Patent Description:
It is known to apply an endless conveyor belt as a sheet support surface facing a print head assembly in an inkjet printer. The sheet is drawn against the belt by means of an underpressure applied via through-holes in the belt. In case of a pagewide print head assembly the sheet may be printed without stopping, resulting in a productive printer. To maintain the support surface flat and level, a belt support structure is provided below the belt to prevent the belt from deforming under the applied underpressure. It is known to construct such belt support structure from metal plates by e.g. milling the plate, for example as known from <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, or <CIT>. The known plates however provide a relatively high load on the motor for driving the belt, as well issues with contamination spreading between the belt and plates. <CIT> disclposes a printer conveyer mechanism with a belt supported by plastic bars made out of PTFE to limit friction. <CIT> discloses a sheet transport device with a suction belt. The perimeter of the suction box is provided with a friction reducing material.

It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative belt support structure for an endless, air permeable belt in a conveyor of an inkjet printer, preferably with a reduction in manufacturing and/or operational costs, and/or contamination issues. In accordance with the present invention, a conveyor according to claim <NUM>, an inkjet printer according to claim <NUM>, and a tile element according to claim <NUM> are provided. Said conveyor comprises an endless, air permeable belt positioned at least partially over a suction chamber, wherein a belt support structure is provided over the suction chamber, wherein the belt support structure comprises a plurality of longitudinal, narrow support beams positioned spaced apart from one another and parallel to one another in a transport direction of the belt to define a flat support plane for the belt.

The support surface which contacts the belt is formed of narrow support beams, specifically the top portion of said support beams during use. The contact area between the belt and the support beams is thereby relatively small, which reduces friction between the belt and the belt support structure. The support beams further are aligned parallel to the transport direction, which further results in a low friction support surface. The belt support structure further comprises spaced apart connection bridges integrally formed with the support beams, the connection bridges connecting the support beams to one another. The connection bridges extend perpendicular to the support beams in a lateral direction perpendicular to the transport direction, wherein a width of the respective support beams in the lateral direction is narrow as compared to a width of the connection bridges in the lateral direction. The support beams form a simple belt support structure, which is easy to manufacture by low costs methods, such as injection molding. Additionally, the contact area between the belt and the belt support structure is small, while a relatively large open area of the belt support structure may be achieved. This allows for an effective removal of contaminants, such as ink particles floating between the belt and the print head assembly, through the belt and the belt support structure towards the suction source. Contamination is thereby reduced, while the relatively small contact area of the support beams is easy to clean.

Thereby the object of the present invention has been achieved.

More specific optional features of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

In an embodiment, the belt support structure further comprises spaced apart connection bridges for connecting support beams to one another, which connection bridges extend perpendicular to the support beams in a lateral direction of the belt, which connection bridges are positioned remote from the support plane. The connection bridges join support beams together. This results in an easy to handle and mount structure. The connection bridges are positioned below the support plane during operation, such that the connection bridges to exert additional friction on the belt. Also any contamination on the connection bridges will then not directly spread to the belt.

In an embodiment, an opening is formed between neighboring support beams and neighboring connection bridges, wherein a combined area of the openings exceed a combined area of the support beams and the connection bridges, when viewed perpendicular to the support plane. The belt support structure has a relatively large open area for allowing air to pass through into the underlying suction chamber. In between connection bridges and support beams openings are present in the belt support structure. The support beams and the connection bridges are dimensioned and positioned with respect to one another such that their total area projected onto the suction chamber, when viewed in a top-down direction, is smaller than a total area of the suction chamber not covered by the belt support structure. This results in a low friction support surface with a relatively low air resistance, and in consequence a high throughflow of air through the belt and the belt support structure. This improves the holding down of the sheet onto the belt as well as the removal of airborne particles above the belt via the belt support structure.

