Web media moving apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for moving a continuous web of print media includes a roller having an axis of rotation. The roller includes a pattern of recesses and ridges positioned along the axis of rotation of the roller. A second section of the roller is located between a first section of the roller and a third section of the roller as viewed along the axis of rotation. The roller includes a profile as viewed along the axis of rotation in which the diameter of the ridges located in the first section of the roller and the diameter of ridges located in the third section of the roller are greater than the diameter of the ridges located in the second section of the roller.

1 . An apparatus for moving a continuous web of print media comprising:
 a roller having an axis of rotation, the roller including a pattern of recesses and ridges positioned along the axis of rotation of the roller, the roller including a first section, a second section, and a third section, the second section being located between the first section and the third section as viewed along the axis of rotation, the roller including a profile as viewed along the axis of rotation in which the diameter of the ridges located in the first section of the roller and the diameter of ridges located in the third section of the roller are greater than the diameter of the ridges located in the second section of the roller.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the pattern of recesses and ridges positioned along the axis of rotation of the roller being an alternating pattern of recesses and ridges positioned along the axis of rotation of the roller. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the ridges having a width as viewed along the axis of rotation, the width of each ridge being uniform. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , each of the ridges having a diameter as viewed along the axis of rotation, each ridge diameter increasing in a stepwise manner as viewed from the second section of the roller toward both the first section of the roller and the third section of the roller. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the ridges further comprising a radius of curvature as viewed from a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the roller. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the ridges having a width as viewed along the axis of rotation, the width of the ridges located in the first section of the roller and the third section of the roller being greater than the ridges located in the second section of the roller. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the continuous web of print media including a first edge and a second edge, the ridges having a width as viewed along the axis of rotation, the width of the ridges located proximate to the first edge and the second edge of print media being different when compare to the width of ridges located in other areas of the print media. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the ridges including rounded corners. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , each recess including a surface that includes a radius of curvature. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , each recess including a surface that is parallel to the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , each recess having a depth that varies when viewed from the second section of the roller toward both the first section of the roller and the third section of the roller. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the roller being free to rotate about its axis of rotation. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the roller being a driven roller, the apparatus further comprising:
 a first nip roller positioned to engage a first ridge of the ridges of the roller; and   a second nip roller positioned to engage a second ridge of the ridges of the roller.