IP Library Granted Patent US 7,396,173
Granted Patent B2
US 7,396,173 · App. 11/669,412 · Granted Jul 8, 2008

Perforation forming mechanism for use in an imaging apparatus

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,396,173
App. No.
11/669,412
Granted
Jul 8, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus includes a mid-frame for supporting a back side of a sheet of media. A carrier system is configured to transport a carriage in a reciprocating manner with respect to the mid-frame. The carriage includes a bay. A perforation cartridge is configured to be received in the bay. The perforation cartridge contains a perforation forming mechanism. A controller is coupled to the perforation forming mechanism, the controller being configured to select at least one of a vertical perforation resolution and a horizontal perforation resolution of the apparatus.

Claims (35)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a mid-frame for supporting a back side of a sheet of media;

a carrier system configured to transport a carriage in a reciprocating manner with respect to said mid-frame, said carriage including a bay;

a perforation cartridge configured to be received in said bay, said perforation cartridge containing a perforation forming mechanism; and

a controller coupled to said perforation forming mechanism, said controller being configured to select at least one of a vertical perforation resolution and a horizontal perforation resolution of said apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said controller selects said at least one of said vertical perforation resolution and said horizontal perforation resolution based on a media type.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said controller selects said at least one of said vertical perforation resolution and said horizontal perforation resolution based on a media thickness.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said controller selects said at least one of said vertical perforation resolution and said horizontal perforation resolution based on a user selection.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said perforation forming mechanism comprises:

a motor having a rotatable shaft;

a flywheel coupled to said rotatable shaft; and

a linkage pivotably connected between said flywheel and said perforation device.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , further comprising:

a control circuit connected to said motor for controlling an operation of said motor; and

a sensor connected to said control circuit, said sensor being used to detect a position of said perforation device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said perforation forming mechanism comprises:

a motor having a rotatable shaft;

a cam coupled to said rotatable shaft; and

a cam follower connected to said perforation device, and positioned adjacent said cam.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said perforation forming mechanism comprises:

a solenoid; and

an armature received in said solenoid and connected to said perforation device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , said perforation forming mechanism including a perforation device, further comprising a perforator maintenance station including an abrasive member for sharpening said perforation device.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a conveyor belt arranged for carrying paper waste generated during perforation of a sheet of print media; and

a conveyor drive unit coupled to said conveyor belt for advancing said conveyor belt.

11. An apparatus, comprising:

a mid-frame for supporting a back side of a sheet of media;

a carrier system configured to transport a carriage in a reciprocating manner with respect to said mid-frame, said carriage including a bay;

a perforation cartridge configured to be received in said bay, said perforation cartridge containing a perforation forming mechanism, said perforation forming mechanism including a perforation device; and

a perforator maintenance station including an abrasive member for sharpening said perforation device.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a controller coupled to said perforation forming mechanism, said controller being configured to select at least one of a vertical perforation resolution and a horizontal perforation resolution of said apparatus.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said controller selects said at least one of said vertical perforation resolution and said horizontal perforation resolution based on a media type.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said controller selects said at least one of said vertical perforation resolution and said horizontal perforation resolution based on a media thickness.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said controller selects said at least one of said vertical perforation resolution and said horizontal perforation resolution based on a user selection.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 18, 2024
From: CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 066345/0026 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT U.S. PATENT NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 046989 FRAME: 0396. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Oct 24, 2018
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047760/0795 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 30, 2018
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 046989/0396 →