Abstract: An ink-jet printing apparatus permits sequential ejection of printed papers without causing stain by non-dried ink, improves printing quality and permits down-sizing of the overall apparatus by simplifying a construction of a paper ejecting mechanism. An ink-jet printing apparatus includes a paper ejecting roller rotatable in a first direction for ejecting said printing medium and a second direction opposite to said first direction and an arm member arranged between said paper ejecting roller and said ejected paper stacker and movable between a first position projecting above said ejected paper stacker for supporting said printing medium from a lower side thereof, and a second position retracted from the position above said ejected paper stacker and permitting falling down of said printing medium. The ink-jet printing apparatus further includes motion force transmitting means for transmitting rotation of said paper ejecting roller in said first direction.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder mounted removably to a computer input device having a medium receiving and supporting surface includes a plurality of interconnectable modular assemblies for defining a medium path that extends from a medium input tray to a medium output tray via the medium receiving and supporting surface of the computer input device. One of the modular assemblies is a main chassis assembly includes an integrally formed main chassis shell having a substantially planar base. The input tray extends upwardly from the base and has a document receiving surface with a concave shape in both the vertical and horizontal planes to help facilitate proper sheet stiffening and alignment for sheet loading purposes onto the receiving and supporting surface of the computer input device. A paper pick and transport mechanism is housed in the main chassis and protrudes through a set of apertures in the output tray.

Abstract: An apparatus to drive a ribbon carrying a printing medium in an impact printer is implemented. The apparatus accommodates manual tightening of the ribbon by decoupling the drive motor from the ribbon cartridge without use of a clutch mechanism. A gear train effecting the required speed reductions between a drive motor and the ribbon cartridge spool also implements the decoupling. Reliability of the ribbon drive is improved thereby, and manufacturing and assembly costs are reduced over ribbon drives now used in impact printers.

Abstract: A paper eject apparatus for preventing a paper jam caused by a curled paper, by ejecting the curled paper outside passing between an eject roller and an idler roller. The paper eject apparatus of the ink-jet printer for preventing the paper from being jammed differentiates positions to be contacted between each idler roller and eject roller, and moves a carriage from the position of a protrusive idler roller to the position of the other idler rollers. Accordingly, the deflector placed at the lower part of the carriage presses the paper and enables the paper to easily be passed, thereby preventing the paper jam caused by the supply of the curled paper.

Abstract: A printer (10) for printing single sheets (126, 128) and at least one continuous paper strip (122) on a printing substrate plane (19), in which a single sheet (126, 128) is led up to the printing station (36, 56) from the operator side by being displaced manually on a feed table (20) and, in said printing station, can overlap the continuous paper strip (122), at least over part of the width of the latter. The continuous paper strip (122) is fed to the printing station (36, 56) from the operating side and the continuous paper feed channel (34) and the single-sheet feed channel (30) are each assigned a driven feed roller (98; 38) of a pair of feed rollers (100; 44). A mating roller (42) that is arranged on a rocker (48) can be pressed optionally against the driven feed roller (98; 38) of the continuous paper feed channel (34) or the single-sheet feed channel (30).

Abstract: The printer (10) has an ink jet printhead (12) suitable for printing single sheets (14) and a control device (40) adapted to delay expulsion of the same to a collection tray (16), with the purpose of extending the drying time of the ink ejected by the printhead (12) on each sheet, before a following sheet is stacked thereon. The device (40) is suitable for controlling means (17, 25) for feeding of the sheets (14) through the printer (10) so as to temporarily stop the feeding of a first sheet (14a) after it has been printed on, then to feed a second sheet (14b) until it comes to a predetermined minimum distance (D) from the first sheet (14a), and finally to simultaneously feed the first sheet (14a) and the second sheet (14b), so as to expel the first sheet (14a) to the collection tray (16) and to further feed the second sheet (14b) so that it can be printed on.

