Abstract: The present invention is an improved compact media web electrophotographic printer including photographic full-color, and an automatic web feeding and cutting registration apparatus and method for media web and closely spaced short printouts. This apparatus comprises an improved media web-handling unit for feeding from a recording roll, and an improved sensing system for sensing a buckle and for precisely cutting the short printout at a desired controlled length, and includes an automatic setup prior to each print cycle. In addition a color serial printer having equiangularly arranged process cartridge units movable along guide rails and which is parallel to a common transfer roll which is also seperately movable along guide rails is disclosed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes, a rotatable image carrier, a writing exposure device to write the image and form a latent image in the rotatable image carrier, a developing device to form a toner image, a registration roller to convey a transfer sheet to an image transfer area where the toner image is transferred from the image carrier onto the transfer sheet, and a fixing roller to heat and fix the toner image, wherein when the length of a transfer sheet is longer than the length of the transfer sheet path between the registration roller and the fixing roller, according to the size of the transfer sheet, the controller changes and controls the relative rotating speed of the registration roller to a rotating speed of the fixing roller, and one of a rotating speed of the rotatable image carrier and a writing speed of the image.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved compact media web electrophotographic printer including photographic full-color, and an automatic web feeding and cutting registration apparatus and method for media web and closely spaced printouts. This apparatus comprises an improved media web-handling unit for feeding from a recording roll, and an improved sensing system for precisely cutting the printout at a desired controlled length.

Abstract: When a roll paper unit 200 is incorporated into an image formation apparatus, a second outlet guide member 92 is turned around a pivot 92a in the direction of an arrow G, i.e., moved from a position of solid lines to a position of two-dot chain lines, a rear end portion 92b of this second outlet guide member 92 pressing down a front end portion 80c of a guide member 80 to cause the guide member 80 to be turned around a central shaft 80d in the direction of an arrow H, i.e., moved from a position of solid lines to a position of two-dot chain line. Consequently, a path extending in the direction of an arrow C is closed, while a path extending in the direction of an arrow F is opened, the roll paper 72 being transferred in the paper feed direction. When the roll paper unit 200 is drawn out, the second outlet guide member 92 and the guide member 80 are turned in the directions opposite to those mentioned above.

Abstract: A method and device for improving the throughput of a continuous web cutter, which is operated in move-and-pause cycles to allow the web to be cut into cut sheets. To avoid tear and web breakage, the web is fed at a low cycle rate at the starting stage. The cycle rate is progressively increased. When a feed rhythm is developed at the higher cycle rate, a constant cycle rate is maintained for the rest of the web operation.

Abstract: An image is formed on roll paper 72, while a loop 72a of roll paper is formed between cutter 100 and roll paper feed rollers 88,89 is formed. At a timing when roll paper feed rollers 84,86 stop, an upstream portion of loop 72a in the paper feed direction is cut. A nipping member upstream of the cutter in the paper feed direction is provided to nip the front end of the roll paper. Further, a movable guide for the roll paper guides the paper to form a loop in a direction to correct curling of the roll paper. Thus an image formation apparatus is provided which is easy to handle and enables formation of an image on a recording paper having a large feed paper direction length, despite its small size.

Abstract: A printer is provided which includes an image forming section for forming an toner image on a surface of a photosensitive drum, a paper feeding unit for feeding continuous paper along a feeding path to the surface of the photosensitive drum, and a cutting unit for cutting the continuous paper to provide cut sheets. The cutting unit is arranged to cut the continuous paper after the leading portion of the continuous paper reaches the surface of the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: There is provided an image recording apparatus comprising a pull-out roller pair to pull a light-sensitive material out of a light-sensitive material magazine accommodating a light-room-loading-type light-sensitive material having an extreme end leader portion at its leading end, a cutter to cut the pulled out light-sensitive material, a sensor to detect the extreme end leader portion or the light-sensitive material, and a control computer to control the pull-out roller pair and the cutter in accordance with a detecting signal from the sensor. The extreme end leader portion and the light-sensitive material are transported in accordance with detecting signal and then the extreme end leader portion is automatically cut along a boundary with the light-sensitive material. Thus, the wastes of the light-sensitive material is prevented.

