Method and apparatus for buffer transfer of media sheets between components in an imaging system

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for compensating for a speed differential between an imaging system and an on-line development/finishing processor in an electronic pre-press system using a transfer buffer having a plurality of storage devices. Each storage device comprises 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 a 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 surfaces of the first and second sections form the capture slot, and wherein the second surfaces of the first and second sections form an exterior surface of the storage device.

1 . A storage device for media, comprising: 
 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 a 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 surfaces of the first and second sections form the capture slot, and wherein the second surfaces of the first and second sections form an exterior surface of the storage device.    
     
     
         2 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the securing system comprises a pair of end plates.  
     
     
         3 . The storage device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a drive system for rotating the storage device to wrap the media about the exterior surface of the storage device.    
     
     
         4 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sections comprise an extruded material.  
     
     
         5 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the capture slot is curved.  
     
     
         6 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the capture slot extends through a substantial portion of the storage device.  
     
     
         7 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the first section includes a groove, and wherein the second section includes a tongue that is configured to mate with the groove of the first section.  
     
     
         8 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein the first section comprises a hub, an outer wall, and a plurality of radial spokes extending between the hub and the outer wall.  
     
     
         9 . The storage device of  claim 1 , wherein 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 area at an entry to the capture slot.  
     
     
         11 . A transfer buffer, comprising: 
 a plurality of storage devices; and    a drive system for rotating the transfer buffer to exchange positions of the plurality of storage devices;    wherein each storage device comprises: 
 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 a storage device, wherein the storage device has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a capture slot for capturing a leading end of a supply of media, wherein the first surfaces of the first and second sections form the capture slot, and wherein the second surfaces of the first and second sections form an exterior surface of the storage device.  
   
     
     
         12 . The transfer buffer of  claim 11 , wherein the securing system comprises a pair of end plates.  
     
     
         13 . The transfer buffer of  claim 11 , further comprising a drive system for rotating the storage devices.  
     
     
         14 . The transfer buffer of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second sections comprise an extruded material.  
     
     
         15 . The transfer buffer of  claim 11 , wherein the capture slot is curved.  
     
     
         16 . The transfer buffer of  claim 11 , wherein the capture slot extends through a substantial portion of the storage device.  
     
     
         17 . The transfer buffer of  claim 11 , wherein the first section includes a groove, and wherein the second section includes a tongue that is configured to mate with the groove of the first section.  
     
     
         18 . 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 . The transfer buffer of  claim 11 , wherein the second section is crescent shaped.  
     
     
         20 . The transfer buffer of  claim 11 , wherein the first surfaces of the first and second sections include a rounded area at an entry to the capture slot.  
     
     
         21 . A method for transferring sheets of recording media between first and second components of an imaging system, the method comprising: 
 rotating a transfer buffer to align a first storage device with the first component while concurrently aligning a second storage device with the second component, wherein the first and second storage devices each comprise a first section having first and second surfaces, a second section having first and second surfaces, and a securing system for securing the first and second sections together to form a storage device;    transferring a first sheet of the media from the first component to the first storage device;    moving the transfer buffer to align the first storage device with the second component while concurrently aligning the second storage device with the first component; and    transferring the first sheet of the media from the first storage device to the second component while simultaneously transferring a second sheet of the media from the first component to the second storage device;    wherein each storage device has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a capture slot for capturing a leading end of a supply of media, wherein the first surfaces of the first and second sections form the capture slot, and wherein the second surfaces of the first and second sections form an exterior surface of the storage device.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the first component is a drum for imaging.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the second component is a processor.