Patent Publication Number: US-11639826-B2

Title: Side exits for multi-pass dryers

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Print devices can be used to print images or text onto print media. Print devices can come in a variety of different forms and use different types of printing agents (e.g., ink, toner, and the like). For example, some print devices may be multi-function devices that can provide different functions include fax, copy, print, and the like. 
     Some print devices may be capable of printing on both sides of a print media. For example, the printer may have a paper path that flips the print media. The print device may then print an image or ink on the opposite side of the print media. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram of a side view of a multiple-pass dryer of a printing device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram of an end view of the example printing device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a block diagram of a bottom view of the example printing device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a block diagram of a bottom view of another example printing device of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  5    is a flow chart of an example method for redirecting a continuous web of print media along an outer side of a multiple-pass dryer module of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Examples described herein provide side exit units for printing devices with multi-pass dryers. In some print applications, large continuous webs of print media may be fed to a printing device. The printing device may use a drying system that may have a paper path that wraps around the drying system towards a center of the drying system. However, some drying systems may use a complicated system to return the print media to the printheads for further processing or to a feed collector. The complicated system may add unnecessary size and length to return the print media. 
     The present disclosure provides a side exit unit to allow the print media to exit towards a side of the multi-pass dryers. For example, the multi-pass dryers may use multiple drying modules where the print media may travel from an outer-most dryer module and be wrapped around towards a center-most dryer module. The side exit unit may include a plurality of turn bars that move the print media 90 degrees towards a side and then another 90 degrees towards a desired direction (e.g., back to the print heads to process a side B or towards a feed collector when printing on both sides of the print media is completed). Thus, the side exit units of the present disclosure provide a more efficient way to return the print media in printing devices that use multi-pass dryers. 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an example printing device  100  of the present disclosure. In one example, the printing device  100  may include a printer module  102  and a plurality of dryer modules  104   1  to  104   n  (also referred to herein individually as a dryer module  104  or collectively as dryer modules  104 ). 
     It should be noted that the printing device  100  has been simplified for ease of explanation. The printing device  100  may also include additional components that are not shown in  FIG.  1   . For example, the printing device  100  may include print bars in the printer module  102  with printheads, driver rollers, idler rollers, a turn bar module, a controller or processor to control operation of the printing device  100 , user interfaces and/or displays, and the like. 
     In one example, the printing device  100  may use the plurality of dryer modules  104  to perform a multiple pass drying process on a print media  110 . The print media  110  may be a continuous web of print media that is fed from a roll of the print media  110  through the printer module  102 . The print media  110  may be paper or any other type of media on a continuous roll that can receive print fluid from printheads in the printer module  102 . 
     A side of the print media  110  may receive the print fluid in the printer module  102  in accordance with a print job. The print media  110  may then be fed through the dryer modules  104  as shown in  FIG.  1   . Although five dryer modules  104  are illustrated in  FIG.  1   , it should be noted that any number of dryer modules  104  may be deployed for a particular printing application or printing device  100 . 
     In one example, a plurality of rollers  108   1 - 108   m  (also referred to herein individually as a roller  108  or collectively as rollers  108 ) may transport the print media  110  through the dryer modules  104  in a wrap-around direction. For example, the print media  110  may exit the printer module  102  and be fed to the outermost dryer module  104   1  that is furthest from the printer module  102 . The print media  110  may travel through the dryer module  104   1  and exit out a bottom of the dryer module  104   1 . 
     The print media  110  may then travel to the innermost dryer module  104   n  that is closest to the printer module  102 . The print media  110  may be fed from a bottom of the dryer module  104   n  and exit out of a top of the dryer module  104   n . The print media  110  may then travel to the dryer module  104   2  that is second furthest away from the printer module  102 , or adjacent to the dryer module  104   1 . The print media  110  may be fed through a top of the dryer module  104   2  and exit a bottom of the dryer module  104   2 . 
     The print media  110  may then travel to the dryer module  104   4  in a similar fashion and be wrapped around through the dryer modules  104  until reaching a center-most dryer module (e.g., the dryer module  104   3 ). The print media  110  may be fed through the center-most dryer module  104   3  and exit through a bottom of the center-most dryer module  104   3 . 
