Agfa Corporation

Joseph Benassi, Jr

Roger L Audet

David M Leclerc

A switch detects a vacuum that is created by suctioning air through a port hole in a media support surface. The switch includes a first layer having (i) a first hole therein which is at least partially aligned with the port hole in the media support surface and (ii) a conductive region, and a second layer, which is disposed above the first layer relative to the media support surface and which is substantially non-conductive. The second layer has a second hole therein which aligns, at least in part, to the first hole in the first layer and to the port hole in the media support surface so as to allow air to flow through the port hole, the first hole, and the second hole. A third layer, which is disposed above the second layer relative to the media support surface, comprises a printed circuit pattern that aligns, at least in part, to the second hole. The printed circuit pattern on the third layer comprises an open circuit. When air is suctioned through the port hole, the first hole and the second hole, a vacuum is created which draws at least a part of the printed circuit pattern through the second hole and into contact with at least a part of the conductive region of the first layer such that the at least part of the conductive region of the first layer completes the open circuit of the printed circuit pattern.

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Tewksbury, MA, United States of America

Joseph Benassi, Jr