Abstract: A paper sheet feeding apparatus is constructed of paper feed rollers arranged in association with a respective paper tray and adapted to be driven by rotation of a printer platen in a forward paper feeding direction, with selection of the appropriate paper tray from which paper is to be fed, by a combination of forward and reverse rotations of the printer platen. The paper feed rollers, associated with each of the paper trays, are mounted on shafts which extend transversely of the apparatus. A plurality of driven gear assemblies are respectively arranged in operative association with the paper feed rolls and are adapted for lateral sliding movement between engaged and disengaged positions relative to a selector gear whose rotation is synchronized with that of the printer platen.

Abstract: A printer/feeder apparatus of the type having: (i) a feed/transport platen rotatable so that its peripheral surface moves past a sheet supply zone, a print path ingress, a print zone and a print path egress; (ii) frictional feed surface located on a peripheral sector of the platen surface and (iii) means for selectively effecting feeding engagement between the face sheet(s) of a stack of sheet media and the feed surface features a detection/control system that includes (a) a first detector for sensing and signalling when and when not a forward edge of the feed surface is at a predetermined start position; (b) a second detector means for sensing and signalling when and when not engagement condition exists; (c) a third detector means for sensing and signalling when and when not a sheet is located along a predetermined portion(s) of the print path; and (d) a control system for receiving signals from the detectors and enabling printing cycles and signalling error conditions.

Abstract: A self service printer is improved by providing for temporary storage of several printed documents to be issued as a bundle.

Abstract: A device for pressing a stack (5) of sheets against a roller drive (2,4) of a papersheet separator, said device compromising a pivotable pressure plate (11) which is biased against the roller drive (2,4) by means of an adjustable leaf spring (12) in order to vary the pressure force. In this way a pressure force is obtained which suits paper sheets of different kinds. The device may be applied for example in printers and copiers.

Abstract: A paper feeder includes a paper feeder main body arranged above a rectangular, parallelepiped stack of sheets. A support mechanism for supporting the main body above the stack is provided on the paper feeder main body. A feed roller is supported by the paper feeder main body and in contact with the uppermost sheet to feed the uppermost sheet in a predetermined direction. Metal pawls for allowing movement of the uppermost sheet and preventing movement of the other sheets are likewise supported by the paper feeder main body. The mechanism moves downward together with the paper feeder main body in accordance with a change in the height of the stack upon sheet feed, thereby supporting the paper feeder main body and metal pawls at a predetermined position with respect to the uppermost sheet.

Abstract: To provide for a single-sheet feeding to an office-type writing apparatus, such as a typewriter, word processor, printer or the like, in form of a separable attachment unit, a unitary assembly is provided including two parallel rockers (2, 12) having lateral sheet guide walls (12) which are located on a common shaft (9) connecting side walls of the attachment apparatus.

Abstract: There is disclosed a simplified sheet feeding system for a recording apparatus such as copier. A sheet is pinched between ribs projecting on a sheet guiding face and driven feed rollers which are movable in position and partly overlap with the projecting ribs when the sheet is absent.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus for a printer. There are at least two mounting members, each of which is adapted to contain sheets of paper. A paper feeding assembly is associated with each of the mounting members and contacts the paper in the mounting member for feeding single sheets of paper. A paper feed gear is operatively coupled to each of the paper feeding assemblies for co-rotation therewith. A sun gear is present proximate each of the paper feeding gears and each is rotatable about a center point. A transmission mechanism transmits rotational power in first and second directions from a paper feed motor in the printer to each of the sun gears. The first and second directions are opposite to one another. A selector member is associated with each of the paper feed assemblies and has a planet gear on a first arm and a protrusion on a second arm. The selector member is rotatable about the center point of the corresponding sun gear. The planet gear engages with the corresponding sun gear.

Abstract: An office writing machine has sheets fed to the platen (10) from a supply stack and correctly aligned at the print point by feeding the leading edge of the sheet past the contact line between the pressure roller (17) and platen. The platen is then reversely fed at least until the sheet leaves this contact line, at which point its precise position is known. Subsequent forward rotation of the platen advances the sheet exactly to the print point.

Abstract: In a paper feeding and ejecting device for a printing apparatus, a sheet of paper is fed by a paper feeding roller from the top of a stack of paper sheets in a magazine through a feeding guide to a gripping assembly on the peripheral surface of a platen which is rotated in one direction during printing and in the opposite direction during ejecting of a printed sheet through an ejecting guide to ejecting rollers. The feeding roller and the ejecting rollers are driven by a single reversible drive motor at suitable times during the operating cycle. The feeding guide and the ejecting guide are separated from each other at the platen so that the feeding of a sheet to the platen will not interfere with the ejecting of a printed sheet. At the completion of each operating cycle, the feeding roller is accurately located at a standby position without requiring the use of a control sensor therefor.

Abstract: Different copy elements, such as letterheads, unprinted sheets, envelopes or the like can be fed from different supply stacks (2, 3; 3a, 3b, 3c) by individual separating rollers (7, 8) which frictionally engage the uppermost of the copy elements of the respective stacks. The copy elements are fed into the gap between a platen (10) of the printer, and then deposited on an output stack. The selection of the copy element from the specific stack (2, 3 for example) is obtained by different angles of rotation of the platen, in reverse--that is, counter to the sheet feeding direction--to thereby, selectively, engage different ratchets and ratchet wheels of a coupling connected to the respective separating rollers which feed the copy elements from the respective stacks.

Abstract: There is illustrated and described a printing device having an integrated paper feeding apparatus adapted for supplying individual sheets of paper to the printing device to effect printing thereon. The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus for the present invention is particularly suitable for use in word processing systems where the information to be printed in hard copy is contained in a memory device such as a floppy disk or the like. The apparatus may be directly linked to word processing equipment to receive the text of material to be printed. In addition to having the capability of automatically feeding individual sheets of paper from one or more paper trays to the printing device, the apparatus includes an automatic envelope supply mechanism for supplying individual envelopes to the printing device, as well as a manual paper feed option. After effecting printing on the paper or envelope, an ejector mechanism ejects the printed paper from the apparatus and into a receptacle in collated form.

Abstract: A paper feeder for use in dispensing paper into a printer with sensors for leading and trailing edges of paper and with a platen which rotates in a forward imprinting direction in response to a leading edge and in a backward, paper-ejecting direction in response to a trailing edge, the paper feeder comprising a paper holder, at least one rotatable drive roller to operably contact paper in the holder, and a drive train connecting the platen to the roller and controlled exclusively by such connection to cause no roller rotation in response to forward platen rotation, and to cause roller rotation in a paper-dispensing direction in response to backward platen rotation; the drive train is arranged so that the roller delivers paper to a paper-loading position on the printer not before the platen completes paper ejection; whereby backwards platen rotation provides simultaneous paper ejection and dispensing.

Abstract: An attachable feed and delivery system for envelopes in a high speed, batch printer (14) environment is described. Included is a hopper (10) having input (30) and output sections (32) separated from each other by a spring loaded bail (34). The transport path to and from the print station includes a picker/separator (90) located adjacent to the input section of the hopper. Fresh envelopes are urged toward the pick area by the spring loaded bail (34). Endless belts (56) passing through the base (50) of the hopper (10) assist in urging printed envelopes into the output area (32).

Abstract: Different copy elements, such as letterheads, unprinted sheets, envelopes or the like can be fed from different supply stacks (2, 3; 3a, 3b, 3c) by individual separating rollers (7, 8) which frictionally engage the uppermost of the copy elements of the respective stacks. The copy elements are fed into the gap between a platen (10) of the printer, and then deposited on an output stack. The selection of the copy element from the specific stack (2, 3 for example) is obtained by different angles of rotation of the platen, in reverse--that is, counter to the sheet feeding direction--to thereby, selectively, engage different ratchets and ratchet wheels of a coupling connected to the respective separating rollers which feed the copy elements from the respective stacks.

