Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming device comprising a first roller mechanism for sending out printing paper from a paper feed tray accommodating the printing paper therein, a second roller mechanism for transporting the printing paper to a printing start position where formation of an image on the paper is started, and a power supply mechanism for giving power to the first roller mechanism and the second roller mechanism.

Abstract: A printer includes: a recording section for recording information on a recording medium; a medium carrying mechanism for carrying the recording medium on which information has been recorded by the recording section; a medium accommodating section extending in a vertical direction or in a slanted vertical direction for accommodating the recording medium carried by the medium carrying mechanism; and pusher means for pushing the recording medium carried by the medium carrying mechanism into the medium accommodating section.

Abstract: The printer can improve the workability of storing and ejecting printing sheets in or from a storage tray. The printer includes a storage tray comprising a sheet storage case for storing a stack of a plurality of printing sheets with at least one of the sides of the storage case being opened and a cover for covering the sheet storage case, wherein the cover comprises a cover body and an moveable member supported by the cover body for freely opening and closing the opening of the sheet storage case. When the entire storage tray is disposed in the slot of the chassis, a pick-up block ejects one printing sheet at a time, and when a part of the storage tray is pulled out of the slot of the chassis, the moveable member can be opened or closed and the printing sheet can be stored in or discharged from the sheet storage case.

Abstract: Method of printing individual header cards with a limited amount of information, such as a barcode, employing continuous movement of each of the header cards through a gap defined between a backup roll and a thermal printing head, each header card partially wrapping the backup roll only in the immediate vicinity of the printer head.

Abstract: A printer includes a transporting block, a printing block, a positioning block, and an intermediate picking-up device. The positioning block is disposed between the transporting block and the printing block, and positions printing sheets transported by the transporting block at a predetermined location one at a time, so that they are positioned one at a time at a printing location of the printing block where printing is performed on the printing sheets. The intermediate picking-up means picks up the printing sheets positioned at the predetermined location in the positioning block one at a time in order to transport the printing sheets to the printing block.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a housing that defines a receiving formation for a media tray assembly. A chassis is positioned in the housing. A media tray assembly is displaceably engageable with the chassis to permit the tray assembly to be received in, and withdrawn from, the receiving formation. The media tray assembly and the housing define a print medium feed path. The media tray assembly includes a media tray in which a stack of print medium sheets can be stored. A feed mechanism is positioned on the media tray to feed the sheets from the tray. A printhead assembly is positioned downstream of the media tray to carry out a printing operation on the sheets as the sheets are fed from the tray.

Abstract: Recording medium feeding means includes a recording medium determination device, in which an arm biased by a spring toward recording medium loading means is rotatably attached to a lever rotated by a rotatably driven cam member, two holder segments are rockingly attached to the arm, and a recording medium detector held by one of the holder segments reads information, such as the type and properties, on the recording media. A cam element is provided between the cam member and the lever for gradually rotating the lever.

Abstract: Image forming methods and apparatuses capable of performing stable and fast sheet transfer operations are provided. In a continuous feed mode, a preceding sheet and a succeeding sheet are successively fed from a sheet tray through first and second transfer rollers to an image forming position. When it is determined that a trailing edge of the preceding sheet has passed the first transfer roller, the driving of the first transfer roller is stopped for a predetermined time period. As a result, the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet are transferred with a desired sheet interval while suppressing sheet interval variations.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus has a medium storage cartridge mounted in the image formation apparatus and a medium size detection device attached to the image formation apparatus. The medium storage cartridge has a medium back end stopper and a protrusion part. In a state in which the medium storage cartridge is mounted in the image formation apparatus, protruding protrusions of the protrusion part press a medium size detector and the medium size detector makes contact with through holes provided in a substrate and a medium size is detected by voltage states of the through holes.

Abstract: A first sheet passing path from an automatic sheet supplying section to a recording section and a second sheet passing path leading to an automatic reversing section from the recording section and leading to the recording section from the automatic reversing section share a part of them with each other, and the shared sheet passing path is provided with a guide member movable from a first position for the first sheet passing path to a second position for the second sheet passing path in synchronism with separation of a pinch roller from a sheet feeding roller.

Abstract: A paper detecting device to detect paper presence on a paper plate in a paper feeding cassette, and comprising a light-emitting device and a light-receiving sensor. In the paper feeding cassette, an end-fence is movably mounted, and at least one of the light-emitting device and the light-receiving sensor is mounted on a base of the end-fence to be covered by the stacked paper. Accordingly, before developing a new image, the complete consumption of the paper supply can be detected, and therefore, the toner can be saved.