In an embodiment, a length and/or width of the opening in the transport direction and/or the lateral direction exceeds a width of the connection bridges. The distance between neighboring connection bridges is greater than a width of an individual connection bridges, when measured in the transport direction. This results in relatively large open area and low air resistance of the belt support structure. Preferably, the length and/or width of the opening in the transport direction and/or the lateral direction is at least three times, preferably at least four times, very preferably at least five times the width of the connection bridges. Any representative distance, length, and/or width may be used, such as an average distance, length, or width, or the smallest distance, length, or width of a connection bridge and/or opening in the belt support structure. The distance between neighboring connection bridges is a plurality of the width of an individual connection bridge, the plurality being at least <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> times said width. The connection bridges are preferably positioned equidistanced with respect to their nearest neighbors, for example in their entirety or in smaller groups with different spacings. Similarly, the width of the connection bridges may be the same for all connection bridges, or at least for groups of connection bridges. In another embodiment, the connection bridges are oriented in the lateral direction. The connection bridges extend between adjacent support beams via the shortest intermediate distance. This further minimizes the total area of the belt support structure.

In an embodiment, a length and/or width of the opening in the transport direction and/or the lateral direction exceeds a width of the support beams, preferably wherein the length and/or width of the opening in the transport direction and/or the lateral direction is at least two times, preferably at least three times, very preferably at least four times the width of the connection bridges.

In an embodiment the belt support structure is formed of a plurality of identical tile elements, each tile element comprising a plurality of connection bridges and support beams. Each tile element is formed of a group of support beams connected together via connection bridges to form a single element or structure. This allows the belt support structure to be formed with a plurality of identical, easy to handle tile elements, thereby simplifying the construction of the belt support structure. The costs of the belt support structure are further reduced, since such tile elements may be produced in bulk by low costs manufacturing methods such as injection molding. Preferably, the belt support structure is formed of multiple, identical tile elements. In another embodiment, the tile elements are provided with corresponding locking means for interlocking the tile elements to one another. The tile elements are locked or secured together by corresponding locking means, such as a click-and-lock mechanism. This allows for quick assembly of the belt support structure.

In an embodiment, the suction chamber is provided with a plurality of rods extending parallel to the support plane, wherein the tile elements are provided with attachment means for attaching the tile elements on the rods. The rods provide a support for mounting the tile elements and provide rigidity to the belt support structure. This allows the tile elements to be formed of a relatively low costs material, such as plastic. The rods are preferably formed of a different material than the tile element. Metal rods may for example be used to provide a rigid base for mounting the tile elements. This reduces the requirements on the material for the tile element, allowing said material to be optimized with regard to e.g. the production process, costs, and the interaction between said material and the belt (friction) and/or between the material and any known contaminants, such as ink or related particles. Preferably, the rods are identical or similar and positioned spaced apart from one another.

In an embodiment, the support beams and preferably the connection bridges are formed of a plastic material, preferably of an injection molded plastic material, and very preferably of a plastic material comprising polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and a glass fiber material. Plastic is low costs and was found to provide a low friction interface with the belt. Specifically a mixture comprising polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and a glass fiber material was found to result in a low coefficient of friction under operational conditions in the printer. A material comprising PTFE with a glass fiber material resulted in a coefficient of friction less than <NUM> even with contaminations on the belt and/or belt support structure. Typical contaminations include ink, specifically latex-based ink and/or a primer suitable for such an ink. A preferred material is for example Teflon combined or filled with Barium Sulphate (BaSO<NUM>) and/or a polyoxymethylene (POM) material or composite material, either with or without additions. The applied material may further be tribologically optimized to minimize friction and/or pollution.

In another embodiment, the belt is formed of a perforated plastic material, preferably comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The above mentioned materials were found to give low coefficients of friction in combination with a plastic belt, specifically one comprising PET. A plastic belt further reduces the costs of the conveyor.

In an embodiment, the suction chamber is positioned between a plurality of rollers for supporting and driving the belt, such that the belt surrounds the suction chamber. The belt extends circumferentially around the suction chamber to achieve a compact design.

