JP2003335432A - Method and apparatus for buffer transfer of media sheet between components in image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To transfer a recording media without damaging the same. <P>SOLUTION: Each storage device includes a first section having first and second surfaces, a second section having first and second surfaces, and a system for securing the first and second sections together to form the storage device, wherein the storage device has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a capture slot for capturing a leading end of the media, wherein the first surface of the first section and the first surface of the second section form the capture slot, and wherein the second surface of the first section and the second surface of the second section form an exterior surface of the storage device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to buffering and transmission of recording media sheets between functional elements having different processing speeds within an image processing system. More specifically,
The present invention is directed to a method and system for compensating for speed differences between an image processing system and an on-line developer / finishing processor in an electronic pre-printing system using a transmission buffer with multiple holding devices. There is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Prior Art In existing electronic pre-printing systems, the image to be printed by an offset press is generally digitized by scanning the original photo. The digitized image is then transmitted to a Raster Image Processor (RIP) for halftone screening and image rasterization. The rasterized image is then transmitted to an image processing system, such as an imagesetter or platesetter, which records the rasterized image on a supplied recording medium. The recording medium includes a film, a printing plate and the like.

Existing pre-printing systems include independent functional units for recording images on a recording medium and for subsequent processing of the exposed recording medium. A typical photographic image processing system functions to record a set image on a supplied recording medium. For example, the recording medium is first mounted on the inner surface of the drum (for example, in the case of an internal drum imagesetter or platesetter). The recording medium is then exposed by the laser beam through the rotatable optically reflective element. The recording medium is typically supplied as a roll or cut sheet.

After image processing, the image-processed recording medium is sent to a developing / finishing processor. In the processor,
The image-treated recording medium can be chemically treated, during which the medium is photographically developed, fixed and washed. Alternatively, the imaged recording medium may be mechanically finished within the processor. If the recording medium is supplied in a continuous roll of sheets, each sheet of image processed recording medium enters the processor after being cut.

Early pre-printing systems typically used off-line development processors. In such early systems, the imaged recording media was collected on a take-out cassette connected to the exit of the image processing system and then manually sent to an off-line processor. In more recent systems, the image processing system is coupled to an online processor that receives the image processed media directly and automatically from the image processing system.

A significant drawback of existing systems that use on-line processors results from the difference in processing speed between the image processing system and the processor. This and other problems are set forth, for example, in US Pat. No. 6,037,849, which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,058 discloses a media transport bridge for use in transporting and buffering image-processed recording media between an imagesetter and a processor. When the image-processed recording medium is output from the imagesetter, it is sent to a bridge mechanism between the imagesetter and the processor. The bridge mechanism holds the image-processed recording medium for a preset period of time to wait until the processor becomes available. Upon detecting that the processor is available, the image-processed recording medium is sent from the bridge to the processor. The bridge can then be used to house a second sheet of image processed recording media from the imagesetter. However, while the bridge waits for the processor to accept a second sheet of image-processed recording media, the imagesetter earns time until the bridge becomes available,
have to wait. The time earning of such imagesetters can unacceptably reduce overall media throughput. In addition, existing bridge mechanisms are often high in shape, which is a significant form factor undesired for products incorporating them.

[0007] One system that avoids the above time-earning is disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,037,086, which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 6,096,839 provides a transfer buffer having at least two holding devices for transferring a sheet of imaged recording media between an image setter drum and a media processor. The transfer buffer rotates to align the first retainer with the media path from the drum and, at the same time, aligns the second retainer with the inlet to the media processor. The sheet of the first image-processed recording medium is transferred from the drum through the medium passage to the first holding device. The transfer buffer rotates to align the first retainer with the inlet of the media processor and at the same time aligns the media passage from the drum with the second retainer. The sheet of the first image-processed recording medium is transferred to the inlet of the media processor,
On the other hand, a sheet of the second image-processed recording medium is simultaneously conveyed through the medium passage to the second holding device.