Abstract: A printer system including a tray adapted for use with a printing mechanism. The tray includes a stationary portion, a rotatable portion, and a length adjuster. The stationary portion is adapted to be coupled with the print mechanism. The rotatable portion is rotatably coupled with and extends a first length from the stationary portion. The length adjuster is slidably coupled with the rotatable portion and is adapted to move along an adjustable length. The adjustable length is greater than the first length of the rotatable portion.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a cassette in which recording media are configured to be stacked. The cassette includes a rear end regulation member configured to be moved in a direction in which the recording media are fed to regulate rear ends of the recording media and a size detection device configured to swing with movement of the rear end regulation member. The sheet feeding device further includes a size determination device arranged within an area corresponding to a width of the cassette in the direction in which the recording media are fed. The size determination device is configured to determine a size of the recording media stacked in the cassette by detecting a position of the size detection device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying paper cassettes. The apparatus for identifying paper cassettes includes first through N-th paper cassettes, wherein each of N-1 output ports (where N is a positive integer greater than 1) is connected to N-1 input ports, which have one of N input ports and one of N output ports, a paper cassette identification unit to generate a synchronizing signal in response to an identification symbol which is transmitted from the first through N-th paper cassettes and indicates one of the first through N-th paper cassettes, and to transmit the generated synchronizing signal to paper cassettes in which an “undefined symbol” that indicates that the identification symbol has not been assigned, among the first through N-th paper cassettes is given, and a serial bus which connects the first through N-th paper cassettes to the paper cassette identification unit.

Abstract: A substrate compiling system includes an actuator, cable and tamper device. The tamper device includes a clamp assembly. The clamp assembly is retracted and extended. The clamp assembly can be used to clamp an edge of each compiled set of substrates and transfer the compiled set to a stacking tray, platform or the like. The clamp assembly may remain in an extended position until all other substrate supporting structures no longer support the substrates and an opposing unclamped edge of the compiled set engages the stacking tray below.

Abstract: A paper supply cassette includes a main body to which a paper supply roller is coupled, a container provided to slid e into/from the main body, a first lever installed at the main body to swing, a first gear installed at one side of the first lever to rotate and drive a paper supply roller by being meshed with a drive gear provided at the printer, a first elastic member to apply an elastic force to the first lever in a direction in which the first gear is meshed with the drive gear, and a locking unit to selectively lock the first lever in a state in which the first gear is separated from the drive gear. Thus, the damage to or deformation of the first gear of the paper supply cassette is prevented. Also, since the paper is stably supplied, the quality of an image can be improved.

Abstract: A print media delivery system on a door assembly that is connected to an associated frame is provided. The door assembly includes a door body openable to provide access into an associated frame. A tray is pivotally connected to the door body for receiving associated print media thereon. A pick roller is rotatably mounted to the door body for contacting the associated print media and advancing the associated print media into the associated frame. A gear has a missing teeth section and is connected to the pick roller for corotation therewith. A gear bias system urges the gear to rotate in a first direction when the door body is closed and said tray is open to selectively advance the missing teeth section past an associated drive gear and allow teeth of the gear to engage the associated drive gear when the door body is closed.

Abstract: A printer includes a transporting block, a printing block, a positioning block, and an intermediate picking-up device. The positioning block is disposed between the transporting block and the printing block, and positions printing sheets transported by the transporting block at a predetermined location one at a time, so that they are positioned one at a time at a printing location of the printing block where printing is performed on the printing sheets. The intermediate picking-up means picks up the printing sheets positioned at the predetermined location in the positioning block one at a time in order to transport the printing sheets to the printing block.

Abstract: A printer includes a transporting block, a printing block, a positioning block, and an intermediate picking-up device. The positioning block is disposed between the transporting block and the printing block, and positions printing sheets transported by the transporting block at a predetermined location one at a time, so that they are positioned one at a time at a printing location of the printing block where printing is performed on the printing sheets. The intermediate picking-up means picks up the printing sheets positioned at the predetermined location in the positioning block one at a time in order to transport the printing sheets to the printing block.