     Although an example of a multiple-pass drying process is illustrated in  FIG.  1    and described above, it should be noted that the print media  110  may travel in other routes that internally wrap the print media  110  around a plurality of dryer modules  104  for the multiple-pass drying process. For example, the printer module  102  may feed the print media  110  initially from a bottom of the dryer module  104   1  such that the print media  110  exits out of a top of the center-most dryer module  104   3 . In another example, the printer module  102  may initially feed the print media  110  to the closest dryer module  104   n  and then wrap the print media  110  around the dryer modules  104  to exit out of the center-most dryer module  104   3 , and so forth. 
     One way to transport the print media  110  from the exit of the center most dryer module  104   3  may be to add additional transport rollers and paper paths to loop back around the dryer modules  104  to a destination. However, this can add costs to the printing device  100 , increase the size and footprint of the printing device  100 , and add complexity to the overall design of the printing device  100 . 
     In one example of the present disclosure, a side exit unit  106  may be coupled to the exit of a center-most dryer module (e.g., the dryer module  104   3 ). The side exit unit  106  may guide the print media  110  along an outer edge or side of the dryer modules  104 . In other words, the side exit unit  106  may guide the print media  110  outside of a dryer paper path that the print media  110  travels as it is being wrapped around the dryer modules  104 , as described above. 
     It should be noted that the rollers  108  do not contact a side of the print media  110  that is printed on while transporting the print media  110  through the dryer modules  104 . After the print media  110  exits the final dryer module (e.g., the dyer module  104   3 ), the side of the print media  110  that receives the print fluid from the printer module  102  may contact a turnbar (discussed below and illustrated in  FIGS.  3  and  4   ) in the side exit unit  106 . 
       FIG.  2    illustrates an end view of the printing device  100 . For example,  FIG.  2    illustrates a view looking at an end of the printing device  100  where the dryer module  104   1  is closest to the reader and the printer module  102  is furthest away from the reader. The print media  110  can be seen travelling in a wrap-around direction. The print media  110  may be positioned in a center, or towards a center, of the printer modules  104  as it travels in the wrap-around direction described above. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates an example of the side exit unit  106  that is located below the dryer modules  104 . As noted above, the side exit unit  106  may be positioned to receive the print media  110  from the final dryer module. In one example, the final dryer module may be the center-most dryer module (e.g., the dryer module  104   3 ) when the print media  110  is processed in a wrap-around direction through the dryer modules  104 , as described above. 
     The side exit unit  106  may redirect the print media  110  to travel outside of the wrap-around direction that is towards a center of the dryer modules  104 . In other words, the side exit unit  106  may redirect the print media  110  to travel along an outer side or outer edge of the dryer modules  104 . 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a bottom view of the printing device  100 . In one example, the printing device  100  may be a single pass printer. In other words, the print media  110  may pass through the printer module  102  a single time to print on one side of the print media  110 . After the print media  110  is dried by the dryer modules  104  traveling in the wrap-around direction, the print media  110  may be fed to a collector or other finishing module of the printing device  100 . 
       FIG.  3    illustrates the side exit unit  106 . In one example, the side exit unit  106  may include a plurality of turnbars  302  and  304 . The turn bars  302  and  304  may be positioned at approximately opposing 45 degree angles relative to a direction of the print media  110 . The turn bars  302  and  304  may be used to redirect the print media  110  90 degrees relative to the direction of the print media  100 . In one example, the turn bars  302  and  304  may be arranged to be parallel relative to each other to redirect the print media  110  in consecutive 90 degree turns. As a result, the print media  110  may be rerouted along an outer side of the dryer modules  104  towards a collector or other finishing module. 
     In one example, the angles may be defined by axes  306  and  308  illustrated in  FIG.  3   . The axes  306  and  308  may represent a direction that the print media  110  may travel along in the printing device  100 . An angle  310  may be defined relative to the axes  306  and  308 . For example, when the print media  110  is traveling along a direction parallel to the axis  306 , redirecting the print media  110  by 90 degrees may cause the print media  110  to travel along a direction that is parallel to the axis  308 . The angle  310  formed between the axes  306  and  308  may be approximately 90 degrees. 
     To illustrate, the print media  110  may exit the dryer module  104   3  after completing the drying process in a wrap-around direction described above. The print media  110  may exit the dryer module  104   3  traveling in a direction parallel to the axis  306 . The print media  110  may be fed through a first turnbar  302  in the side exit unit  106  to redirect the print media  110  by 90 degrees so that the print media  110  travels in a direction parallel to the axis  308 . 
