Abstract: A printer for adding accent colors to preprinted documents includes a transport which defines a curvilinear path along which the documents move during the printing of the accent colors thereon. The printing is accomplished through the use of multiple print heads which discharge wax based ink through multiple jets. The documents to which the accent colors are to be added are edge justified and then released in timed sequence to the curved transport path which leads through a printing zone defined by the print heads.

Abstract: A printer includes a drum rotated to transport a paper sheet together with and at the periphery of the drum, at least one guide roller disposed at the periphery of the drum and rotated while in contact with the drum to guide the paper sheet against the drum, and a printing device for printing image data on the paper sheet. A shoulder is formed at each side of the drum for guiding the sides of the paper sheet so that the paper sheet is transported between the shoulders. In the above printer, it is possible to print an image on the paper sheet without causing any margins in the upper and lower portions of the paper sheet and without any skewing of the image on the paper sheet, thereby preventing wasted paper. Also, the paper sheet can be brought into contact with the drum with a simple structure, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the printer.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a dielectric drum where manufacturing costs can be reduced while keeping pressure resistance high and having an anodic oxidized film with a uniform dielectric characteristic, and also to provide an electrostatic recording device which is inexpensive and provides a high image reliability using the dielectric drum. According to the present invention, a dielectric drum includes an aluminum substrate and a dielectric layer of an anodic oxidized film on the surface of the aluminum substrate. The aluminum substrate is produced by conducting a drawing and hardening treatment M on an aluminum alloy pipe of the 5000 series alloys of the Aluminum Association. Also, the dielectric drum is used to construct an electrostatic recording device.

Abstract: An internal drum printing plate plotter is disclosed. The plotter provides a smooth path for a printing plate from an input location to a plotting location to an output location. The plotter includes a partially cylindrical drum and a loading tray associated with the drum at one end thereof. The drum covers at least 180 degrees of curvature and has an internal surface and the loading tray and the internal surface define the smooth path.

Abstract: The invented sheet media marking system provides a platen which is configured to rotate a sheet of medium about a marker so as to accommodate marking of the sheet. The platen preferably takes the form of a rotatable drum, the interior of which supports the sheet at a predetermined distance from the printhead which is suspended within the drum. A printhead support is used to hold the printhead in a fixed rotational orientation relative to the platen's axis of rotation, each rotation passing the sheet across the printhead for marking thereof in a swath of print. The sheet is advanced using a medium advancing mechanism which directs movement of the sheet along the interior surface of the drum.

Abstract: A printing method and apparatus for performing printing on leading and trailing edges of the printing paper without leaving a margin. Printing begins when the leading edge of the printing paper is at an initial location of the printing. At this time, the leading edge of the printing paper is sequentially pressed from side to side by a print head.

Abstract: An interior drum type printer includes a paper feed mechanism permitting quick and simple paper advance to a printing position. This is attained in that a print head is connected to a paper feed means which is mounted for controlled rotation together with the print head about a shaft arranged within the printing drum.

Abstract: A printer accurately controls the passage of print media therethrough and maintains the print media taut as the print media passes through a printing zone while the media is printed by an ink jet printer. The print media sheet is preferably carried by a rotating drum in a first direction through the printing zone, with the drum being reversed to cause the exiting of the print media sheet from the printer. A pressure fixing or fusing apparatus may be positioned to flatten ink spots on the print media as the print media exits from the printer. The pressure fixing or fusing mechanism is preferably used in the case of a hot-melt or phase-change ink jet printer.

Abstract: A holder for a thermal print medium is disclosed. The holder is adapted to be used in a thermal printer in which a donor element in a thermal print medium transfers dye to a receiver element upon receipt of a sufficient amount of thermal energy. The printer includes a plurality of diode lasers which can be individually modulated to supply energy to selected dots on the medium in accordance with an information signal. The print head of the printer includes a fiber optic array having a plurality of optical fibers coupled to the diode lasers. The holder for the thermal print medium includes a rotatable vacuum drum, and the fiber optic array is movable relative to the drum. The vacuum drum includes separate vacuum supplies for the donor sheet and for the receiver sheet so that the sheets can be independently handled.