Abstract: An imaging media tray for an imaging system such as a printer is provided that includes a media cassette having a sloping end wall, and a blocking means. The blocking means has a blocking mode adapted to prevent imaging media from moving up the sloping end wall when the media cassette is being inserted into the imaging system and an inactive mode to facilitate transmission of the media to the imaging system. The blocking means adopts the inactive mode after the media cassette is inserted into the imaging system. A method for preventing imaging media from moving up the sloping end wall when the media cassette is being inserted into the imaging system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A printing path arrangement for an inkjet type printer is provided in which a printing path is defined between print media feed rollers so that the print media is tensioned and unsupported through the printing path and a printing mechanism of the printer prints less than twice the upstream roller radius from the line of engagement of the upstream roller with the print media, so as to provide better printhead to media gap control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cartridge for use with a digital printing device. The cartridge includes a casing for housing print media and a supply of ink. The casing also includes a transport assembly which is adapted to cooperate with a powered gear provided on the printing device to thereby eject the print media from the casing.

Abstract: A printer includes a transporting block, a printing block, a positioning block, and an intermediate picking-up device. The positioning block is disposed between the transporting block and the printing block, and positions printing sheets transported by the transporting block at a predetermined location one at a time, so that they are positioned one at a time at a printing location of the printing block where printing is performed on the printing sheets. The intermediate picking-up means picks up the printing sheets positioned at the predetermined location in the positioning block one at a time in order to transport the printing sheets to the printing block.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a media feed cassette 100 that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus and contains medias used for printing therein. The media feed cassette 100 includes a chassis 100a; a cassette-side media stacking portion 101 which is mounted to said chassis 100a and contains medias therein, and is located within said image forming apparatus when it is attached to said image forming apparatus; a tray-side media stacking portion 102 being attached to said chassis 100a such that said tray-side media stacking portion is extendable to outside of said image forming apparatus, medias being put in said tray-side media stacking portion when it is extended outside; and a pickup unit 107 for picking up, sheet by sheet, medias put on said tray-side media stacking portion 102.

Abstract: A printer includes a transporting block, a printing block, a positioning block, and an intermediate picking-up device. The positioning block is disposed between the transporting block and the printing block, and positions printing sheets transported by the transporting block at a predetermined location one at a time, so that they are positioned one at a time at a printing location of the printing block where printing is performed on the printing sheets. The intermediate picking-up means picks up the printing sheets positioned at the predetermined location in the positioning block one at a time in order to transport the printing sheets to the printing block.

Abstract: Card printing apparatus, for example, for printing identification cards, pass cards and the like generally comes with a relatively restricted size card input hopper. The number of cards that can be processed in a single operation is accordingly limited. The capacity for a single run of card printing can be materially increased without leading to card feed problems because of the increased pressure at the bottom of a stack of cards by arranging that at least part of the in-feed hopper is inclined away from the vertical. In order to maintain the footprint of the printer relatively small, the hopper preferably has two vertical sections and an intermediate inclined section.

Abstract: A media loading and separation system includes a spring pick block with an inclined surface having a lower end; an indentation, formed near the lower end of the inclined surface, having a substantially vertical surface; and a spring arm movably disposed in response to a media stack with respect to the inclined surface between rearward and forward positions. The media separation system can also include a corner media separator to engage a corner of the media stack.

Abstract: A printer includes a transporting block, a printing block, a positioning block, and an intermediate picking-up device. The positioning block is disposed between the transporting block and the printing block, and positions printing sheets transported by the transporting block at a predetermined location one at a time, so that they are positioned one at a time at a printing location of the printing block where printing is performed on the printing sheets. The intermediate picking-up means picks up the printing sheets positioned at the predetermined location in the positioning block one at a time in order to transport the printing sheets to the printing block.

Abstract: A printer includes a transporting block, a printing block, a positioning block, and an intermediate picking-up device. The positioning block is disposed between the transporting block and the printing block, and positions printing sheets transported by the transporting block at a predetermined location one at a time, so that they are positioned one at a time at a printing location of the printing block where printing is performed on the printing sheets. The intermediate picking-up means picks up the printing sheets positioned at the predetermined location in the positioning block one at a time in order to transport the printing sheets to the printing block.

Abstract: A printer includes a transporting block, a printing block, a positioning block, and an intermediate picking-up device. The positioning block is disposed between the transporting block and the printing block, and positions printing sheets transported by the transporting block at a predetermined location one at a time, so that they are positioned one at a time at a printing location of the printing block where printing is performed on the printing sheets. The intermediate picking-up means picks up the printing sheets positioned at the predetermined location in the positioning block one at a time in order to transport the printing sheets to the printing block.

Abstract: In a printer having an input tray, a media loader insert is provided, the media loader insert including an insert body which defines a reduced-size media receptacle, the insert body being sized to securely fit within the input tray; and a width adjuster adjacent the reduced-size media receptacle, the width adjuster being positioned centrally along a side edge of the reduced-size media receptacle to centrally engage a side edge of media within the reduced-size media receptacle, thereby reducing media skew.

