Abstract: An extension guide unit 30 is provided on a side portion of a recording medium conveying passage. An extension guide 36 is held in a wound state in an extension guide holder 31 of the extension guide unit 30. In order to convey a recording medium, the extension guide 36 is drawn out, by which the recording medium is guided. This enables the recording medium to be smoothly conveyed.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically loading paper from a supply roll into a printer. The printer includes a base and a cover hinged to the base. A contoured guide is mounted adjacent to a drive roll to form a paper path that converges from an upper entrance region to a lower exit region in the direction of drive roll rotation. A biased member is mounted in the top cover of the printer and is arranged to move into contact with the drive roll within the entrance region when the cover is closed. In practice, when the cover is open a run of paper from the roll is placed over the entrance region to the paper path. Closing the cover produces rotation of the drive roll and causes the biased member to force the paper into driving contact with roll producing a fold in the front section of the paper supply. The folded section passes through the paper path into a nip formed between the drive roll and pinch rollers whereupon the folded section is advanced through a printing station into a read out station.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a media tracking guide mechanism for guiding the transport of printing media in a printing apparatus. The media tracking guide mechanism is designed to provide positive tracking to print media of various types passing through the guide as the print media is supplied to a printing apparatus. The print media tracking guide preferably includes a guide housing configured and dimensioned for mounting along a hub portion of a printing apparatus and an armature rotatably coupled to the guide housing. The guide housing includes a core member having a print media transport path along an outer peripheral portion thereof and an overhang support positioned in a spaced relationship from the core member. The overhang support includes a slotted area for receiving a lever component. The core member and overhang support are rigidly coupled to a flange portion along a common side thereof.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a printing apparatus of a small size that facilitates replacement of a rolled paper, removal of a jammed paper, etc. and alleviates likeliness of a paper jam with a considerably simple structure. The printing apparatus comprises a rolled-paper holder (2), which is provided with a first holder (2b) for use in carrying out printing on a rolled paper (1), and a second holder (2a) for use in setting the rolled paper (1), wherein the rolled paper (1) is moved from the second holder (2a) to the first holder (2b) as a main body of the apparatus is shifted from a paper setting position to a printing work position, thereby facilitating the setting of the rolled paper (1) and removal of a jammed paper, since the rolled paper (1) can be temporarily supported by the second holder (2a) in order to provide a sufficient work space when replacing the rolled paper (1) or removing a jammed paper.

Abstract: An apparatus for leaving space between paper and a head of an ink-jet printer includes a plurality of paper insertion angle change ribs located in front of a paper guide for controlling the paper raised. The paper guide is mounted at the front side of a deflector guide of the head. Therefore, the angle of the paper inserted to the head is changed, as the place where the paper curls up is changed. As a result, maximum space between the paper and the head is attained. The head is not contacted with the paper, and thus is not stained with ink on the paper so that there is the improvement of reliability of products.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming device for forming an image on a sheet, a discharging device for discharging the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming device, a containing portion for containing the sheet discharged from the discharging device, a sheet holding device capable of holding the sheet before the discharged sheet is contained in the containing portion, and a switching device for switching the holding of the sheet holding device for the sheet in response to an image forming method of the sheet.

Abstract: An ink jet printer having selectively two distinct working positions (P1, P2), respectively a vertical working position (P1) and a horizontal working position (P2), comprising an external casing provided with a first and a second side, both flat, with a common edge and reciprocally inclined at an obtuse angle; a feeding tray for accommodating at the entrance the sheets to be fed to the printer; and a collecting tray, arranged to the front of the feeding tray, for collecting the sheets at the outlet after they have been printed. In the vertical working position (P1), the printer sits on a horizontal plane on its first side, and has the feeding and collecting trays directed upwardly; whereas, in the horizontal working position (P2), the printer sits on the horizontal plane on its second side, and has the feeding and collecting trays disposed horizontally to the operator.

