Abstract: A moisture detecting apparatus includes: a light emitting unit including a first light source configured to emit light having a first wavelength as a peak wavelength, and a second light source configured to emit light having a second wavelength as a peak wavelength; a detecting unit configured to detect a first detection value indicating an extent to which the light emitted from the first light source is transmitted through a recording material, and a second detection value indicating an extent to which the light emitted by the second light source is transmitted through the recording material, based on a light receiving result of a light receiving unit; and a determination unit configured to determine a value related to a moisture content of the recording material based on the first detection value and the second detection value.

Abstract: In one example, a sheet media alignment system includes: a guide (12) defining a curved media path (14) that extends from an upstream part of the guide to a downstream part of the guide; a movable blocker (16, 56) to block the curved media path (14) at the downstream part of the guide, the blocker movable into and out of a blocking position in which the blocker is spaced from the downstream part of the guide a first distance; and a driver (24, 58) upstream from the curved media path to drive a media sheet into the guide along the curved media path and into the blocker. The driver is spaced from the upstream part of the guide a second distance greater than the first distance such that a media sheet driven into the blocker will buckle between the driver and the guide before it will buckle between the guide and the blocker.

Abstract: A device for printing flat packages fed individually to a printing unit of a franking machine, pass the printing unit on one side and are guided on a side edge in the conveying direction, including a conveying apparatus which grips the packages at a front end and, by a guide plate forms a conveying plane of a conveying gap with an opposite conveying unit of the conveying apparatus. In the conveying direction, the conveying unit has two endless drawing devices next to each other which circulate a common axle on deflecting rollers, and the upper run of which, and the lower run of which are guided on running rollers mounted freely rotatably in pairs so as to lie opposite one another at pivotable ends of double lever arms assigned to the upper and the lower run, and supported on the inner side of the runs by spring force.

Abstract: A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a first conveyance unit conveying a sheet, the first conveyance unit including a first rotary member, and a second rotary member contacting with the first rotary member at a contact portion, a second conveyance unit arranged downstream, in a sheet conveyance direction, of the first conveyance unit, a bent conveyance guide forming a sheet conveying path between the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit such that the sheet conveying path is bent, and a swing guide provided upstream, in the sheet conveyance direction, of the bent conveyance guide, and guiding the sheet to the bent conveyance guide at a downstream side, in the sheet conveyance direction, of the contact portion. A center of rotation of the swing guide is provided coaxially as a rotation axis of the first rotary member.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a card rotator include a card receptacle, a feed roller, and a motor. The card receptacle is configured to rotate about a pivot access that is approximately perpendicular to a plane of a card substrate supported by the card receptacle. The feed roller is configured to discharge a card substrate from the card receptacle. The feed roller has an axis of rotation that is approximately perpendicular to the pivot axis. The motor is configured to drive rotation of the card receptacle about the pivot axis relative to the axis of rotation of the feed roller.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus forms a loop of a sheet between a first conveyance roller pair and a second conveyance roller pair, and before a leading edge of the sheet reaches a nip portion of a third conveyance roller pair, separates the first conveyance roller pair.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: at least one roller pair which has a driving roller and a driven roller facing the driving roller and which rotates while interposing the recording medium therebetween to transport the recording medium in a first direction; a recording section which records an image on the recording medium transported by the roller pair; a position detecting section which detects a position of the recording medium with respect to the roller pair in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction before the recording section starts recording; a determining section which determines a rotation amount of the driving roller before the recording section starts the recording depending on the position in the second direction of the recording medium detected by the position detecting section; and a control unit which controls the driving roller based on the rotation amount determined by the determining section.

Abstract: According to the present invention, skew feeding of a sheet is corrected while conveying the sheet, positioning of a side edge of the sheet in the width direction is carried out, and an image is formed on the sheet by an image forming portion 90. Two steering mechanisms 120a and 120b are disposed upstream of the image forming portion along the conveying direction, and the steering mechanisms 120a and 120b can feed a sheet on the skew in any direction with respect to the sheet conveying direction. Two CISs 100a and 100b are disposed along the sheet conveying direction corresponding to the steering mechanisms. A skew feeding angle and a skew feeding velocity of each of the steering mechanisms is changed according to differential value between a side edge position detected by the CISs 100a and 100b and a target position of a side edge of a sheet.

Abstract: An edge guide is provided. A structure includes curved surface over which a print media can travel. The print media includes a first edge and a second edge that is opposite the first edge. A first media guide is contactable with the first edge of the print media. A second media guide is contactable with the second edge of the print media. The second media guide is spaced apart from the first media guide. A relative spacing between the second media guide and the first media guide is adjustable such that a distance between the first media guide and the second media guide is variable. The second media guide includes a mechanism that applies a nesting force to the second edge of the print media to cause the first edge of the print media to move toward and contact the first media guide.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method capable of appropriately preventing a printing medium from being diagonally conveyed upon feed regardless of changes in printing medium feed conditions. In this invention, the maximum output value of a PWM signal is compared with the sum of a predetermined bias value and the PWM signal when a sensor detects the tip of a fed printing medium. If the sum is smaller than the maximum output value, it is monitored that the value of the PWM signal increases by the bias value. If the sum is equal to or larger than the maximum output value, it is monitored that the conveyance speed of the printing medium becomes smaller than a predetermined threshold value. Control is performed on the basis of the monitor results to stop driving a DC motor that supplies a driving force to rollers used for feed and conveyance.

Abstract: A rotary shaft locking device includes a locking unit having a transmission gear receiving rotary torque from a power source, transmitting rotary torque to a rotary shaft as the transmission gear receives rotary torque from the power source, and locking the rotary shaft as transmission of rotary torque from the power source is cut off, and a first planetary gear and a second planetary gear provided to be meshed with a sun gear and to planetarily move around the sun gear, and displaced between a meshed position and an unmeshed position so as to be meshed with and separated from the transmission gear. The locking unit locks the rotary shaft for a power cutoff time which occurs when the rotation direction of the sun gear is switched and for which the transmission gear is not meshed with both the first planetary gear and the second planetary gear.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for contacting a flexible sheet to a first element with improved lateral alignment. The method includes a step of measuring a first lateral misalignment after establishing a first contact between the flexible sheet and either of the first element and a sheet parking surface called anchor in the first stage. If the 5 misalignment exceeds a predetermined threshold the flexible sheet is parked at the anchor such that it is not in contact with the first element, and the relative position of the first element and the anchor is altered during the second stage for correcting the mismatch during a contact between the flexible sheet and the first element to be established within the next step of the method. During the steps of shifting the contact point to obtain the second stage 10 the contacting process is more accurate and reproducible than the process for establishing the initial contact.

Abstract: A method of registering a print between print stages in a printing system is provided. The method comprises: printing a first part of a digital image on a substrate with a first print engine, wherein the first part of the digital image includes a plurality of reference features; scanning image content on the substrate as it is readied for the second print engine; determining the actual positions of the reference features; using the actual positions of the reference features to determine desired adjustments for the second part of the digital image; applying electronic registration according to the desired adjustments to modify image content of the second print to be aligned with content already on the substrate; and printing a second part of the digital image on the substrate.

Abstract: A digital printer includes a digital printing unit for digital printing an image onto a printing substrate during relative movement between a print head and the printing substrate, and a printing table for holding the printing substrate during the digital printing. The printing table is firmly fixed to the digital printing unit during the digital printing of the image onto the printing substrate and is released from the digital printing unit prior to and after the digital printing of the image onto the printing substrate. The printing table may be moved between a printing position, in which it is firmly fixed to the digital printing unit, and a printing substrate feeding position, in which it supports feeding and removing of the printing substrate from the printing table.

Abstract: A media edge guide assembly for use in an imaging apparatus having a media supply source includes a first edge guide portion and a second edge guide portion. The first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion are arranged to have an axis of rotation passing through the first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion. The first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion are laterally interconnected to facilitate movement as a unit in a lateral direction along the axis of rotation, and the first edge guide portion and the second edge guide portion are configured to be rotationally disconnected with respect to the axis of rotation to permit the first edge guide portion to rotate around the axis of rotation independent of the second edge guide portion.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, a printing system comprises a media feeder that receives and stores asymmetrically thick media from an outside source and outputs such media to the printing system via a feed mechanism. A conveyer system transports the asymmetrically thick media from the media feeder utilizing at least one linear belt wherein a sensor is employed to determine the presence of the asymmetrically thick piece of stock. A controller coupled to the conveyer determines the location and orientation of an image on a piece of the asymmetrically thick stock. An imaging system receives the asymmetrically thick media from the conveyer system and places an image on the media in the proper location and orientation based at least in part on information from the controller.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method capable of appropriately preventing a printing medium from being diagonally conveyed upon feed regardless of changes in printing medium feed conditions. In this invention, the maximum output value of a PWM signal is compared with the sum of a predetermined bias value and the PWM signal when a sensor detects the tip of a fed printing medium. If the sum is smaller than the maximum output value, it is monitored that the value of the PWM signal increases by the bias value. If the sum is equal to or larger than the maximum output value, it is monitored that the conveyance speed of the printing medium becomes smaller than a predetermined threshold value. Control is performed on the basis of the monitor results to stop driving a DC motor that supplies a driving force to rollers used for feed and conveyance.

Abstract: A web conveyance mechanism for conveying a band-type web includes: a side guide provided on one end side of the web in its width direction that guides one end of the web in the width direction which abuts on the side guide and that serves as a positional reference in the width direction for the web; an abutting unit that pushes the web to the side guide and adjusts an abutting force with which the web pushes the side guide; a measuring unit that measures the abutting force with which the web abutting on the side guide pushes the side guide; and a controller that adjusts the abutting unit so as to obtain a desired abutting force based on a result of detection by the measuring unit.

Abstract: The print start position, in a predetermined direction, of a medium to be printed is determined with high precision and efficiency.

Abstract: A print drum for carrying sheets of media during printing, including a rotatable carrier drum generally defining an outer cylindrical boundary about a drum axis, and at least one media control member extending laterally substantially parallel to the carrier drum axis. The media control member is controllably movable between (1) a first position extending beyond the carrier drum boundary to define a lateral alignment barrier for a leading edge of a media sheet when adding the media sheet to the carrier drum, (2) a second position beneath the outer cylindrical boundary when printing on the added media sheet, and (3) a third position projecting outwardly of the outer cylindrical boundary to push the leading edge of the added sheet of media away from the outer cylindrical boundary.

Abstract: A printing medium supplying apparatus for an image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, and a printing medium aligning unit which is disposed on the apparatus main body to move between an aligning position at which the printing medium aligning unit aligns a printing medium and a distanced position at which the printing medium aligning unit is distanced from the aligning position.

Abstract: A printing medium alignment device and an image forming apparatus having the same, the image forming apparatus includes a printing medium supply unit to supply a printing medium, a printing unit to print an image on the printing medium supplied from the printing medium supply unit, and a printing medium alignment device to align the printing medium fed toward the printing unit. The printing medium alignment device includes: a register roller; an idle roller to form a nip with the register roller, to feed the printing medium to the printing unit; a register to move to a first position to block the printing medium from entering the nip, to align the printing medium, and to move to a second position to allow the printing medium to enter the nip; and a shutter roller mounted in the register shutter. When the register shutter is in the second position, the shutter roller rolls while in contact with the printing medium, to decrease a friction between the printing medium and the register shutter.

Abstract: A versatile paper feeding device of an image forming apparatus includes a pick-up roller, a paper support tray under the pick-up roller to stack paper on, a paper support expansion tray to be able to freely slide toward or away from the paper support tray to support the trailing edge of the paper, a forward positioned paper alignment guide on the paper support tray to align a leading end portion of the paper, and a second paper alignment member formed on the paper support expansion tray to align a following end portion of the paper. When the versatile paper feeding device is used to print images on paper of various sizes, the paper can be properly positioned and straightly fed without skewing.

Abstract: After the front surface of a web is printed by a first-side printing unit, the web is shifted in the direction of its width by a direction-changing unit, flipped over by rollers, and transported to a second-side printing unit, where the back surface of the web is printed. A sensor detects a displacement between the second-side printing unit and the web or marks printed on the web. According to the amount and direction of displacement detected by the sensor, a printing unit body is shifted in the direction of the web width, and the web traveling as opposed to the first-side printing unit is shifted in the direction of its width by an edge guide.

Abstract: A printing medium feeding apparatus includes a feeding part which feeds a printing medium, and a printing medium aligning roller part which aligns a leading edge of the printing medium fed from the feeding part and transfers the aligned printing medium to an image forming part which forms an image on the printing medium, wherein the printing medium aligning roller part comprises a pair of rollers which transfer the printing medium to the image forming part, and an aligning shutter which is rotationally coupled to at least one of the pair of rollers, which rotates when the leading edge of the printing medium contacts the aligning shutter with a pressure greater than a reference pressure in a reference direction and guides the leading edge of the printing medium fed from the feeding part toward the reference direction.

Abstract: A printer apparatus includes: transfer means for transferring a sheet; printing means for printing on the sheet; correcting means for correcting the position of the sheet to be transferred to the printing means, the correcting means having a reference plate and lever guide plates each having a supporting member and an urging member; moving means for moving the reference plate and the lever guide plates toward/away from each other; control means for controlling the moving means; and transfer position detecting means for detecting that the sheet has been transferred to a corrected position by the correcting means, wherein the control means changes the space between the reference plate and the lever guide plates, which support both side edges of the sheet transferred to the corrected position in a range equal to or shorter than the width of the sheet.

Abstract: To provide a sheet conveying apparatus capable of enhancing an accuracy of correcting a skew of a sheet, and of preventing position shift of a sheet. The present invention provides a sheet conveying apparatus for conveying a sheet by a sheet conveying unit disposed along a sheet conveying path, including: a skew detection sensor for detecting a skew of the sheet with respect to a sheet conveying direction by a plurality of detection sensors disposed in a direction intersecting perpendicularly the sheet conveying direction; and a skew correction roller adapted to be pivotally moved in a direction of correction of a skew of the sheet in a state with the skewed sheet being held on the basis of a detection signal from the skew detection sensor, in which one of the plurality of detection sensors of the skew detection sensor is disposed nearly on an extension line from a pivotal movement center of the skew correction roller in the sheet conveying direction.

Abstract: A paper insertion limiting device of a paper feeding unit which prevents papers from being inserted to a drive roller when the papers are loaded. The paper insertion limiting device of a paper feeding unit is provided with a sheet regulating member mounted on the front end of the paper feeding unit to rotate by a certain angle, and regulate an insertion depth of papers loaded in the paper feeding unit, and a regulating member activator to actuate the sheet regulating member to block the front ends of papers when the carrier reaches a certain position, and to feed papers when the carrier moves out of the certain position. The sheet regulating member forms a right angle to the face of papers when the carrier reaches the certain position, and the paper regulation member forms an obtuse angle to the papers when the carrier moves out of the certain position.

Abstract: A radio frequency signature (88) on a cut sheet of print media (28) is detected by a radio frequency interrogating device (94) to determine whether the print media (28) is properly oriented. The leading edge (124) or trailing edge (126) of the print media (28) is detected by one or more print media sensors (86, 90). A print controller (24) can note the time (t1) and cause the radio frequency interrogating device (94) to detect the radio frequency signature (88) at a time (t2) when the print media has reached a predetermined point along the print media pathway (110). The position of the radio frequency signature (88) on the print media (28) can be calculated using the time differential (t2?t1), the velocity profile of the print media and the known separation between the print media (28) and the radio frequency signature (88). By comparing the computer position with the expected position, the orientation of the print media (28) can be determined.

Abstract: A printer (1) in which a first sheet (5) to be imaged by printhead (3) is followed by a trailing media sheet. The first sheet is stopped intermittently so that the printhead can traverse the first sheet to print a partial image. The trailing media sheet is stopped behind the first sheet and is moved intermittently until it reaches or is near nip rollers (9a, 9b). Exit rollers 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d move the first sheet out of the printer. When the exit rollers and the nip roller move forward and backward together the first sheet may be exited before the nip rollers are reversed to align the second sheet. Alternatively, the first sheet may be moved backward during alignment. The intermittent movement of the sheets may be at different times and with the trailing sheet moved less times and longer amounts than the first sheet is moved.

Abstract: A system for ensuring that printed matter is properly printed on a print medium including a printer having a feeding device and a plurality of detecting devices disposed along a length of the feeding device. The print medium has a plurality of signaling components, and each of the detecting devices is able to detect the presence of each of the signaling components. The system determines a first feed orientation of the print medium based on an order in which the detecting devices detects the presence of the signaling components when the print medium is being fed into the printer. Alternatively, the first feed orientation may be based on identifying information contained in the signaling components. The printer causes the printed matter to be printed in a proper location and in a proper orientation on the print medium based on the first feed orientation.

Abstract: A transfer device for transferring an object to be transferred in a predetermined direction has a drive mechanism unit, a transfer direction displacement information acquiring unit, a skew direction displacement information acquiring unit, and a transfer processing unit. The drive mechanism unit also has roll parts which cause the object to be transferred to move in the direction with a rotational force. The transfer direction displacement information acquiring unit and the skew direction displacement information acquiring unit radiate a predetermined measuring wave toward the object, so that the units acquire the displacement information in each of the directions. Based on the displacement information, the transfer processing unit performs a predetermined processing.

Abstract: Provided is a medium feeding aparatus having at least one align roller to align medium in a path, wherein the align roller is positioned below the medium and is driven to transport the medium in the path. A feed assistance member includes a shaft and a feed assistance roller rotably mounted to the shaft and positioned to apply pressure on the medium in the path to stabilize the medium while the medium is being aligned in the path by the at least one align wherein the feed assistance roller is not vertically aligned with any roller.

Abstract: A paper transferring device for an image forming apparatus includes a plurality of guide members forming a paper transferring path connecting a paper feeding device and a photosensitive drum, a feeding roller disposed on a side of the paper transferring path adjacent to the photosensitive drum, the feeding roller transferring a paper incoming along the paper transferring path to the photosensitive drum, at least one transferring roller disposed on the paper transferring path between the feeding roller and the paper feeding device, the transferring roller transferring the paper picked-up from the paper feeding device to the feeding roller, and a paper leading edge aligning unit for aligning a leading edge of the paper so that the leading edge of the paper is parallel to a rotation axis of the feeding roller prior to entering the feeding roller to prevent the paper from being skewed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a franking machine, comprising at least one print head of an ink-jet printing mechanism for printing flat postal items such as letters or postcards, which can be introduced into said mechanism or which pass through the same. Said franking machine consists of a guiding part (39) which is located around the print head and projects in relation to the nozzle opening plane of said print head and with which a conveying device is associated, said conveying device transporting the postal items between itself and conveying rollers lying opposite and rotating about axes that are located crosswise to the conveying direction. Said conveying device has two drive-connected driving rollers (32, 33) which together with the guiding part (39), form a path of travel. The driving rollers are located in front of and behind the print head in relation to the conveying direction.

Abstract: A printer includes: a paper transport unit; a print unit including a print head; a downstream sensor mounted on the print head; an upstream sensor disposed upstream of the downstream sensor; and a control unit. The control unit makes the paper transport unit transport paper at a first speed of low speed and a second speed of high speed. The control unit obtains first and second transport distances with which the paper has been transported since being detected by the upstream sensor and till being detected by the downstream sensor, while transporting the paper at the first and second speeds. The control unit calculates a response delay time of the upstream sensor from a difference between the first transport distance and the second transport distance, and corrects a remaining printable distance on a paper rear end side on the basis of the response delay time.

Abstract: A print medium feed system comprises a pair of first print medium feed members for feeding a print medium to a print section, a print medium detection section for detecting the print medium, a second print medium feed member for feeding the print medium to the first print medium feed members, and a control section for controlling the first and second print medium feed members. According to the detection by the print medium detection section, the second print medium feed member transports the print medium by a first predetermined distance in the feed direction, then, the first print medium feed members transport the print medium in the feed direction by a second predetermined distance in the feed direction, and then transport the print medium by a third predetermined distance in a backward direction opposite to the feed direction.

Abstract: A register cam and a printing press incorporating the register cam are disclosed. The register cam permits the selection of alternative configurations that permit the alteration of parameters of the registration without the removal of the register cam from the printing press. The register cam can have one or more arms movably connected to and extending from the body. The one or more arms include at least two faces with each face having a distinct profile such that when an arm is in a first orientation a first face is presented to contact a gripper arm of the printing press and in a second orientation a second face is presented to contact the gripper arm of the printing press.

Abstract: To stably transport an elongated web-like print paper so as not to move in the widthwise direction of the print paper, a first sensor is disposed at a first position in a paper conveying path and a second sensor at a second position downstream of the first position with respect to the paper conveying direction. Both the first and second sensors detect a position of a side edge or the print paper. A difference between the outputs from the first and second sensors is computed while taking a travel time of the edge detected by the first sensor to reach the second sensor into account. A main controller generates a drive signal based on the difference computed and controls a mechanism for moving the print paper in the widthwise direction in accordance with the drive signal.

Abstract: A method and a device for aligning sheets. The device includes a first and a second supporting stop for supporting the sheet against gravity in a first non-aligned position of the sheet. The device further includes two alignment stops and an actuator for moving the sheet from the first non-aligned position to a second aligned position. In the second aligned position, a substantially straight edge of the sheet contacts the two alignment stops and the first supporting stop supports the sheet while the second supporting stop does not support the sheet.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus which can make a correction such that paper will not be fed in a tilted state without a need for any special mechanism. A moving mechanism C1 is driven to move a printing head 41 toward a platen and to urge the printing head against paper, and gap adjusting means C2 is driven using said position as a reference to space the printing head from the platen a predetermined amount, thereby adjusting a gap between the printing head and the platen. The direction and amount of a tilt of the paper are detected based on signals output by paper detecting sensors E when the paper is fed. When said amount of the tilt exceeds a predetermined range, head driving means A and the moving mechanism C1 are driven to sandwich an edge of the paper in the direction of the width thereof between the printing head and the platen, and the sandwiched state is adjusted by the gap adjusting means C2.

Abstract: Before stopper members (25) of a skew correcting mechanism (10) are evacuated from a sheet conveyor path, sheet conveyor roller pairs (8) rotate a set angle in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction such that a sheet is separated from the stopper members (25). The sheet conveyor roller pairs (8) are arranged so that at least one of the rollers of each pair is independently pressed against the other with a force corresponding to the type of the sheet.

Abstract: A printer having a media transport mechanism defining a media path. The path extends from a media supply past a print engine. A media alignment element moves between an extended position intersecting the path between the supply and the engine, and a retracted position away from the path. The printer may include a pair of rollers between the supply and the alignment element and encompassing the path, so that the sheet may be gripped by the rollers at a position adjacent the alignment to preserve the alignment by the element. The rollers may retract the sheet from the alignment element, which may move aside from the media path, so that the media may be fed toward a print engine.

Abstract: In a printer for printing on individual printing media such as receipts, savings books and the like, a control shaft activated by the printer control system has a plurality of control cams for activation of a transport device, a printing medium alignment means, and a printing medium stop, the cams being designed such that the activation zone of the alignment means and of the printing medium stop are located substantially in the deactivation zone of the transport device.

Abstract: A printer with a media transport has a rigid, air-transmissive platen. A movable air-transmissive flexible web overlies the platen and moves along a feed axis. A suction device communicates with the platen to draw air through the web and through the platen so that a sheet of media carried on the web is biased toward the platen. A manifold underlies the platen and has a number of separate chambers open to the platen, so that the suction device is connected to each of the chambers. A controller operates to selectably prevent communication between the suction device and at least some of the chambers.

Abstract: A printer having a media transport mechanism defining a media path. The path extends from a media supply past a print engine. A media alignment element moves between an extended position intersecting the path between the supply and the engine, and a retracted position away from the path. The printer may include a pair of rollers between the supply and the alignment element and encompassing the path, so that the sheet may be gripped by the rollers at a position adjacent the alignment to preserve the alignment by the element. The rollers may retract the sheet from the alignment element, which may move aside from the media path, so that the media may be fed toward a print engine.

Abstract: A discharge tray for a sheet material handling device such as a printer includes multiple stapler mechanisms. The multiple stapler mechanisms are positioned along an edge of a discharge tray so that, by selectively engaging the stapler mechanisms, a desired staple pattern is established according to the nature of an assembled document and according to sheet sizes of the sheet material.

Abstract: A method and a printer for printing on a substrate with a plurality of print head assemblies, wherein each assembly includes at least one print head. The printer includes a roller assembly to move the substrate towards the print head assemblies along a feed path, which is substantially perpendicular to the width of the substrate. A movable fence is used to adjust the width of the feed path according to the width of the substrate. A linking arm is used to mechanically couple the print head assemblies with pivot action. A motor/belt assembly is used to move the print head assemblies relative to each other via the linking arm in order to place the printer assemblies over the width of the feed path. Moreover, the printer also comprises a photosensing device coupled to the linking mechanism such that the photosensing device provides a signal when the print head assemblies have been properly place in the feed path according to the width of the feed path.

Abstract: An aligning apparatus includes a carrier moving along a guided straight path for carrying a paperboard stack between a stack aligning position and a stack feeding position. When the carrier is in the stack aligning position, a first electrically driven positioning member is disposed to move a first aligning member to an extended position where a lateral outreach of the stack is set in accordance with the width of the stack. A second aligning member has a second upright flat wall with an abutment surface in a direction transverse to the guided straight path to define a front outreach of the paperboard stack when the carrier is in the stack aligning position. As such, the paperboard stack on the carrier can be aligned and moved directly toward the paperboard processing device thereafter.

Abstract: A printer is provided with a path size switching plate (10) between a recording paper roll and an aligning device (15) for aligning a recording paper with a paper transport path. The path size switching plate limits the paper transport path in a direction of thickness of the recording paper while the recording paper is being conveyed in a paper supply direction, preventing the recording paper from getting jammed. While the recording paper stops and the aligning device pushes opposite side edges of the recording paper for alignment, the path size switching plate widen the paper transport path in the direction of thickness of the recording paper, so as to make a loop for absorbing torsion applied to the recording paper between the recording paper roll and the aligning device as a result of alignment.