Abstract: A printer includes a print media loading mechanism that includes a pair of opposed endless belts to pick up print media for printing. The belts ride upon opposed pairs of rollers which are held in slides to limit the rollers' movement to motion towards and away from each other. Worm screws are located parallel to, and on either side of, the belts. Traverser blocks are mounted on the worm screws adjacent each end of the opposed rollers. Scissor members connect the traverser blocks to the ends of adjacent rollers. A motor is arranged to rotate the worm screws thereby causing the traverser blocks to move towards or away from the opposed rollers in order to move the opposed rollers away from each other or towards each other to pick up print media.

Abstract: A printer includes a transporting block, a printing block, a positioning block, and an intermediate picking-up device. The positioning block is disposed between the transporting block and the printing block, and positions printing sheets transported by the transporting block at a predetermined location one at a time, so that they are positioned one at a time at a printing location of the printing block where printing is performed on the printing sheets. The intermediate picking-up means picks up the printing sheets positioned at the predetermined location in the positioning block one at a time in order to transport the printing sheets to the printing block.

Abstract: A tray riser is configured for retrofit in a printer feed tray. The riser includes a plate for supporting a stack of sheets in the tray. A stand is integrally formed with a bottom of the plate to position a front edge of the plate higher in elevation than a back edge of the plate. A retention tab is integrally formed with the plate for engaging a pre-existing feature in the tray to retain the riser in the tray.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to use a simple configuration to reduce the deviate of an image printed position caused by the behavior of a print sheet when the back end of the sheet slips out from an upstream roller pair. Thus, the present invention provides a printing apparatus including transporting section for transporting a print medium relative to printing heads for printing an image on a print sheet, the apparatus comprising vibrating section for vibrating the transporting section. This vibrating section vibrates the transporting section before the printing heads start a printing operation. Thus, even if the transporting section is stopped at an unstable position when a transporting operation is stopped, the applied vibration brings the transporting section into a stable state sufficiently before a printing operation is started.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a housing that defines a receiving formation for a media tray assembly. A chassis is positioned in the housing. A media tray assembly is displaceably engageable with the chassis to permit the tray assembly to be received in, and withdrawn from, the receiving formation. The media tray assembly and the housing define a print medium feed path. The media tray assembly includes a media tray in which a stack of print medium sheets can be stored. A feed mechanism is positioned on the media tray to feed the sheets from the tray. A printhead assembly is positioned downstream of the media tray to carry out a printing operation on the sheets as the sheets are fed from the tray.

Abstract: A printing device including a feed roller assembly, a separation pad located adjacent to the feed roller assembly, and a printer housing having an access plate. The separation pad is user-accessible when the access plate is opened.

Abstract: There is provided a reading/recording apparatus which is capable of properly conveying originals during original reading operation, even if there exists a state where a recording medium conveying device shares the same space with an original conveying path. A shared conveying path has at least part thereof used as both a conveying path for an original and a conveying path for a recording medium. The original is conveyed on the shared conveying path, where an image of the original is read. The read image is recorded on the recording medium at a recording position on the shared conveying path. A recording medium conveying device is movable between a sharing state where the recording medium conveying device shares a space with the conveying path for the original and a non-sharing state where the recording medium conveying device does not share the space with the conveying path for the original, and conveys the recording medium on the shared conveying path.

Abstract: A printer paper support system includes a housing, a first paper support pivotally attached to the housing and a second paper support pivotally attached to the housing, the second paper support extending the first paper support.

Abstract: A inkjet type printer has a media feed roller and a printhead that prints near to where the roller engages the print media, so providing better printhead to media gap control. Preferably the printhead prints less than twice the roller radius from the line of engagement.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having a paper feeding unit with a feed roller that moves paper supplied from a paper tray to a printing unit, and an exit roller that releases the paper on which the printing operation is performed by the printing unit, the printing apparatus including a temperature sensor sensing an ambient temperature of the printing apparatus; and a driving controller controlling the driving of the feed roller and the exit roller according to the ambient temperature sensed by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is equipped with a recording head for performing recording on a conveyed recording medium by discharging liquid from a discharge opening array, and comprises a conveyor for conveying the recording medium, and a recording medium floating prevention member for preventing floating of the recording medium, wherein the floating prevention member includes a floating prevention area between the recording medium and the recording head, only on an upstream side, in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, of the discharge opening array of the recording head used in non-margin recording of performing the recording throughout the width of the recording medium. Thus, collision of the recording medium and the recording head can be prevented in both margin recording and the non-margin recording, without lowering recording speed and deteriorating recording quality.