Abstract: Compact printer with quick-loading cassette and method therefor. The invention includes a printer enclosure and a cassette insertable into the enclosure. The cassette includes a dye ribbon supply reel having a dye donor ribbon wound thereabout and a rotatable dye ribbon take-up reel engaging an end portion of the donor ribbon for taking-up the donor ribbon. A curved receiver supply tray is disposed in the cassette for supplying receiver sheets to the printhead which is disposed in the enclosure. The curved receiver supply tray occupies less space, depending on the radius of curvature, than the elongate rectangularly-shaped receiver supply trays of the prior art. Over time, a stack of the receiver sheets residing in the supply tray obtains a curved contour because the stack of receiver sheets conforms to the curved shape of the receiver supply tray.

Abstract: A second feed roller of smaller diameter than a first feed roller is included in a media handling system. A print zone is located adjacent to the second feed roller away from the first feed roller to lower the location of the print zone. During ejection, a pivot mechanism moves from a first position adjacent to the printhead to an intermediary position. This causes arms to extend and rails to retract. The motions then pause and/or reverse, prior to full extension and full retraction. Next, the pivot mechanism moves to a second position causing the arms to fully extend and the rails to fully retract. The varied motion (e.g., pause and/or reversal) assures that the arms push at an edge of the media sheet to reliably move a media sheet into an output tray without the media sheet sailing from the printer.

Abstract: A tray for use with printer, copier, facsimile machine or any other device from which sheets of paper are expelled and which is arranged to be located on a support surface, e.g., a table, desk, etc., having an edge. The tray may be formed so that it is collapsible and arranged to be stored in a collapsed state in a flat container. Whether collapsible or not the tray is arranged to be releasably mounted on the support surface adjacent and completely below the device to collect the sheets of paper expelled from the device. The tray has a basket section, an anchor section, and an intermediate support section. The anchor section is arranged to be located on the support surface under the device so that the weight of the device holds it in place. The intermediate support section is hingedly connected to the anchor section and overhangs the edge of the support surface when the tray is in place.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a discharged-sheet stacker in which a longer time period can be secured until sheets are superposed. A plurality of stages of discharged-sheet supports, each for holding a sheet, are provided in the discharged-sheet stacker. By sequentially operating the discharged-sheet supports, a printed sheet is sequentially shifted between the discharged-sheet supports, and is finally mounted onto a discharged-sheet tray. By operating the discharged-sheet supports even after printing has been completed, all printed sheets are finally mounted on the discharged-sheet tray.

Abstract: A tray for use with printer, copier, facsimile machine or any other device from which sheets of paper are expelled and which is arranged to be located on a support surface, e.g., a table, desk, etc., having an edge. The tray may be formed so that it is collapsible and arranged to be stored in a collapsed state in a flat container. Whether collapsible or not the tray is arranged to be releasably mounted on the support surface adjacent and completely below the device to collect the sheets of paper expelled from the device. The tray has a basket section, an anchor section, and an intermediate support section. The anchor section is arranged to be located on the support surface under the device so that the weight of the device holds it in place. The intermediate support section is hingedly connected to the anchor section and overhangs the edge of the support surface when the tray is in place.

Abstract: The present invention provides a horizontally set recording apparatus provided with a sheet inserting and discharging holes at the upper surface, wherein substantially linear recording sheet transporting route passing through the recording section is formed, and an automatic sheet feeding apparatus can be removably attached thereon. The recording sheet is delivered into an inlet opening of said transporting route.

Abstract: A printer wherein a drive roller of a pair of sheet discharge rollers is made of rubber and a driven roller of the pair of sheet discharge rollers is made of synthetic resin; the leading end of a sheet is guided so as to be abutted against the drive roller earlier than the driven roller; the sheet that is in the course of being discharged is guided by a sheet discharge tray so as to come in slidable contact with an edge portion that is on a print head side of a sheet discharge opening. As a result, the printer can provide satisfactory printing conditions quickly with a simple structure and reduce noise leaking from the sheet discharge opening.

