Paper tray moisture control
First Claim
1. A moisture-reducing device for print media comprising:
- a paper tray for containing and supporting the print media, the paper tray including a recess formed in an interior of the paper tray; and
a desiccant contained in the paper tray recess proximate to the print media for absorbing moisture from the environment of the paper tray.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A moisture-reducing paper tray including a desiccant that absorbs moisture from the environment of the paper tray and consequently the paper supply itself. As a result, the desiccant may become saturated as moisture is adsorbed. In one embodiment of the invention, the desiccant may be changed for a fresh desiccant. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the moisture-reducing paper tray may also include a drying mechanism which includes a heating element, a blower and a humidity sensor. The humidity sensor is positioned to sense a humidity level in the paper tray. When a pre-selected humidity level in the paper tray is equaled or exceeded, the heating element and blower are energized and warm air passes into the paper tray drying the desiccant.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A moisture-reducing device for print media comprising:
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a paper tray for containing and supporting the print media, the paper tray including a recess formed in an interior of the paper tray; and
a desiccant contained in the paper tray recess proximate to the print media for absorbing moisture from the environment of the paper tray. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
an air passage pneumatically connected to the paper tray;
a heating element pneumatically connected to the air passage;
a blower pneumatically connected to the air passage for pressurizing an air flow across the heating element into the paper tray directing a pressurized air flow across the desiccant for purging accumulated moisture from the desiccant.
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10. The moisture-reducing device of claim 9 further comprising a humidity sensor connected to the heating element, the heating element responsive to a signal from the humidity sensor indicating that a moisture level of the desiccant equals a pre-selected moisture level.
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11. The moisture-reducing device of claim 9, wherein the heating element further comprises an intermittently operating heating element.
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12. An image forming device comprising:
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a controller contained within a housing;
a print engine including a developer assembly connected to and operatively responsive to the controller;
a paper tray attachable to the housing for containing and supporting a media, the paper tray including a recess formed in an interior of the paper tray;
a media transport mechanism contained within the housing for picking the media from the paper tray and transporting the media through the print engine; and
a desiccant contained in the paper tray recess proximate to the media for absorbing moisture from the environment of the paper tray. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
an air passage pneumatically connected to the paper tray;
a heating element positioned within the air passage;
a blower pneumatically connected to the air passage for pressurizing an air flow across the heating element and into the paper tray directing a pressurized air flow across the desiccant purging accumulated moisture from the desiccant.
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14. The image forming device of claim 13 further comprising a humidity sensor connected to the heating element, the heating element responsive to a signal from the humidity sensor indicating that a moisture level of the desiccant equals a pre-selected moisture level.
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15. The image forming device of claim 13 wherein the heating element further comprising an intermittently operating heating element.
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16. The image forming device of claim 12 wherein the heating element operates in response to a signal from the controller responsive to a pre-selected number of image forming cycles.
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17. The image forming device of claim 12 wherein the desiccant further comprises a silica gel.
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18. The image forming device of claim 12 wherein the desiccant further comprises an activated alumina.
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19. The image forming device of claim 12 wherein the desiccant further comprises a lithium chloride salt.
Specification