Patent ID: 8322845

Claim:
A vacuum platen mechanism, comprising: a platen surface disposed opposite a fluid droplet discharge head; and a vacuum mechanism that creates suction to draw recording paper to the platen surface; wherein the platen surface includes a first suction area positioned approximately in a center of the platen surface in a width direction that is perpendicular to a direction in which the recording paper is conveyed, the first suction area including first ribs and second ribs crossing each other and defining first chambers, the first suction area defining a plurality of first suction holes, each having a first shape and each rendered in a respective one of the first chambers, and a second suction area on each side of the first suction area, the second suction area defining a plurality of second suction holes, each having a second shape that is different than the first shape and arranged in a different layout than the first suction holes.