Abstract: A borderless printer includes a clamp assembly having a clamp; at least one roller installed on the clamp and located on the circumferential surface of a drum and rotating while in contact with the drum; and a clutch placed between the clamp and drum, for permitting the drum to rotate relative to the clamp in one condition and for permitting the drum and clamp to rotate together in another condition, thereby simplifying the structure and preventing the waste of paper.

Abstract: A thin flexible film is loaded into an interior surface of a hollow image-processing drum by releasably adhering a sheet of the film to a carrier. The carrier is admitted into the drum and positioned in spaced relation to the interior surface of the drum. The upper surface of the carrier is urged to the surface of the drum to place the sheet in residence against the interior surface of the drum. The sheet of film is releasably adhered to the drum and the carrier is removed from the drum. A receptor sheet may be placed within the drum and a donor sheet placed over it in a similar manner.

Abstract: An imaging system having a source of light movable with respect to a writing element and projectable thereon to generate an image, a focusing device is provided for focusing a light source which generates a beam of light of a wavelength selected to be actinic with respect to the writing element. At least a portion of the beam of light is absorbed by the writing element. The apparatus includes a vacuum imaging drum for holding donor sheets and receiver sheets independently for exposure by the light beam. The drum has an axial planar area which facilitates loading and unloading the donor sheets in superposition with the receiver sheet without disturbing the registration of the receiver sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically clamping film material onto the recording drum of a reproduction device and for releasing the film material exposed by a recording element from the recording drum. The apparatus has a roll film cassette introducible into a light tight portion of the reproduction device. Conveyor and guide surfaces are provided between the roll film cassette and the recording drum. Film conveying means is provided for conveying the film web situated in the roll film cassette to the recording drum. A film cutting means is provided for the separation of film sheets. A film length measuring means, a pressure means having a lowerable pressure roller for the film sheets, a positioning drive for turning the recording drum into a start of clamping, start of exposure and start of release position, and a lift-off means having a lowerable lift-off finger for peeling the exposed film sheets from the recording drum are all provided. The film sheets are fixed on the recording drum by vacuum.

Abstract: A multi-image forming apparatus for forming a multi-image by sequentially transferring images formed at a plurality of image forming stations including image bearing members onto a transfer sheet and aims to prevent the damage due to the friction thereof. The apparatus is so designed that, while a transfer sheet conveying means is being engaged by the image bearing members of the plural image forming stations arranged along a transfer sheet feeding direction, the transfer sheet conveying means and the image bearing members are driven without stopping one of these elements (i.e., image bearing members or transfer sheet conveying means) alone.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for automatically clamping and releasing film material onto or, respectively, from the recording drum of a reproduction device with vacuum suctioning. The device is composed of a roll film cassette, of a conveying and guide surface, of a film cutting means, of a film length measuring means, of a pressure means having a pressure roller, of a lift-off means having lift-off finger, as well as drives for turning the recording drum and for conveying the film material to the recording drum. The recording drum comprises axially proceeding suction hole rows for suctioning the film material by vacuum. A vacuum distributor controllable by the rotational motion is arranged in the recording drum, this vacuum distributor successively connecting the individual suction hole rows to the stationary vacuum pump during clamping, so that the suction hole rows are charged with vacuum step-by-step with increasing wrap of the recording drum by the film material.

Abstract: A paper holder assembly has an axle coaxially positionable to extend axially outwardly from axially opposite bases of a platen drum providing a circumferential outer surface disposed between the opposite bases, the axle has circumferential grooves terminated by corresponding flanges. A pair of brackets each having three arms joined together in a unitary monolithic structure with first and second arms defining a centrally disposed recess having spaced-apart curved sides are positioned to ride along corresponding ones of the circumferential grooves. A pivot pivotally connects the second arms to the opposite bases of the platen drum, and a paper holder extending from the distal portion of the third arm holds edges of sheets of paper against the circumferential outer surface projecting axially inwardly from distal ends of the third arms across the circumferential outer surface. Springs bias the bracket toward a first orientation relative to the pivot.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising a source of light movable with respect to a writing element and projectable thereon to generate an image, a focusing means is provided for focusing a light source which generates a first beam of light of a wavelength selected to be actinic with respect to the writing element. At least a portion of the first beam of light is absorbed by the writing element. The apparatus comprises means to automatically supply donor sheets and receiver sheets independently to a writing platen or drum, and to selectively load and unload the donor sheets from superposition with the receiver sheet without disturbing the registration of the receiver sheet. Also included are components which contribute to the quality of the images generated, such as relatively inexpensive, low jitter transports and drives for the writing head and imaging drum.

Abstract: A thermal printer in which a sheet of recording paper is held by and between a thermal print head includes a plurality of heat generating elements and a platen drum, the amounts of heat of the heat generating elements are selectively changed, and an image is printed onto the recording paper. In the thermal printer, a printing position is set just behind a clamp position at which a clamp clamps the leading end of the recording paper onto the platen drum. Therefore, the image printing can be started immediately after the clamp position passes through the thermal head, with the recording paper being in part wound around the platen drum by the thermal printer. As a result, the time taken from paper feeding to printing starting can be reduced.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising a source of light movable with respect to a writing element and projectable thereon to generate an image, a focusing system is provided for focusing a light source which generates a first beam of light of a wavelength selected to be actinic with respect to the writing element. At least a portion of the first beam of light is absorbed by the writing element. The apparatus includes a supply of donor sheets and receiver sheets which are independently fed to a writing drum. The sheets are selectively wound in supply rolls so that the "active" surfaces are oriented properly at the imaging station and have a "set" which matches the curve of the drum.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising a source of light movable with respect to a writing element and projectable thereon to generate an image, a focusing system is provided for focusing a light source which generates a first beam of light of a wavelength selected to be actinic with respect to the writing element. At least a portion of the first beam of light is absorbed by the writing element. The system includes apparatus to automatically supply donor sheets and receiver sheets independently to a writing platen or drum, and to selectively load and unload the donor sheets from superposition with the receiver sheet without disturbing the registration of the receiver sheet.

Abstract: A direct thermal printer wherein a leading edge of a sheet of thermosensitive recording paper is clamped by a clamp member for securing the recording paper to a platen drum. After thermally recording an image and optically fixing the image on the recording paper, the recording paper is released from the clamp member to be ejected from the printer. When the leading edge of the recording paper, which has been under the clamp member and has therefore not yet been optically fixed, reaches an illuminating position of an ultraviolet lamp of an optical fixing device during the paper ejection, the lamp is turned on for a time period, so as to optically fix the leading end. The ultraviolet lamp is of a U-shape for reducing the optical fixing time.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising a source of light movable with respect to a writing element and projectable thereon to generate an image, a focusing system is provided for focusing a light source which generates a first beam of light of a wavelength selected to be actinic with respect to the writing element. At least a portion of the first beam of light is absorbed by the writing element. The apparatus includes an automatic supply for donor sheets and receiver sheets which are supported independently to a writing platen or drum. Apparatus is provided which selectively loads and unloads the donor sheets from superposition with the receiver sheet without disturbing the registration of the receiver sheet.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising a source of light movable with respect to a writing element and projectable thereon to generate an image, a focusing means is provided for focusing a light source which generates a first beam of light of a wavelength selected to be actinic with respect to the writing element. At least a portion of the first beam of light is absorbed by the writing element. The apparatus comprises means to automatically supply donor sheets and receiver sheets independently to a writing platen or drum, and to selectively load and unload the donor sheets from superposition with the receiver sheet without disturbing the registration of the receiver sheet. A method of squeegeeing the donor sheet into contact with the receiver sheet, including moving the squeegee member in opposite directions, is provided to assure air removal from between the sheets.

Abstract: A print drum and associated clamping assembly is provided for use in printing or similar operations. The print drum is characterized by uniform thermal characteristics and is constructed from a material having thermal diffusivity of greater than about 1.3.times.10.sup.-5 m.sup.2 /sec. The print drum may moreover have a highly reflective surface that permits optical sensors to distinguish between the drum and substrate surfaces. Clamping sections of a substrate clamp assembly project through slots provided in the print drum and are raised and lowered to release and clamp a substrate respectively. Other constituents of the clamp assembly are mounted in the hollow interior of the print drum. The print drum and associated clamping mechanism is especially suitable for use in ink jet printing apparatus utilizing thermal phase change inks.

