Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a mask original prepared by a monochrome laser printer and a photosensitive recording medium are brought into close contact with each other and in this state are subjected to exposure in an exposure unit. Thereafter, the photosensitive recording medium and a developer sheet are subjected to pressure-development and heat-fixing, and a color image is outputted onto the developer sheet. The image forming apparatus is provided with a recurler for remedying curl formed at the front edge of a mask original. Thus, the curl is remedied by the recurler, so the mask original can be positioned accurately in a positioning device.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus comprises a recording head having a discharge port for discharging ink as a droplet, a head recovery device provided at a position opposed to the discharge port of the recording head, and a conveying belt driven for conveying a recording medium onto which recording is performed by discharging ink from the recording head. The conveying belt is located between the recording head and the head recovery device, which are located opposite to each other, and has an opening at a part thereof.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a recording unit for performing a recording onto a recording paper; a paper feeder roller for feeding the recording paper to a recording position of the recording unit; a conveyor for conveying the recording paper in association with the recording by the recording unit; a drive source for driving the conveyor; and a control unit for moving the paper feeder roller from an operation position to a retreat position using the drive power of the drive source.

Abstract: The printer and method are particularly advantageous for use in printing transportation coupons such as airline tickets and reservation confirmations. The printer is adapted to fit into the narrow space at an airline ticket terminal and to be usable in printing single-sheet tickets or confirmations, and for recording information on magnetic stripes on the ticket forms. Preferably, the printer uses an ion deposition print engine. Forms are stored in two stacks and fed from either stack through a magnetic recording/reproducing station to the print engine which issues printed forms through an opening in the front of the unit. The form feeding mechanism has easily-removable covers containing part of the feed mechanism so that the covers can be easily lifted to remove or reposition cards when necessary due to double-feeding or other feeding problems. A number of other notable features are provided.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises a sheet feed roller, a sheet guide member, movably arranged on an outer surface of the feed roller, for guiding a sheet to be printed around the outer surface of the feed roller and drive means for reciprocating the sheet guide means between a first portion for guiding the sheet to a print position and a second position for guiding the sheet during a printing operation.

Abstract: An information recording disk for recording an information signal along a track defined by a depression on the disk as a change of physical property of a recording material deposited on the track comprises a disk-shaped glass substrate made of a glass and carries a groove corresponding to the track. The groove has a surface roughness substantially smaller as compared to the surface roughness caused at a bottom surface of a groove on a silica glass substrate when both the disk-shaped glass substrate and silica glass substrate are dry-etched under same conditions. The disk-shaped glass substrate comprises SiO.sub.2 component and one or both of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and BaO components with substantially no alkali components. Further, a recording layer comprised of the recording material which changes in physical property responsive to a projected energy beam is deposited on the substrate such that the depression is formed in correspondence with the track.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer including a thermal head for generating heat in accordance with a desired print pattern, a platen having a surface for supporting an ink-sheet and paper, the ink-sheet and paper being pressed by the thermal head on the platen surface so that ink from the ink-sheet is transferred to the paper, a paper supply for storing and supplying paper, an ink-sheet supply and drive for storing and supplying an ink-sheet, the ink-sheet supply and drive driving the ink-sheet to move in accordance with the movement of the paper, a paper drive arranged between the platen and the paper supply, the paper drive driving the paper by the required length according to the position of the paper relative to the position of the platen, and a paper tension device for applying suitable tension to the paper at least between the platen and the paper drive so that the length by which the paper drive drives the paper is identical with the length by which the paper moves on the platen.

Abstract: The device includes a record paper conveying device which rotates around a record paper carrier body to convey a paper sheet around the carrier body by gripping the leading edge of the paper sheet. In this arrangement, the carrier body, against which a recording head abuts during a recording operation, is rotated following the movement of the paper sheet by a friction force between the platen part and the recording paper sheet. In one embodiment, the carrier body is stationary, and accordingly, the conveying speed of the record paper sheet is determined only by the drive speed of the conveying device so that the record paper sheet can be precisely conveyed.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording an image on a recording medium comprises a platen, a recording head arranged to oppose said platen for recording the image on the recording medium, first conveying member arranged upstream of the platen along a conveying direction of the recording medium for conveying the recording medium, second conveying member arranged downstream of the platen along the conveying direction of the recording medium for conveying the recording medium; guide member for guiding the recording medium when the recording medium is fed from the first conveying member to the second conveying member, and driving motor for causing the guide member to set at an operative position where the member guides the recording medium and a retracted position where the guiding member is retracted from the operative position.

