Image receiving sheet inversion sensing techniques
First Claim
1. A method of ensuring that an image receiving sheet having only one major surface thereof formed with an image receiving coating is properly oriented for printing an image thereon comprising the steps of:
- (a) forming an irregularity along at least one nominally straight edge of the image receiving sheet at a predetermined location relative to the one major surface having the image receiving coating thereon;
(b) sensing a presence or an absence of the irregularity at the predetermined location prior to the image being imposed on the image receiving sheet; and
(c) selectively preventing the image from being imposed on the image receiving sheet when the absence of the irregularity is sensed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to techniques for ensuring that an image receiving sheet, which has only one major surface thereof coated with an image receiving coating, is properly oriented prior to an image being printed thereon. The image receiving sheet has a concave or convex irregularity (e.g., a notch, arc, etc.) formed in at least one nominally straight edge of the sheet. In a first embodiment, a mechanical or optical sensing means detects whether or not the image receiving sheet is stacked correctly in a loading tray by sensing whether or not the edge irregularities are properly positioned. In a second embodiment, an edge and a notch sensing means detect whether or not the image receiving sheet is oriented properly while being fed into the printer. An improperly loaded image receiving sheet is either not fed into the printer, or transits the printer without causing the printer to attempt to print the image thereon. A visual and/or audible alarm can be activated upon the detection of an improperly loaded image receiving sheet to apprise a printer operator of the improperly loaded sheet.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of ensuring that an image receiving sheet having only one major surface thereof formed with an image receiving coating is properly oriented for printing an image thereon comprising the steps of:
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(a) forming an irregularity along at least one nominally straight edge of the image receiving sheet at a predetermined location relative to the one major surface having the image receiving coating thereon; (b) sensing a presence or an absence of the irregularity at the predetermined location prior to the image being imposed on the image receiving sheet; and (c) selectively preventing the image from being imposed on the image receiving sheet when the absence of the irregularity is sensed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A printing apparatus wherein a separate image is to be printed on an image receiving coating formed on only one specified major surface of an image receiving sheet, the printing apparatus comprising:
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an irregularity formed long at least one nominally straight edge of the image receiving sheet at a predetermined location relative to the one major surface having the image receiving coating thereon; sensing means for sensing a presence or an absence of the irregularity at the predetermined location prior to the image receiving sheet having the image imposed thereon, and for outputting a first valued output signal in response to detecting the presence of the irregularity and for outputting a second valued output signal in response to detecting the absence of the irregularity; and selective means for selectively printing the image on the image receiving sheet in response to the first valued output signal from the sensing means, and for preventing the image from being imposed on the image receiving sheet in response to the second valued output signal from the sensing means. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification