Media processing

Abstract

Apparatus is described that has a flexion component configured to apply a force to a first portion of media within a media path of a media processing device. The apparatus has a support portion configured to couple the apparatus to the media processing device. The media path provides a path along which the media is transported and has a feed area. The flexion moves a second portion of the media away from the feed area of the media path. A method of applying a force to media is also described.

1 . Apparatus comprising:
 a support portion configured to couple the apparatus to a media processing device, the media processing device having a media path along which media is transported, the media path having a feed area;   a flexion component configured to apply a force to a first portion of media within the media path and thereby cause a flexion in the media, the flexion moving a second portion of the media away from the feed area of the media path.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexion component comprises at least one roller for applying the force to the first portion of the media. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexion component is rotatably coupled to the support portion about an axis perpendicular to a direction of transport of the media along the media path. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexion component is rotatably coupled to the support portion about an axis which is off-set from the centre of gravity of the flexion component. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the flexion component comprises an arm portion, the arm portion comprising an elongate member which couples the roller portion to the support portion. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexion component is coupled, via an axle, to an axle aperture of the support portion, and wherein the axle aperture is configured such that the flexion component can be retracted into a portion of the axle aperture, such that the flexion component is maintained in a position in which it no longer applies a force to the media. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexion component extends across the first portion of media in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of media transport, whereby to create a substantially uniform flexion across the width of the media. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of flexion components that extend across the first portion of media in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of media transport, each of the plurality of flexion components being configured to apply a force to a respective section of the first portion of media, whereby to create a substantially uniform flexion across the width of the media. 
     
     
         9 . A method comprising:
 applying a force to a first portion of media within a media feed path of a media processing apparatus,   wherein the force results in a flexion in the media, the flexion moving a second portion of the media away from a feed area of the media feed path.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the method comprises applying the force to the first portion of media via at least one roller. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein applying a force to the first portion of media comprises using the weight of a flexion component to apply a load to the media. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said force is applied via a flexion component resident within the media path, and the method further comprises retracting the flexion component from e media path whereby to stop applying the force to the first portion of media. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the method comprises applying said force to a first portion of media which extends across the media in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of media transport. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the method comprises applying a force to a plurality of first portions of the media, said portions extending across the media in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of media transport. 
     
     
         15 . Media processing apparatus comprising:
 a media path along which media is transported, the media path having a feed area; and,   a flexion component configured to apply a force to a first portion of media within the media path and thereby cause a flexion in the media, the flexion moving a second portion of the media away from the feed area of the media path.