An example of the holding device 10 used in Patent Document 2 is shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2. The holding device 10 generally comprises a rotor-type body 12 having a surface 14. The body 12 can rotate about an axis 16.
A plurality of leaf springs 18 are fixed to the surface 14 via fastening members 20. The holding rod 22 is fixed to the leaf spring 18 by a fastening material 24. Wheel-type holding portions 26 are connected to both ends of the holding rod 22.

After image processing, the edge of the image processed recording medium 28 is moved until it is positioned between the surface 14 and the holder 26, as shown in FIG. 1A. At this point, the body 12 of the holding device 10 rotates about the shaft 16 and lowers and clamps the holding rod 22 onto the image-processed recording medium 28. When the body 12 starts to rotate, as shown in FIG. 1B, the leaf spring 18 contracts, and the holding unit 26 sandwiches the image-processed recording medium 28 with the surface 14. Thereby,
The medium 2 is placed at a predetermined position so as to be wound around the body 12.
Hold eight.

The holding device 10 captures the sheet 28 of the image-processed recording medium in the transfer buffer of Patent Document 2,
It provides a convenient mechanism for storing. However, the holding device 10 has a large number of parts and is expensive to manufacture.
In addition, the shape causes the body 12 to become unbalanced during rotation. In addition, the clamping bar 22, the holding part 26 and other parts of the holding device 10 may cause damage to the image-processed recording medium 28 when it is captured, wound around the body 12 and released. There is.

[0011]

[Patent Document 1] US Pat. No. 5,769,301

[0012]

[Patent Document 2] US Pat. No. 6,240,260

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides two features in an image processing system to compensate for differences in transport rates between elements.
A system, apparatus and method for transporting and cushioning sheets of imaged recording media between individual elements are provided.

Overall, the present invention combines a first section having first and second surfaces, a second section having first and second surfaces, and first and second sections together. System for fixing and forming a holding device,
In that case, the holding device has a substantially cylindrical shape and comprises a capture slot for capturing the front end of the medium, in which case the first surfaces of the first and second sections comprise the capture slot. And a second surface of the first and second sections forming an outer surface of the holding device, the holding device for a medium being provided.

Further, the present invention provides a drive system for rotating a transfer buffer to alternate positions of a plurality of holding devices with the plurality of holding devices, wherein each holding device comprises a first and a second surface. A first section having a first section, a second section having a first and a second surface, and a system for securing the first and second sections together to form a retaining device, in which case The retainer has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a capture slot for capturing the front end of the supplied medium, where the first surfaces of the first and second sections form the capture slot. And in that case the second surfaces of the first and second sections form the outer surface of the holding device.

The invention further provides a method for transferring a sheet of recording medium between first and second elements of an image processing system, the method comprising rotating a transfer buffer to rotate the first transfer buffer. Aligning the holding device with the first element and simultaneously aligning the second holding device with the second element, in which case the first and second holding devices respectively A first section having a second surface, a second section having a first and a second surface, and a holding device that secures the first and second sections together; a sheet of a first medium Transferring from the first element to the first holding device, aligning the first holding device with the second element and at the same time aligning the second holding device with the first element. Moving the transfer buffer to the Transferring from the first holding device to the second element, and at the same time, transferring a sheet of second medium from the first element to the second holding device, each holding device being substantially Has a generally cylindrical shape and includes a capture slot for capturing the front end of the supplied medium, wherein the first surfaces of the first and second sections form a capture slot, and In that case, the second surfaces of the first and second sections comprise the outer surface of the holding device.

The features of the present invention will be best understood from the detailed description of the invention and its embodiments, which are selected for illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0018]

The features of the present invention are illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings. In that case, like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the drawings. Although the drawings are intended to illustrate the present invention, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 3 is an image setter 4 for the inner drum.
2 shows an electronic pre-printing system including an on-line development / finishing processor 44. The image setter 42 includes a medium supply cassette 46 for supplying a winding sheet of the photosensitive recording medium 28 and a drum entrance roller 4
8, an image processing drum 50, a drum outlet roller 52, a winding sheet cutting machine 54, a first sensor 56, a transfer buffer 58, a second sensor 60, and a controller 62. The controller 62 automatically controls and operates the operation procedure set in the pre-printing system 40. Processor 44 includes a pair of inlet rollers 64. Although an internal drum imagesetter is described below, the transfer buffer 58 of the present invention may be used with various other types of internal drums, external drums or flatbeds without departing from the scope of the present invention. It can be used in combination with the image processing system.