Abstract: A wide format versatile printing mechanism is provided which has ribbon tensioning means to equalize the surface tension forces across the ribbon and remove all wrinkles. In one embodiment a cambered rod is introduced between the print head and the ribbon feed roll to apply an uneven force across the ribbon's width from its uncoated side. The cambered rod is fixed between two lateral lid side plates by two screws having their axis coaxial with the axis of the cambered rod which have at one of the end cut some radial grooves. The cambered rod can be rotated around its axis and positioned under different angles around its axis by means of a set screw through the lid side plate which corresponds with the radial grooves of the cambered rod's end, offering a variation of the tensile forces in the ribbon. In another embodiment, a second rotating cambered rod is located between the print head and ribbon take-up roll to apply an uneven tensile force across the ribbon's width from its uncoated side.

Abstract: Accurate advance of a media sheet is achieved by carrying the media sheet on a belt loop support. An upstream pinch roller holds the media sheet to the belt upstream of the print zone. A downstream pinch roller holds the media sheet to the belt downstream of the print zone. A guide shim extends along the media path from a position upstream of the upstream pinch roller, passed the upstream pinch roller under a printhead adjacent to the print zone. The location of a lead edge of the guide shim relative to the print zone determines the minimum bottom margin for the inkjet printing device. The guide shim presses the media sheet to the belt support and keeps the media sheet flat under the inkjet printhead as the printhead moves over the media sheet.

Abstract: First and second sheet guides (21, 31) are arranged individually in front and at the back of a print head (6) in a sheet feeding direction. Each of these sheet guides (21, 31) has an arcuate end edge opposite to the print head (6), the width-direction central portion of the end edge being located at the longest distance from the print head so that the space between the end edge and the print head gradually increases with lateral distance from the width-direction central portion of the end edge. In consequence, the leading end portion of a sheet that is printed by means of the print head (6), especially its opposite ends, can be prevented from abutting against the sheet guides (21, 31) and causing jamming due to deformation of the sheet or the like as the leading end portion of the sheet passes through a gap between a conveyor plate (9) and the sheet guides (21, 31).

Abstract: A hot melt ink jet printing device 1 includes guides 27 disposed on a printing surface 11 of a platen 12 at both sides of a print area and guides 28 disposed downstream side of the platen 12 in a sheet feed direction F. Heaters 21, 25 are mounted on an under surface of the platen 12 for applying heat to a recording sheet 7 placed on the printing surface 11. The print head 13 is disposed away from the platen 12 such that a nozzle surface 13a of the print head 13 confront the printing surface 11. The guides 27, 28 effectively prevent the recording sheet 7 from rising off the printing surface 11 toward the print head 13 when the recording sheet 7 is supplied with heat from the heater 21, 25. In this way, the recording sheet 7 is prevented from contacting the nozzle surface 13a.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus having an image recording area for performing image recording onto a recording medium includes a head holding portion for holding an ink jet recording head, a platen, and a recording medium exhausting device. The platen has planar and facial sections. The planar section supports the recording medium opposed to the ink discharge ports in the image recording area. The facial section is disposed downstream of the image recording area with respect to a conveyance direction of the recording medium, and extends in a direction away from the ink discharge ports toward the conveyance direction. The planar section and the facial section are continuous, and the angle between the extension of the planar section and the facial section is from 3.7 to 7.5 degrees.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printer comprising a paper guide surface (11D) defining a printing region. A print head (8) is disposed opposite to the paper guide surface (11D) with a gap in between and adapted to move in parallel to the paper guide surface (11D) along the printing region (11) and beyond the printing region (11) into a retracted position (11C). A paper guide guides recording paper (5) to the printing region (11) and exposing it to the print head (8) in the printing region. The paper guide includes a guide plate (31) movable between a first position in which it is disposed opposite to the paper guide surface (11D) so as to guide recording paper (5) past the printing region (11), and a second position in which it is retracted from the printing region. A first pair of rollers is switchable between a closed state engaging each other for transporting the recording paper (5) to the printing region (11), and an open state separated from each other.