Abstract: An automatic paper sheet supplying apparatus to be used in combination with a paper sheet processing apparatus having a motor, comprises a pair of side plates mounted on the processing apparatus, a plurality of connecting bars connecting the side plates, an automatic long paper sheet supplying apparatus which is mounted on the pair of side plates and receives a rotational force from the motor so as to supply a long paper sheet to the processing apparatus, an output transmitting gear, arranged in the long paper sheet supplying apparatus, for receiving the rotational force from the motor, and an automatic base-sized paper sheet supplying apparatus, detachably mounted on the connecting bars to be supported thereby, for receiving the rotational force from the motor through the output transmitting gear so as to supply basic-sized paper sheets to the processing apparatus when the basic-sized paper sheet supplying apparatus is mounted on the connecting bars.

Abstract: A hand-held printing calculator for printing calculating results on elongated paper strips from a bundle of paper strips disposed within the calculator is provided. The calculator includes a microprinter having a paper feeding assembly including feeding elements disposed before and after the print position and in the same plane as the advancing paper for maintaining the paper flat during printing. In another embodiment of the invention, a detection sensor detects the absence of a paper strip at the print position for generating a signal for feeding the next paper strip so that paper is continuously fed to the print position.

Abstract: The sheet feed device (1) comprises several cassettes (13) on which the sheets are stacked, a removal mechanism associated with each of the supports, intended to remove a sheet from the cassette (13) and introduce it into the printer (2), and a selection mechanism (55) intended to activate one of the removal mechanisms. The mechanisms for removal and selection (55) are driven by the platen (3) of the printer (2). The selection mechanism (55) makes use of the position occupied by the mobile carriage (4). The latter carries a drive part (61) that can work with a set of selection levers (56). These levers (56) are equal in number to the removal mechanism. Depending on the position of the carriage during selection, one or the other of the levers (56) is put into active position and moved by a drive wheel (65) to activate a removal control element (76) and to start the removal and introduction processes.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus for a printing device, comprising a rotational shaft connected through a one way spring clutch to a forward and reverse rotatable driving motor supported by the printing device, feed rollers mounted on the rotational shaft so as to be in pressure contact with the uppermost surface of pieces of printing paper stacked on a holder table, and a coil spring wound around the rotational shaft and supported at one end thereof by a frame for preventing the rotation in the other direction of the rotational shaft induced by the reverse rotation of the driving motor. The holder table is supported by the frame pivotally through an adjusting means utilizing an eccentric shaft.

Abstract: A printer with improved integral automated cut sheet feeding apparatus including a hopper (10) adapted to attach to bearing members on sheet picker roller (22), shaft (20), hopper (10) also including an upwardly biased sheet floor (58) being adapted to slidingly engage dual function corner restraint members (66) and to cooperate therewith to limit the stack size and reliably feed a single sheet properly oriented without requiring additional alignment means.

Abstract: A paper feeding device for a printer having a first paper handling assembly including rollers for feeding sheets of paper of one kind from a first paper stacker along a first inlet path to a printing assembly of the printer, and a second paper handling assembly including a second stacker for receiving the printed sheets from the first stacker, and supported by a support member pivotally between first and second positions. The support member carries at least one paper guide which is pivotable between its first and second positions according to pivotal movements of the support member. In the first position, the paper guide defines a paper exit path opening through which the printed sheets are guided into the second stacker. When the paper guide is pivoted to its second position, it closes the paper exit path opening. The feeding device further comprises a member or members defining a second inlet path adjacent the second paper handling assembly when the support member is in the second position.

Abstract: A paper loading apparatus for a printer wherein sheets of paper are moved by a paper feeding device to a printing device to effect printing on the paper. The apparatus comprises a paper stacker for storing a stack of the sheets of paper, a feed roller engageable with the top of the paper stack and rotatable for feeding along a first paper path the individual sheets in one direction from the paper stacker toward the paper feeding device, a controller for controlling the paper feeding device such that the sheets of paper fed from the paper stacker are first moved in the above one direction into the printing device and subsequently moved in a reverse direction opposite to the above one direction, and a guiding device for guiding the sheet of paper moving in the reverse direction along a second paper path in which the sheet of paper is free from engagement with the feed roller.

Abstract: To permit attachment of a single-sheet feeding and separating unit to various types and variously dimensioned office machines of different manufacturers, the sheet-feeding and guiding unit (1) is releasably attached (11, 17; 23) to a connecting frame (2) which is made specifically adapted to match a specific type model or manufacture of office machine (3). The frame (2) has a positive engagement latch (FIG.

Abstract: To provide for single-sheet feeding to an office-type writing apparatus, such as a typewriter, word processor, printer or the like, in form of a separable attachment unit, a unitary assembly is provided including two parallel rockers (2, 12) having lateral sheet guide walls (12) which are located on a common shaft (9) connecting side walls of the attachment apparatus.

Abstract: A thermal transfer color printer is disclosed for printing color images on individual sheets of paper. One sheet of paper at a time is removed from a stack of paper stored in a cassette and this sheet is transported by a reversible platen roller in a first or forward direction at a first predetermined rate. While the sheet of paper is gripped between the reversible platen roller and one or more pinch rollers, slack is removed by a slack removing device. A multicolored ink ribbon with successively arranged color segments also is transported in the first direction at the same predetermined rate. A thermal printhead presses against the reversible platen roller to press the ink ribbon and sheet of paper together as they move in the first direction. Energization of the thermal elements on the thermal printhead by color component signals corresponding to the current color of the ink ribbon causes the particular current color to be thermally and selectively transferred to the sheet of paper.

Abstract: An envelope feeder sequentially feeds envelopes from a loading station to a printing station of a conventional printer for addressing, and releases addressed envelopes at a discharge station. The feeder includes an upstanding housing that journals a platen roll at its lower end and an idler roll at its upper end. The feeder's platen roll replaces the printer's conventional platen roll and serves to drivingly connect the feeder to the printer. The housing has a front guide surface that faces forwardly with respect to the printer, and a rear guide surface that faces rearwardly. At least two transport belts have reaches that extend along the front and rear guide surfaces. The belts extend around and are held taut by the feeder's platen and idler rolls.

Abstract: A paper holding, feeding and inserting apparatus for a printer, comprising a first paper stacker for storing sheets of paper of one kind, a paper feeding device to feed the sheets from the first paper stacker to a printing station, and a second paper stacker which receives the printed sheets and is supported pivotally from its operative position to its inoperative position at which is provided a path along which a sheet of paper of another kind is inserted to the printing station. A drive motor to drive feed rollers of the paper feeding device may be controlled such that its operating speed is changed from an initial low speed to a higher speed during the feeding of a sheet to the printing station.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording apparatus according to the invention is constructed so that information is recorded by transferring ink from a thermal transfer ribbon to the surface of a transfer sheet by means of a thermal head, and that a second unit can be swung up to be separated from a first unit as required. Sag of the thermal transfer ribbon is removed by feeding the ribbon for a predetermined length when it is detected that the second unit is set on the first unit. Thus, fusion of ink on the thermal transfer ribbon at the start of recording can be prevented.

Abstract: A sheet feeder is disclosed which may be used as an auxiliary unit with a computer controlled printer. The feeder features a mechanical timing mechanism which effects a start-to-feed function in synchronism with printer platen motion and which is driven by a mechanical interface with a printer platen drive gear to sequentially and precisely position individual paper sheets in start-to-print position in the computer controlled printer with no requirements for electrical power, software or electronic logic.

Abstract: In the present invention, a frame, mounted above the platen of a typewriter or a word processing machine, supports a drive roller in contact with the platen. This drive roller is also in contact with a tray-moving mechanism, supported above the drive roller. A plurality of trays carried in the frame are supported above the platen so as to hold sheets of paper or envelopes vertically between trays and in alignment with the sheet insert side of the platen. When the platen is turned backward, the drive roller actuates the tray-moving mechanism, causing a tray to move, separating it from the next adjacent tray and permitting a sheet of paper which had been placed therebetween to drop into position against the platen. Thus the sheets are fed automatically against the platen when the platen rotation is reversed.