During operation of the pre-printing system 40 of FIG. 3, a portion of the recording medium 28 in the medium supply cassette 46 is a drum of the image processing drum 50 until the front edge of the recording medium 28 is detected by the sensor 56. It is pulled out by the drum inlet roller 48 onto the inner surface. Instead, the media supply cassette 46 of FIG. 3 is replaced by a source of cut sheets of recording media. A recording medium 2 having a laser image processing system (not shown) of a type known in the art positioned on the inner drum surface 66 of the image processing drum 50.
Transfer the image onto 8 and record. The output beam from the laser scanning system scans the position of the recording medium 28 on the drum inner surface 66 by a rotating mirror in a circumferentially extending band or path called a scan line. The output beam of the laser imaging system exposes specific pixel locations on the recording medium 28 along the scan line to form the desired image. Since the image-processed recording medium 28 is associated with a single color element of the image, the laser scanning system is modulated based on those pixel locations containing that color element.

After the image processing, the image-processed recording medium 28 is transferred from the image processing drum 50 to the transfer buffer 58 via the drum outlet roller 52. The image-processed recording medium 28 is transported by the drum exit roller 52 along a medium path from the image processing drum 50 to the opening 68 located between the pair of platens 70.
After the length of the image-processed recording medium 28 has passed near the first sensor 56, the roll sheet cutting machine 54
Cuts the image-processed recording medium 28. The cut sheet of the image-processed recording medium 28 is transferred to the transfer buffer 58.
However, the drive roller 72 continues to be drawn into the transfer buffer 58 until the trailing edge of the sheet of the image-processed recording medium 28 comes near the opening 68. The recording medium 28 having a different length is fed by the drum inlet roller 48 to the medium feeding cassette 4.
The leading edge of the recording medium 28 is pulled into the image processing drum 50 from 6 until it is also detected by the sensor 56.
The operation of the pre-print system 40 is controlled by a software program stored in the controller 62.

As described above, the cut sheet of the image-processed recording medium 28 is transferred to the transfer buffer 58 after the image processing.
Move to. A transfer buffer 58 captures a sheet of imaged recording medium 28 and wraps it around one of a plurality of holding devices before transferring it to processor 44. Figure 3
The transfer buffer 58 has two holding devices 74 and 7
6 is included. However, more than two holding devices can be used if desired.

In FIG. 4, the transfer buffer 58 is
Shown in position, the gap between the drive rollers 72 is aligned with the openings 68 between the platens 70. The drive roller 72 pulls the illustrated sheet of the image-processed recording medium 28 toward the holding device 74. Holding device 74 captures the front edge of the sheet of imaged recording medium 28 and then rotates to wind the medium around its outer surface. At the same time, the gap between the drive rollers 78 is aligned with the openings 80 formed between the platens 82.
On the other hand, the opening 80 is aligned with the medium entrance opening 84 of the processor 44. A pair of drive rollers 7
2 operates to draw the sheet of the image-processed recording medium 28 into the holding device 74 until the rear end of the sheet comes near the opening 68. Rollers 72 and 78 consist of a pair of drive rollers or a drive roller in combination with an idler roller.

Corresponding to the rotation of the holding device 74 about its axis 86, the cutting / cutting of the image-processed recording medium 28 is performed.
After wrapping the sheet around the retainer 74, the transfer buffer 58 is rotated about its axis 88, as shown in FIG.
It rotates in the next direction shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the gap between the drive rollers 72 is aligned with the openings 80 between the platens 82, and the gap between the rollers 76 is aligned with the openings 68 between the platens 70. . A drive system such as a motor or the like may be used to rotate the holding devices 74, 76 and the transfer buffer 58. For clarity, the shafts 86, 90 (shown below), 88 are also shown to also show the corresponding drive systems for the retainers 74, 76 and transfer buffer 58, respectively. While the holding device 74 rotates about its axis 86 in the transfer buffer 8, a part of the sheet of image-processed recording medium 28 remains in contact with the drive roller 72, so that the sheet is driven later. Note that the rollers 78 allow easy removal from the holding device.