Abstract: A print media feed system feeds a print medium in an advance direction through a print zone in an ink jet printer. A printhead includes a plurality of ink emitting nozzles and defines the print zone. A media control surface is positioned in association with the printhead. The media control surface is configured for engaging a back side of the print medium. A feed roller is positioned upstream from the print zone relative to the advance direction of the print medium. At least one deflector plate assembly is pivotable about an axis of rotation and includes at least one metering roller and at least one deflector plate. Each metering roller is positioned in association and defines a nip with the feed roller through which the print medium passes. Each deflector plate includes a deflector end which is disposed between each metering roller and the printhead. The deflector end is configured for deflecting the print medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a printer comprising a paper guide surface (11D) defining a printing region. A print head (8) is disposed opposite to the paper guide surface (11D) with a gap in between and adapted to move in parallel to the paper guide surface (11D) along the printing region (11) and beyond the printing region (11) into a retracted position (11C). A paper guide guides recording paper (5) to the printing region (11) and exposing it to the print head (8) in the printing region. The paper guide includes a guide plate (31) movable between a first position in which it is disposed opposite to the paper guide surface (11D) so as to guide recording paper (5) past the printing region (11), and a second position in which it is retracted from the printing region. A drive source (31-38) moves the guide plate (31) from the first to the second position only when the print head (8) is in the retracted position (11C).

Abstract: A paper width detecting apparatus and method for an inkjet printer includes a right paper support integrally formed with a right home position detecting rib; a paper feeding portion for receiving paper sheets and supplying them for printing with the left paper guide movable left and right to tightly fix the paper at the reference of the right paper support; a paper feeding roller for supplying the paper sheets received from the paper feeding portion; a carrier that reciprocates for printing on the paper sheets supplied through the rotation of the paper feeding roller; a photosensor for detecting a light signal output from a light emitting device mounted on the left paper end detecting rib to determine a paper width.

Abstract: In order to provide a lightweight, low-cost portable image processing device capable of reading the front and reverse side of a manuscript or printing on the front and reverse side of paper in one loading there is provided one or more read heads and/or print heads, one or more platen rollers and a guide mechanism for guiding paper in a forward direction.

Abstract: A transport roller device of a color thermal printer is constituted of a capstan roller and a main press roller for nipping recording paper therebetween and transporting the recording paper selectively in opposite directions. The transport roller device further has a supplemental guide member for keeping the recording paper in contact with a peripheral surface of the capstan roller through a constant angle in either transporting direction, thereby to maintain paper transporting amount per a rotational angle of the capstan roller unchanged.

Abstract: A printing machine comprising a conveyance path for conveying printing paper, and a position sensor for detecting the end of the printing paper passing through the conveyance path. Printing is carried out at a prescribed position on the printing paper, in accordance with this position sensor. The position sensor is located movably in a transverse direction to the conveyance path. It can be withdrawn to a position where it poses no obstacle when setting printing paper in the conveyance path.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for effecting recording by a recording device carried on a carriage movable along a recording material includes a platen for supporting the recording material in a recording region in which the recording device effects the recording on the recording material; a confining member for confining the recording material on the platen; a supporting member mounted on the carriage to support the carriage for movement thereof along the recording material and in contact with the confining member, wherein the supporting member engages to and disengages from an elastically deformable portion of the confining member outside the recording region.

Abstract: A plurality of spaced-apart deflector guides are positioned over the input platen of a printer. They are suspended from an elongated media shield which extends laterally across an input media path such that a leading edge of media can easily fit under both the media shield and deflector guides. Each deflector guide has a plurality of downward facing surfaces such as ribs for directing the media toward an input slot defined by a top surface of the input platen, a terminal edge of the deflector guides, and a terminal edge of the media shield. The spaces between the deflector guides are wide enough to allow both hands to be placed directly on the media adjacent to or between two deflector guides for easy manual manipulation of a leading edge of the media into general alignment with the input slot where it can be gripped between the main pick roller and opposing pinch wheels for feeding into a print zone on the printer. The invention is applicable to both sheet feed and rollfeed printer devices.

Abstract: A sheet to be fed by a sheet feed roller is loaded on a sheet feed tray, and a side regulating member is disposed so as to be movable in accordance with the sheet size in order to regulate the position of the loaded sheet in the direction of the sheet width. The side regulating member extends downstream from the sheet feed roller in the sheet feeding direction in order to regulate the position of the sheet in the direction of the sheet width, thereby preventing oblique movement of the sheet.