The present invention further relates to an inkjet printer comprising a conveyor according to the present invention. The inkjet printer is preferably a sheet printer, suitable for mid-to large volume printing.

The present invention further relates to a tile element for forming a belt support structure of an endless belt conveyor for an inkjet printer, the tile element comprising a plurality of longitudinal, narrow support beams positioned parallel to one another in a first direction to define a flat support plane for the belt and spaced apart connection bridges for connecting support beams to one another, which connection bridges extend perpendicular to the support beams in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein a width of the respective support beams in the second direction is narrow as compared to a width of the connection bridges in the second direction, which connection bridges are positioned remote from the support plane, and wherein the tile element is formed of a plastic material, preferably of an injection molded plastic material, and very preferably of a plastic material comprising polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and a glass fiber material. The tile element is low costs and easy to assembly into the print belt support structure.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

<FIG> shows schematically an embodiment of a printer <NUM> according to the present invention. The printer <NUM>, for purposes of explanation, is divided into an output section <NUM>, a print engine and control section <NUM>, a local user interface <NUM> and an input section <NUM>. While a specific printer is shown and described, the disclosed embodiments may be used with other types of printer such as an ink jet print system, an electrographic print system, etc..

The output section <NUM> comprises a first output holder <NUM> for holding printed image receiving material, for example a plurality of sheets. The output section <NUM> may comprise a second output holder <NUM>. While <NUM> output holders are illustrated in <FIG>, the number of output holders may include one, two, three or more output holders. The printed image receiving material is transported from the print engine and control section <NUM> via an inlet <NUM> to the output section <NUM>. When a stack ejection command is invoked by the controller <NUM> for the first output holder <NUM>, first guiding means <NUM> are activated in order to eject the plurality of sheets in the first output holder <NUM> outwards to a first external output holder <NUM>. When a stack ejection command is invoked by the controller <NUM> for the second output holder <NUM>, second guiding means <NUM> are activated in order to eject the plurality of sheets in the second output holder <NUM> outwards to a second external output holder <NUM>.

The output section <NUM> is digitally connected by means of a cable <NUM> to the print engine and control section <NUM> for bi-directional data signal transfer.

The print engine and control section <NUM> comprises a print engine and a controller <NUM> for controlling the printing process and scheduling the plurality of sheets in a printing order before they are separated from input holder <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is a computer, a server or a workstation, connected to the print engine and connected to the digital environment of the printer, for example a network N for transmitting a submitted print job to the printer <NUM>. In <FIG> the controller <NUM> is positioned inside the print engine and control section <NUM>, but the controller <NUM> may also be at least partially positioned outside the print engine and control section <NUM> in connection with the network N in a workstation N1.

The controller <NUM> comprises a print job receiving section <NUM> permitting a user to submit a print job to the printer <NUM>, the print job comprising image data to be printed and a plurality of print job settings. The controller <NUM> comprises a print job queue section <NUM> comprising a print job queue for print jobs submitted to the printer <NUM> and scheduled to be printed. The controller <NUM> comprises a sheet scheduling section <NUM> for determining for each of the plurality of sheets of the print jobs in the print job queue an entrance time in the paper path of the print engine and control section <NUM>, especially an entrance time for the first pass and an entrance time for the second pass in the loop in the paper path according to the present invention. The sheet scheduling section <NUM> will also be called scheduler <NUM> hereinafter.

The sheet scheduling section <NUM> takes the length of the loop into account. The length of the loop corresponds to a loop time duration of a sheet going through the loop dependent on the velocity of the sheets in the loop. The loop time duration may vary per kind of sheet, i.e. a sheet with different media properties.

Resources may be recording material located in the input section <NUM>, marking material located in a reservoir <NUM> near or in the print head or print assembly <NUM> of the print engine, or finishing material located near the print head or print assembly <NUM> of the print engine or located in the output section <NUM> (not shown).

