Abstract
A printing system comprises a first bearing support for a first media roll of a first print medium and a second bearing support for a second media roll of a second print medium. Said first and second bearing supports are spaced apart from one another. A first print transport path extends from the first bearing support from the first media roll to a main transport path of the printing system. A second print transport path extends from the second bearing support to the main transport path of the printing system. An attachment transport path extends between the first and the second bearing support. The attachment transport path allows both print media to be brought together and attached to one another. Thereby, a relatively stiffer medium may be attached as a leader section to a relatively weaker medium.
Claims
1. Printing system, comprising: a first bearing support arranged for rotatably supporting a first media roll of a first print medium; a second bearing support arranged for rotatably supporting a second media roll of a second print medium, said first and second bearing supports being spaced apart from one another; a first print transport path extending from the first bearing support for transporting the first print medium from the first media roll to a main transport path of the printing system; a second print transport path extending from the second bearing support for transporting the second print medium from the second media roll to the main transport path of the printing system, wherein the first transport path bypasses the second transport path and the second media roll; and an attachment transport path extending between the first and the second bearing supports and spaced apart from the first transport path.
2. Printing system according to claim 1, wherein the first transport path and the attachment transport path are positioned on opposite sides of one another with respect to a plane defined by the first and second bearing supports.
3. Printing system according to claim 1, wherein the attachment transport path is arranged for: transporting the first print medium from the first media roll to the second media roll; and transporting the second print medium from the second media roll to the first media roll.
4. Printing system according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second print transport paths each connect to the main transport path at a transport path intersection spaced apart from the attachment transport path.
5. Printing system according to claim 1, further comprising an attachment device positionable along the attachment transport path for attaching the first and second print media to one another.
6. Printing system according to claim 5, wherein the attachment device comprises an attachment surface defining an attachment transport path section for transporting the first and second print media towards one another in opposite directions.
7. Printing system according to claim 5, wherein the attachment device comprises an adhesive applicator for applying an adhesive along substantially the width of one of the first and second print media.
8. Printing system claim 1, further comprising a loading tray comprising the first and second bearing supports, wherein the first transport path extends substantially along a bottom of the loading tray below the first and second bearing supports and the attachment transport path extends substantially above the first and second bearing supports.
9. Printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a roll actuator arranged for rotating the first media roll supported on the first bearing support: in a forward direction for transporting the first print medium of the first media roll along the attachment transport path to the second media roll; and in a reverse direction for winding the second print medium from the second medium roll supported on the second bearing support onto the first media roll.
10. Printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a web feeding system for transporting at least one of the first and second print media from the respective one of the first and second media rolls to an inkjet printing assembly.
11. Method for feeding a web-based medium into a printing system, the method comprising the steps of: transporting a first print medium from a first print medium roll and a second print medium from a second medium roll to one another via an attachment transport path; attaching a leader section of a predefined length of the second print medium to the first print medium; positioning the leader section attached to the second print medium with respect to one of a first and second transport path, which first and second transport paths are separate from the attachment transport path; and transporting the leader section attached to the first print medium via the one of the first and second transport path to an inkjet printing assembly of the printing system.
12. Method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of winding the leader section of the second print medium from the second media roll onto the first media roll via the attachment transport path.
13. Method according to claim 11, wherein the step of transporting the first and second print media comprises transporting the first print medium along an attachment transport path extending between the first media roll and an attachment position for attaching the first and second print media to one another; the step of transporting the first and second print media further comprises transporting the second print medium along the attachment transport path, said attachment transport path further extending between the second media roll and the attachment position; and wherein the method further comprises the step of: transporting the leader section of the predefined length of the second medium from the second media roll along the attachment transport path to the first media roll.
14. Method according to claim 11, wherein the step of attaching the first and second print media comprises attaching a leading edge region of the first print medium at a trailing edge region of the leader section of the second medium.