Abstract: A continuous-tone thermal printer includes a transport mechanism for advancing a print medium past a thermal print head while continuous-tone image information is being printed, line-by-line, on the medium. To increase the rate at which thermal prints are produced, the printer includes asynchronous motor-control apparatus for selectively accelerating the movement of the print medium relative to the print head to quickly locate the print head at the start of a new image line immediately following the printing of that pixel(s) having the highest image density in the preceding image line. Preferably, such motor-control apparatus includes a digital signal processor which determines the maximum pixel density on each line. Upon printing such maximum pixel density, the digital signal processor causes a motor controller to temporarily increase the print medium velocity past the thermal print head to the start of the next image line.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image forming device such as an LED printer, a liquid crystal printer, laser printer or the like, and the object of this invention is to provide an image forming device having a small size and low production cost, wherein the image forming device comprises a sheet feeding unit, a sheet carrier, a pulse motor provided for the sheet carrier 2 and driven to carry a sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit to a printer, a motor controller for controlling the stepping motion of the pulse motor for moving the sheet, a printer 16 for printing an image over at least one entire line of a sheet, and which is perpendicular to the direction in which the sheet is carried, by one printing operation thereof, and a printing controller for controlling the printing operation of the printer in such a way that each printing operation thereof is synchronized with the stepping motion of the pulse motor 12, and an outlet tray 24 for receiving the printed sheet.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a main body having a document insertion inlet, a sheet tray provided to the main body and having a hopper portion, a recording sheet discharge portion and a document discharge portion, the hopper portion, the recording sheet discharge portion and the document discharge portion arranged so as to be stacked with space, the main body having a document conveyor path coupling the document insertion inlet and the document discharge portion of the sheet tray, a document image read device reading images upon the document sheet, a recording sheet conveyor path coupling the hopper portion and the recording sheet discharge portion, and an image recording device recording images on a recording sheet.

Abstract: A device for transporting a recording medium to an image forming portion through a arcshaped path with pushing the trailing end of the recording medium by hooks provided at ends of levers which is pivotally mounted at the curvature center of the arcshaped path.

Abstract: In a scanning and printing apparatus such as a copier or facsimile machine, the same driving system moves the scanning unit and transports paper through the printing unit. One edge of the paper is held by a clamping mechanism that is driven together with the scanning unit. In a copier, signals from the scanning unit can be sent directly to the printing unit for simultaneous scanning and printing, which automatically synchronizes the scanning and printing speeds. Alternatively, the signals can be temporarily stored, and scanning and printing can be performed in opposite directions of motion. For color scanning and printing, the scanning unit has filters that spectrally match the links in the printing unit. The apparatus is compact and economical because it has only a single driving mechanism and requires minimal signal interfacing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus provided with a control circuit disposed at a front position of transfer section for correcting the timing of signal emission for turning on register rollers and also for starting exposure for image formation. The control circuit corrects the timing of signal emission basing on the time measured from signal emission to the time when the leading edge of a paper sheet reaches a sensor disposed at a rear position of the register rollers. The correction is made every time when a predetermined number of sheets are fed or an average value based on a predetermined number of samplings is obtained or power supply is turned on. The correction is further made by memorizing the data practically measured on the number of sheets fed to the transfer section from each one of paper feed positions.

Abstract: A paper transport mechanism for grasping paper between a pressure roller and a drive shaft. The pressure roller moves from a retracted position to a force applying position and is supported by a housing which includes a depending underlying support carriage cantilevered from the housing and oriented to oppose the downwardly extending force of the pressure roller. Damping within the housing offsets vibrations generated between the drive shaft and the pressure roller.

Abstract: In an image recording apparatus, a desired recording sheet is automatically selected from a sheet feeding section that is provided with plural types of image recording sheets at least one of which is a photosensitive and pressure-sensitive recording sheet, based on encoded data that corresponds to the individual types of recording sheets. The selected recording sheet is fed through feeding means to an image recording section where an image recording operation is performed in accordance with the type of the selected sheet.

