Media Output System And Method

Abstract

A media output system is provided with the capability of sorting and separating different print jobs at the output area in an orderly manner. The media output system includes an ejecting mechanism for ejecting a wet printed medium in an output direction toward a collection tray, and a plurality of spaced-apart output ramps arranged adjacent to the ejecting mechanism and above the output tray so that the medium is held for a predetermined holding distance before the medium falls onto the collection tray. The output ramps are operable to extend to a different position in the output direction for each print job until a predetermined number of print jobs have been performed.

1 . A media output system for a printing apparatus comprising:
 a collection tray   an ejecting mechanism for ejecting a wet printed medium in an output direction toward the collection tray, and   a plurality of spaced-apart output ramps, each output ramp having a distal end that projects in the output direction, the output ramps being arranged adjacent to the ejecting mechanism and above the output tray so that the medium is held for a predetermined holding distance before the medium falls onto the collection tray,   wherein the output ramps are operable to extend to a different position in the output direction for each print job until a predetermined number of print jobs have been performed.   
     
     
         2 . The media output system of  claim 1 , wherein each subsequent extended position of the output ramps incrementally increases the holding distance and the distance between the distal ends of the output ramps and the output tray. 
     
     
         3 . The media output system of  claim 1 , wherein the ejection mechanism comprises:
 a plurality of output rollers; and   a plurality of starwheels in cooperating relationship with the output rollers to advance the wet printed media in the output direction.   
     
     
         4 . The media output system of  claim 3 , wherein each output ramp is positioned between two adjacent output rollers, and the output ramps are positioned along a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the output direction. 
     
     
         5 . The media output system of  claim 1 , wherein the output ramps are operable to retract to a retracted position after each print job. 
     
     
         6 . A printing apparatus comprising:
 a printing mechanism for forming print markings on a medium;   an ejecting mechanism for ejecting the printed medium in an output direction toward a collection tray, and   a plurality of spaced-apart output ramps, each output ramp having a distal end that projects in the output direction, the output ramps being arranged adjacent to the ejecting mechanism and above the output tray so that the medium is held for a predetermined holding distance before the medium falls onto the collection tray,   wherein the output ramps are operable to extend to a different position in the output direction for each print job until a predetermined number of print jobs have been performed.   
     
     
         7 . The printing apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein each subsequent extended position of the output ramps incrementally increases the holding distance and the distance between the distal ends of the output ramps and the output tray. 
     
     
         8 . The printing apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the ejection mechanism comprises:
 a plurality of output rollers; and   a plurality of starwheels in cooperating relationship with the output rollers to advance the printed medium in the output direction.   
     
     
         9 . The printing apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the output ramps are operable to retract to a retracted position after each print job.