15. Method according to claim 11, wherein the step of transporting the leader section comprises feeding the leader section attached to the first print medium along a transport path of the printing system by means of a web feeding system.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
[0039] FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of a printing system according to the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view of an inkjet printing assembly of the printing system in FIG. 1A;
[0041] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 3A-K are schematic side views of the printing system in FIG. 2 in various steps of the method according to the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a third embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention; and
[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram representing the steps of the method according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0046] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals have been used to identify the same or similar elements throughout the several views.
[0047] FIG. 1A shows an image forming apparatus 1, wherein printing is achieved using a wide format inkjet printer. The wide-format image forming apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2, wherein the printing assembly, for example the ink jet printing assembly shown in FIG. 1B is placed. The image forming apparatus 1 also comprises a storage means for storing image receiving member 3, 4, a delivery station to collect the image receiving member 3, 4 after printing and storage means 5 for marking material. In FIG. 1A, the delivery station is embodied as a delivery tray 6. Optionally, the delivery station may comprise processing means for processing the image receiving member 3, 4 after printing, e.g. a folder or a puncher. The wide-format image forming apparatus 1 furthermore comprises means for receiving print jobs and optionally means for manipulating print jobs. These means may include a user interface unit 8 and/or a control unit 7, for example a computer.
[0048] Images are printed on an image receiving member, for example paper, supplied by a roll 3, 4. The roll 3 is supported on the roll support R1, while the roll 4 is supported on the roll support R2. Alternatively, cut sheet image receiving members may be used instead of rolls 3, 4 of image receiving member. Printed sheets of the image receiving member, cut off from the roll 3, 4, are deposited in the delivery tray 6.
[0049] Each one of the marking materials for use in the printing assembly are stored in four containers 5 arranged in fluid connection with the respective print heads for supplying marking material to said print heads.
[0050] The local user interface unit 8 is integrated to the print engine and may comprise a display unit and a control panel. Alternatively, the control panel may be integrated in the display unit, for example in the form of a touch-screen control panel. The local user interface unit 8 is connected to a control unit 7 placed inside the printing apparatus 1. The control unit 7, for example a computer, comprises a processor adapted to issue commands to the print engine, for example for controlling the print process. The image forming apparatus 1 may optionally be connected to a network N. The connection to the network N is diagrammatically shown in the form of a cable 9, but nevertheless, the connection could be wireless. The image forming apparatus 1 may receive printing jobs via the network. Further, optionally, the controller of the printer may be provided with a USB port, so printing jobs may be sent to the printer via this USB port.
[0051] FIG. 1B shows an ink jet printing assembly 10. The ink jet printing assembly 10 comprises supporting means for supporting an image receiving member 3. The supporting means 11 are shown in FIG. 1B as a platen 11, but alternatively, the supporting means 11 may be a flat surface. The platen 11, as depicted in FIG. 1B, is a rotatable drum 11, which is rotatable about its axis as indicated by arrow A. The supporting means 11 may be optionally provided with suction holes for holding the image receiving member 3 in a fixed position with respect to the supporting means 11. The inkjet printing assembly 10 comprises print heads 12a-12d, mounted on a scanning print carriage 13. The scanning print carriage 13 is guided by suitable guiding means 14, 15 to move in reciprocation in the main scanning direction B. Each print head 12a-12d comprises an orifice surface 16, which orifice surface 16 is provided with at least one orifice 17. The print heads 12a-12d are configured to eject droplets of marking material onto the image receiving member 3. The platen 11, the carriage 13 and the print heads 12a-12d are controlled by suitable controlling means 18a, 18b and 18c, respectively.
[0052] The image receiving member 3 may be a medium in web or in sheet form and may be composed of e.g. paper, cardboard, label stock, coated paper, plastic, canvas, film or textile. Alternatively, the image receiving member 3 may also be an intermediate member, endless or not. Examples of endless members, which may be moved cyclically, are a belt or a drum. The image receiving member 3 is moved in the sub-scanning direction A by the platen 11 along four print heads 12a-12d provided with a fluid marking material. A scanning print carriage 13 carries the four print heads 12a-12d and may be moved in reciprocation in the main scanning direction B parallel to the platen 11, such as to enable scanning of the image receiving member 3 in the main scanning direction B. Only four print heads 12a-12d are depicted for demonstrating the invention. In practice an arbitrary number of print heads may be employed. In any case, at least one print head 12a-12d per color of marking material is placed on the scanning print carriage 13. For example, for a black-and-white printer, at least one print head 12a-12d, usually containing black marking material is present. Alternatively, a black-and-white printer may comprise a white marking material, which is to be applied on a black image-receiving member 3. For a full-color printer, containing multiple colors, at least one print head 12a-12d for each of the colors, usually black, cyan, magenta and yellow is present. Often, in a full-color printer, black marking material is used more frequently in comparison to differently colored marking material. Therefore, more print heads 12a-12d containing black marking material may be provided on the scanning print carriage 13 compared to print heads 12a-12d containing marking material in any of the other colors. Alternatively, the print head 12a-12d containing black marking material may be larger than any of the print heads 12a-12d, containing a differently colored marking material.
[0053] The carriage 13 is guided by guiding means 14, 15. These guiding means 14, 15 may be rods as depicted in FIG. 1B. The rods may be driven by suitable driving means (not shown). Alternatively, the carriage 13 may be guided by other guiding means, such as an arm being able to move the carriage 13. Another alternative is to move the image receiving material 3 in the main scanning direction B.
[0054] Each print head 12a-12d comprises an orifice surface 16 having at least one orifice 17, in fluid communication with a pressure chamber containing fluid marking material provided in the print head 12a-12d. On the orifice surface 16, a number of orifices 17 is arranged in a single linear array parallel to the sub-scanning direction A. Eight orifices 17 per print head 12a-12d are depicted in FIG. 1B, however obviously in a practical embodiment several hundreds of orifices 17 may be provided per print head 12a-12d, optionally arranged in multiple arrays. As depicted in FIG. 1B, the respective print heads 12a-12d are placed parallel to each other such that corresponding orifices 17 of the respective print heads 12a-12d are positioned in-line in the main scanning direction B. This means that a line of image dots in the main scanning direction B may be formed by selectively activating up to four orifices 17, each of them being part of a different print head 12a-12d. This parallel positioning of the print heads 12a-12d with corresponding in-line placement of the orifices 17 is advantageous to increase productivity and/or improve print quality. Alternatively multiple print heads 12a-12d may be placed on the print carriage adjacent to each other such that the orifices 17 of the respective print heads 12a-12d are positioned in a staggered configuration instead of in-line. For instance, this may be done to increase the print resolution or to enlarge the effective print area, which may be addressed in a single scan in the main scanning direction. The image dots are formed by ejecting droplets of marking material from the orifices 17.
[0055] Upon ejection of the marking material, some marking material may be spilled and stay on the orifice surface 16 of the print head 12a-12d. The ink present on the orifice surface 16, may negatively influence the ejection of droplets and the placement of these droplets on the image receiving member 3. Therefore, it may be advantageous to remove excess of ink from the orifice surface 16. The excess of ink may be removed for example by wiping with a wiper and/or by application of a suitable anti-wetting property of the surface, e.g. provided by a coating.
[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates schematically an image forming apparatus 1 or printing system 1 according to the present invention. Two bearing supports 31, 32 are provided in a loading bin or tray 30 for rotatably holding a respective media roll R1, R2. From each media roll R1, R2 a respective print transport path P1, P2 extends from the media roll R1, R2 to the inkjet printing assembly 10. In FIG. 1 the print transport paths P1, P2 in FIG. 2 join together at intersection 54, whereafter they continue as a single main print transport path MP which extends to the inkjet printing assembly 10. The print transport paths P1, P2 and the main print transport path MP are defined by a media guide assembly 50, comprising media guide plates or conduits 51, 52, 55 for forming the respective transport paths P1, P2, MP. The main print transport MP extends further along a transport roller 61 and over a media support surface 62 or platen 62 below the inkjet printing assembly 10. Downstream of the inkjet printing assembly 10 a medium 3, 4 may be guided via a guide support 63 to a take-up roller 64 for spooling the printed medium 3, 4 onto the take-up roller 64. The printing system 1 in FIG. 2 further comprises an attachment device 40 positioned along an attachment transport path AP extending from one of the media rolls R1, R2 supported on a respective bearing support 31, 32 to the other one of the media rolls R1, R2. The method according to the present invention and individual components of the printing system 1 are described with respect to FIGS. 3A-K and FIG. 6.
[0057] In FIG. 3A two different print media 3, 4 are loaded onto the different media rolls R1, R2. The first media roll R1 on the first bearing support 31 comprises a first thicker medium 3, while the second media roll R2 on the second bearing support 32 holds a second relatively thin medium 4. The medium 3 on the first media roll R1 may also be cheaper (i.e. less expensive) than the medium 4 on the second media roll R2. It will be appreciated that the media rolls R1, R2 are interchangeable, such that the weaker medium may be placed on the left media roll R1 while the stiff medium is present on the right media roll R2. For clarity, the present invention is explained with referral to the situation shown in FIG. 3A. Preferably both media 3, 4 (and optionally additional media) are present in the loading tray 30 of the printing system 1 to accommodate different demands for a wide variety of print jobs and media. To increase production time, the print media 3, 4 are preferably fed into the printing system 1 by means of an automated web feeding system (indicated by 280, 282 in FIG. 5). Such a web feeding system 280, 282 comprises for example pinches 280, 282 to transport the media, motors and motor controllers to drive said pinches 282, 282 and media guides to guide the leading edge of a medium reliably to the print surface 62 at the inkjet printing assembly 10 without the assistance of an operator.
[0058] Some print media 4 may be too weak, too thin, too flexible, or otherwise unsuited to be handled by an automatic web feeding system 280, 282, as shown in FIG. 5. These weak media 4 cannot be pushed, e.g. over the print surface 62, without buckling and need to be pulled along a transport path P1, P2, MP, for example by means of a winder 64 or a pair of transport pinch rollers that applies a pulling force to said print medium 4. In practice these weak print media 4 are manually fed, which includes manually pulling the weak medium along the transport path P1, P2, MP and attaching the medium to the take up core of the winder 64 by an operator prior to printing. Production is stalled due to such manual feeding. It is noted that the winder 64 is used as an example. A pulling transport mechanism, such as a pinch roller or the winder 64, may be provided anywhere along the transport paths P1, P2, MP.
[0059] According to the present invention, a stronger or thicker print medium 3 (for example a medium 3 suitable for feeding by means of an automated web feeding system 280, 282) may be attached to the weaker medium 4 which weaker medium 4 itself is unsuitable for automatic web finding systems 280 of FIG. 5. The step i in FIG. 6 of transporting the media to one another is illustrated in FIG. 3B-D. In the example shown in FIG. 3B, the weaker or thinner medium 4 on the right media roll 32 is transported from its media roll R2 in a first transport direction D1 to the attachment device 40. The print medium 4, specifically its free end or leading edge region, moves along the attachment transport path AP, which extends between the media rolls R1, R2. Preferably the attachment device 40 is positioned between the bearing supports 31, 32, when viewed perpendicular to a plane defined by said bearing supports 31, 32 (from above in FIG. 3B). The attachment device 40 comprises an attachment surface 45, for example formed by a support plate 45, for supporting the print media 3, 4 during attachment. The attachment surface 45 extends parallel to a rotation axis of the media rolls R1, R2 and extends preferably over the width of a medium 3, 4 and/or a media roll R1, R2.
[0060] In FIG. 3B, the free end of the medium 4 is transported to the attachment device 40 by rotating the medium roll R2. The bearing support 32 comprises two support elements positioned at opposite ends of the media roll R2 for supporting the ends of the media roll R2. The bearing support 32 may comprise an actuator for rotating the media roll R2, for example a DC or step motor. The bearing support 31 may be configured in a similar manner. In FIG. 3B the media roll R2 is rotated in a first angular direction of the media roll R2 (counterclockwise CCW in FIG. 3B) to move the free end of the medium 4 in a first transport direction D1 until the free end of the medium 4 is positioned on the attachment surface 45 of the attachment device 40.
[0061] In the step ii, a leader section of the stiffer medium 3 is attached to the weaker medium 4. The media roll R1 is rotated clockwise CW to bring the leading edge of the medium 3 to the attachment device 40. When said media roll R1 were to be used as a print medium 3, it first needs to be flipped to correctly orient the media roll R1 with respect to the transport path P1. As shown in FIG. 3C, an adhesive such as glue or sticky tape is applied to the top surface of the medium 4 for performing step ii-a: attaching the media to one another. The adhesive may be applied manually by the operator. Alternatively, an adhesive applicator 42 may be provided to apply the adhesive to the medium 4, preferably over substantially the width of the medium 4 and near or adjacent its leading edge. The adhesive applicator 42 may comprise a page-wide applicator, such as a page-wide array of nozzles, or comprise an actuator arranged for moving the adhesive applicator 42 over the width of the medium 4, for example along a guide rail.
[0062] In FIG. 3D the free end of the stiffer print medium 3 is transported to the attachment device 40. To this end the media roll R1 is rotated in a first angular direction of the media roll R1, clockwise CW in FIG. 3D. The free end of the medium 3 is then positioned on top of the medium 4, such that the media 3, 4 are attached to one another by means of the adhesive. It will be appreciated that the adhesive may be applied to either or both of the media 3, 4 and that the media 3, 4 may be transported to the attachment device in any order or simultaneously. An operator may apply the first media roll R1, R2 as an attachment surface whereupon the print media 3, 4 are taped together.
[0063] After attachment, a predefined length of the stronger medium 3 is spooled onto the media roll R2 of the weaker medium 4. This winding step ii-b is shown in FIGS. 3E and 3F. To this end, both print media 3, 4 move in the transport direction D2 at least partially along the attachment transport path AP. In the example given, the medium roll R1 is rotated in the same angular direction (clockwise CW) as in the step of transporting the stronger medium 3 to the attachment device 40 for attachment to the medium 3. When winding the leader section of the medium 3 onto the second media roll R2, the medium roller R2 rotates in an angular direction (clockwise CVV) opposite to the first angular direction (counter clockwise CCVV) of the medium roller R2 applied during the step of bringing the medium 4 to the attachment device 40 prior to attachment. The predefined length of the medium 3 which is spooled onto the medium roller R2 corresponds to a length of a transport path of the printing system 1, for example a transport path length from the medium roller R2 to the take-up roller 64 or the transport roller 61. Said length may further be a minimal length required for automatic web feeding.
[0064] When a sufficient length of the first print medium 3 has passed along the attachment transport path AP, i.e. over the attachment device 40 in FIGS. 3D-F, onto the media roller R2, the first print medium 3 is cut in step iii-c, as shown in FIG. 3G. Cutting may be performed manually, but the printing system 1 preferably comprises a cutter 41 arranged for cutting a print medium 3, 4. The cutter 41 may be knife, preferably arranged for translating over the width direction of a print medium 3, 4. The cutter 41 and the adhesive applicator 42 may be provided together on a common carriage, guide rail and/or driven by a single actuator to reduce the number of components.
[0065] After cutting, the free end of the medium 3 is transported towards the inkjet printing assembly 10 in step iii, as indicated in FIGS. 3H-I. As shown in FIG. 2, the printing system 1 comprises a first and a second print transport path P1, P2 for bringing a print medium 3, 4 from its respective media roll R1, R2 to the inkjet printing assembly 10. The transport paths P1, P2, MP are defined by their respective guide elements 51, 52, 55, which may be in the form of guide surface, plates, conduits, rollers, pinches etc. In FIG. 3H, the print transport paths P1, P2 for the respective media 3, 4 join together into the main print transport path MP at the intersection 54.
