Abstract: A printer includes a body, a lid, and a restriction member. The body includes a holder configured to accommodate a roll of a recording sheet. The lid is attached to the body to be opened and closed relative to the body. The restriction member is pivotably attached to the bottom of the holder, and includes a contact part urged toward the interior of the holder. The contact part is urged to contact the peripheral surface of the roll accommodated in the holder.

Abstract: A printer and a module for supporting a paper roll therefore, the module comprising: a body for housing the roll; a first supporting member for the roll before that the roll is unwound for the printing operation; a second supporting member for the roll, after the roll has been wound at the end of printing operations; and a first engaging member carried by said body and disposable in a first configuration wherein it is coupled with a second engaging member carried by the printer to secure the module on the printer; the first engaging member is further disposable in a second configuration, wherein it is released from the second engaging member to permit the extraction of the module from the printer.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes moving rollers and a feeding roller. The moving rollers move a set first sheet in a direction intersecting a conveying direction. The feeding roller conveys sheets at a sheet stacking portion. After the first sheet is shifted to a parallel position by the moving roller, a second sheet at a setting position and the first sheet at the parallel position are conveyed by the feeding roller.

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable printer and a method of selectively printing on any one of a plurality of label rolls housed in the printer, or on a wide roll housed in the printer.

Abstract: A method and system for sheet accumulating wherein a web of material is cut into groups of cut sheets and a right-angle transport device is used to collate the cut sheets into packets. Because the cut sheets in each packet are moved into and out of the right-angle transport device in separate paths with different pathlengths, the cut sheets overlap with each other by an overlapped amount as they exit the right-angle transport device. A path deflector having a curved path is used in at least one of the paths in order to reduce the pathlength difference, thereby increasing the overlapped amount.

Abstract: This invention relates to a machine for franking mailpieces or labels, comprising a base and a franking module connected to this base, the base comprising first transport means for conveying the mailpieces along a mailpiece-conveying path, from a mailpiece inlet towards said franking module, and second transport means for conveying the labels along a label-conveying path, from label dispensing means towards said franking module, the dispensing means comprising at least a first delivery roll for supplying a band of self-adhesive labels of linerless type. These dispensing means preferably further comprise a second delivery roll for supplying a band of self-adhesive labels of linerless type provided with transponders.

Abstract: A platen has an impact surface positioned to oppose a printhead so that a part of a printhead strikes paper loaded on the impact surface. The platen includes a first impact surface having a curved surface, a second impact surface having a curved surface, and an opening formed between the first and second impact surfaces. The platen is rotatable about an axis such that the first and second impact surfaces are selectively positioned to oppose the printhead. Paper advances into the platen and passes through the opening from an inside of the platen to outside of the platen so that the paper extends to cover the first impact surface, and another paper advances to the second impact surface. The impact surfaces may have different curvatures with respect to the axis. A projection may be formed on the impact surface and extends transversely of the paper advancement. The projection is substantially configured to the flection of the paper.

Abstract: A gasoline dispensing system and method according to which gasoline is dispensed from opposite ends of a dispenser system. A printer is mounted in the dispenser system for printing a receipt for a transaction occurring at one end of the dispensing system while access is provided to the printed receipt by the customer from the one end of the dispenser system. Access to the receipt by a customer from the other end of the dispenser system is prevented.

Abstract: A dual type thermal printer comprises a main body frame, a first platen roller supported by the main frame for undergoing rotation, and a second platen roller supported by the main body frame in coaxial relation to the first platen roller for undergoing rotation independently from the first platen roller. A thermal head is supported by the main body frame for undergoing pivotal movement into and out of pressure contact with the first and second platen rollers. A print paper feeding mechanism separately feeds print paper to a first space between the first platen roller and the thermal head and to a second space between the second platen roller and the thermal head. An adjusting device adjusts a width of each of the first and second spaces to accommodate print paper of varying width sizes.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and method of use therefore are disclosed. The printing apparatus is usable as a replacement printer for replacing an existing printer apparatus without having to change printer drivers or make custom firmware changes in computers on a computer network. The inventive printer apparatus includes a map of source number assignments in the memory of the replacement printer apparatus for the replaced existing printer apparatus and for the replacement printer apparatus. The printing apparatus has a plurality of paper sources with each paper source being assigned a particular pre-assigned assignment code. The print request codes associated with the existing network printer being replaced must be determined. The print request codes are representative of a particular type of paper source. A map of print request codes which are sent by computers on the network for driving the existing printer are compared with the pre-assigned source number assignment of the replacement printer.