Abstract: A paper discharge section for a printer having a printer body includes first and second support portions mounted on the printer body. At least one of the support portions is slidable towards and away from the other support portion. A paper pushing down portion is mounted on the printer body and positioned intermediate the support portions. The first support portion can rotate between at least a first position at which the first support portion supports a first bottom side portion of the sheet of paper and at least a second position in which the first support portion does not support the first bottom side portion of a sheet of paper. A slidable edge guide for guiding a first side edge of a sheet of paper is provided and slidable towards the other edge guide. A linkage mechanism links the slidable edge guide to the first support portion to cause the first edge guide and first support portion to slide together.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to prevent a sheet of continuous-form paper from slackening when it is fed back in a printer capable of feeding both sheets of continuous-form paper and cut-form paper.

Abstract: Mailing machine for feeding a mailpiece and printing a postal indicia thereon. The mailing machine includes: a drive assembly for feeding the mailpiece in a path of travel, a printer located adjacent to the path of travel to define a print station, the printer for printing the postal indicia on the mailpiece as the mailpiece is fed through the print station; a wall parallel to the path of travel for registering a top edge of the mailpiece; a shield located in the print station for registering a top surface of the mailpiece, the shield having a suitable opening to allow the printer to print on the top surface of the of the mailpiece; and a guide assembly for biasing the top surface of the mailpiece against the shield.

Abstract: A print head 6 is disposed next to a transportation path for transporting a cut-sheet form V. A guide frame 17 with a guide member 17a projecting into the transportation path away from the print head 6 is disposed on the cut-sheet form V insertion opening side of the print head 6. A platen unit 16 with a platen 33 is mounted to rotate freely, and a frame member 30 is disposed on the platen unit 16. When the platen unit 16 is closed, the guide member 17a of the guide frame 17 and the guide member 30b of the frame member 30 touch, thus forming an ejection path guiding the roll paper S away from the junction with the cut-sheet form V transportation path. When the platen unit 16 is opened, the guide member 17a of guide frame 17 and the guide member 30b of frame member 30 separate, thereby enabling cut-sheet form V insertion.

Abstract: A platen-driven thermal dye printer mechanism (1), and more particularly to a cone-shaped scuff roller (7) which aligns a dye print receiver media sheet (2) with the receiver guide wall (8) during printing in a reciprocating direction (5). Using at least one conical shaped scuff roller (7) at one end of a platen roller (4) to transport the precut dye receiver media (2). The conical scuff roller (7) presses the back surface of the dye receiver media (2) against the non-imaging margin of the thermal dye printer mechanism (1). The invention uses a smooth guiding plate (28) and platen (4) thus, preventing scratches on the front surface of the receiver media (2). The invention is not subject to costly breakdowns, in that it uses the clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of the platen (4) to provide perfect alignment of the receiver media (2) and printer head (9).

Abstract: A paper detection device for a printer, includes: a support member; a main lever pivotably mounted on the support member, wherein the main lever has a self-resetability to an upright position and is pivotable only in a sheet-feed-direction; an auxiliary lever pivotably mounted on the main lever, including a free end protruding into a sheet passage, wherein the auxiliary lever has a self-resetability and moves the main lever in the sheet-feed direction when the free end thereof is urged in the sheet-feed direction, but does not move the main lever in a reverse-sheet-feed direction when the free end of the auxiliary lever is urged in a reverse-sheet-feed direction.

Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus using an ink jet recording head for recording by discharging ink onto a recording medium arranged in a recording area includes a device for feeding the recording medium. The feeding device is arranged along the recording area and is provided with a mechanism to provide an irregular configuration of the recording medium in the direction intersecting the feeding direction thereof. This minimizes each individual cockling that may take place due to the permeation of ink into the recording medium when images are recorded thereon by the ink jet recording apparatus, and also, orientates the cockling downward reliably in order to prevent the recording medium from being in contact with the recording head to obtain a good quality of recorded images.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a platen, a dot impact print head (23) opposite to the platen, a mask plate (40) between the platen and the print head with a paper passage between the platen and the mask plate (40), and an ink ribbon (31) between the print head and the mask plate. Transport mechanisms are provided to move the mask plate (40) in a direction substantially perpendicular to said paper passage between a first position on the print head side and a second position on the platen side, the transport mechanisms being responsive to the position of the print head along the platen. In the first position of the mask plate a relatively wide gap between the platen and the mask plate enables easy paper insertion, while in the second position a relatively wide gap between the mask plate and the print head facilitates replacement of the ink ribbon without problems.

