Abstract: A new, miniaturized guillotine blade cutting mechanism is for cutting the paper web of the supply roll of a receipt printer. The miniaturized cutting mechanism features a direct drive mechanism and home switch which are both integral with the cutting blade holder.

Abstract: The printer utilizes a high-speed data print engine to print documents such as airline tickets. Preferably, the printer is part of a machine which is operated by a credit-card or the like so that the machine serves as a customer-operated ticket issuing terminal. The ticket blanks preferably are in fan-fold form, with perforations between them. An improved separator or "burster" is provided for separating the ticket blanks from one another. The burster has an arm which is moved rapidly across the path of travel of the ticket blanks at or near the location of the perforation, while a drive roller mechanism holds the blanks against longitudinal slippage during bursting. Preferably, the printed ticket coupons in each batch of tickets are collected in a bin inside the machine until it is determined that the batch is complete. Only then are the tickets delivered outside the machine to the purchaser.