Abstract: A printing station includes pins for engaging into edge perforations of continuous paper. The pins are mounted on a toothed belt at the gaps between the belt teeth. A two part pin mounting has a portion engaged between the teeth of the belt.

Abstract: A graphics printer apparatus and method using sensors to detect the position of a work piece relative to a print head. A single drive motor driving the feed rollers and a print roller.

Abstract: An image copying apparatus for copying an original by scanning a print head having a predetermined head print width a plurality of times in a main scanning direction and displacing an object to be recorded in a subscanning direction, thereby forming an image of the original on the object, includes circuitry for calculating a print width formed at a last line, and for displacing the calculated printed width before the last line and for reducing a suction area of the object on a platen at the time of printing of the last line. The copying apparatus includes a continuous rolled sheet supply and cutter and a stacked pre-cut sheet supply, both sheet supplies have a conveyor for feeding the respective sheet to a recording area. Recording is performed on the inside surface of the rolled sheet and on the lower surface of the cut sheet to avoid the problem of dust collecting on the opposing surfaces.

Abstract: The recording apparatus includes a continuous rolled sheet supply and cutter and a stacked pre-cut sheet supply, both sheet supplies have a conveyor for feeding the respective sheet to a recording area. Recording is performed on the inside surface of the rolled sheet and on the lower surface of the cut sheet to avoid the problem of dust collecting on the opposing surfaces.

Abstract: A printer capable of selective printing of a relatively narrow uncut sheet or a relatively wide cut sheet has a paper feeding apparatus for such selective printing. The paper feeding apparatus includes an uncut sheet feeding mechanism for feeding the uncut sheet from a roll of the uncut sheet to a gap formed between a printing head and a platen, and a cut sheet feeding mechanism for feeding the cut sheet to a gap between the printing head and the uncut sheet on the platen. The uncut sheet feeding mechanism and the cut sheet feeding mechanism are selectively driven to feed either the uncut sheet or the cut sheet.

Abstract: A printer for a plurality of different printing objects serving as a multifunctional printer is subject to problems of economic production.

Abstract: The twintractor is a device designed to be incorporated into a wide carriage personal computer printer, or supplied as an accessory to such a printer or a typewriter, giving it the capability of transporting and printing upon, in the alternative, one of two continuous paper media. The availability of such a device will provide the users of personal computers or typewriters with the flexiblility to print jobs on more than one kind of paper output media without the repeated necessity of changing paper encountered in standard 80-column width printers or carriages. A means for changing the zero position or left margin for the print head when the choice of print media is made is also incorporated in the device, as well as paper sensors, paper parking detectors, and removable tractors.

Abstract: Disclosed herewith is a printing apparatus for use in a cash register or the like, in which a receipt sheet and a journal sheet are disposed in parallel to each other on a platen that defines a print line and a movable printing body including a printing head which reciprocates along the platen to perform its printing operation selectively on the receipt and journal sheets in regions respectively facing these sheets. The line-feeding operation of the receipt sheet is controlled to be carried out when the printing head is located at least partially in the region facing the receipt sheet, whereby the line-feeding of the receipt sheet can be performed without interfering with the movement of the movable printing body.

Abstract: A dual station printer mechanism (10) including a first feed roller (22), a second feed roller (24), drive means (16) having an output shaft (20) for driving the first and second feed rollers (22, 24) and coupling means in the form of one-way clutches (34, 36) for selectively coupling and decoupling the first and second feed rollers (22, 24) from the output shaft of the drive means. Mechanism (10) further preferably includes a first pressure roller (68) normally biased against first feed roller (22) and a second pressure roller (80) normally biased against second feed roller (24) for enabling effective movement of first and second data carriers respectively therebetween to a position between a printhead 70 and a print bar 72 at which printing occurs.