Abstract: An ink curing apparatus for use with an ink jet printer that discharges liquefied ink is disclosed. The apparatus includes a shell assembly disposed around the portion of the printer imaging assembly that includes the ink jets. The imaging assembly and the shell wall are shaped so that a first cavity is formed between the imaging assembly and the paper printed on, and a second cavity is formed between the paper and the shell wall. A pair of fans are arranged to draw air currents over both sides of the portion of the paper that is being printed on. The air currents cool the paper so the ink solidifies upon contact with the paper and does not soak through it. The air currents also insure that the ink solidifies at a uniform rate regardless where it is applied on the paper. This insures the final image on the paper has a uniform appearance.

Abstract: A recording apparatus comprises a carriage for carrying a printing head capable of recording on a recording sheet, a drive belt secured to the carriage for reciprocating the carriage relative to the recording sheet when the drive belt is driven, a rotatable feed roller for feeding the recording sheet past the printing head when the feed roller is driven, a reversible motor having a rotatable motor shaft, a drive pulley mounted to the motor shaft, wherein the drive belt passes over the drive pulley to reciprocate the carriage when the motor shaft is rotated in different directions, a worm wheel mounted to the feed roller to rotate therewith to feed a recording sheet when the worm wheel is rotated in a predetemined direction, a worm gear mounted to the motor shaft, wherein the worm gear meshes with the worm wheel to rotate it in different directions when the motor shaft is rotated in respective different directions, and a one-way clutch cooperating with the said feed roller and the worm wheel to transmit the ro

Abstract: An image recording system including a host control unit for generating image data and a printer apparatus for forming an image on a sheet of paper in accordance with the image data. The printer apparatus has a function of dividing the image into two image areas with respect to a boundary extending in a direction orthogonal to the direction of transport of the paper and of forming each of the image areas with different colors. The host control unit is adapted to supply to the printer apparatus a boundary signal indicative of the boundary of the image areas.

Abstract: A thermal transcription printer has a thermal head (8), a platen (9), a pair of pinch rollers (10), (11) disposed on both sides of the platen and a gearing apparatus consisting of gears (31), (32) and (33) and oneway clutches (29) and (30) and the gearing apparatus over-drives or reduces the rotation speed of the pinch rollers (10) and (11) and coupling of the oneway clutches and the gears is selected for making peripheral velocity of a pinch roller at a forward position against the paper conveyance faster than that at a backward position.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for transporting a sheet in a predetermined path of travel. The apparatus comprises a plate having a lower surface extending parallel to and defining the path of travel, and having an aperture formed therein. In addition, the apparatus comprises sheet feeding structure, including a first pair of rollers spaced apart from one another and an endless belt looped about the first rollers, wherein the belt has a lower belt run extending between the first rollers and beneath the plate. Further, the feeding structure includes instrumentalities for driving one of the first rollers for moving the lower belt run at a constant velocity in the direction of the path of travel. Moreover, the feeding structure includes a second pair of rollers which are disposed beneath the plate and are made of a compliant material.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a recording apparatus for printing on opposite surfaces of recording medium which comprises: printing means for printing one surface of recording medium in a printing position; a looped conveyor passage for conveying again the recording medium having the printed one surface to the printing position so that another surface may be printed; and turning means disposed in the conveyor passage for turning the opposite surfaces of the once-printed recording medium upside down in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction thereof with the tops and bottoms being in an identical arrangement.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus for feeding a sheet to a recording station by means of rollers, comprising an automatic OHP sheet feeder, wherein the fact whether a sheet being fed is an OHP sheet or a separating sheet is discriminated; if the sheet is the OHP sheet, the sheet is advanced by a predetermined amount, and is retracted by a predetermined amount into a waiting passage; then, another sheet is supplied and the fact that the another sheet is a separating sheet is confirmed; and thereafter, images or characters are recorded on the OHP sheet, while feeding the OHP sheet and the separating sheet altogether in an overlapped condition.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is provided with an upper unit having a recording head for discharging ink for effecting recording on a recording medium in response to information, and at least a portion of the electric circuit of the apparatus, a lower unit having a platen for maintaining the recording medium in the recording station by the recording head, the lower unit capable of being spaced apart relative to the upper unit, and a conveying member for conveying the recording medium to the recording station. The upper unit and the lower unit are capable of being spaced apart and opened in the recording station by the recording head.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording on a sheet with a recording device includes a sheet conveying device, a bipositional sheet guiding member and independently operable driving mechanisms for the sheet conveying device and the bipositional sheet guiding member, so that a sheet is properly fed to a recording position when the sheet guiding member is in one position, and the sheet is properly guided during recording when the guiding member is in another position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image forming apparatus comprising a belt-shaped member for feeding a sheet, at least one image forming means arranged in confronting relation to the belt-shaped member, a separation means for carrying out the separation between the belt-shaped member and the image forming means by shifting at least one of the belt-shaped member and image forming means, a drive means for driving the belt-shaped member, a cleaning means for cleaning the belt-shaped member, a signal generating means for emitting a signal, and a control means for separating the belt-shaped member from the image forming means by controlling the separation means and for then rotating the belt-shaped member at a predetermined speed during the image formation by controlling the drive means.