     The print media  110  may be fed through a second turnbar  304  in the side exit unit  106  to redirect the print media  110  by another 90 degrees. As a result, the print media  110  may travel in a direction that is parallel to the axis  306 . 
     As noted above, the print media  110  may be a continuous web of print media. Thus, portions of the print media  110  may be still traveling through the center of the dryer modules  102  as other portions of the print media  110  are be redirected by the side exit unit  106 . 
     In one example, the second turnbar  304  may be positioned away from the first turnbar  302  such that the print media  110  travels outside of the portion of the print media  110  that may be still traveling through the dryer modules  104  in the wrap-around direction. In other words, the print media  110  may travel along a direction parallel to the axis  308  for a distance sufficient to clear the outer edge of the portion of the print media  110  that may be located towards a center of the dryer modules  104 . Once the print media  110  has cleared the portion of the print media  110  still traveling through the dryer modules  104 , the second turnbar  304  may redirect the print media  110  through a second 90 degree turn towards a final destination of the print media  110 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a bottom view of an example printing device  400 . The printing device  400  may be similar to the printing device  100  except that the printing device  400  may be a multiple-pass or side-by-side printer. For example, the printing device  400  may include a printer module  402  and a plurality of dryer modules  404   1 - 404   n . The printer module  402  may include print bars that are capable of printing on both sides of a print media  410 . 
     The print media  410  may be a continuous roll of print media that is continuously fed through the printing device  400 . The print media  410  may be initially fed through the printer module  402  and the printer module  402  may print on a first side of the print media  410 . The print media  410  may then travel through the dryer modules  404  in a wrap-around direction to dry the print fluid dispensed on the first side of the print media  410 , as described above. The print media  410  may then be flipped and returned to the printer module  402 . 
     The printer module  402  may print on a second side of the print media  410 . The print media  410  may then be fed through the dryer modules  404  in a wrap-around direction to dry the printing fluid dispensed on the second side of the print media  410 , as described above. 
     In one example, the dryer modules  404  may have two wrap-around directions or paths. One wrap-around direction may be for the drying the first side of the print media  410  after the printer module  402  and a second wrap-around direction may be for drying the second side of the print media  410  after the printer module  402 . The two wrap-around paths may be adjacent and parallel to one another towards a center of the dryer modules  404 . 
     As a result, the printing device  400  may include two side exit units  406   1  and  406   2 . The side exit units  406   1  and  406   2  may be located below the center-most dryer module (e.g., the dryer module  404   3 ). The side exit units  406   1  and  406   2  may be positioned to receive the print media  410  as the print media exits the center-most dryer module  404   3 . 
     In one example, the side exit unit  406   1  may include turnbars  424  and  412 . The side exit unit  406   2  may include turnbars  414  and  416 . The first side exit unit  406   1  may receive the print media  410  after the first side is dried by the dryer modules  404 . The turnbars  424  and  412  may be aligned approximately parallel at 45 degrees relative to the direction of the print media  410 .  FIG.  4    illustrates axes  418  and  420  that form an angle  422  to provide context for the angles, as described in  FIG.  3    and discussed above. 
     In one example, the turnbars  424  and  412  may redirect the print media  410  in two consecutive 90 degree turns to redirect the print media  410  back towards a flip and return unit (not shown). For example, the print media  410  may travel in a direction parallel to the axis  418 . The turnbar  424  may receive the print media  410  and turn the print media  410  by 90 degrees such that the print media  410  travels in a direction parallel to the axis  420 . The turnbar  412  may receive the print media  410  and turn the print media  410  by another 90 degrees such that the print media  410  travels in a direction parallel (but opposite) to the axis  418 , as illustrated in  FIG.  4   . 
     The turnbar  412  may be positioned away from the turnbar  424  such that the print media  410  travels outside of the portion of the print media  410  that may be still traveling through the dryer modules  404  in the wrap-around direction. In other words, the print media  410  may travel along a direction parallel to the axis  420  for a distance sufficient to clear the outer edge of the portion of the print media  410  that may be located towards a center of the dryer modules  404 . Once the print media  410  has cleared the portion of the print media  410  still traveling through the dryer modules  404 , the turnbar  412  may redirect the print media  410  through a second 90 degree turn towards the flip and return unit. 