The paper path comprises a plurality of paper path sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for transporting the image receiving material from an entry point <NUM> of the print engine and control section <NUM> along the print head or print assembly <NUM> to the inlet <NUM> of the output section <NUM>. The paper path sections <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> form a loop according to the present invention. The loop enables the printing of a duplex print job and/or a mix-plex job, i.e. a print job comprising a mix of sheets intended to be printed partially in a simplex mode and partially in a duplex mode.

The print head or print assembly <NUM> is suitable for ejecting and/or fixing marking material to image receiving material. The print head or print assembly <NUM> is positioned near the paper path section <NUM>. The print head or print assembly <NUM> may be an inkjet print head, a direct imaging toner assembly or an indirect imaging toner assembly.

While an image receiving material is transported along the paper path section <NUM> in a first pass in the loop, the image receiving material receives the marking material through the print head or print assembly <NUM>. A next paper path section <NUM> is a flip unit <NUM> for selecting a different subsequent paper path for simplex or duplex printing of the image receiving material. The flip unit <NUM> may be also used to flip a sheet of image receiving material after printing in simplex mode before the sheet leaves the print engine and control section <NUM> via a curved section <NUM> of the flip unit <NUM> and via the inlet <NUM> to the output section <NUM>. The curved section <NUM> of the flip unit <NUM> may not be present and the turning of a simplex page has to be done via another paper path section <NUM>.

In case of duplex printing on a sheet or when the curved section <NUM> is not present, the sheet is transported along the loop via paper path section 35A in order to turn the sheet for enabling printing on the other side of the sheet. The sheet is transported along the paper path section <NUM> until it reaches a merging point 34A at which sheets entering the paper path section <NUM> from the entry point <NUM> interweave with the sheets coming from the paper path section <NUM>. The sheets entering the paper path section <NUM> from the entry point <NUM> are starting their first pass along the print head or print assembly <NUM> in the loop. The sheets coming from the paper path section <NUM> are starting their second pass along the print head or print assembly <NUM> in the loop. When a sheet has passed the print head or print assembly <NUM> for the second time in the second pass, the sheet is transported to the inlet <NUM> of the output section <NUM>.

The input section <NUM> may comprise at least one input holder <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for holding the image receiving material before transporting the sheets of image receiving material to the print engine and control section <NUM>. Sheets of image receiving material are separated from the input holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and guided from the input holders <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> by guiding means <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to an outlet <NUM> for entrance in the print engine and control section <NUM>. Each input holder <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be used for holding a different kind of image receiving material, i.e. sheets having different media properties. While <NUM> input holders are illustrated in <FIG>, the number of input holders may include one, two, three or more input holders.

The local user interface <NUM> is suitable for displaying user interface windows for controlling the print job queue residing in the controller <NUM>. In another embodiment a computer N1 in the network N has a user interface for displaying and controlling the print job queue of the printer <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a conveyor <NUM> positioned at the paper path section <NUM>. The conveyor <NUM> comprises a plurality of rollers <NUM> which support and drive an endless conveyor belt <NUM>. At least of the rollers <NUM> is provided with a drive or motor for driving the belt <NUM>. The belt <NUM> is permeable to gas, specifically to air, to apply an underpressure to a sheet of an image receiving member positioned on the belt <NUM>. The sheet is thereby held in position against the belt <NUM>. The holding force applied by the underpressure should be sufficient to prevent displacement of the sheet with respect top the belt <NUM>. Generally, the belt <NUM> is or has been aligned with respect to the print head assembly <NUM>. Any displacement of the sheet with respect to the belt <NUM> could result in print errors or artifacts in the image printed on the sheet by incorrectly positioned ink droplets. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the belt <NUM> is formed of plastic to reduce the costs of such a belt <NUM>, preferably a plastic partially or entirely formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The belt <NUM> is provided with a matrix of through-holes to draw in air through the belt <NUM>. The belt <NUM> is positioned above a suction chamber <NUM> which is connected to a suction source <NUM>, such as a pump or fan, via line <NUM>. It will appreciated that the suction source <NUM> may be positioned remote from the suction chamber <NUM> by extending the line <NUM>. To achieve good image quality the sheet should be flatly positioned below the print head assembly <NUM>. This prevents any irregularities in the sheet from resulting in print artifacts. It further allows for a narrow print gap between the print head assembly <NUM> and the sheet, which allows for more accurate ink droplet positioning. To maintain the sheet in a planar state, a belt support structure <NUM> provided at the top side of the suction chamber <NUM> in contact with an inward facing portion of the belt <NUM>. Belt support structure <NUM> preferably extends along the full width and length of the suction chamber <NUM>. In <FIG> belt support structure <NUM> is mounted on the walls of the suction chamber <NUM> by means of the mounting elements <NUM>, which in <FIG> are illustrated as rods.