In FIG. 6, the drive roller 72 transfers the sheet of the image-processed recording medium 28 from the holding device 74 to the processor 44. At the same time, the image-processed recording medium (2
Another sheet of 8) is transferred to the gap between the drive rollers 78 through the openings 68 between the platens 70. The retainer 76 captures the front end of the sheet of imaged recording medium 28 and then rotates about its axis 90 to wrap the medium around its outer surface.

As the sheet of exposed recording medium 28 exits the transfer buffer 58 and moves towards the processor 44,
The sensor 60 detects it (see FIG. 3), and the sensor 60 operates to generate a medium presence signal. The media present signal is used to start driving the inlet roller 64 of the processor 44.

Holding device 74 (or 76) according to the present invention
Are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The holding device 74 includes first and second sections 102, 104. The first and second sections 102, 104 are each separately formed using an extrusion process from a lightweight, strong material such as an aluminum alloy or the like. During the extrusion process, an extrusion press is used to force a material billet (eg, a suitable aluminum alloy) through a properly designed mold. Different molds are used to mold the first and second sections 102, 104 of the retainer 74.
Generally, each type has a corresponding section 10
A solid region corresponding to the hollow portions of 2, 104 and a hollow region corresponding to the solid portions of the first and second sections 102, 104 thereof are included. As the material is pressed into and through each mold, a length of product corresponding to the corresponding sections 102, 104 is made. Then, the extruded product is cut into a predetermined length, and the first and second sections 10 of the holding device 74 are cut.
Machined to finish shape 2,104. By cutting the extruded product to a desired length, the holding device 74 having various lengths can be easily manufactured.

First and second sections 102, 104
When connected together, the resulting retention device 74 is substantially cylindrical, as best seen in FIG. The holding device 74 has a smooth outer surface 106 to prevent the image-processed recording medium 28 from being damaged when it is wrapped around the holding device 74.

Using a pair of end plates 108,
The first and second sections 102, 104 are retained and secured together. Each end plate 108
Attached to the first and second sections 102, 104 using screws 110 or other suitable fasteners. Screw 11
The position of the hole 112 for receiving 0 is shown in FIG.

The first section 102 of the retaining device 74 includes a hub 114, an outer wall 116 and a hub 114 and an outer wall 116.
Included are a plurality of radial spokes 118 extending between. The holding device 74 is rotated by the drive system via a shaft 120 connected to the end of the hub 114. The first surface 122 of the first section 102 forms part of a curved capture slot 124, which is fed by the drive roller 72 toward the holding device by the front end of the imaged recording medium 28. Sometimes it is used to capture the front edge of the image-processed recording medium 28. As shown in FIG. 8, the capture slot 124
Extends through a substantial portion of retaining device 74. The first surface 122 includes a rounded portion 126 at the entrance of the curved slot 124 to facilitate guiding the front end of the imaged recording medium 28 into the curved slot 124 and to the imaged recording medium. The front end of 28 is protected from scratches as it enters and exits the curved slot. Furthermore, the first surface 1
22, a groove 128 formed to mate with a corresponding tongue 130 of the second section 102 of the retaining device 74.
It is included. The second surface 106A of the first section 102 forms part of the outer surface 106 of the retaining device 74. One or more sections 136 of the outer wall 116 are provided with additional material (i.e., additional mass) to balance the retaining device 74 during rotation.

The second section 104 of the retaining device 74 is shaped as a hollow crescent. Second section 1
04 first surface 132 is curved acquisition slot 124
Form a part of. The first surface 132 of the second section 104 includes a rounded portion 134 at the entrance of the curved slot 124, the image processed recording medium 2
The front end of 8 is easily guided to the curved slot 124, and the front end of the image-processed recording medium 28 is not scratched. The second surface 106B of the second section 104 forms part of the outer surface 106 of the retaining device 74.