Abstract: A novel ink-jet printer (10) is provided. The print provides both paper supply tray (12) and paper collection tray (18) in the front (14) of the printer for ease of paper handling and reduced footprint. The paper collection tray is provided with a pair of opposed output rails (22) which support a sheet of paper (16c) during printing to permit ink on a sheet of paper (16b) previously printed to dry. A paper handling mechanism is provided which eliminates a sheet pickup motor and associated elements. The paper handling mechanism is configured to pick off a sheet of paper from a stack of input paper, bring it around paper drive rollers (24) onto a platen (26), where the printing operation, employing a printhead cartridge (32), occurs. The printer further includes a service station (230) for clearing clogged nozzles in the printhead (33) and removing bubbles therefrom, for covering the nozzles with a protective cap (266), and for wiping contaminants off the nozzles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser scanning apparatus, which includes a drivingly rotatable subscanning drum and at least one nipping roller rotatable by the drum in pressing contact therewith and having an outer peripheral surface provided by an elastic member. The drum and the roller have their axes spaced at a constant distance from each other at all times for transporting a sheet when nipped therebetween, so that the sheet, while being transported, can be scanned with a laser beam in a direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet feed and transport system for a compact printer features an idler gear which is coupled to rotate with the drive train from the platen motor to the platen and which is selectively movable into engagement with a sheet feed roller's drive gear.

Abstract: A compact printer of the kind having a sheet media print path to and through a print zone and an assembly for printing on media at the print zone includes a sheet cassette that is coupled to the bottom of the printer housing and rotatable on an axis generally normal to the bottom of the printer between: (i) a position with cassette edges generally flush with the side walls of the printer and (ii) a position wherein the length dimension of a supported sheet media stack is operatively aligned with the print path.

Abstract: An improved sheet supply cassette for a compact printer of the kind having a housing, a sheet feed assembly for moving a sheet from a sheet supply region to, and through, a print zone and a device for printing on sheet media at the print zone. The sheet supply cassette is coupled to the bottom of the printer and includes top, bottom and side walls forming a sheet supply region. The bottom wall of the cassette has a hinge-type construction wherein cantilever spring means couple and upwardly bias a movable wall segment with respect to a fixed rear segment of the bottom wall so as to urge sheets into a feed position.

Abstract: An ink jet printer having an ink jet printing device for printing characters in a printing region on a surface of a substrate, the device being constructed to effect optimum printing at a predetermined distance from the device, and a device for holding a substrate having a surface which is to be printed upon in printing position relative to the printing device, the holding device including a referencing plate having a reference surface which lies in a plane which extends past the printing device at the predetermined distance therefrom, and the holding device further including a leaf spring mounted to bear against the side of the substrate opposite the surface to be printed upon for pressing the surface to be printed upon against the reference surface of the referencing plate.

Abstract: A print media handling system for a compact printer having a housing, a cut-sheet supply station, a rotatable print platen constructed and located to feed top sheets from the supply station, through a print path ingress and out a print path egress. The sheet supply station of the print media handling system is mounted for movement to and from a sheet engaging relation with respect to the print platen. A continuous print-media inlet passage extends from a location, that is spaced from the sheet supply station, to the print path ingress and an actuator is provided synchronously enable the supply station and block the continuous media inlet passage, or vice versa. A first program control effects a predetermined start-print sequence for sheet print media, a second program control effects a predetermined start-print sequence for continuous print media; and the first or second program control is selected in response to the condition of the actuator.

Abstract: An image is recorded on an elongate image recording medium by feeding the image recording medium in an auxiliary scanning direction from a loading unit and applying a light beam to the image recording medium in a main scanning direction transverse to the auxiliary scanning direction. A loose loop is formed out of the image recording medium between the loading unit and an image scanning recording unit. Guide plates are angularly displaced to allow the image recording medium to hang by gravity with the image recording medium with the image recorded thereon having a free distal end. The hanging image recording medium is moved back toward the image scanning recording unit after the image has been recorded. The guide plates are displaced back to deliver the image recording medium to a next process.

Abstract: When a copying error is noted after a start of copying operation, an error switch is depressed. Upon depression of the error switch, an error signal is applied to a central processing unit which in turn controls a recording sheet transporting means so that the recording sheet is transported at a higher speed.

Abstract: A substrate transport apparatus includes a registration member and an apparatus for compliantly urging a substrate against the registration member such that the effects of thickness variations of and between each substrate transported past the registration member are mitigated.

Abstract: An optical memory element comprising a substrate with grooves functioning as grooves for, for example, controlling the position of a laser beam, wherein said substrate is composed of a glass containing SiO.sub.2 in the range of 51 to 71% by weight, Na.sub.2 O in the range of 10 to 18% by weight, K.sub.2 O in the range of 0 to 8% by weight, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 in the range of 12 to 22% by weight, and B.sub.2 O.sub.3 in the range of 0 to 9% by weight.

Abstract: Acoustic noises are suppressed in a large format drafting plotter (10) utilizing a paper drive motor (22) mechanically coupled to a paper drive shaft (20) by a geared timing belt (26) from the motor to a pulley (24) on the drive shaft by suitably modifying the pulley. The pulley is modified by enlarging the drive shaft hole (38) in the center thereof so as to provide slip-mounting of the pulley on the drive shaft. A winged clamp (30) is provided, mounted on the pulley, and having a central portion (34) having an opening (36) therethrough for engaging a portion of the drive shaft and a tightening screw (40) for securing the winged clamp to the drive shaft. The winged clamp also has two opposed extensions (42), which are each maintained between a pair of bosses (44) on the outside surface (24a) of the pulley, and isolated therefrom by a pair of isolator pads (32) comprising a compliant material.

Abstract: An improvement in the structure for connecting various optional units to the body of a printer, copier or like recording apparatus and to each other. The optional units include a mass feed unit for feeding a large amount of paper sheets, a stack unit for stacking paper sheets discharged, and a re-feed unit for conditioning copies for re-feed. The optional units are accurately matched to each other and to the apparatus body when they are connected to the latter, without resorting to changes in the configuration of paper transport paths. Any of the units which has an outlet opening is provided with a device for changing the direction of transport of an outgoing paper sheet.

Abstract: A recording apparatus such as a laser beam printer has a laser beam unit for forming an image, a cassette for automatically feeding paper sheets, a manual insertion port for allowing manual insertion of paper sheets, a switch to allow selection of the cassette sheet feed or manual insertion sheet feed at the side of the printer, a timer to count a predetermined period of time, and a CPU for switching from the manual insertion sheet feed mode to the cassette sheet feed mode when no paper sheet is manually inserted in the manual insertion sheet feed mode after the time in the timer has elapsed. Undesired accumulation of data designating printing in the cassette sheet feed mode is prevented.