Abstract: The sheet-processing apparatus has a mechanically-rotated platen at its sheet-processing station, upstream, along the pair of powered transport rolls and upstream of them, at the outlet of the sheet magazine, a powered sheet-abstracting roll. A drive train powers the transport and sheet-abstracting rolls from the platen. A mechanical sensing finger is disposed in the nip of the transport rolls. As the finger is contacted by an end margin of a sheet, the roll-powering drive train is mechanically triggered to be uncoupled. Upon a uniform degree of subsequent rotation of the platen, a return mechanism recouples the drive train and re-cocks the trigger.

Abstract: A self-feeding feeder for use with printers having rotatably driven friction feed rollers. The feeder includes mounting plates conforming to the shape of the printer print station for removably mounting the feeder. A gear is attached to the friction feed rollers and supplies rotary motion to a pair of drive rollers via an intermediate drive train. A pair of spring loaded guides having integral sides formed therein urge individual cut sheets of media out of an input media support tray and into the printer. The drive mechanism includes a pin and key drive assembly to maintain media spacing. Deflector means and an output tray are provided which automatically collect and collate the sheets of media emerging from the printer.

Abstract: Device for automatically positioning a sheet on an office machine platen, including a lower guide element to guide the sheet toward the writing line of the platen and an upper guide element to guide the sheet towards the top. During the introduction of the sheet, an electromagnet is energized to let the lower guide element turn with the platen, accompanying the sheet beyond the writing line. The electromagnet also causes the contemporary separation of the upper guide element from the platen. When the sheet reaches a predetermined position with respect to the writing line, the electromagnet is de-energized and a spring again brings the two elements to the rest position. An automatic introduction mechanism sequentially transfers the sheets from a hopper to the platen and from the platen to a sheet stacker.

Abstract: The present invention is a sheet feeder for use in combination with a printer. The sheet feeder includes a frame which is substantially symmetrical about a bisecting vertical plane and which has a sheet outlet. The top of the frame is in a first horizontal plane and the printer, which has a sheet inlet, is disposed thereon. The sheet outlet is adjacent and contiguous to the top of the frame and can be aligned with the sheet inlet of the printer. The sheet feeder also includes a first tray and a second tray which are movably coupled to the frame and which are disposed opposingly to each other and parallel to a first plane and a second plane, respectively, which are slanted with respect to the first horizontal plane. A first stack of sheets, face up, and a second stack of sheets, face down, can be disposed on the first and second trays, respectively.

Abstract: A matrix printing apparatus of the type having a path for sequentially transporting a series of documents to be printed between a plurality of dot matrix ballistic print heads and back-up platen rollers opposite each print head, the dot matrix ballistic print heads adapted, when actuated, to simultaneously impact an ink source and one side of each document as each document passes the print heads to apply printed material to each document in a pre-programmed array. The improvement of the present invention comprises moving the back-up platen rollers from a first position adjacent the print head when the print head is actuated, to a second position at a distance from the print head when the print head is not actuated.

Abstract: A mechanical system for feeding cut sheet paper to a printer from one of several cassettes. A mechanical selector is mounted in each cassette so that it can drive a paper feed roll mounted in that cassette. The cassettes include insert guides which allow each cassette to be replaceably mounted in at least one side rail secured on the printer. The side rail has guides that receive and automatically locate each cassette on the printer with a simple "drop in" engagement. The side rail supports a gear train or an equivalent power transmission arrangement that has a common drive and extends to all of the cassettes. A power input gear of each selector engages an associated gear of the gear train. The selectors each include a combination mechanism that allows the selector to transmit power only after the drive shaft has supplied a programmed pattern of rotations and counter-rotations to the selectors.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having a printing assembly and a paper handling assembly including a paper feeding device for feeding sheets of paper of one kind from a first paper stacker along a first path and further including a paper advancing device selectively advancing to the printing assembly either the sheets of paper of the one kind or sheets of paper of another kind fed along a second path. The apparatus comprises a first memory for storing information representing margin positions and tabulation positions, and other data associated with the sheet of paper of one kind, a second memory for storing similar information associated with the sheet of paper of another kind, a detector for detecting an operative or inoperative position of the paper feeding device and generating a signal representing the detected position, and a control device responsive to the signal from the detector and selecting the first or second memory.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing valuable papers and other documents, such as banknotes, checks, receipts, vouchers etc., from a plurality of cassettes (11-13) to an outfeed opening (10) includes a plurality of separate feed devices, one for each cassette, which separate feed devices are incorporated in series in a feed means from the cassette (13) located farthest away from the outfeed opening to the outfeed opening (10), common for all cassettes. For initiating the outfeed of valuable papers and other documents, there is provided an intitiating means (15) which can be actuated by a customer or a clerk.

Abstract: A stacking device for stacking data carriers, especially multi-sheet forms, either face up or face down by selecting the orientation of a reversible, detachable magazine. The carriers are ejected between symmetrically arranged feed rollers. A pivoting diverter, and moderately spring-biased guides extending between the feed roller shafts, direct an ejected carrier over that feed roller which is on the selected side of the plane of symmetry of the feed rollers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for sequentially feeding pieces of stationery such as envelopes from a supply hopper to a conventional printer mechanism for printing addresses or the like thereon, and for sequentially transporting printed pieces to a storage hopper. The system of the invention utilizes a dispensing mechanism for feeding one piece of stationery at a time from the supply hopper, a positioning mechanism for receiving a piece of stationery and positioning it along the path of travel of a pair of transport belts, and a transport mechanism for belt-feeding pieces of stationery around a printing platen for printing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for feeding single sheets from a stack of paper stored in a magazine to the platen of an office machine. The apparatus is capable of being mounted on the office machine, the drive of a separate-feed roller frictionally engaging the stack of paper being effected by means of the platen in such a manner that when the platen is rotated counter to the direction in which the paper is inserted, the separate-feed roller is driven in the direction of paper insertion. In order to prevent the separate-feed roller from hindering paper insertion by the platen, the magazine pivotally engages a control cam. The control cam is driven by the platen in such a manner that it pivots the magazine against the separate-feed roller when the platen is rotated counter to the direction of paper insertion; when the platen is rotated in the direction of paper insertion, the control cam pivots the magazine away from contact with the separate-feed roller.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus capable of feeding both individual sheets of paper, such as stationary, and envelopes to a printing device for printing of matter thereon, the printing device including a print head for printing on a sheet of paper and a paper moving platen for providing relative movement between the sheets of paper and the print head to effect printing on the paper. The paper feeding apparatus includes a first paper storage tray for storing a plurality of sheets of paper, and first paper drive rollers for feeding of a sheet of paper from the paper storage tray along a paper feed path to the platen on the printing device. The paper feed path is at least partially defined by a deflector plate which is arranged opposite from the first paper storage tray and is parallel to one side of the paper feed path so that sheets of paper are deflected by one surface of the deflector plate to be directed toward the paper moving platen as they are fed from the paper storage tray.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for an impact daisywheel type printer is interconnected with an existing system by reconnecting the ASCII type data cable to the sheet feeder. The internal logic of the sheet feeder is cabled to the printer and provides for all necessary automatic control. The sheet feeder also includes a mechanical bail control which opens the bail to allow for automatic feeding of the paper around the platen.

Abstract: Printing apparatus, having a rotatable platen with a printing element in front of it and a reversible platen drive for rotating the platen counterclockwise or clockwise relative to the printing element, is operable to feed, from an upper hopper extending upwardly and rearwardly from the bottom of the platen, an unprinted sheet to the bottom of the platen and forwardly and upwardly to the front of the platen into printing position. A selector switch may be provided for selecting the direction of rotation of the platen after completion of printing so that its rotation counterclockwise moves the printed sheet upwardly and rearwardly toward the upper hopper and its rotation clockwise moves the printed sheet downwardly for sequential stacking in the lower hopper to collate successive printed sheets in their order of printing.

Abstract: A sheet paper feed apparatus for a typewriter having a frame supporting a platen for holding and providing at least longitudinal motion to a sheet of paper. A rectangular tray includes forward and rear paper supports for supporting a stack of paper thereon. Therebetween is a shinglar roll or wheel which supports the central portion of the paper stack is a slightly bowed configuration. The shinglar wheel is first driven in a rearward fashion to effect removal of the forward or leading edge of the bottom most sheet from the stack away from the forward support, and then the shinglar wheel rotation is reversed effecting feeding of the sheet of paper away from the bottom of the stack and below the forward paper support into paper feed rolls and ultimately onto the platen.

Abstract: For use in an automatic paper feeder supplying paper to an automatic typing system, apparatus is provided for selectively stacking the output sheet material from the automatic typing system in either their original input sequence order or in the reverse thereof. The apparatus includes an output tray and mounting means therefor adapted to support the output tray in either of two predetermined positions on the automatic paper feeder. Feed rollers eject the output sheet material vertically from the automatic paper feeder. Deflection means included on the output tray, together with the predetermined position of the output tray, determines the sequencing of the output sheet material.

Abstract: An envelope feeder which can be mounted on a printer having a rotatable platen and a printing head for automatically feeding, printing and stacking envelopes is disclosed. It has a blank envelope feeding hopper from which blank envelopes are extracted one at a time and fed by a transporting roll and belt mechanism to the printer platen for printing. The position of the envelope is sensed when it reaches the printer platen and the transporting mechanism stopped for printing of the envelope by the printing head. After printing is completed, the transporting mechanism is reactivated to deliver the printed envelope to an envelope receiving hopper for stacking in sequence with other printed envelopes.

Abstract: A cut form paper transport apparatus in a belt printer includes driven exit friction rollers disposed for rolling engagement with a pressure roller pivotally supported on a pair of support arms which carry a deflector or guide plate spaced above the platen and disposed for engagement with the leading edge of a sheet of paper as it leaves the printing region for deflection of the leading edge into an exit path tangent to the platen and such that the leading edge of the sheet moves between the exit friction rollers and the pressure roller for engagement thereby when the sheet is in the exit path. Mounted on the deflector plate is a pair of adjustment rollers disposed for rolling engagement with the outer surface of the platen for adjusting the position of the deflector plate with respect to the platen.

Abstract: A compact substantially self contained envelope feeding apparatus includes a magazine for holding a plurality of stacked envelopes which are dispensed through a bottom outlet by a two stage dispensing mechanism comprising spaced apart sets of drive rollers arranged along an envelope feed path. The second set of drive rollers includes resiliently biased idler rollers for guiding the envelopes along a curved portion of the feed path to a holding plate which holds each envelope momentarily stationary for engagement by endless feed belts which feed the envelope to a platen of a printer. A support unit is provided with quick release clamps for securing the feeding apparatus to the support shaft of the printer platen. Drive gearing is provided for engagement with a platen gear to drive the feed belts in timed relation to the platen for feeding envelopes to the platen and returning envelopes from the platen back to the magazine.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus for feeding of individual sheets of paper to a printing device for the printing of matter thereon, the printing device including a print head for printing on a sheet of paper and a paper moving platen for providing relative movement between sheets of paper and the print head to effect printing on the paper. The paper feeding apparatus includes a paper storage tray for storing a plurality of sheets of paper, and a paper drive and guide apparatus for feeding a sheet of paper from the paper storage tray along a paper feed path to the platen of the printing device. A sensor is provided in the paper feed path for sensing when a sheet of paper is in position for being received by the platen, at which time the platen is then actuated to receive the sheet of paper being fed along the paper feed path and to move the sheet of paper relative to the print head to accurately position the sheet of paper in a printing position for the start of printing thereon by the print head.