Abstract: A supporting mechanism of a scanning apparatus includes a cam rail, a stopping plate, a support frame and a spring. The scanning apparatus has a base and an upper cover. The support frame is arranged between the upper cover and the base. The support frame slides along the cam rail in a specified direction in order to open or close the upper cover. When the upper cover is opened, the support frame is used for supporting the upper cover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a film holder for supporting at least one positive film or negative film. The film holder includes a rectangular base member and a rectangular cover member. The rectangular base member includes two long edges and two short edges. The rectangular base member further includes a rectangular concave portion for receiving the positive film or the negative film therein. The rectangular cover member includes two long rims and two short rims for fixing the positive film or the negative film on the rectangular base member. One of the two short rims of the rectangular cover member is pivotal about one of the two short edges of the rectangular base member and received within the rectangular concave portion.

Abstract: A paper advance mechanism which minimizes the size of a printer includes a printer head and a platen disposed below the printer head and separated from the printer head by a gap. A first channel defined by the platen and a chassis is in the form of an arc for guiding a sheet from a paper cassette to advance along the chassis and towards the printer head while the platen is rotating in a first direction. A pair of driving rollers is disposed close to the gap for controlling the moving direction of the sheet. A second channel in communication with the first channel guides the sheet from the first channel, and a third channel in communication with and horizontally aligned with the second channel guides the sheet from the second channel to a paper exit opening. The printer had prints on the sheet when the sheet is advancing from the second channel to the third channel. After printing is finished, the sheet is fed back to the second channel for retrieval.