  630  can be located over the position where the biasing member  600  meets the paper guide  610 . Because the biasing member  600  and paper guide  610  are able to hold a trailing edge of the paper  620 , the printing device  630  can imprint the paper  620  very close to the trailing edge of the paper  620 . The paper  620  travels in a direction indicated by the arrow  622 .  
         [0015]    According to a further embodiment of the invention directed toward trailing edge deletion prevention, as shown in FIG. 2, an interdigitated support element  700  is provided. The interdigitated support element  700  functions to provide two independently movable portions that each can selectively enhance its grip on a piece of paper to allow the independently movable portions to move the piece of paper. Examples of interdigitated support elements include an interdigitated table. The interdigitated support element  700  may be operated by the use of electrostatic energy or a vacuum. As shown in FIG. 2, the interdigitated support element  700  has a first portion  710  having a plurality of first digits  715 . A second portion  720  is also provided having a plurality of second digits  725  located along and opposite to the first digits  715 .  
         [0016]    In order to advance a piece of paper, one portion of the interdigitated support element, for example, a first portion  710  is activated so as to secure the paper. While the other portion, such as for example the second portion  720  is not activated, allowing the paper to remain free of the second portion  720 . Then the first portion  710  is advanced away from the second portion  720 . Next, the second portion  720  is activated to secure the paper, while the first portion  710  is deactivated, thereby releasing the paper. Then the first portion  710  is able to return back to its original position proximate to the second portion  720 . Therefore, the paper has been advanced in the direction of the first portion  710 .  
         [0017]    It is also within the scope of the invention to advance the paper in an opposite direction by reversing the order of activation and deactivation of the portions described above. In another variation of the invention, the interdigitated support element  700  may be provided with a greater or lesser number of first digits  715  and/or second digits  725 . The number of first digits  715  and the number of second digits  725  may be equal or unequal.  
         [0018]    These examples are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. The present invention has been described by way of example, and modifications and variations of the exemplary embodiments will suggest themselves to skilled artisans in this field without departing from the spirit of the invention. Features and characteristics of the above-described embodiments may be used in combination. The preferred embodiments are merely illustrative and should not be considered restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention is to be measured by the appended claims, rather than the preceding description, and all variations and equivalents that fall within the range of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.  
         [0019]    Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and protected by Letters Patent is: