A DEVICE FOR DIRECTING MEDIA SHEETS

Field Of Invention

The invention relates generally to imaging systems, for example, an imaging system for directing a media sheet for imaging.

Background

Imaging systems such as copiers, printers and facsimile devices are used for imaging media sheets. Generally, many of these imaging systems are able to perform both functions of scanning and printing.

An example of imaging systems that contain both functions of scanning and printing is a facsimile device. To transmit a document containing text or graphical images to a remote destination via a facsimile device, the text or graphical images on the document has to be scanned before the document is transmitted. Further, when the facsimile device receives a document, a hardcopy printout of the document is produced. The facsimile device is also used to generate hardcopy printouts of cumulative reports showing itemised listing of date, time, and destination for documents sent from the facsimile device. As such, the facsimile device needs to have both functions of scanning and printing.

With both functions of scanning and printing present in the facsimile device, the facsimile device can also act as a convenience copier. Thus, the facsimile device can be used for scanning a document, as well as for printing the scanned document without having to transmit the scanned document to a remote destination.

The facsimile device described above uses two separate paper paths. One paper path is dedicated to documents to be scanned and typically includes a document feeder tray, a document paper pick, a document scanning station and a document output. The other paper path is dedicated to printouts and typically includes a sheet feeder tray, a sheet paper pick, a sheet printing station, and a sheet output. As each path requires dedicated components for picking a document and delivering it for printing

or scanning, the replication of the components adds to the cost, size and weight of the facsimile device.

There are also imaging systems that overcome the above disadvantages by having a common paper path dedicated to documents or sheets to be scanned or printed, respectively. An example of this type of imaging system is seen in European Patent Application Number 96120064.9 to Stodder et al. Stodder et al. discloses a multiple- function printing device that provides for picking pages from a stack of sheets in an input feeder for movement along a first path through a printing station to an output, and for picking pages from a stack of documents in an input feeder for movement along a second path through a scanning station to an output, with at least a portion of the first and second paths being commonly shared, and with common mechanisms being used for various steps such as for picking, providing movement through the processing stations, and for actuating a pressure plate in the input feeders.

However, having a common paper path leading to a common output from the printing and scanning stations means that documents to be scanned are required to pass through the print zone of the print head in the printing station. This increases the risk of contamination of the documents by ink and dirt particles and possible contamination of the scan head as well.

Therefore, there is a need for an imaging system, which addresses at least one of the aforementioned problems.

Summary

The present embodiment of the invention disclosed herein provides an imaging system for directing a media sheet for imaging.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a device for directing media sheets. The device comprises a first structure, a second structure and a feed mechanism. The first structure defines a first path. The second structure has a guide surface for defining a second path. In addition, at least one of the first structure and the second structure are spatially displaceable for positioning the first structure

and the second structure in one of a first configuration and a second configuration. The guide surface of the second structure is spatially displaced away from the first structure in the first configuration and towards the first structure in the second configuration. Lastly, the feed mechanism feeds at least one media sheet along a feed direction towards the first path for travel therealong when in the first configuration. The second structure impedes travel of the at least one media sheet along the first path and directs travel of the at least one media sheet directed in the feed direction along the second path when in the second configuration.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is disclosed an imaging system. The imaging system comprises a first structure, a second structure, a feed mechanism, a first imaging device and a second imaging device. The first structure defines a first path. The second structure has a guide surface for defining a second path. In addition, at least one of the first structure and the second structure are spatially displaceable for positioning the first structure and the second structure in one of a first configuration and a second configuration. The guide surface of the second structure is spatially displaced away from the first structure in the first configuration and towards the first structure in the second configuration. The feed mechanism feeds at least one media sheet along a feed direction towards the first path for travel therealong when in the first configuration. The second structure impedes travel of the at least one media sheet along the first path and directs travel of the at least one media sheet directed in the feed direction along the second path when in the second configuration. The first imaging device is disposed adjacent the first structure for imaging of the at least one media sheet travelling along the first path. Lastly, the second imaging device is disposed adjacent the second structure for imaging of the at least one media sheet travelling along the second path.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

An embodiment of the invention is described hereinafter with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an imaging system in a first configuration according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the imaging system of FIG. 1 in a second configuration.

Detailed Description

An imaging system for directing a media sheet for imaging is described hereinafter for addressing at least one of the aforementioned problems.

For purposes of brevity and clarity, the description of the invention is limited hereinafter to applications relating to imaging systems. This however does not preclude various embodiments of the invention from other applications. The fundamental inventive principles of the embodiments of the invention shall remain common throughout the various embodiments.

An embodiment of the invention described in the detailed description provided hereinafter is in accordance with Fig. 1 to Fig. 2 of the drawings, in which like elements are numbered with like reference numerals.

With reference to Fig. 1, an imaging system 10 is described according to an embodiment of the invention. The imaging system 10 comprises a feed mechanism

12, a first structure 14, a second structure 16, a first imaging device 18 and a second imaging device 20. Further, the imaging system 10 comprises a feed actuator, for example an electric motor, coupled to the feed mechanism 12 and an actuator assembly coupled to at least one of the first structure 14 and the second structure 16 (not shown).