Abstract: A printing machine in which an endless web of sheet material is adapted to move along a path of movement. A recording device, in communication with the web of sheet material, prints information thereon. A fixing device, associated with the recording device, substantially permanently fixes the printed information to the web of sheet material. An inverter, positioned after the fixing device in the path of movement of the web of sheet material, inverts the sheet material enabling information to be printed on one side of the web of sheet material before inversion and information to be printed on the other side of the web of sheet material after inversion thereof.

Abstract: In the case that recording paper of a roll (20) has run out during an image forming process, when the length of a piece of the remaining recording paper left last is longer than the first reference length possible to feed the paper in the inside and outside of a roll unit (RU), the paper is delivered, and when the length of the remaining piece is slightly shorter than the first reference length, the front end of the remaining piece is projected to the outside of the roll unit (RU), and when the length of the remaining piece is shorter than the second reference length impossible to feed the paper in the inside of the roll unit (RU), the remaining piece is dropped inside of the roll unit (RU) by a reverse feeding, thereby, a removal of the remaining piece is facilitated. Thus, the removal of the remaining piece may always be performed well.

Abstract: When a digital image recording means records digital image on an image recording medium based on order information or on digital image data, a computing means calculates digital image layout information, and calculates, based on the digital image layout information, X-cut size information used for cutting the image recording medium in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the conveyance means and Y-cut size information used for cutting the image recording medium in the direction perpendicular to the cutting direction for the X-cut. A cutting means which cuts the image recording medium into a prescribed size has an X-cut means to cut the image recording medium in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the conveyance means in accordance with the X-cut size information and a Y-cut means to cut the image recording medium in the direction perpendicular to the cutting direction of the X-cut in accordance with the Y-cut size information.

Abstract: A continuous web substrate duplex printing system which can utilize a single and otherwise conventional or existing xerographic print engine (normally printing conventional cut sheet print substrates) of a standard width without substantial structural modification. Separate first and second image transfer stations are positioned in line with one another in the direction of movement of the endless surface imaging member, with said second image transfer station downstream of the first, for respectively transferring print images to the first and second sides of the continuous web sequentially without requiring a dual width imaging member or dual imaging members for duplex printing.

Abstract: A plural mode printing system utilizing a cut sheet print engine for printing conventional cut sheet print substrates, in which page print images are generated and transferred to the cut sheets at an image transfer station. This plural mode printing system selectively provides printing onto either the cut sheets or onto an uncut continuous web printing substrate, in the same cut sheet print engine. An independently moveable continuous web printing substrate supply module is selectively operatively docked with the cut sheet print engine. That web printing module has a web feeding and image transfer assistance system for feeding the continuous web uncut into the cut sheet printing engine for transferring the page print images onto the web instead of onto cut sheets when the print engine is operatively docked with the web printing substrate module. The web printing module does not itself need to print.

Abstract: A continuous web substrate duplex printing system which can utilize a single otherwise conventional or existing xerographic, print engine (normally printing conventional cut sheet substrates) without substantial structural modification, and without requiring plural print engines on opposite sides of the web. The continuous web may be fed uncut into the print engine to two transfer stations alternatingly engaging a single endless belt imaging surface, which two alternating transfer stations are in line with one another in the direction of movement of the imaging surface, with web inversion and a controlled expandable/contractible web loop in between those two transfer stations, for respectively transferring the page print images onto the two respective sides of the continuous web in sequential batches of plural first and second side images, in the proper page sequence and positions and without any spaces between page images along the web.

Abstract: An on-demand narrow web electrophotographic printer and method of printing forms a latent image and a narrow web paper feeding mechanism feeds paper from a roll for closely spaced printouts of tickets or labels, such as adhesive-backed labels, for bar codes, receipts of arbitrary length, or lottery tickets. An endless rotary latent image carrier mechanism and cutter blade are synchronized with a paper infeed mechanism, a fixing unit, and an outfeed to feed, print and cut the paper printout at a controlled length and with no paper wastage. In different embodiments, a length of paper is either accumulated in advance or drawn back to a position ahead of the drum to allow on-demand operation without sacrificing printing efficiency.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which is adapted to transfer an image on a roll sheet fed out of a roll body and transported through a transportation path to an image forming section. When a user opens a front door of the image forming apparatus and sets a new roll body around a feed reel thereof, the leading edge of a roll sheet fed out of the roll body is located at a predetermined position in the transportation path. When the user closes the front door upon completion of replacement of the roll body, the roll sheet is further fed out, and a leading edge portion of the roll sheet having a predetermined length from the leading edge thereof is cut off. The cut-off portion is discharged through the transportation path out of a main body of the image forming apparatus in the same manner as in an ordinary sheet transportation process.

