US 12,138,908 B2
Belt support structure for a conveyor of an inkjet printer
Joseph A. Schulkes, Venlo (NL); Mark Rietbergen, Venlo (NL); and Roy H. R. Jacobs, Venlo (NL)
Assigned to CANON PRODUCTION PRINTING HOLDING B.V., Venlo (NL)
Filed by Canon Production Printing Holding B.V., Venlo (NL)
Filed on May 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/663,380.
Claims priority of application No. 21175924 (EP), filed on May 26, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0379630 A1, Dec. 1, 2022
Int. Cl. B65H 29/24 (2006.01); B41J 11/00 (2006.01); B65G 15/32 (2006.01); B65G 15/60 (2006.01); B65G 21/10 (2006.01); B65G 21/20 (2006.01)
CPC B41J 11/007 (2013.01) [B65G 15/32 (2013.01); B65G 15/60 (2013.01); B65G 21/10 (2013.01); B65G 21/2027 (2013.01); B65H 29/242 (2013.01); B65H 2404/27 (2013.01); B65H 2404/281 (2013.01); B65H 2801/03 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A conveyor for an inkjet printer, comprising:
an endless, air permeable belt positioned at least partially over a suction chamber; and
a belt support structure provided over the suction chamber,
wherein the belt support structure comprises a plurality of longitudinal, narrow support beams directly contacting the belt and positioned spaced apart from one another and parallel to one another in a transport direction of the belt to define a flat support plane for the belt,
wherein the belt support structure further comprises spaced apart connection bridges for connecting support beams to one another, the connection bridges extending perpendicular to the support beams in a lateral direction of the belt, and the connection bridges being positioned remote from the support plane,
wherein the belt support structure is spaced apart from a bottom surface of the suction chamber, and
wherein an opening is formed between neighboring support beams and neighboring connection bridges, wherein a combined area of the openings exceeds a combined area of the support beams and the connection bridges, when viewed perpendicular to the support plane.