Method and apparatus for transporting a receiving substrate in an ink jet printer
An ink jet printing apparatus for printing an image on a receiving substrate includes: a first transportation device for transporting the receiving substrate along a first path having a first substantially straight portion; a second transportation device for transporting the receiving substrate along a second path having a second substantially straight portion; and a transfer path including a convex curve and a concave curve for transferring the receiving substrate from the first substantially straight portion of the first transportation device to the second substantially straight portion of the second transportation device.
1 . An ink jet printing apparatus for printing an image on a receiving substrate, the printing apparatus comprising:
a first transportation means for transporting the receiving substrate along a first path having a first substantially straight portion;
a second transportation means for transporting the receiving substrate along a second path having a second substantially straight portion; and
a transfer path comprising a convex curve and a concave curve for transferring the receiving substrate from the first substantially straight portion of the first transportation means to the second substantially straight portion of the second transportation means.
2 . The ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 1 , the transfer path further comprising a third substantially straight portion between the convex curve and the concave curve.
3 . The ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising releasing means for releasing the receiving substrate from the first transportation means.
4 . The ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising guiding means for guiding the receiving substrate along the transfer path.
5 . The ink jet printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein an angle covered by the convex curve or an angle covered by the concave curve is between 10° and 25°.
6 . A method for transporting a receiving substrate in an ink jet printing apparatus, comprising the steps of:
transporting the receiving substrate along a first substantially straight portion;
transferring the receiving substrate along a transfer path from the first substantially straight portion to a second substantially straight portion by moving the receiving substrate along a convex curve and moving the receiving substrate along a concave curve, and;
transporting the receiving substrate along the second substantially straight portion.
7 . The method according to claim 6 , further comprising the step of moving the receiving substrate along a third substantially straight portion between the convex curve and the concave curve.
8 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein the step of transferring the receiving substrate further comprises releasing the receiving substrate pneumatically after transporting the receiving substrate along the first substantially straight portion.
9 . The method according to claim 7 , further comprising the step of guiding the receiving substrate along the transfer path.