Abstract: A sheet supply station for a compact printer of the type having a housing, a feed/transport member which is rotatably mounted within a forward portion of the housing and is adapted to sequentially move sheets from a supply location at the bottom of the housing, through the print zone and out an egress in the upper surface of the housing. The sheet supply station comprises: (a) a drawer, including a drawer face and a drawer bottom, which is constructed to support a sheet stack and slidably mounted for movement in and out of the rear wall of the printer between a withdrawn position enabling stack insertion and a closed position wherein the drawer face is approximately flush with the rear wall; (b) side guides for engaging and centering a sheet stack, which is supported on the bottom wall, during its movement into the housing from the withdrawn drawer position; and (c) an indexing wall located transverse to the drawer path to accurately position an inserted stack beneath the feed/transport member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus such as a copying apparatus and a laser beam printer, is capable of forming a superimposed image or duplex image on one sheet. The sheet which has been once subjected to the image forming operation and which is going to be subjected to another image forming operation is reintroduced into the image forming station selectively through a flow-through sheet passage or through an intermediate tray on which the transfer sheets are once stacked. A displaceable flapper is provided to direct the sheet selectively to the flow-through passage or to the intermediate tray.

Abstract: Printer apparatus of the kind having a housing, a print zone and a serial printing device for printing along line sectors of print media that are successively advanced into and out of the print zone includes an integral subsystem for handling discrete sheets of print media. This subsystem includes (a) transport member having a peripheral surface that is movable around an endless path past a sheet ingress zone, the print zone and a sheet agress zone; (b) a drive for moving the transport member surface around the endless path; (c) a sheet supply station formed within the housing and including a device for positioning the face of a sheet-stack adjacent the path of the transport member at a position upstream of the sheet ingress zone; and (d) engagement device for effecting periodic feeding engagements between the transport means and successive face sheets of a positioned stack.

Abstract: A high-speed ink jet printing apparatus adapted for use with a plurality of insertable print/cartridges and having a platen for transporting successive line portions of a print medium through a linear print zone, includes a carriage with a plurality of nests for supporting, positioning and electrically coupling respective print/cartridges in the printer, the nests being spaced along the transverse dimension of the linear print zone in a manner dividing it into a plurality of discrete transverse subportions of equal length. A traversing device reciprocates the carriage in forward and return directions parallel to the linear print zone. The movement of the traverse is approximately equal to the length of the print zone divided by the number of nest means of the carriage.

Abstract: A print output station for compact printer having a cut-sheet supply station located in the lower rear of the print housing and a transport platen for feeding successive sheets from the supply station, along a print path extending through a print zone and out a print path egress, includes: (a) a first wall having an inlet edge located proximate the print path egress for defining an inlet to a cut-sheet hopper zone; and (b) a lid forming an exterior housing portion overlying the first wall and mounted to pivot about an axis spaced from the leading edge to an open position so that the lid interior forms a rearward extension of the first wall means. The movable lid is constructed to function in the closed-lid position to prevent continuous print media from refeeding.

Abstract: Printer apparatus of the kind having: (i) print/cartridges for printing on successive line sectors of print media that are advanced into and out of the print zone; (ii) a platen means including a feed/transport periphery that is movable around an endless path past a sheet ingress zone, the print zone and a sheet egress zone; (iii) a sheet supply station for positioning a stack of sheet print media at a position upstream of the sheet ingress zone; and (iv) structure for effecting periodic feeding engagements between the platen and successive face sheets of a positioned stack, features a pressure roller, located proximate the sheet ingress zone at a position upstream of the print path, for biasing a sheet moving therepast into drive transmission relation with the platen. The printer can also comprise a downstream guide, located proximate the sheet egress zone at a position downstream of the print zone printing means.

Abstract: In a printer (10) in which a plurality of holes to be filled with ink are formed in an ink film (108), selectively heating ink generates bubbles from the holes and ejects ink due to the pressure of bubbles, thus printing an image on a sheet. The printer includes a conveying mechanism (198) for conveying the ink film (108) to heating elements (104) of a thermal head (106), and a belt (50) for conveying the sheet to a position facing the heating elements of the thermal head (106) through the ink film. The belt (50) is provided with a guide plate (84) for separating end portions of the sheet from the heating elements when the front and rear end portions of the sheet are positioned to face the heating elements.

Abstract: A platen for a recording device includes a main body of the platen having a flat surface part opposing a recording head and a guiding part for a recording sheet. The guide part is continuous with the flat surface part and inclined so as to secure smooth advancement of the recording sheet. A continuous smooth layer of a material having a frictional coefficient smaller than that of the platen main body is integrally formed on the upper surface of the flat surface part and guiding part.

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.