Abstract: A low cost, compact ink jet recording apparatus effectively uses a single drive source for controlling paper feed and discharge operations. The apparatus comprises a feed mechanism for feeding a sheet to be printed, discharge rollers for discharging the printed sheet, a moving mechanism for engaging and disengaging the discharge rollers, and a single drive source for operating the feed mechanism, the discharge rollers and the moving mechanism. The apparatus increases sheet feeding reliability by disengaging the discharge rollers during printing. Because the sheet feed mechanism, moving mechanism and discharge rollers are operated by a single drive source, a simpler structure is possible.

Abstract: Two electrodes are arranged within an insulating tube to have longitudinal contact with each other. One of the electrode wires is connected to a voltage source and the other can be pulled out of the insulating tube as it is consumed, as for electrode feeding in metal paper printers.