Recording sheet transport and effluents removal system

摘要

A transport system for transporting a recording sheet having liquid ink deposited thereon through a dryer for drying the liquid ink having an input portion and an output portion. The transport system includes a transport belt disposed between the input portion and the output portion for transporting the recording sheet through the dryer. A negative pressure member is located beneath the belt and defines a negative pressure chamber. The pressure member decreases the pressure within the pressure member so that a non-uniform negative pressure is applied to the recording sheet during transport through the dryer. A directing member located within a plenum directs differing negative pressures within the plenum such that negative pressures decrease in amplitude along the transport direction. The application of a negative pressure within the plenum also tends to reduce or remove evaporated liquid driven from the inks during drying. This removal of evaporated liquid prevents or reduces the occurrence of a phenomenon known as "dryer rain". Dryer rain results from the accumulation of evaporated liquids within the dryer which eventually condenses sufficiently to fall within the dryer back onto the recorded sheet.