<FIG> shows a schematic top-down view of the belt support structure <NUM> on the suction chamber <NUM>. A plurality of longitudinal support beams <NUM> extend parallel to one another in the transport direction D1 of the conveyor <NUM>, which coincides with the circumferential direction of the belt <NUM> below the print head assembly <NUM> during operation. The top edges of the support beams <NUM> together define a support plane for the belt <NUM>. The support beams <NUM> are dimensioned and positioned such that the support plane is planar or flat. In <FIG> the support beams are provided as identical narrow beams, which are aligned in the transport direction D1. The contact surface with the belt <NUM> is thereby minimized, resulting in minimal friction between the belt <NUM> and the support beams <NUM>. The support beams <NUM> are positioned spaced apart from one another in a lateral direction D2 of the suction chamber <NUM>. The distance between neighbouring support beams <NUM> is at least a plurality of the width of the support beams <NUM> in the lateral direction D2. This results in an open belt support structure <NUM> with low air resistance. This reduces the load on the suction source <NUM>. It further aids in preventing a build-up of so-called ink mist, which is fine droplets of ink floating below the print head assembly <NUM> by removing these particles by suction towards a filter (not shown) which removes the particles from the air passing through it. Specifically, ink mist build-up below the belt is reduced or prevented, which allows the belt support structure <NUM> and the belt <NUM> to avoid blockage and maintain their open structure during continued operation. Thereby contamination of the belt <NUM> or the sheet is reduced.