The feed mechanism 12 is for feeding a media sheet 26 for imaging. It is known in the art that imaging includes printing and scanning of images, text or a combination of images and text. The feed mechanism 12 comprises a holder 28, a pick roller 30 and a biasing means 32. The holder 28 is for receiving and holding the media sheet 26. The holder 28 is biased towards the pick roller 30 by the biasing means 32, for example, a spring, so that the media sheet 26 abuts a portion of the pick roller 30. The pick roller 30 is rotatable for cooperating with the holder 28 for picking the media

sheet 26 from the holder 28, in which the pick roller 30 picks the media sheet 26 by traction between the pick roller 30 and the media sheet 26 when the pick roller 30 abuts against the media sheet 26 while being rotationally displaced. The feed actuator coupled to the pick roller 30 is operable for controlling rotational displacement of the pick roller 30. Examples of the types of materials the pick roller 30 can be made from include plastics, elastomers and metals. Further, the pick roller 30 can be made from different components of different materials, for example, a metal cylinder core with a layer of ceramic coating thereover.

Additionally, the holder 28 is able to receive and hold a stack of the media sheet 26. Regardless of the thickness or quality of each of the media sheet 26 in the stack, only one media sheet 26 abuts a portion of the pick roller 30 and is thereby picked by the pick roller 30.

The pick roller 30 is disposed adjacent the first structure 14 and the second structure 16. The first structure 14 defines a first path 34 and a portion of the second structure 16 further defines the first path 34. The first structure 14 preferably comprises a concavity 36 shape-matching a portion of the profile of the pick roller 30 and is disposed between the holder 28 and the first path 34.

The second structure 16 comprises a guide surface 38 for defining a second path 40. At least a portion of the guide surface 38 shape-matches a portion of the profile of the pick roller 30. The second structure 16 is spatially displaceable for positioning the first structure 14 and the second structure 16 in one of a first configuration and a second configuration. The guide surface 38 is spatially displaced away from the first structure 14 in the first configuration and is displaced towards the first structure 16 in the second configuration. The actuator assembly coupled to the second structure 16 is for configuring the first structure 14 and the second structure 16 in one of the first configuration and the second configuration.

Alternatively, the actuator assembly is coupled to the first structure 14 for displacement thereof between the first configuration and the second configuration.

Further alternatively, the actuator assembly is coupled to both the first structure 14 and the second structure 16 for displacement thereof between the first configuration and the second configuration.

The first imaging device 18 is disposed adjacent the first structure 14 for imaging of the media sheet 26 travelling along the first path 34 whereas the second imaging device 20 is disposed adjacent the second structure 14 for imaging of the media sheet 26 travelling along the second path 40. Each of the first imaging device 18 and the second imaging device 20 is one of a printer and a scanner. Preferably, the first imaging device 18 is a printer for printing on the media sheet 26 and the second imaging device 20 is a scanner for scanning of the media sheet 26.

The first imaging device 18 is preferably an ink jet printer mechanism. Alternatively, the first imaging device 18 is one of a laser print mechanism and a thermal print mechanism. However, it is known in the art that other types of print technologies are applicable.

The imaging system 10 has two modes of operation, namely, a printing mode of operation and a scanning mode of operation. In the printing mode of operation, the media sheet 26 is loaded into the feed mechanism 12 and the media sheet 26 is picked by the pick roller 30 and fed in a feed direction 44 towards the first path 34 by the rotating pick roller 30. As the media sheet 26 travels across the first imaging device 18, the first imaging device 18 proceeds to form an image on the media sheet 26 via printing.

In the scanning mode of operation, the media sheet 26 is similarly loaded into the feed mechanism 12 and the media sheet 26 is picked by the pick roller 30 and fed in the feed direction 44 by the rotating pick roller 30. The actuator assembly displaces the second structure 16 for positioning the first structure 14 and the second structure 16 in the second configuration. Thus, instead of the media sheet 26 being fed in the feed direction 44 towards the first path 34, the media sheet 26 is fed in the feed direction 44 towards the second path 40. As the media sheet 26 travels across the second

imaging device 20, the second imaging device 20 proceeds to take an image of the media sheet 26 via scanning.

Upon the selection of the mode of operation, the imaging system 10 allows for printing or scanning of media sheets. Thus, the functions of the imaging system 10 include printing, scanning, faxing and copying. Furthermore, with a common feed mechanism 12 for feeding media sheets in both modes of operation, the imaging system 10 is able to use common components for feeding. Thus, the imaging system

10 is more compact in size and takes up less space as compared to other imaging systems that comprise separate feed mechanism for printing and scanning purposes.

Additionally, the arrangement of the first imaging device 18 being adjacent to the first structure 14 and the second imaging device 20 being adjacent to the second structure 16 means that media sheets to be scanned travel towards the second imaging device 20 without having to bypass the first imaging device 18. As such, this arrangement prevents the risk of contamination of the media sheets to be scanned by ink and dirt particles from the first imaging device 18. This also prevents possible contamination of the scan head by ink and dirk particles.

Furthermore, the scanner comprises a guide mechanism for guiding the media sheet 26 thereacross in a scan direction. The scanner is displaceable for re-orientating the scan direction and allows feeding of substantially stiff media sheets, such as thick cardboard sheets (not shown) without interacting with the first structure 14 and the second structure 16.

In the foregoing manner, an imaging system for directing a media sheet for imaging is described according to one embodiment of the invention for addressing at least one of the foregoing problems. Although only one embodiment of the invention is disclosed, the invention is not to be limited to specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of this disclosure that numerous changes and/or modification can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.