Inkjet printer with selectable simplex and duplex printing

摘要

A method and apparatus for selectable duplex and simplex printing of sheet or web media has a selection mechanism for switching between the printing modes. The selection mechanism includes guides which determine whether a medium follows a long transport path or a short transport path between an input zone and an output zone. In the first transport path, the medium is transported past a first inkjet printhead for printing onto a surface of the medium. In the second transport path, the medium is transported past a second inkjet printhead for printing onto one surface of the medium, then turned and transported past the first inkjet printhead for printing onto the other surface of the medium.

主权项

1. A printer for selective duplex and simplex printing on a medium, comprising an input zone and an output zone, a transport mechanism having a selectable first transport path for transporting a medium from the input zone to the output zone past a first print station for printing on one surface of the medium by a first inkjet printhead, the transport mechanism having a second selectable transport path including a substantial part of the first transport path for transporting a medium from the input zone to the output zone past a second print station for printing on one surface of the medium by a second inkjet printhead and then past the first print station for printing on the reverse surface of the medium by the first ink jet printhead, the first and second transport paths including a first generally horizontal span at a first height, the first inkjet printhead positioned to jet ink down onto the medium as it is transported in a first direction along the first generally horizontal span the second transport path including a second generally horizontal span at a second height, the second inkjet printhead positioned to jet ink down onto the medium as it is transported in a second direction opposite to the first direction along the second generally horizontal span.