The support beams <NUM> are connected to one another via connection bridges <NUM>. The connection bridges <NUM> extend in <FIG> in the lateral direction D2 between neighbouring support beams <NUM>. The connection bridges <NUM> are preferably aligned in the lateral direction D2, such the total area of the connection bridges <NUM> is minimized. The connection bridges <NUM> are positioned out of the support plane formed by the support beams <NUM>. During operation the connection bridges <NUM> are positioned below the support plane and thus below the belt <NUM>. The connection bridges <NUM> provide an easy mounting of the belt support structure <NUM> on the suction chamber <NUM>. The connection bridges <NUM> further maintain the support beams <NUM> aligned in the transport direction D1. The connection bridges <NUM> in <FIG> are relatively narrow compared to their intermediate distance in the transport direction D1. The distance between adjacent connection bridges <NUM> in the transport direction D1 is at least a plurality of the width of a single connection bridge <NUM>. This results in an open belt support structure <NUM>, wherein the total area of the support beams <NUM> and the connection bridges <NUM> viewed in the top-down direction D3 is less than the uncovered area of the top opening of the suction chamber <NUM>. Preferably, total surface of the support beams <NUM> and the connection bridges <NUM> is less than half, very preferably less than one-third, and even more preferably less than one-quarter of the total area of the top opening of the suction chamber <NUM>. The connection bridges <NUM> are mounted on mounting rods <NUM> which extends across the suction chamber <NUM>. In another embodiment, the connection bridges <NUM> may be formed by such mounting rods or beams <NUM> by mounting the support beams <NUM> on the mounting rods <NUM>, either directly via attachments means, such as hooks, clamps, glue, etc. or indirectly via the connection bridges <NUM>. The supports rods <NUM> may be mounted on the walls of the suction chamber <NUM> by any suitable means, such as bearings, recesses, support strips, etc. It will be appreciated that a different support for the support beams <NUM> may be applied. The support beams <NUM> are supported such that these provide a flat or planar belt support plane. Other suitable supports may be plates, beams, wire meshes, etc. The support may further be integrated into the support beams <NUM> and/or connection bridges <NUM>, such that these are mounted directly on the suction chamber <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a belt support structure <NUM>. In <FIG> the belt support structure <NUM> is formed of a plurality of identical tile elements <NUM>, which are arranged in a pattern or matrix. Each tile element <NUM> comprises a plurality of support beams <NUM>, which are connected to one another by means of the connection bridges <NUM>, similar to the embodiment in <FIG>. The tile elements <NUM> are connected to one another via locking means or elements <NUM>. Each locking element <NUM> is shaped to lockingly join with a corresponding locking element <NUM> on the neighboring side of an adjacent tile element <NUM> to secure neighboring tile elements <NUM> together. The locking elements <NUM> may for example be a click mechanism, which allow for fast assembly of the belt support structure <NUM>. The tile elements <NUM> are further secured to the mounting rods <NUM>. The mounting rods <NUM> are formed of a different material than the tile elements <NUM>, preferably of a material with greater rigidity than that of the tile elements <NUM>. The mounting rods <NUM> may for example be formed of metal or other suitable rigid material, which allows the tile elements <NUM> to be formed of a weaker material but with suitable properties for achieving e.g. low friction with the belt <NUM>, specifically in the presence of ink or primer contamination. The tile element <NUM> may be formed of e.g. injection molded plastic, preferably a plastic material comprising polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and a glass fiber material. The latter provides low friction between the belt <NUM> and the support beams <NUM>, even when ink or primer has contaminated the interface between the two. The belt <NUM> is preferably formed of a plastic, for example partially or entirely consisting of PET. Low friction between these two materials under operational conditions was achieved during testing.

The mounting rods <NUM> provide rigidity to the belt support structure <NUM>, which prevents the belt support structure <NUM> from deforming under the suction forces applied to a sheet on the belt <NUM> over the belt support structure <NUM>. This allows the tile elements <NUM> to produce by low-costs methods, such as injection molding. It will be appreciated that within the present invention, the connection bridges <NUM> may alternatively be configured in a sufficiently rigid manner, such that the connection bridges <NUM> may act as the means for mounting the belt support structure <NUM> on the suction chamber. Each tile element <NUM> with its support beams <NUM>, connection bridges <NUM>, and optionally its locking means <NUM>, is integrally formed. The support beams <NUM>, connection bridges <NUM>, locking means <NUM>, and/or means for mounting the tile element <NUM> on the mounting rods <NUM> are preferably formed in a single mold and of the same material.

As shown in <FIG>, the support beams <NUM> taper towards the support plane in the top-down direction D3. The cross-section of the support beams <NUM> narrows towards to the support plane. In consequence the contact area between the support beams <NUM> is minimized, which results in low friction on the belt <NUM>. The tapering allows the support beams <NUM> to have a wider base to reinforce their rigidity, which contributes to easier handling during manufacturing.

