Abstract: A mechanism for reversing and discharging a sheet of the present invention includes a first roller for conveying the sheet and a second roller for nipping the sheet with the first roller. After an image has been printed on the sheet, a drive mechanism causes the first and second rollers to convey the sheet until the trailing edge of the sheet arrives at a position of the inlet side spaced from the first roller by a preselected distance. Subsequently, the drive mechanism rotates the first roller in the reverse direction and moves the second roller along the circumference of the first roller by a preselected angle in the reverse direction, thereby conveying the sheet to an outlet section. The mechanism is capable of discharging the sheet in a side opposite to a side in which the sheet is input, while surely reversing the sheet. The mechanism therefore allows a print head to be arranged in the lower portion of an apparatus to which the mechanism is applied.

Abstract: A recording device operable with continuous paper in the form of a roll includes a pair of drive rollers for selectively rotating the roll in the forward direction for paying out the paper or in the reverse direction. A controller causes the drive rollers to rotate in the reverse direction in response to a preselected signal. Bar codes representative of serial numbers are printed on one side edge of the paper. While the roll is rotated in the reverse direction, a number identification circuit reads the bar codes 41 and detects the leading edge of the paper on the basis of one bar code positioned at the leading edge and another bar code adjoining a roll position which the leading edge overlies. When the number identification circuit detects the leading edge, the controller switches the direction of rotation of the roll from reverse to forward.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an automatic paper roll loading mechanism intentionally produces a slack on the surface of a paper roll, indirectly senses the leading edge of the paper of the roller via the slack, and conveys the leading edge to a preselected stand-by position. The mechanism is therefore capable of automatically paying out the paper even when a mark is absent at the leading edge. This allows not only a fresh paper roll but also a half-used paper roll to be automatically loaded.

Abstract: A recording device operable with continuous paper in the form of a roll includes a pair of drive rollers for selectively rotating the roll in the forward direction for paying out the paper or in the reverse direction. A controller causes the drive rollers to rotate in the reverse direction in response to a preselected signal. Bar codes representative of serial numbers are printed on one side edge of the paper. While the roll is rotated in the reverse direction, a number identification circuit reads the bar codes 41 and detects the leading edge of the paper on the basis of one bar code positioned at the leading edge and another bar code adjoining a roll position which the leading edge overlies. When the number identification circuit detects the leading edge, the controller switches the direction of rotation of the roll from reverse to forward.