Abstract: A print head (15) on a carriage (16) slides on a carriage guide bar (17) in front of a platen bar (18). A receipt slip (25) is fed from a roll (26) over part of the width of the platen bar (18) to a knife (40) for cutting off individual receipts. A daybook slip (45) is fed from a roll (46) over the bar (18) to a take-up roll (50). Other documents may be fed in for printing either downwardly between upper guides (37 and 38) or upwardly between lower guides (35 and 55). In either event the inserted document is engaged by a drive roller (60) and pressure roller (70) to be positioned at a predetermined height, under control of photodetectors (80 and 81). The pressure roller (70) is mounted between levers and can move away from the drive roller (60) to accommodate the thickness of the inserted document. The levers also support the carriage guide (17), whereby the head (15) is positioned a constant distance from the surface on which printing is effected.

Abstract: A paper feed and drive mechanism for use in a high speed printer comprises a pair of arms which may be selectively positioned in a first lowered position, or in a second raised position. When the arms are in the lowered position, a line of contact is formed between a pressure roll and a drive roll and a narrow printing gap is formed between the platen and the inked ribbon. Spring means bias the pressure roll onto the drive roll and clips mounted on the arms hold the arms in the lowered position against the bias. Allowing the arms to raise to a second position in response to the spring bias creates a gap between the pressure roll and the drive roll and a wide non-printable gap between the platen and the inked ribbon. Additionally, a narrow tear bar slot formed between a fixed saw tooth tear bar and a backing plated attached to the arms opens to form a wide space when the arms are raised. The wide space eliminates the necessity to thread the paper tape through the narrow tear bar slot.

Abstract: An apparatus with a printer for a printing paper strip includes a paper feed guide having an outlet on one side of a platen, a paper discharge guide having an inlet on the other side of the platen, a unit frame attached to an apparatus housing to be able to rock between an open position where the paper discharge guide is exposed and a closed position where the paper discharge guide is covered and the printing paper strip is allowed to be guided, a drive roller provided to the apparatus housing located on the other side of the platen, a pinch roller mechanism provided to the unit frame and having a pinch roller which goes away from the drive roller when the unit frame is located in the open position, and approaches the driver roller when the unit frame is located in the closed position, and a rotation drive mechanism for rotating the drive roller to carry the printing paper strip from the paper feed guide to the paper discharge guide via the platen.

Abstract: A printing device comprises a print head and a plurality of data carriers, the print head being able to print data on at least one of the plurality of data carriers; a motor for moving said print head along said data carriers; said print head being adapted to rest at one of a plurality of home positions when said print head is not in movement; said motor being reversible to change the direction of movement of said print head; a switch coupled to and controlled by said motor; said switch being controlled by said motor to assume a plurality of states, each of said states corresponding to the location the said print head at a particular one of said print head home positions; and a printing control unit for selecting which of said data carriers is to receive data printed thereon by said print head; said printing control unit being electrically coupled to said switch and to said motor; said printing control unit also acting in response to the state of said switch to select the direction of movement of said motor m

Abstract: A printer which may be used in a billing/accounting machine having a single servo motor to drive both the printing mechanism (horizontal motion) and the record media feed (vertical motion). While the printing mechanism is always engaged with the servo motor for transportation across the record media, provision is made for disengaging the record media feed from the servo motor during the printing mode and for re-engaging the record media feed with the servo motor during the non-printing mode for the proper feeding of the media past the printing mechanism to provide line-by-line printing. With the printing mechanism continuously engaged, its exact horizontal position is always known and controlled.

Abstract: Apparatus for the timed transporting of forms over the writing beam of a printing device, comprising a transporting device mounted downstream of the writing beam for causing the forms to make a timed movement of advance. At least one brake flap is biased so that a free end of the brake flap engages, in use, a form passing over the writing beam, immediately upstream of the writing or printing area. A lifting device is associated with each brake flap for lifting the brake flap away from the form during transport of the form to thereby frictionally release the form.

Abstract: A media positioning means for a printer having first and second transport mechanisms which are positioned in opposed relation with each other to form a common throat therebetween. Each of the first and second transport mechanisms includes first and second endless belts, a cross bar whose ends are secured to the belts, and grippers mounted on the cross bar to enable first and second record media inserted in the throat to be individually gripped thereby and positioned in side by side or overlapping relationship with regard to a print line in the printer.