The operation of the pre-print system 40 including the transfer buffer 58 of the present invention is detailed in the flow chart of FIG. The operating procedure is controlled by the controller 62, while the controller 62 relies on software executing internally. In step 160, the recording medium 28 is supplied from the medium supply cassette 46 to the imagesetter 42. Alternatively, the recording medium 28 may be supplied, for example, as a number of cut sheets stored in a stack. In step 162, drum inlet roller 48
The recording medium 28 to the inner surface 66 of the image processing drum 50.
Transfer to the top. In step 164, image setter 4
2 records a predetermined image on the recording medium 28.
Meanwhile, the recording medium 28 is positioned on the drum inner surface 66 of the image processing drum 50. After recording the image on the recording medium 28, and during recording, and before removing the recording medium 28 from the inner drum surface 66, the transfer buffer 58 is initialized at step 166. Initialization steps include: (i) aligning the gaps of the drive rollers 72 with the openings 68 between the platens 70, and (ii) aligning the gaps of the drive rollers 78 with the openings 80 between the platens 82. Is included. Further, the holding device 74
The curved slots 124 of the are aligned to receive the openings 68 between the platens 70 and the front edge of the imaged recording medium 28. When the initialization is completed in step 168, the image-processed recording medium 28 is taken out of the image processing drum 50 by the drum outlet roller 52, and the unexposed recording medium 28 is removed from the supply cassette 46 by the drum inlet roller 48. Transferred to 50. In step 170, the sensor 56 detects that the front end of the imaged recording medium 28 has been traversed and operates the drive roller 72 to have the same speed of travel as the rollers 48 and 52 at both the inlet and outlet of the drum. . The transfer speeds of the various drive rollers indicate to the controller 62 the exact position of the front edge of the image-processed recording medium 28. The drive roller 72 transfers the front end of the image-processed recording medium 28 to the curved slot 124 of the holding device 74. At this point, the holding device 74 is driven at the same transport speed as the other drive rollers to wind the image processed recording medium 28 around the outer surface 106 of the holding device 74.

When the image-processed recording medium 28 of appropriate length has passed near the sensor 56, step 172
Thus, the winding sheet cutting machine 54 cuts the image-processed recording medium 28 into a sheet. The rollers 48 and 52 at the entrance and exit of the drum then stop rotating. The drive roller 72 continues to rotate until the trailing edge of the sheet of the image-processed recording medium 28 comes close to the opening 68. Then, the unexposed recording medium 28 on the image processing drum 50.
Is image processed. On the other hand, in step 174, the transfer buffer 58 is moved to change the positions of the holding devices 74 and 76. For example, in the case of the cylindrical transfer buffer 58 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the gap of the drive roller 72 is aligned with the openings 80 between the platens 82, and
The gap between the drive rollers 78 is the opening 6 between the platens 70.
8. Rotate transfer buffer 58 until aligned with 8. In this manner, the sheet of image-processed recording medium 28 previously wrapped around holding device 74 is ready to be transferred to processor 44. On the other hand, the transport device 74 can be used to receive the next sheet of image processed recording medium 28 from the image processing drum 50. In step 176, the drive roller 72 and the holding device 74 are operated to rewind the sheet of the image-processed recording medium 28,
Transfer through the openings 80 between the platens 82 to the media inlet openings 84 of the processor 44. Sensor 60
When the front end of the image-processed recording medium 28 is detected, the electronic signal is transmitted to the controller 62, and the controller 6
2 operates the inlet roller 64 of the processor 44 at the same transmission speed as the drive roller 72 and the holding device 74.
Image-processed recording medium 2 transferred to processor 44
When the trailing edge of 8 is detected by the sensor 60, the drive roller 72 and the holding device 74 stop.

The above process is repeated for each subsequent sheet of image processed recording medium 28. therefore,
The sheets of the recording medium 28 are simultaneously mounted on the image processing drum 50, or subjected to image processing, and transferred from the image processing drum 50 to the transfer buffer 58. Then, it is transferred from the transfer buffer 58 to the processor 44. In this way, the pre-print system 40 operates at a high level of efficiency.

