A roller for transporting a flexible substrate is described. The roller includes a main body having a plurality of gas supply slits provided in an outer surface of the main body. The plurality of gas supply slits extends in a direction of a central rotation axis of the roller. Further, the roller includes a sleeve provided circumferentially around and in contact with the main body. The sleeve has a plurality of gas outlets extending in a radial direction (R) and being provided above the plurality of gas supply slits.

A suction or blow thermal roller includes: a cylindrical body extending along a longitudinal direction; the cylindrical body including at least one inner tubular element and at least one outer tubular element that is concentrically arranged around the inner tubular element; the inner tubular element includes an outer diameter d and the outer tubular element includes an inner diameter D, being D>d; two hubs, each arranged at one end of the cylindrical body; at least one heat-exchange chamber realized between the inner tubular element and the outer tubular element. The roller includes a coating layer for the inner tubular element. The coating layer includes at least one rib arranged along a helical path around the longitudinal direction. The at least one rib is made in one piece in the coating layer, realizing at least one helical channel between the coating layer and the outer tubular element.

A modular radial impeller drum for cooling print media in a printing device are disclosed. For example, the modular radial impeller drum includes a plurality of impeller modules coupled together to form a surface to transport the print media. Each one of the plurality of impeller modules includes a cylindrical outer surface, a cylindrical center axis inside of the cylindrical outer surface, and a plurality of impeller blades coupled between the cylindrical outer surface and the cylindrical center axis, wherein each one of the plurality of impeller blades are angled, wherein the plurality of impeller modules are coupled together such that the plurality of impeller blades of each one of the plurality of impeller modules are aligned across a length of the modular radial impeller drum.

A modular radial impeller drum for cooling print media in a printing device are disclosed. For example, the modular radial impeller drum includes a plurality of impeller modules coupled together to form a surface to transport the print media. Each one of the plurality of impeller modules includes a cylindrical outer surface, a cylindrical center axis inside of the cylindrical outer surface, and a plurality of impeller blades coupled between the cylindrical outer surface and the cylindrical center axis, wherein the plurality of impeller blades the plurality of impeller modules is varied across a length of the modular radial impeller drum.

A modular radial impeller drum for cooling print media in a printing device are disclosed. For example, the modular radial impeller drum includes a plurality of impeller modules coupled together to form a surface to transport the print media. Each one of the plurality of impeller modules includes a cylindrical outer surface, a cylindrical center axis inside of the cylindrical outer surface, and a plurality of impeller blades coupled between the cylindrical outer surface and the cylindrical center axis, wherein the plurality of impeller blades the plurality of impeller modules is varied across a length of the modular radial impeller drum.

A modular radial impeller drum for cooling print media in a printing device are disclosed. For example, the modular radial impeller drum includes a plurality of impeller modules coupled together to form a surface to transport the print media. Each one of the plurality of impeller modules includes a cylindrical outer surface, a cylindrical center axis inside of the cylindrical outer surface, and a plurality of impeller blades coupled between the cylindrical outer surface and the cylindrical center axis, wherein each one of the plurality of impeller blades are angled, wherein the plurality of impeller modules are coupled together such that the plurality of impeller blades of each one of the plurality of impeller modules are aligned across a length of the modular radial impeller drum.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for transporting a discrete element. A preferably rotatably driven vacuum commutation zone (or internal vacuum manifold), preferably internal to a preferably independently driven porous vacuum roll or drum is disclosed. The vacuum manifold applies vacuum through pores in the driven porous vacuum roll or puck in order to hold material against an external surface of the vacuum roll or puck. By independently controlling the vacuum commutation zone and the driven porous surface, unique motion profiles of the vacuum commutation zone relative to the driven porous surface can be provided. Micro vacuum commutation port structures are also disclosed.

A suction or blow thermal roller includes: a cylindrical body extending along a longitudinal direction; the cylindrical body including at least one inner tubular element and at least one outer tubular element that is concentrically arranged around the inner tubular element; the inner tubular element includes an outer diameter d and the outer tubular element includes an inner diameter D, being D>d; two hubs, each arranged at one end of the cylindrical body; at least one heat-exchange chamber realized between the inner tubular element and the outer tubular element. The roller includes a coating layer for the inner tubular element. The coating layer includes at least one rib arranged along a helical path around the longitudinal direction. The at least one rib is made in one piece in the coating layer, realizing at least one helical channel between the coating layer and the outer tubular element.

A method and apparatus for transporting a discrete element is disclosed. A preferably rotatably driven vacuum commutation zone (or internal vacuum manifold), preferably internal to a preferably independently driven porous vacuum roll or drum is disclosed. The vacuum manifold applies vacuum through pores in the driven porous vacuum roll or puck in order to hold material against an external surface of the vacuum roll or puck. By independently controlling the vacuum commutation zone and the driven porous surface, unique motion profiles of the vacuum commutation zone relative to the driven porous surface can be provided. Micro vacuum commutation port structures are also disclosed.

In order to provide web handling which mitigates marking of the web, externally-pressurized porous media gas bearings are used for vacuum rollers, which provide differential tension, and also for air turns, which provide non-contact turning of webs. The porous media gas bearings mitigate three of the biggest issues with the current technology, including cost, high flow rates and low pressure, and web marking. By introducing positive pressure or both, various configurations are presented which allow for improved differential tension, or non-contact conveyance. By also employing externally-pressurized radial bearings, more alternatives are provided, including conveyance and lateral motion of webs without the use of motors. Lastly, employing novel lightweight materials allows for yet other configurations which also employ some of the same aforementioned benefits.