Abstract: A photographic material clamping apparatus includes a rotatable drum that has a longitudinally extending central axis, a longitudinal opening offset from the central axis, and a plurality of radial openings extending between the drum surface and the longitudinal opening. A cover member overlies the plurality of radial openings. A counterweight is positioned in the longitudinal opening and is connected to the cover member. Spring means act on the counterweight to urge the cover member towards the surface of the drum to grip a piece of photographic material inserted between the cover member and the drum.

Abstract: A sheet removal apparatus for unloading a sheet from a hollow drum mounted for rotation about its axis and having a vacuum provided to the interior thereof and to first and second sets of vacuum openings through the surface of the drum. The sheet is arranged to overlie and close the first set of vacuum openings with the second set of openings extending substantially parallel with an edge of the sheet and comprising only a small portion of the total number of vacuum openings through the drum. An exit blade is disposed adjacent the drum and has an edge proximate the drum that extends substantially parallel to the edge of the sheet and forms an acute angle with the drum surface with the proximate edge of the blade closely adjacent the apex of the angle and parallel with the edge of the sheet. When the drum is rotated to a sheet removal position, the first set of vacuum openings lies beneath the acute angle when the edge of the sheet is disposed on the opposite side of the apex.

Abstract: A paper holder of a video printer for improving an accuracy of a printing cycle by eliminating a position error of color of Y, M and C, and for reducing a printing time by discharging the record paper immediately after a printing cycle is complete.

Abstract: A method and a circuit for preventing the irregularities of color printing position in the heating-transcription video color printer of non-impact type, are disclosed.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording apparatus wherein printing on record paper is performed with the record paper fixed on a platen roller is constituted such that, when the record paper is to be fixed, transmission of power to the platen roller is interrupted and the platen roller is fixedly held at a predetermined position, which enables realization of a transporting system for a transport system of a thermal transfer recording apparatus of the record paper fixing type which system includes a single motor therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a paper for use in a color video printer is disclosed. The apparatus reproduces the video signal on a paper fast and precisely by preventing the thermal head from random up or down movement. The improvement includes: a platen drum for rotating the paper; a thermal head for radiating heat according to a video signal input; a color ribbon disposed between the thermal head and the paper, for reproducing the video signal on the paper in response to the heat radiated from the thermal head; and means controllably coupled to the platen drum, for holding the paper upon the platen drum, the holding means being mounted at only both end of the platen drum.

Abstract: A graphics printer including a device for ensuring contact between a print medium and a guiding platform at the printing zone of the graphics printer, including a suction chamber, a suction means for creating a partial vacuum in the suction chamber located beneath the guiding platform and a plurality of orifices formed across the width of the platform communicating with the suction chamber, the print medium being guided over the platform covering a variable portion of the width of the platform as a function of the format of the print medium, the suction chamber being provided with one or more partitions separating the chamber width-wise into compartments while leaving a limited air passage section between the adjacent compartments.

Abstract: A drum for an image recording apparatus for absorbing and winding a recording material for the purpose of recording the image of an exposure head thereof. The main body of the drum is structured by arranging a plurality of cylindrical members having a relatively smaller axial direction. Since the drum is formed by arranging the cylindrical members, the drum can be readily manufactured. A guide is provided on the outer surface of the drum, this guide guiding, pressing, and retaining the front portion of the recording material to the outer surface of the drum so that the absorption of the recording material is conducted assuredly. The shaft of the drum is borne by a radial ball bearing which has a sealing member so that air leakage when the absorption is conducted is prevented.

Abstract: A printer uses a rotating platen to transport a sheet of print media receiver across a print head. The receiver is held to the platen with a positive receiver locking clamp at the beginning of a print cycle. The clamp is released prior to the completion of formation of an image on the receiver so that the receiver can be quickly removed from the platen. This reduces the print cycle time of the printer. The clamp is configured and operated such that the speed of the moving receiver is not changed when the clamp is released. The clamp configuration and operation permit the printing of high-resolution images without any discernible distortions caused by the release of the clamp during the image formation.