Abstract: A print media ejection system actively pushes a media sheet trailing edge into an output tray. The ejection system includes a movable pivot which supports a media sheet within a print zone during printing. Upon completion of printing the pivot moves downward allowing the current media sheet to slide from the pivot into the output tray. After the pivot completes the downward rotational stroke, the pivot rotates back upward to be in position to support the next media sheet. The upward motion of the pivot mechanism actuates a kicker device to rotate toward an output region. The kicker device drives any remaining portion of the media sheet into the output tray.

Abstract: The sheet presenter includes an elongated platform adapted to engage a printer. A pair of spaced apart walls extend upwardly from the platform to support pivotably an arm at one and thereof. A motor disposed at another end of the arm is operatively connected to a drive roller wherein the mass of the motor urges the corresponding end of the arm downwardly to engage a sheet received on the platform.

Abstract: A combination printer and scanner comprises a frame, rollers mounted in the frame for defining a single paper path therethrough, an automatic sheet feeder mounted to the frame for selectively providing to the single paper path clean paper print sheets, and an automatic document feeder mounted to the frame for selectively providing to the single paper path documents having text and/or graphics printed thereon to be scanned. The combination printer and scanner further comprises a scanner station mounted in the frame for scanning documents conveyed through the single paper path and a printer station mounted in the frame for printing text and/or graphics on print sheets conveyed through the single paper path. A document feeder cartridge is normally positioned adjacent a scanner window of the scanner station to partially define a segment of the single paper path adjacent the scanner station.

Abstract: A display unit is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to a main body of an electronic apparatus. An inlet for manually inserting a sheet is provided in the vicinity of the center of rotation of the display unit, and a sheet feeding device capable of continuously feeding sheets is provided so as to be detachable with respect to the inlet. It is thereby possible to supply a sheet from the front side of the electronic apparatus.

Abstract: An ink jet printer has a first transporting section adapted to transport a medium on which information is printed. The first transporting section has a first contact area in contact with the medium. A second transporting section is adapted to transport the medium and has a second contact area in contact with the medium. The second contact area is smaller than the first contact area. A selector selectively causes the first and second transporting sections to move into contact engagement with the medium to transport the medium.

Abstract: An ink jet printer having a pair of supporting portion for supporting from below both side portions of a sheet to be discharged after characters are printed on the surface of a sheet. At least one of the pair of supporting portion includes a roller, which may be either a driving roller, which conveys discharging sheets from the sheet discharge section, or a driven roller, which rotates upon contacting a discharging sheet to convey the sheet from the sheet discharge section. As a consequence, the sheet is discharged smoothly, without reducing sheet feeding accuracy even when stiff sheets are printed upon by the printer.

Abstract: A printer with paper stacker activation. A platen is mounted on the drive roller for both rotation and translation. When fully to the right end of its travel, the platen is engaged with rotation stops which position the platen a fixed distance from the print cartridge, and disengaged from the roller, which can rotate for paper advancement during printing. When translated to the left, the platen is disengaged from the rotation stops and allowed to rotate. A clockwise rotation of the drive roller brings a roller shoulder into contact with a platen tab, urging the platen downwardly, clearing the way for the paper to fall into the output tray. Platen translation from right to left is driven by the carriage. A flag and a key are mounted on the roller, and engage the platen by the pen carriage. The key has a friction pinch on the roller, such that a torque is produced when the roller turns. The flag is adjacent the key, and the torque produced by the key urges rotation of the flag.

Abstract: The printer comprises an entrance, a printing station, a collection tray for the printed sheets and temporary storage mechanisms on which a printed sheet is placed immediately after printing. These mechanisms comprise pivotingly mounted shutters, opening and closing of which is commanded by a slide comprising two rails cooperating with levers integral with the shafts of the shutters. The slide can be made temporarily integral with the printing carriage by means of a selection pin, the cams of which cooperate with two fixed abutments. The carriage thus performs selection and driving of the temporary storage mechanisms, which are easy to build and operate precisely at a low cost price.

