Abstract: A printing apparatus is provided. The printing apparatus includes a printing unit, a sheet feeder, a discharge unit, a sheet path including a feeding path, a discharge path, and a reversing path, a manual sheet inlet and a manual sheet path for a manually-inserted recording sheet, a detecting unit to detect the manually-inserted recording sheet fed through the manual sheet inlet whilst a double-face printing operation is conducted with a preceding recording sheet, a judging unit to judge as to whether the detecting unit detected the manually-inserted recording sheet, and a conveyer controller unit to convey the preceding recording sheet in the double-face printing operation to the discharge unit without reversing when the judging unit judges that the detecting unit detected the manually-inserted recording sheet.

Abstract: A dual-purpose printer for printing receipts and validating forms is provided. The printer comprises a receipt drive roller for driving paper through a receipt path, a dual-purpose roller capable of contacting the drive roller, and a validation idler roller adapted to be brought into and out of engagement with the dual-purpose roller. The receipt path is formed between the receipt drive roller and the dual-purpose roller. A validation path is formed between the validation idler roller and the dual-purpose roller. Rotation of the receipt drive roller in a first direction enables driving of paper through the receipt path. When the validation idler roller is in engagement with the dual-purpose roller, rotation of the dual-purpose roller in the first direction enables discharging of a form from the validation path.

Abstract: In high speed reproduction apparatus in which closely spaced printed sheets are sequentially fed downstream in a sheet path at a process velocity, a dual inverter system of two independent but cooperative sheet inverters is sheet control gated to receive alternate sheets from the sheet path for inversion in the alternate independent sheet inverters. These dual alternate sheet inverters may advantageously operate at substantially the same sheet velocity as the connecting sheet path, instead of the much higher speed and acceleration/deceleration typical of conventional single inverter systems. Yet the original collated sequential sheet order is maintained. The two independent but cooperative alternate sheet inverters may be operatively connected in series spaced along the sheet path to be alternatingly fed alternate sheets from the sheet path by separate gates and to return sheets to the same sheet path at different locations, or, connected in parallel with the sheet path by a single decision gate.

Abstract: A cabinet is formed on the top face with an entry opening for rolled paper, and a storage section for accommodating the rolled paper. A cover is provided for opening/closing the entry opening, and the upper front of the cover is provided as a slipsheet entry face for inserting a slipsheet. The slipsheet entry face is formed in one side margin with a slipsheet guide along the insertion direction of the slipsheet. A paper discharge slot of the rolled paper is formed by a gap between a buff portion of the cabinet and the tip of the cover, when the cover is closed. The paper discharge slot is at a position lower than that of the slipsheet entry face. A slipsheet print section is placed on the upper rear portion of the cover.

Abstract: A new paper loading system is featured with a convenient drop-in paper loading and a full slip path in a receipt printer. The paper is dropped into a paper receiving bucket disposed in the central portion of the printer. The paper is fed from the bucket; and thereafter, a receipt is printed. Then, the paper is cut to the appropriate receipt length. A slip path is also provided for insertion of a single or multi-part form used for credit or check validation. The relative position of the slip path would normally interfere with the drop-in loading of the paper supply roll into the bucket. The system allows the fixed blade assembly to support a slip path upon a rear surface thereof. The slip path is substantially parallel or adjacent to the paper receipt path, which passes between assemblies supporting a fixed blade and a movable, rotary blade. The fixed blade unlatches and pivots away from the rotary blade, thus opening the printer and exposing the paper loading bucket for access thereto.

Abstract: The present invention features a receipt printing and check validating machine. The machine is characterized by a drop-in loading for the receipt paper supply roll. A first drive roller for the receipt printer is pivotably mounted in a clamshell bucket. The first drive roller is swung into contact, when the clamshell bucket is closed, with an idler roller centrally mounted on a fixedly-mounted idler/drive combination shaft. The check validating drive features a second, slip drive roller pair that is in pivotable contact with a pair of slip drive rollers mounted on the aforementioned fixedly-mounted idler/drive combination shaft, one on either side of the receipt idler roller. Thus, the idler/drive combination roller shaft has a fixed position with respect to both drive rollers, and is used cooperatively by both drive rollers. Both the check and the receipt can emerge from the same slot in the housing of the machine.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording information on a continuous rolled recording medium, said recording apparatus comprising a fixed unit and a movable unit. The continuous rolled recording medium is exchangeable in the open position of said movable unit. A printing head is located in either of said fixed unit or said movable unit and a platen is located in the remaining unit. A pair of feed rollers are located downstream of said printing head and said platen with respect to a feeding direction of said recording medium. One of said feed rollers located in said fixed unit is displaceable between a contact position contacting with the other feed roller located in said movable unit when said movable unit is in the closed position and a release position separate from the other feed roller outside a locus of an outer profile of said movable unit.

Abstract: A rotating and driving mechanism for a record media feed roller adjacent a printing station. The feed roller is supported by the platen assembly and is movable therewith to provide a path for the record media through the printing station. A plate member is pivotally supported on an adjacent feed roller and includes slots therein. A cam member is positioned between a side frame and the plate member and includes pins for operating in the slots of the plate member and has a surface engaging with the shaft of the feed roller. Rotatable means is provided for moving the platen assembly to form the record media path. The rotatable means includes an arm for limiting movement of the plate member relative to rotational forces derived when driving the feed roller to advance the record media through the printing station.

Abstract: A multi-function printer can print on two different types of record media, one of which types of record media is continuous, such as may be used for printing receipts, and is stored within the printer, and a second of which types of record media is discontinuous, may be of varying thickness, and is introduced from the exterior of the printer. A reversible motor and associated transmission mechanism provide means for driving the two types of record media, and a pivotally mounted solenoid-driven platen arm provides for selective engagement of driving means in the printer and for altering the gap between the printhead and the platen of the printer in accordance with the thickness of the record media to be printed upon.

Abstract: There is illustrated and described a printing device having an integrated paper feeding apparatus adapted for supplying individual sheets of paper to the printing device to effect printing thereon. The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus for the present invention is particularly suitable for use in word processing systems where the information to be printed in hard copy is contained in a memory device such as a floppy disk or the like. The apparatus may be directly linked to word processing equipment to receive the text of material to be printed. In addition to having the capability of automatically feeding individual sheets of paper from one or more paper trays to the printing device, the apparatus includes an automatic envelope supply mechanism for supplying individual envelopes to the printing device, as well as a manual paper feed option. After effecting printing on the paper or envelope, an ejector mechanism ejects the printed paper from the apparatus and into a receptacle in collated form.

Abstract: The document transport system includes improved document drive and guide means to permit the optional feeding of a continuous web document or the feeding of individual cut form documents through the printer. A continuous web document can be fed through the printer in two feeding modes and cut form documents can also be fed through the printer in two feeding modes. Document guide means is provided for feeding documents inwardly from the top or front of the printer and both pin wheel and friction type drive means are provided.