Abstract: In a sheet transport unit for recording systems which uses a pulse motor to feed a recording sheet quantitatively and intermittently, multiple different current apply intervals are specified within the stop period during intermittent sheet feed, so that a maximum amount of current will be applied to the first interval immediately after the drive stops. Thereby, the pulse motor is never be damaged due to its temperature rise despite a load variation and the load variation can be absorbed enough to ensure high positioning accuracy.

Abstract: A printer uses a rotating platen to transport a sheet of receiver (print media) across a programmable print head. The receiver is held to the platen with a positive receiver-locking clamp at the beginning of a print cycle. The clamp is released prior to the completion of formation of an image on the receiver so that the receiver can be quickly removed from the platen. This reduces the print cycle time of the printer. The clamp is configured and operated such that the speed of the moving receiver is not changed when the clamp is released. The clamp configuration and operation thereof permit the printing of high-resolution images without any discernible image distortions being caused by the release of the clamp during image formation.

Abstract: A compact ink jet printer is described utilizing a small drum for carrying a sheet of record medium during the printing operation. In one embodiment, the drum has an exterior surface with a high coefficient of friction with a contact roller retaining the record medium against the drum as the drum is rotated. Printing is accomplished as by jetting ink from an ink jet print head onto the medium while the medium is backed up by a fixed platen. A fusing mechanism may be utilized to flatten ink drops on the printed medium. A drive mechanism for an ink jet printer may include a stepper motor coupled by timing belt sprockets and a timing belt to the drum of the printer. These components may be selected such that the drum is incremented a multiple of a pixel height during each step of the stepper motor. The record medium may also be clamped to a drum by a clamping mechanism and rotated through plural revolutions of the drum during respective printing and fusing steps.

Abstract: An optical memory device includes a cylindrically-shaped optical information recording medium and at least one optical head disposed around the information recording medium for irradiating the information recording medium with a light spot for recording or reproduction of information. The optical head has light spot moving means incorporated therein for the irradiation position of the light spot. The recording or reproduction of information is achieved by causing the light spot moving means to perform tracking control so that the light spot follows a desired track in an area within a range of movement of the light spot by the light spot moving means (or an infromation recording zone) in a state in which the relative positional relationship between the optical head and the cylindrically-shaped information recording medium in the direction parallel to the direction of the rotation axis of the information recording medium is fixed, with the optical head being not moved.

Abstract: This specification discloses a sheet conveying device for conveying a sheet which is applied to an image recording apparatus. More particularly, the specification discloses a sheet conveying device for conveying a sheet by the cooperation between a rotational member rotatable in the direction of sheet conveyance and a contact member which is in contact with the rotational member. According to the present invention, there is provided a sheet conveying device which can convey a sheet without causing oblique movement and irregularity of feeding of the sheet, for example, even under high temperature and high humidity conditions.

Abstract: An image-reproducing apparatus of the internal drum type, in which a linear slide (33) with a reproducing head (32) with a rotatable beam reflector (27), is arranged for translation along two guides in the form of two glass rods (39,43), the sliding contact of the slide with one rod being a two-point (40,41) and with the other rod being a one-point (55) contact.

Abstract: A print medium sheet feeding system for an ink jet printer having a print head with a planar array of jets is provided by clamping the leading edge of a paper after it is passed through a printing zone to a rotating assembly of parallel disks. The sheet is pulled through the printing zone by rotating the disk with the clamp being carried with the rotating drum. A platen may be provided which has a flat surface in the printing zone forming a tangent to the outer surface of the rotating disks. Alternatively, the platen may be removed and the sheet held in tension between the clamp and a nip region formed by a spring plate held against a restraining plate. In an alternative embodiment, the sheet is initially clamped against the drum by the combination of a lever arm which is selectively engagable with the drum for rotation therewith and an attached actuating arm having a plate which secures a sheet to the drum surface.

Abstract: A holder for a thermal print medium is disclosed. The holder is adapted to be used in a thermal printer in which a donor element in a thermal print medium transfers dye to a receiver element upon receipt of a sufficient amount of thermal energy. The printer includes a plurality of diode lasers which can be individually modulated to supply energy to selected dots on the medium in accordance with an information signal. The print head of the printer includes a fiber optic array having a plurality of optical fibers coupled to the diode lasers. The holder for the thermal print medium includes a rotatable vacuum drum, and the fiber optic array is movable relative to the drum. The vacuum drum includes separate vacuum supplies for the donor sheet and for the receiver sheet so that the sheets can be independently handled.