     As noted above the second side exit unit  406   2  may include the turnbars  414  and  416 . The turnbars  414  and  416  may be aligned approximately opposing 45 degree angles relative to the direction of the print media  410 . 
     In one example, the turnbars  414  and  416  may redirect the print media  410  in two consecutive 90 degree turns to redirect the print media  410  towards a collector or a final destination. For example, the print media  410  may travel in a direction parallel to the axis  418 . The turnbar  414  may receive the print media  410  and turn the print media  410  by 90 degrees such that the print media  410  travels in a direction parallel to the axis  420 . The turnbar  416  may receive the print media  410  and turn the print media  410  by another 90 degrees such that the print media  410  travels in a direction parallel to the axis  418 , as illustrated in  FIG.  4   . 
     The turnbar  416  may be positioned away from the turnbar  414  such that the print media  410  travels outside of the portion of the print media  410  that may be still traveling through the dryer modules  404  in the wrap-around direction. In other words, the print media  410  may travel along a direction parallel to the axis  420  for a distance sufficient to clear the outer edge of the portion of the print media  410  that may be located towards a center of the dryer modules  404 . Once the print media  410  has cleared the portion of the print media  410  still traveling through the dryer modules  404 , the turnbar  416  may redirect the print media  410  through a second 90 degree turn towards the collector. 
     Thus, the first side exit unit  406   1  and the second side exit unit  406   2  may redirect the print media  410  to travel on opposite outer sides of the dryer modules  404  in the respective directions. The side exit units  406   1  and  406   2  may provide an elegant solution to exiting the print media  410  from a center-most dryer module  404   3  after the wrap-around drying process is completed. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates a flow diagram of an example method  500  for redirecting a continuous web of print media along an outer side of a multiple-pass dryer module. In an example, the method  500  may be performed by the printing device  100  or  400 . 
     At block  502 , the method  500  begins. At block  504 , the method  500  prints on a continuous web of print media. For example, the print media may be a continuous roll of paper that is fed through a printing device. The printing device may be a single pass printing device or a double pass printing device that can print on both sides of the print media. For example, the printing device may print on both sides of the print media simultaneously in a side-by-side fashion. The printing device may dispense a printing fluid onto the print media in accordance with a print job. 
     At block  506 , the method  500  feeds the continuous web of print media through a plurality of dryer modules in a wrap-around direction that terminates at a centermost dryer module of the plurality of dryer modules. For example, the wrap-around direction may include directing the print media through the plurality of dryer modules in a continuous loop moving from the outermost dryer modules to a centermost dryer module. 
     In one example, the continuous web of print media may be fed to a top of a dryer module that is furthest away from a printer module and out a bottom of the dryer module furthest away from the printer module. The continuous web of print media may be fed to a bottom of a dryer module closest to the printer module and out a top of the dryer module closest to the printer module. The process may be repeated as the continuous web of print media is fed through the inner dryer modules until the centermost dryer module is reached. 
     At block  508 , the method  500  redirects the continuous web of print media to travel along an outer side of the plurality of dryer modules after exiting the center-most dryer module. For example, the redirecting may be performed by a side exit unit that includes a plurality of turnbars that may turn the continuous web of print media. In one example, each turnbar may turn the continuous web of print media approximately 90 degrees relative to a direction of travel of the continuous web of print media as it enters the turnbar. 
     In one example, the plurality of turnbars may be arranged to redirect the continuous web of print media twice at approximately 90 degrees. In a single-pass printing device with a single side exit unit, the plurality of turnbars may be arranged to have the continuous web of print media move towards a collector along an outer-side of the dryer modules. 
     In one example, the method  500  may be repeated for a double-pass printing device. For example, the double-pass printing device may print on both sides of the print media and have the print media travel through the dryer modules in two different wrap-around directions or paths. Thus, the double-pass printing device may have two side exit units. 
     A first side exit unit may have the plurality of turnbars which may be arranged to have the continuous web of print media move back towards the printer module if the printing device is a double-pass printing device. Then the continuous web of print media may travel through a second wrap-around direction in the plurality of dryer modules and be fed to the second side exit unit located below the center-most dryer module. 
     The second side exit unit may have the plurality of turnbars arranged to have the continuous web of print media move towards a collector or some other finishing module of the printing device. At block  510 , the method  500  ends. 
     It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.