[0066] Preferably, a web feeding system (280 in FIG. 5) is provided for feeding a medium 3, 4 along the transport path P1, P2, MP of the printing system to e.g. the take-up roller 64. Preferably, one or more pinch rollers (281 and 282 in FIG. 5) may be provided along a transport path P1, P2, MP for pushing and feeding the medium 3, 4 along the transport path P1, P2, MP. The media roll R2 is oriented, such that the leader section of the stiffer medium 3 is aligned with the second print transport path P2. The second print transport path P2 brings the free end of the stiffer medium 3 to the main transport path MP and to the inkjet printing assembly 10.
[0067] FIG. 3I illustrates the step iii-a wherein the stiffer medium 3 acts as a leader for feeding the weaker medium 4 through the printing system 1 to a pulling transport mechanism, which in this example is the winder 64, but may e.g. also be a pinch roller positioned upstream of the winder 64. Preferably, the medium 3 is suitable for feeding said medium 3 through the printing system 1 by means of a web feeding system (280 in FIG. 5). The medium 3 possesses for example sufficient thickness, strength and/or stiffness to be guided or pushed through along the transport path P1, P2, MP to the take-up roller 64 without tearing or buckling. Basically the cut-off section of the medium 3 forms a leader device for the weaker medium 4. As the leader section of the medium 3 is being transported along the transport path P1, P2, MP, the media roll R2 rotates and unspools first the remainder of the stiffer medium 3 and, following that, the weaker medium 4 attached to the leader section of the stiffer medium 3.
[0068] In FIG. 3I, the stiffer medium 3 is attached to the take-up roller 64, which then is arranged for pulling the remainder of the leader section of said medium 3, a shown in FIG. 3J, and the weaker medium 4 attached thereto through the printing system 1. By attaching the leader section of medium 3 to the take-up roller 64, the printing system 1 may commence printing as soon as the weaker medium 4 is positioned below the inkjet printing assembly 10. In this manner not only production time is reduced, but also the costs since no expensive medium 4 needs to be used for spanning the distance between the take-up roller 64 and the inkjet printing assembly 10. Alternatively, the leader section of the stiffer medium 3 may be removed from the weaker medium 4 and the free end of the weaker medium 4 may be attached to the take-up roller 64. The attachment device 40 may provide a releasable attachment between the media 3, 4, for example by means of a clamping engagement such as pair of magnetic clamping elements. During printing, the weaker medium 4 is wound onto the take-up roller 64, which take-up roller 64 is provided with an actuator for rotating the take-up roller 64. Thus, the situation illustrated in FIG. 3K is achieved, wherein the weaker medium 4 may be printed by means of the inkjet printing assembly 10 by pulling the medium 4 along the transport path MP by the pulling transport mechanism 64.
[0069] In the above example reference is made to a weaker and stronger media 3, 4. Weaker and stronger are defined in terms of the ability to push the medium 3, 4 along at least part of the transport path. At least of one of the media 3, 4 is unsuitable for being pushed along the transport path and generally requires attachment to a pulling transport mechanism 64 for transporting said medium 3, 4 along the transport path. This in turn is determined by the media properties, such as width, material, stiffness, etc., as well as the operating conditions of the printing system 1, such as temperature, humidity, configuration of the transport mechanism etc. It is further within the scope of the present invention to apply the same or similar media 3, 4 on both media rolls R1, R2 to create a suitable leader section by superpositioning said media 3, 4. Additionally, a relatively inexpensive medium 3 may be used for the leader section, as compared to a relatively more expensive medium 4 to be used for printing.
[0070] It will be appreciated that the present invention may further be applied for changing the to be printed side of a medium 3, 4 supplied from a media roll R1, R2. A medium 3, 4 is, for example, printed and wound onto a roll R1, R2, such that the printed surface faces radially outwards. The media roll R1, R2 is then returned to the loading bin for printing on the unprinted side of the medium 3, 4. The unprinted side of the medium 3, 4 will however be facing away from the print heads, as it was during the printing of the outward facing surface. The attachment transport path AP, AP′, AP″ allows the medium 3, 4 to be spooled onto a second media roll R2, such that the unprinted surface will be facing outwards. Thus a medium 3, 4 may be printed on a desired side of the medium regardless of whether said side is facing radially outwards or inwards on the media roll R, R2. This is particularly advantageous for media wherein both sides have been treated differently, for example, for a medium that supports on one side printing with Latex-based or solvent-based ink and on the other side printing with UV-treatable ink.