It should be noted that the particular shape of the transfer buffer 58 is not critical to the principles of the present invention. Therefore, the transfer buffer 58 is not limited to the cylindrical shape described above. Furthermore, the movement of the holding devices 74, 76 from one point to another in the transfer buffer 58 can be carried out by known transfer means, such as belt or chain driven transfer systems. For example, the transfer buffer 58 can move the retainers 74, 76 along a straight path or a combination of straight and angled paths. Within pre-print system 40, any path for transporting media (from multiple holding devices) from one element to another is a valid option for implementing the concepts of the present invention.

The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible based on the above teachings. It is contemplated that such modifications and changes apparent to those skilled in the art are included within the scope of the invention.

The features and aspects of the present invention are as follows. 1. A first section having first and second surfaces, a second section having first and second surfaces, for securing the first and second sections together to form a retaining device A retention device is substantially cylindrical and includes a capture slot for capturing the front end of the media, the first surface of the first and second sections forming a capture slot, and A retainer for media comprising a second surface of the first and second sections forming an outer surface of the retainer. 2. The retaining device of claim 1, wherein the fastening system includes a pair of end plates. 3. The holding device of claim 1 further including a drive system for rotating the holding device to wind the media around the outer surface of the holding device. 4. Retaining device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second sections comprise extruded material. 5. Retention device according to claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition slot is curved. 6. The retention device of claim 1, wherein the capture slot extends through a substantial portion of the retention device. 7. The retaining device of claim 1 wherein the first section includes a groove and the second section includes a tongue formed to mate with the groove of the first section. 8. The retaining device of claim 1, wherein the first section includes a hub, an outer wall, and a plurality of radial spokes extending between the hub and the outer wall. 9. Retention device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second section is crescent-shaped. 10. The storage device of claim 1 wherein the first surfaces of the first and second sections include a rounded portion at the entrance of the capture slot. 11. A plurality of holding devices and a drive system for rotating the transfer buffer to alternate the positions of the plurality of holding devices, wherein each holding device has a first section with first and second surfaces Having a second section having first and second surfaces, and a system for securing the first and second sections together to form a retainer, the storage device being substantially cylindrical. And, and
Including a capture slot for capturing the front end of the supplied medium, the first surface of the first and second sections forming a capture slot, and the second surface of the first and second sections. A transfer buffer, the surface of which comprises the outer surface of the holding device. 12. 11. The transfer buffer according to 11 above, wherein the fixing system comprises a pair of end plates. 13. The transfer buffer according to claim 11, further comprising a drive system for rotating the holding device. 14. The transfer buffer of claim 11, wherein the first and second sections contain extruded material. 15. 11. The transfer buffer according to 11 above, wherein the capture slot is curved. 16. 11. The transfer buffer of claim 11 wherein the capture slot extends through a substantial portion of the retainer. 17. The first section includes a groove, and in that case,
1 wherein the second section includes a tongue formed to fit in the groove of the first section.
1 transfer buffer. 18. 11. The transfer buffer of claim 11, wherein the first section comprises a hub, an outer wall, and a plurality of radial spokes extending between the hub and the outer wall. 19. 11. The transfer buffer according to 11 above, wherein the second section is a crescent. 20. 11. Storage device according to claim 11, characterized in that the first surface of the first and second section comprises a rounded portion at the entrance of the capture slot. 21. A method for transporting a sheet of recording medium between first and second elements of an image processing system aligns a first holding device with a first element, while at the same time providing a second element. Rotating the transfer buffer to align the holding device with the second element, the first and second holding devices respectively having first and second surfaces, a first section, a first and a second surface, respectively. Including a second section having a second surface and a fastening system for fastening the first and second sections together to form a retaining device, the first element to the first Transferring the first sheet of media to the holding device, aligning the first holding device with the second element, while at the same time aligning the second holding device with the first element. Moving the transfer buffer to Transferring a first sheet of media from a holding device to a second element, while at the same time transferring a second sheet of media from the first element to a second holding device, each of which The retaining device is substantially cylindrical and includes a capture slot for capturing the leading end of the supplied media, the first surfaces of the first and second sections form a capture slot, and A second surface of the first and second sections forming an outer surface of the retaining device. 22. 21. The method of 21 above, wherein the first element is a drum for image processing. 23. 21. The method of 21 above, wherein the second element is a processor.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a transfer buffer holding device according to the related art.