Abstract: A print media ejection system actively pushes a media sheet trailing edge into an output tray. The ejection system includes a movable pivot which supports a media sheet within a print zone during printing. Upon completion of printing the pivot moves downward allowing the current media sheet to slide from the pivot into the output tray. After the pivot completes the downward rotational stroke, the pivot rotates back upward to be in position to support the next media sheet. The upward motion of the pivot mechanism actuates a kicker device to rotate toward an output region. The kicker device drives any remaining portion of the media sheet into the output tray.

Abstract: A hard copy apparatus with a print media telescoping tray system is disclosed. The telescoping tray system consists of an output tray, a paper tray, and an output tray position detector. The trays are constrained to translate in one line of motion, a substantially planar path into and out of the front of the apparatus, by nesting the paper tray within the output tray and guiding the trays along the line of motion. The trays telescope in a relatively small vertical opening below the paper feed drive mechanism of the apparatus. The telescoping tray system enables two modes of printing operation by providing a paper output path when in the output tray closed mode and by providing a full tray where printed sheets can be stacked during a multi-sheet or batch print job in an output tray open mode.

Abstract: An imaging device which reciprocatively transports a recording sheet to form a color image thereon. A front extreme end of the recording sheet is clamped between a pair of rollers, and the pair of rollers are reciprocatively moved along a recording sheet feed path, while clamping the recording sheet therebetween, to repeatedly execute an image forming process. After completion of the repeated image forming processes, at least one of the pair of rollers is driven to rotate, to thereby transport the recording sheet forwardly on the feed path.

Abstract: A common printer platen for conveying printed media and documents to a printer exit includes an exit mechanism having a series of floating spaced guide ribs to accommodate printed media or documents of a first range of thickness and printed media or documents of a second range of greater thickness. An exit chassis includes a longitudinal first edge, a series of spaced guide ribs including an integral beam forming a star wheel carrier is pivotably mounted transversely to the chassis first edge, and spring members extend between the chassis and the beams for accommodating printed media or documents of a greater thickness conveyed through a nip formed by the star wheels and a printer roller.

Abstract: A second feed roller of smaller diameter than a first feed roller is included in a media handling system. A print zone is located adjacent to the second feed roller away from the first feed roller to lower the location of the print zone. During ejection, a pivot mechanism moves from a first position adjacent to the printhead to an intermediary position. This causes arms to extend and rails to retract. The motions then pause and/or reverse, prior to full extension and full retraction. Next, the pivot mechanism moves to a second position causing the arms to fully extend and the rails to fully retract. The varied motion (e.g., pause and/or reversal) assures that the arms push at an edge of the media sheet to reliably move a media sheet into an output tray without the media sheet sailing from the printer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for selecting printing either continuous paper or single sheet paper in a printer having a printing section at which each paper may be printed. Continuous paper is fed on a first path to the printing section. Sheet paper is fed on a second path to the same printing section. Upon a first detector detecting that single sheet paper is in the second path, the continuous paper is retracted back along the first path out of the printing section. Upon a second detector detecting the retraction of the continuous paper out of the printing section, the sheet paper is transported to the printing section along the second path. As a result, only one of the continuous paper or the single sheet paper is at the printing section to be printed at one time.

Abstract: A paper discharge section for a printer having a printer body includes first and second support portions mounted on the printer body. At least one of the support portions is slidable towards and away from the other support portion. The first support portion can rotate between at least a first position at which the first support portion supports a first bottom side portion of the sheet of paper and at least a second position in which the first support portion does not support the first bottom side portion of a sheet of paper. A slidable edge guide for guiding a first side edge of a sheet of paper is provided and slidable towards the other edge guide. A linkage mechanism links the slidable edge guide to the first support portion to cause the edge guide and first support portion to slide together.

Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided. A vibrator comprising an elastic member and an electric/mechanical energy converting device jointed to the elastic member is attached to a carriage on which a printing head is mounted. The vibrator generates a progressive vibrating wave. The vibrator is partially come into frictional contact with a rail-shaped stator and moves along the rail-shaped stator by the progressive vibrating wave. An object to be driven is frictionally come into contact with a portion of the vibrator which is not in contact with the rail-shaped stator. The object to be driven is driven by the progressive vibrating wave. By providing a motion converting mechanism for the carriage, driving operations other than the carriage feeding operation are also executed by the vibrator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for advancing a sheet of print media through a printer mechanism having a print zone. The apparatus includes a roller assembly for advancing a sheet of media through the print zone, a printing assembly for recording information on a surface of the sheet of media and an assembly for receiving the sheet of media once information has been recorded on the sheet of media. The apparatus includes a kicker which is movable in the forward direction to engage an edge of the sheet of media to urge the sheet in a forwardly direction from the print zone to the receiving assembly. The method of this invention includes the step of pushing the edge of the sheet of media towards the receiving assembly.

Abstract: A thermal ink jet printer that prints onto thermal adhesive binding tape includes a tape feeding adapter that enables the feeding of tape into and out of the printer. The adapter includes a base support member for supporting a plurality of tapes in a substantially horizontal position for feeding into the printer and two tape guide members positioned orthogonally and centrally of the base support member for guiding the tapes into and out of the printer. Two support and guide members are connected to and extends orthogonally with respect to the two tape guides members for receiving and supporting the tapes between the two tape guides members and above the base support member after the tapes have exited the printer.

Abstract: To provide a printer in which leakage to the outside of noise produced inside the printer during printing using continuous paper is made low. A printer having a cut sheet feeder 5 which automatically feeds paper into a printing portion 4, an opening for cut paper 7 and a tractor 6 which feeds continuous paper to the printing portion to selectively use automatically-fed cut paper, manually-fed cut paper and continuous paper for printing. The printer has a paper receiving tray (manually-fed paper guide plate) 9 which can form the opening portion 7 between itself and a part 1a of the printer housing 1. The paper receiving tray is movable between a manual paper-feeding position which it forms the opening portion 7 and during manual paper-feeding guides printed cut paper into the opening portion, an automatic paper-feeding position which forms the opening portion 7 and during automatic paper-feeding receives printed cut paper, and a closed position to close off the opening 7.

Abstract: A multifunction printer having scanning and printing functions includes: a first cover located at one side surface of the deice body of the printer; a second cover located in the device body, inside of the first cover; a first paper transfer path connected to an image reading unit having the scanning function, the first paper transfer path being defined between the first and second covers; a second paper transfer path connected to a printing unit, the second paper transfer path defined in the device body inside of the second cover; and diverging means for selectively diverging the paper into one of the first and second paper transfer paths. Whereby, if jamming occurs in the first paper transfer path, jamming paper can be easily removed by opening the first cover, whereas if jamming occurs in the second paper transfer path, jamming paper can be easily removed by opening the second cover after opening the first cover.

Abstract: A printer for printing characters and images on recording paper comprising: a paper cassette for storing the recording paper; a platen roller around which the recording paper is wound at the time of the transfer of images for printing; a clamping mechanism for clamping the recording paper between the clamping mechanism and the platen roller; a motor for driving the platen roller through a gear unit; a thermal printing head for transferring images onto the recording paper; a paper feeding rollers for feeding the recording paper from the paper cassette to the clamper; a paper discharging rollers for discharging the recording paper upon the completion of the transfer of images thereto; and an ink cassette storing an ink sheet inside thereof; in which the clamping mechanism comprises a clamper which is mounted on the platen roller in such a manner as to permit the free movement of the clamper, holds the recording paper by pushing the recording paper onto the platen roller in a first position and also releases the