Abstract: A tray 1 can be inserted in and pulled out of a main body 10 of an image forming apparatus. A lifting member 23 is provided in the main body 10 so that the lifting member 23 is able to enter into the tray 1 and lift a stack of sheets in the tray 1. The lifting member 23 is driven by a motor 25 provided in the main body 10. A switching member 27 is provided for connecting and disconnecting the transmission of the power of the motor 25 to the lifting member 23. When the tray 1 is fully inserted in the main body 10, the switching member 27 connects the transmission. In contrast, when the tray 1 is to be moved out of the main body 10, the switching member 27 disconnects the transmission, so that the lifting member 23 swings downward out of the tray 1.

Abstract: An original document tray for a scanning and printing apparatus includes original document guides for guiding an original document in the original document tray into a scanning unit by determining or regulating a widthwise position of the original document, and manual-feed sheet guides provided with the original document tray for guiding a manual-feed sheet to be supplied to a printing unit by determining a widthwise position of the manual-feed sheet. The manual-feed sheet guides can be adjusted manually in the widthwise direction. The original document guides are disposed on an original document supporting surface of the original document tray on which the original document is placed, and the manual-feed sheet guides are disposed on a side opposite the original document supporting surface. The original document guides can also be moved manually in the widthwise direction and move in conjunction with the manual-feed sheet guides.

Abstract: N recording sheets are carried in a superimposed state with the image recording surface side of each recording sheet being displaced by a distance corresponding to each of the lengths Z1, Z2, . . . , Zn from each end, and an image is recorded on the image recording surface of each of the n recording sheets carried in the superimposed state within a range of each of the lengths Z1, Z2, . . . , Zn from each end.

Abstract: A hardcopy printing mechanism and a greeting card feeder retrofit kit therefor, along with a retrofitting method are provided for printing images on a first-sized media, and on both surfaces a second-sized greeting card media without removing the first-sized media from its normal supply tray. The hardcopy device may be an electrophotographic or inkjet printer preferably equipped with a duplexer module which inverts media from a printed first surface to an opposing second surface for printing an image thereon. For a printer having an alignment surface, and a width adjuster to push the first-sized media against the alignment surface, the greeting card feeder includes a biasing member which pushes the card stock against the alignment surface. The retrofit kit includes a supply of pre-scored greeting card stock and a software program with a group of greeting card images for a consumer to select from to print store-bought quality greeting cards.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medium supplying apparatus that enables a user to easily remove medium and prevents medium from slanting or transferring improperly. The medium supplying apparatus comprises a first frame and a second frame that rotates freely with respect to the first frame. The first frame includes a first rotating section that rotates freely, a first fulcrum coupling section constructing a rotating fulcrum and a first lock coupling section. The second frame includes a pressing member, a second fulcrum coupling section constructing the rotating fulcrum by being coupled with the first fulcrum coupling section, and a second lock coupling section coupled selectively with the first lock coupling section. Because the first and second lock coupling sections are coupled selectively by relative movement, the second frame is locked or unlocked with respect to the first frame.

Abstract: A printer includes: a recording section for recording information on a recording medium; a medium carrying mechanism for carrying the recording medium on which information has been recorded by the recording section; a medium accommodating section extending in a vertical direction or in a slanted vertical direction for accommodating the recording medium carried by the medium carrying mechanism; and pusher means for pushing the recording medium carried by the medium carrying mechanism into the medium accommodating section.

Abstract: An anti-jam bezel is provided for dispensing a flexible substrate from an output slot. A guideway is provided for receiving the flexible substrate from a transport and guiding the flexible substrate into the output slot. The guideway may extend from the output slot to the transport to provide a substrate receiving opening. The bezel body is adapted for mounting with the substrate receiving opening adjacent the transport such that the guideway catches a leading edge of the substrate after the substrate exits the transport and guides the leading edge into the output slot. In the event the output slot is blocked, the guideway is adapted to guide at least a portion of the substrate into the substrate receiving opening so that at least the portion of the substrate loops into the substrate receiving opening, thereby preventing a jam.

Abstract: A printer, copier, facsimile machine or any other device for printing indicia on sheets of paper or other printable sheet materials. The device includes a paper input tray which is arranged to be oriented in a generally vertical direction irrespective of whether the device is in a horizontal orientation or a vertical orientation. The device also includes an output tray arranged to receive the paper or other printed sheet material exiting from the printer.