Abstract: A thermal ink-transfer printer for printing a color image on a paper wound along a platen roller in the manner where a thermal head is pressed against the paper and an ink film interposed therebetween so that ink on the ink film is melted by the thermal head. The printer comprises clamp mechanisms having supporting rings and clamp levers for holding an end of the paper against a holding member, clutch mechanisms having clutch rings and clutch levers for fixing the clamp mechanisms and platen roller in a start positioning mode and a printing mode, and a controlling element for coupling the clutch mechanisms with the platen roller in a paper feeding mode and a paper ejecting mode. As the clamp mechanisms hold the supplied end of the paper and the platen roller and the clamp mechanisms have their rotation individually controlled, it is possible to prevent color off-registration in color printing.

Abstract: Apparatus for clamping receiver sheets to the print drum of a thermal transfer printer. The apparatus includes a clamp assembly mounted for radial movement and having a clamp strip extending over the drum periphery and an interior longitudinal body coupled to that strip at a plurality of axially spaced locations. A longitudinal lever member extends axially within the drum from a pivot point at one drum end to an actuation arm at the other drum end and has a pivot arm coupled to a central portion of the clamp body. Springs urge the clamp assembly radially inwardly and an actuator mounted on the other drum end selectively moves the lever member radially outwardly.

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: 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: An improved heater construction for an ink jet printer of the kind having a rotary print platen for holding and transporting a print sheet through a print path. The platen heater includes a hollow shell mounted for rotation through the print path and has vacuum holes for sheet attachment. A heating foil is detachably mounted in heat transfer relation with a major portion of the interior periphery of said shell and is coupled by brush contacts to an electrical power source.

Abstract: A drum used as a clamping roller for mounting a substrate, such as a sheet of paper, in a device in which the surface of said substrate is treated.The clamping roller is of use in a device such as an electrojet printer. The roller comprises a thin metal seamless sleeve having perforations; a coating is present on the sleeve having such form that a great variety of substrate formats may be held on the roller surface by creating a low vacuum inside the sleeve.For all formats the coating is of similar form.The thin sleeve is centered around the roller's axis by means of centering means having the form of end-discs.

Abstract: A recording medium comprises a recording layer formed on a substrate. The recording layer comprises a solid solution of a guest compound in a matrix polymer. The guest compound, such as a para-di-substituted benzene derivative, has a substantial second order micro-nonlinear optical constant .beta. but shows substantially no nonlinear optical effect in its crystalline form. The matrix polymer is preferably a polyoxyalkylene. A part of the recording layer is caused to have a nonlinear optical effect when it is supplied with a combination of an external field such as an electric or magnetic field and heating followed by cooling for solidification, and is caused to lose its nonlinear optical effect when it is subjected to heating followed by cooling for solidification in the absence of such an external field.

Abstract: A print medium sheet feeding system for an ink jet printer having a print head with a planar array of jets is provided by clamping the leading edge of a paper after it is passed through a printing zone to a rotating assembly of parallel disks. The sheet is pulled through the printing zone by rotating the disk with the clamp being carried with the rotating drum. A platen may be provided which has a flat surface in the printing zone forming a tangent to the outer surface of the rotating disks. Alternatively, the platen may be removed and the sheet held in tension between the clamp and a nip region formed by a spring plate held against a restraining plate. In an alternative embodiment, the sheet is initially clamped against the drum by the combination of a lever arm which is selectively engageable with the drum for rotation therewith and an attached actuating arm having a plate which secures a sheet to the drum surface.

Abstract: An optical information carrier includes a cylinder (1) with a recording layer (2) and bushings (3,4) located at butt ends of the hollow cylinder (1) and insulating the recording layer (2) from the environment. A method for erasing information recorded on the optical carrier uses a high-frequency electrical discharge produced inside the air-tight closed space (5) of the hollow cylinder (1). An optical storage device realizing the method includes an erasing unit (11) having a circuit for initiating a high-frequency discharge, which has electrodes (12,13) between which the optical carrier (10) is located so that the high-frequency discharge is initiated inside the closed air-tight space (5).