Abstract: An apparatus for buffering transport of inked, distorted documents is comprised of an upper deck oriented at an acute angle. The apparatus has a plurality of opposite, parallel, threaded screw conveyers orthogonal to the upper deck. The screw conveyers are positioned in close proximity to provide a support surface for an inked document fed into the buffer apparatus. The individual threads of the screw conveyers are adapted to simultaneously support, advance, and lower the individual sheets incident to rotation of the respective screw conveyers thereby depositing the inked, distorted documents successively onto lower threads. A lower deck is provided for receiving inked documents.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus wherein ink is ejected on a recording medium to effect recording includes a platen for regulating a recording surface of the recording medium; a confining member contactable to the platen to confine the recording medium; and an elastic member, disposed at a bottom of the apparatus, for urging the confining member to the platen.

Abstract: The printing device has, in addition to a line feeding device mounted upstream of the printing line to make the sheet advance incrementally, an extraction mechanism mounted downstream of the printing line in order to enable printing without smudging until the trailing edge of the sheet; the extraction mechanism including a couple of robber rollers and opposed pressure rollers having fine external teeth, which are selectively engaged, when the trailing edge of the sheet reaches a determined position, by means of cam driven levers.

Abstract: A sheet media handling system is provided which includes an input tray, an output tray, and an alignment mechanism capable of aligning sheet media which is to be input and supplementing support of sheet media once it has been expelled. The alignment mechanism thus employs an upstanding member which defines the length (or width) of the input tray, and which extends upwardly to supplement support of sheets within the output tray.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises a recording device for recording an image on a recording medium, a transport device for transporting the recording medium past an area at which the recording device is provided, a platen provided in the area for supporting the recording medium, and a bearing provided in the platen for fitting therein a shaft of a transport roller of the transport device.

Abstract: The invention aims at selecting a recording sheet discharge mode in accordance with user's priority of printing speed or printed image quality. In the thermal transfer printer, when discharge concurrent with printing is selected, a microcomputer operates to rotate a mode motor to close a transport passage between a guide member and a platen roller by means of a sheet discharge plate. Starting printing by rotating the platen roller in this state, the leading end of a recording sheet is delivered to a discharge opening, which is defined by the guide member and a guide plate, and introduced between sheet discharge rollers and idler rollers. When separate discharge after printing is selected, the microcomputer starts printing without rotating the mode motor. The sheet discharge plate closes the discharge opening defined by the guide member and the guide plate. The leading end of the recording sheet is delivered to the transport passage between the guide member and the platen roller.

Abstract: A printer main body is provided having a print section therein for printing and a sheet feed inlet through which paper is supplied to the print section. An automatic sheet feeder is releasably mountable substantially at position for releasably mounting a manual sheet insertion guide so that each can feed paper through the sheet feed inlet. The manual sheet insertion guide is also releasably mountable on the automatic sheet feeder, preferable at an angle at which sheets can be fed through said sheet feed inlet.

Abstract: A remote-driven encoder which includes a feed tray assembly (12) and an autofeed roller assembly (14) which moves checks one at a time into a check guide path. The check is moved along the check guide path by first and second drive assemblies (16, 20). Intermediate of the two drive assemblies (16, 20) is an encoder assembly (18) and a ribbon cartridge (22). The apparatus includes a plurality of sensors which provide information for control of the movement of the check, including a preload sensor (70), a detect sensor (88), and a leading edge sensor (90), among others. The check moves through a substantial angle from the feed tray past the encoder assembly. The encoded check is moved around an eject roller and then into a catch tray at the rear of the apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet advancement system is provided which includes a roller arrangement having first and second rollers coupled to afford selected in-phase and out-of-phase relative rotational orientation thereof. Each roller includes a periphery with gripping and non-gripping surface regions, the gripping surface regions being configured to rotationally engage a sheet and the non-gripping surface regions being configured to clear the sheet. The rollers thus are joined in either a grip orientation wherein substantially continuous roller-directed sheet advancement is accommodated, or a pass orientation wherein the rollers permit unobstructed passage of the sheet. In the grip orientation, the rollers are out of phase, providing substantially continuous gripping region engagement of the sheet.