Abstract: A unique system and method for directly feeding sheets into a printing device having a moving image conducting element with a plurality of images placed thereon for transfer to sheet paper and having a wait station for controlling the timing of paper transfer to the image conducting element provides a feeding table to transfer sheets from a source to a printer stack deshingler while bypassing and, thus, eliminating any need for sheet stacks. The movement of each sheet by the wait station into the image transfer element signals the cutting of a sheet from a roll of continuous web on the input side of the feeding table. Once the sheet has moved into the image transfer element the absence of a sheet at the detector signals transfer by the feeding table of the cut sheet to the stack deshingler. Simultaneously, a source of web presents and end of the web representing another sheet to a cutting unit. This sheet is cut when the current sheet at the wait station begins movement into the image transfer element.

Abstract: In a printing apparatus, recording paper is fed from a paper roll to a platen roller, and is printed by a print head by an amount corresponding to one page, and then the printed recording paper is cut by a cutter. A curl removal member for removing a curl from the recording paper is shifted into an operative or curl-removing-position, and flexes or curves the recording paper from the paper roll, thereby removing a curl thereof. For finishing the printing operation after cutting the recording paper, the curl removal member is shifted into an inoperative position where it does not flex the recording paper, and the platen roller is rotated in a normal direction to remove a slack from that portion of the recording paper extending between the paper roll and the print head. For starting the printing operation, the platen roller is rotated in a reverse direction, and the curl removal member is shifted into the operative position to flex the recording paper, and then the printing of the recording paper is started.

Abstract: A compact sheet feeding and cutting apparatus is disclosed which is particularly suitable for retrofitting to an existing document reproduction machine. The sheet feeding and cutting components are located within a common housing which can be mechanically attached to an existing machine. In one embodiment, no electrical connections are required between the reproduction machine and the feeding and cutting apparatus. A sheet cutting length is entered into local memory and controls the operation of a dc stepper motor in a sheet cutting mode and a sheet feeding mode. The motor is reversed and operates in a sheet feeding mode to drive feed rollers causing the sheet to unroll from a supply roll. The motor is operatively connected to the drive feed rollers and to the sheet cutter through separate, one-way clutches. The sheet is fed from the roll at a faster speed than the speed of sheet travel within the reproduction machine as it advances to a transfer station.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of cutting a strip-shaped continuous sheet on which an image is formed to a desirable cutting length. A rolled-sheet is conveyed by registration rollers and the like. The rolled-sheet is further led to the vicinity of a photosensitive drum through pre-transfer rollers. The rolled-sheet to which a toner image has been transferred is subjected to toner fixing processing by a fixing device. When the leading end of the rolled-sheet reaches the pre-transfer rollers, the rotational speed of a sheet feeding motor is increased during a predetermined time. Consequently, the sheet conveying speed on the upstream side of the pre-transfer rollers in a direction of sheet conveyance is increased, thereby forming slack in a sheet portion between the registration rollers and the pre-transfer rollers. Consequently, tension exerted on a sheet portion between the fixing device and the pre-transfer rollers does not affect the conveyance of the sheet by the registration rollers.

Abstract: A roll sheet cutter mechanism for an image forming apparatus is provided which is adapted to cut a roll sheet 4 paid out of a feed reel 51 between a rotary blade 82 and a stationary blade 81. When the leading edge of the transported roll sheet 4 passes over the rotary blade 82 located at a guiding position, the rotary blade 82 guides the leading edge of the roll sheet 4 in a transportation direction. The rotary blade 82 returns to a cutting stand-by position before the tail edge portion of the roll sheet 4 passes over the rotary blade 82. Therefore, the occurrence of jam of the roll sheet due to the curling thereof can assuredly be prevented. Further, time loss can be eliminated because the rotary blade is adapted to return to the cutting stand-by position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of simplifying work for removing a sheet by a user after a jam occurs. An image is formed on a sheet having a predetermined length cut from a rolled-sheet. A cutting mechanism is provided in a halfway portion of a conveying path through which the sheet passes. When a jam occurs in the conveying path, the cutting mechanism is operated, whereby the sheet is cut. The sheet in the apparatus can be immediately removed, therefore.