[0071] FIG. 4 shows schematically another embodiment of a printing system 100 according to the present invention. The printing system 100 is in several aspects similar to the printing system 1 in FIG. 2, so only the differences will be discussed. In FIG. 4, a guide unit 133 is provided along the attachment transport path AP′ between the medium roller R1 and the attachment device 140 for inverting the direction D1, D2 of a medium 3, 4 on the attachment transport path AP′. The guide unit 133 allows the first media roll R1 to be rotated in the same angular direction CCW for moving the first medium 3 over the attachment transport path AP′ to the second media roll R2 as over the print first transport path P1′ to the inkjet printing assembly 10. The guide unit 133 may be a roller 133, guide plate, or conduit (235, 236 in FIG. 6). Since both the print transport path P1 and the attachment transport path AP′ may be accessed while rotating the media roll R1 in the first angular direction CCW, the media roll R1 need not be taken out and flipped when its function changes between supplying a leader device and supplying print media, in contrast to the situation in FIG. 2. Thereby operator time and effort is reduced. The guide unit 133 or an additional guide unit may further be provided in a similar manner between the media roller R2 and the attachment device 140 or upstream of a print transport path P1′, P2′.
[0072] FIG. 4 further illustrates the plane X defined by the bearing supports 131, 132. The plane X extends through the bearing supports 131, 132 such that in FIG. 4 a horizontal plane X is formed. The main transport path MP′ extends vertically on the right side of the loading tray 130. The first transport path P1′ is positioned below the plane X. Preferably, the second transport path P2′ is substantially below the plane X as well. The attachment transport path MP′ is positioned above the plane X to allow easy access thereto. The attachment transport path MP′ in any of the embodiments is preferably remote or isolated from the first, second, and main transport paths P1′, P2′, MP′. To maintain a compact loading tray 130, the attachment transport path AP′ does not connect directly to the main media transport MP′. When a leading edge is formed or present on the attachment transport path AP′, said leading edge is wound onto one of the rolls R1, R2. Consequently, the roll R1, R2 with the leading edge is re-oriented or rotated to align the leading edge with one of the first and second transport paths P1′, P2′. This allows the leading edge to be fed onto the main transport path MP′.
[0073] In FIG. 4, the attachment device 140 further comprises a cutter 141 arranged for cutting the media 3, 4. The cutter may a knife, preferably, a rotatable knife, arranged for slicing the media 3, 4 in the width direction B. Thereto, the knife may be provided on a guide rail extending over the attachment surface in the width direction B. A controller 70 may further be provided for controlling the cutter 141 and/or the actuators for the media rolls R1, R2.
[0074] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the printing system 200, wherein the attachment transport path AP″ is defined by guide elements 235, 236. The first and second guide elements 235, 236 are arranged for transporting respectively the first and media 3,4 from the first and second media rolls R1, R2 to the attachment device 240. The attachment device 240 comprises the adhesive applicator 242 as well as the cutter 241.
[0075] FIG. 5 further illustrates the automatic web feeding system 280 provided along the first and second print transport paths P1″, P2″. The print transport paths P1″, P2″ each comprise one or more transport devices, such as pinch rollers 281, 282 arranged for engaging the media 3, 4 and pushing said media 3, 4 further along their respective print transport paths P1″, P2″. Additional pinch rollers may be provided along the print transport paths P1″, P2″ and/or the main transport path MP″. The automatic web feeding system allows for hassle-free web feeding of weak media.
[0076] FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram showing various steps of the method according to the present invention as discussed with reference to FIGS. 3A-K.
[0077] 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 and their legal equivalents. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.
[0078] 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.
[0079] The present invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
