Microwave applicator for inkjet printer

摘要

An inkjet printer (20) includes a microwave drying station (100) passing media (114) through a waveguide (108) thereof. A vacuum source (130) coupled to the waveguide (108) draws air into the waveguide (108) and thereby aides in disturbing and scrubbing a boundary layer of vapor at the media (114) surface otherwise hindering efficient drying of media (114) thereat. Supporting the media (114) on a perforated (112a) belt (112) through the waveguide (108) couples media (114) to the belt (112) by vacuum force and thereby contributes to an overall media (114) feed mechanism. <IMAGE>