Abstract: A stand alone customer operated photofinishing apparatus. The apparatus includes a film receiving section for receiving and holding a film cartridge containing an undeveloped filmstrip therein from a customer, the filmstrip having at least one image. A customer order data entry station is provided for entering an order selection. The apparatus further includes a developing section for developing the filmstrip comprising at least one processing tank containing a processing solution for processing of the filmstrip, a scanner for scanning the developed filmstrip so as to obtain a digital record of the at least one image developed on the filmstrip, a printing section for dry printing the at least one image on the developed filmstrip using the digital record so as to produce at least one print, and a delivery section for returning the at least one print and the developed filmstrip to the customer.

Abstract: Transportation of a document (P1), transportation of a recording sheet (P2), activation of a cutter system and simultaneous transportation of the document (P1) and recording sheet (P2) are carried out by a single motor (M) in an image processor (1). A first pendulum gear mechanism (16) selectively transmits the drive force of the motor (M) to a separation roller gear (g12) and a feed roller gear (g14), to a platen roller gear (g20) or to a second pendulum gear mechanism (g17). The second pendulum gear mechanism (17) continues or stops transmission of the rotational force of the motor (M) from the first pendulum gear mechanism (16) to a cutter drive gear (g28). Second and third contact parts (40c, 40d) of a regulating plate (40) regulate movement of the first pendulum gear mechanism (16) and change the transmission destination of the rotational force of the motor (M). The position of the regulating plate (40) and the rotation direction of the motor (M) are controlled by a CPU (50).

Abstract: A copying machine that is capable of copying a large-size document original on a transfer sheet is provided in which the transfer sheet is prevented from being skewed from the desired transport path. In one embodiment, this bypass transportation path for a cut-sheet extends to a photoreceptor drum and is provided with a resist roller and a downstream transportation roller. A cut-sheet inserted from a manual sheet feeding section is stopped with its leading edge abutting against the resist roller, so that the leading edge of the cut-sheet is aligned with a line perpendicular to a transportation direction of the sheet. The cut-sheet is then transported by the resist roller and the transportation roller. At this time, the circumferential speed of the resist roller is slower by a predetermined degree than the circumferential speed of the transportation roller.

Abstract: An electroded donor roll for mounting partially within a mixing chamber of a development unit for forming a development zone with an image bearing member and moving charged toner particles from the mixing chamber to the development zone. The donor roll includes a conductive shaft core and a dielectric material layer that is injection molded over the shaft core. The donor roll also includes axially extending electrodes formed in the surface of the dielectric layer, and robust commutator contact pads that are formed from a conductive commutator washer device which has been overmolded into the dielectric layer. The commutator pads each are in line with, and contact an axially extending electrode.

Abstract: A stand alone customer operated photofinishing apparatus. The apparatus includes a film receiving section for receiving and holding a film cartridge containing an undeveloped filmstrip therein from a customer, the filmstrip having at least one image. A customer order data entry station is provided for entering an order selection. The apparatus further includes a developing section for developing the filmstrip comprising at least one processing tank containing a processing solution for processing of the filmstrip, a scanner for scanning the developed filmstrip so as to obtain a digital record of the at least one image developed on the filmstrip, a printing section for dry printing the at least one image on the developed filmstrip using the digital record so as to produce at least one print, and a delivery section for returning the at least one print and the developed filmstrip to the customer.

Abstract: An electrophotographic apparatus of this invention includes a stacking section for cut sheet; a stacking section for fanfold paper; a feed section for supplying printing paper which is cut sheet or fanfold paper from one of the stacking sections via one of different supplying paths; an exposure unit for forming an electrostatic latent image on a photosesitive drum; a developing unit for developing the latent image into a toner image; a belt conveyer for conveying the printing paper received from the feed section along common feeding path, a transferring unit for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum onto the printing paper; a fixing unit for fixing the transferred toner image on the printing paper; an ejecting section for receiving the printed printing paper from the belt conveyer; and a cutting device for cutting apart the printed fanfold paper at the perforation line thereof.