Abstract: A card printing apparatus for printing a graphic design on the surface of a card comprising a card stage adapted to mount a card on its upper surface. The upper surface of the card stage has two planes separated by about the card thickness. The card stage is fed along a straight linear path toward a card stock. When the card stage has reached a certain point along the path, a card is withdrawn from the card stock means so that the card is mounted onto the card stage. A thermal print head prints the graphic design on the surface of the card mounted on the card stage, and an ejector means responsive to the feeding of the card stage ejects the card mounted on the card stage to a card collection zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a horizontally set recording apparatus provided with a sheet inserting and discharging holes at the upper surface, wherein substantially linear recording sheet transporting route passing through the recording section is formed, and an automatic sheet feeding apparatus can be removably attached thereon. The recording sheet is delivered into an inlet opening of said transporting route.

Abstract: A printer for printing characters and images on recording paper comprising: a paper cassette for storing the recording paper; a platen roller around which the recording paper is wound at the time of the transfer of images for printing; a clamping mechanism for clamping the recording paper between the clamping mechanism and the platen roller; a motor for driving the platen roller through a gear unit; a thermal printing head for transferring images onto the recording paper; a paper feeding rollers for feeding the recording paper for the paper cassette to the clamper; a paper discharging rollers for discharging the recording paper upon the completion of the transfer of the images thereto; an ink cassette storing an ink sheet inside thereof; in which the clamping mechanism comprises a clamper which is mounted on the platen roller in such a manner as to permit the free movement of the clamper, holds the recording paper by pushing the recording paper onto the platen roller in a first position and also releases the

Abstract: An output mechanism printer which prints characters and images on recording paper includes an input path along which a sheet of paper is conveyed towards the printing unit, a cylindrical platen roller having a longitudinal axis of rotation which is orthogonal to the input direction, and an output device which moves the sheet in the same direction as the input direction, and then automatically moves the paper directly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the platen until it is outside the printer.

Abstract: An apparatus for buffering transport of freshly inked documents is comprised of an upper deck oriented at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane. The apparatus has a plurality of opposite, parallel, threaded screw conveyers orthogonal to the upper deck. Inked documents travel upon the threads of the screw conveyers. A lower deck is provided for receiving inked documents. An eject pin mechanism causes the inked documents to be delivered from the apparatus.

Abstract: An ink jet printer has a sheet conveying and drying device having a plurality of flexible, resilient yet stiff fingers connected in a cantilevered manner to a drive chain which moves the fingers from a printed sheet receiving tray to a sheet stacking tray. After sheets are printed by a conventional ink jet printing head, the sheets are picked off of the printed sheet receiving tray and fed to a sheet stacking tray. The printed sheets are dried while being fed from the printed sheet receiving tray to the sheet stacking tray. After the printed sheets are picked off of the fingers at the sheet stacking tray, the chain drive continues to move the fingers in a counterclockwise direction along the chain path. The resilient, flexible fingers are deformed by upper and lower guide rollers, a stacking tray and a rear separating wall and are flicked back into a sheet receiving position at the printed sheet receiving tray.

Abstract: A hardcopy device has various page processing steps in a printer, fax machine or the like which are actuated by a single motor which connects through a gear mechanism to drive a main drive roller, a pick roller, and automatically move a pressure plate in a feeder slot to and fro between a position of engagement holding a stack of pages against the pick roller and a position of disengagement. A reverse action of the pick roller kicks out partially picked pages into the feeder slot after the pressure plate is moved to a position of disengagement.