<FIG> illustrates a top-down view of a plurality of tile elements <NUM> forming the belt support structure <NUM>. For illustrative purpose a tile element <NUM> has been omitted. As seen in the top-down direction D3, the belt support structure <NUM> comprises a relatively large open area, through which the underlying suction chamber is visible. This results in a low air resistance of the belt support structure <NUM>, which allows for a reduced load on the suction source. A further advantage is the removal of ink mist through the belt support structure. Ink mist originates from fine particles generated during the jetting of ink droplets. The particles float between the print head assembly <NUM> and the belt <NUM>. The particles may contaminate the sheet and/or belt <NUM>, which could result in visible artifacts on the sheet. The open belt support structure <NUM> allows at least a portion of the ink mist to be removed via the suction chamber <NUM> though uncovered portions of the belt <NUM>, for example besides or between sheets on the belt <NUM>. While the ink mist may contaminate the inside of the suction chamber <NUM>, contact between the belt <NUM> and the belt support structure <NUM> is minimized and on the inside of the belt <NUM>. It was further found that the plastic tile elements <NUM> are easy to clean and, if needed, can be quickly replaced by a new tile element <NUM>. It was further found that with the above mentioned materials ink mist or ink particles do not or are less likely to adhere to the support beams <NUM>, <NUM>. This ensures that the support beams <NUM>, <NUM> remain clean, which allows for a constant low friction support for the belt <NUM>. In another embodiment, a cleaning device is provided at the belt <NUM> for removing pollution from the belt <NUM>, specially from its inner surface. When applying the above mentioned materials, ink pollution is more likely to adhere to the belt <NUM> than to the support beams <NUM>, <NUM>. The belt <NUM> during operation cleans the support beams <NUM>, <NUM> and is itself continuously cleaned by the cleaning device, which may be a scraper or wiper in contact with the inner surface of the belt <NUM>. This improves the running time of the printer <NUM>.

The open area of the structure <NUM> is preferably maximized by spacing the parallel support beams <NUM> apart from one another by at least twice, thrice, or four times their width in the lateral direction D2. Similarly, the connection bridges <NUM> are parallel to the lateral direction D2 to minimize their total area. The connection bridges <NUM> further are spaced apart from one another by a distance of at least twice, thrice, four times, or five times their width in the transport direction D1. The connection bridges <NUM> may further be positioned to overlap with the mounting rods <NUM>, when viewed in the top-down direction D3. The tile elements <NUM> are preferably dimensioned to fit or fill the area of the top opening of the suction chamber <NUM>. The length and/or of the open area of the suction chamber <NUM> is preferably a plurality of the length and/or width of an individual tile elements <NUM>.

Although specific embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations exist. It should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

It will also be appreciated that in this document the terms "comprise", "comprising", "include", "including", "contain", "containing", "have", "having", and any variations thereof, are intended to be understood in an inclusive (i.e. non-exclusive) sense, such that the process, method, device, apparatus or system described herein is not limited to those features or parts or elements or steps recited but may include other elements, features, parts or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the terms "a" and "an" used herein are intended to be understood as meaning one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise. Moreover, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on or to establish a certain ranking of importance of their objects.

Claim 1:
A conveyor (<NUM>) for an inkjet printer, comprising an endless, air permeable belt (<NUM>) positioned at least partially over a suction chamber (<NUM>), wherein a belt support structure (<NUM>; <NUM>) is provided over the suction chamber (<NUM>), characterized in that the belt support structure (<NUM>; <NUM>) comprises a plurality of longitudinal support beams (<NUM>; <NUM>) positioned spaced apart from one another and parallel to one another in a transport direction (D1) of the belt (<NUM>) to define a flat support plane for the belt (<NUM>) and spaced apart connection bridges (<NUM>; <NUM>) integrally formed with the support beams (<NUM>; <NUM>), the connection bridges (<NUM>; <NUM>) connecting the support beams (<NUM>; <NUM>) to one another, which connection bridges (<NUM>; <NUM>) extend perpendicular to the support beams (<NUM>; <NUM>) in a lateral direction (D2) perpendicular to the transport direction (D1), which connection bridges (<NUM>; <NUM>) are positioned remote from the support plane, wherein a width of the respective support beams (<NUM>; <NUM>) in the lateral direction (D2) is narrow as compared to a width of the connection bridges (<NUM>; <NUM>) in the lateral direction.