FIG. 2 shows a transfer buffer holding device according to the related art.

FIG. 3 shows an electronic pre-printing system including an internal drum imagesetter, a transfer buffer according to the invention, and an on-line processor.

4 illustrates the operation of the transfer buffer of FIG.

5 illustrates the operation of the transfer buffer of FIG.

FIG. 6 illustrates the operation of the transfer buffer of FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a holding device according to the invention.

8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing an operation of the pre-printing system of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Holding Device 12 Body 14 Surface 16 Axis 18 Leaf Spring 20 Fastening Material 22 Holding Rod, Clamping Bar 24 Fastening Material 26 Wheel Type Holding Section 28 Recording Medium, Photosensitive Recording Medium 40 Electronic Pre-printing System 42 Imagesetter 44 Development / Finishing Processor 46 Media Supply Cassette 48 Drum Inlet Roller 50 Image Processing Drum 52 Drum Outlet Roller 54 Rolling Sheet Cutting Machine 56 First Sensor 58 Transfer Buffer 60 Second Sensor 62 Controller 64 Inlet Roller 66 Drum Inner Surface 68 Opening 70 Platen 72 Drive roller 74 Holding device 76 Holding device 78 Drive roller 80 Opening 82 Platen 84 Medium entrance opening 86, 88, 90 Shaft 102 First section 104 Second section. 106 outer surface 106A first section second surface 106B second section second surface 108 pair of end plates 110 screws 112 holes 114 hub 116 outer wall 118 radial spokes 120 shaft 122 first section first Surface 124 capture slot 126 rounded portion 128 groove 130 tongue 132 first surface of second section 134 rounded portion 136 section of additional mass for balancing 160 supply cassette mount 162 transfer media to drum 164 record image 166 Initialize transfer buffer 168 Remove image processed sheet from drum and transfer next sheet to drum 170 Transfer image processed sheet to holding device 172 Cut media 174 Move holding device in transfer buffer 176 Hold media sheet From the device Transfer to Sessa

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Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A first section having first and second surfaces, a second section having first and second surfaces, a first section and a second section taken together to form a retaining device. And a retention device that is substantially cylindrical and includes a capture slot for capturing the front end of the media, the first surface of the first and second sections including the capture slot. A holding device for a medium which is formed and which comprises the second surface of the first and second sections forming the outer surface of the holding device. 2. A plurality of holding devices and a drive system for rotating the transfer buffer to alternate the positions of the plurality of holding devices, each holding device comprising a first section and a first section. Having a second surface, a second section having a first and second surface, and a system for securing the first and second sections together to form a retainer, In that case, the storage device is substantially cylindrical and includes a capture slot for capturing the front end of the supplied medium, the first surface of the first and second sections forming a capture slot. And a second surface of the first and second sections forming an outer surface of the holding device. 3. A method for transferring a sheet of recording medium between first and second elements of an image processing system, wherein a first holding device is aligned with a first element, while Rotating the transfer buffer to simultaneously align the second holding device with the second element, the first and second holding devices each having a first and a second surface. A section, a second section having first and second surfaces, and a fastening system for fastening the first and second sections together to form a retaining device; Transferring the first sheet of media from the element to the first holding device, aligning the first holding device with the second element, while at the same time moving the second holding device to the first holding device. Moving the transfer buffer to align the elements And, transferring a first sheet of media from the first holding device to the second element, while at the same time transferring a second sheet of media from the first element to the second holding device. That each holding device is substantially cylindrical and includes a capture slot for capturing the front end of the supplied media, where the first surfaces of the first and second sections have capture slots. Forming, and the second surfaces of the first and second sections forming the outer surface of the retaining device.