Abstract: A combination printer and scanner comprises a frame, rollers mounted in the frame for defining a single paper path therethrough, an automatic sheet feeder mounted to the frame for selectively providing to the single paper path clean paper print sheets, and an automatic document feeder mounted to the frame for selectively providing to the single paper path documents having text and/or graphics printed thereon to be scanned. The combination printer and scanner further comprises a scanner station mounted in the frame for scanning documents conveyed through the single paper path and a printer station mounted in the frame for printing text and/or graphics on print sheets conveyed through the single paper path. A document feeder cartridge is normally positioned adjacent a scanner window of the scanner station to partially define a segment of the single paper path adjacent the scanner station.

Abstract: A top loading apparatus for use in a sheet feeding system for a printer is disclosed, wherein a finger which performs sheet loading is operated with a lever by user manipulation and is capable of elastic restoration. The apparatus comprises a lever rotatably mounted to a frame for moving at an angle of predetermined degree, torsion spring having its arms engagedly fixed to frame and lever, respectively, for supporting a restoration of level, a finger having its fixed arm rotatably and pivotally mounted to frame so that its free arm moves to load a sheet, and an elastic member which links frame and finger for allowing finger to be elastically restored when lever restores.

Abstract: Imaging apparatus including a guide for guiding a receiver medium therethrough with reduced friction and a guide assembly method therefor. The guide includes mounting portions adapted to be received by mounting locations precisely positioned in a support frame capable of supporting the guide. The mounting portions must precisely mate with the mounting locations so that the guide is properly mounted on the frame during assembly of the imaging apparatus. In this regard, the guide is formed of a flexible material having a relatively low value of Young's modulus of elasticity, so that the guide can be flexed in order to manipulate the guide into position for mating engagement of the mounting portions with the mounting locations. Moreover, the guide is made of a material having a low coefficient of sliding friction for sliding of receiver medium therealong, so that the receiver medium is neither scratched by the guide nor sticks to the guide to cause "jamming" of the apparatus by the receiver medium.

Abstract: A media handling system includes a drive roller, an elongated pinch roller and a contoured support. The pinch roller extends across the print medium near the print zone to control the localized shape of the print medium. The support underlies the print medium in the print zone and includes first and second underlying pivotal inclines. The pinch rollers push the print medium onto the first pivotal incline adjacent to the drive roller. The second underlying incline is located downstream toward the print zone exit. As the print medium is fed through the print zone, a portion of the print medium within the print zone between the pivotal inclines is suspended exhibiting a reverse bowing. Beyond the second pivotal incline the print medium droops. The presence of the two underlying inclines more uniformly distributes the stress accompanying the bowing of the print medium within the print zone.

Abstract: A printer including a paper guide auxiliary member for guiding recording paper to the vicinity of the lower end of a printing area in which a print head performs printing, a paper side regulating member formed of elastic material for guiding both sides outside of the printing area of recording paper transferred from the paper guide auxiliary member towards the exit of the recording paper, and a gap forming member located outside of recording paper path and pressed between the paper side regulating member and platen. The recording paper is guided along the platen by the paper side regulating member while being transferred in the predetermined gap formed between the paper side regulating member and platen without frictional force, thereby avoiding the need for a mask plate which often causes problems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus having an information processing section for recording information on a sheet member or reading information therefrom. The information processing apparatus further has a platen disposed in the information processing section, a head member disposed opposite to the platen in the information processing section so as to record information on the sheet member or reading information therefrom, a conveyance mechanism for conveying the sheet member while passing it through the information processing section, and a conveyance passage displacement mechanism for displacing a conveyance passage for the sheet member by reciprocating between the platen side of the conveyance passage and the head member side thereof, the moving amount of the conveyance passage displacement mechanism being variable.

Abstract: A printer for feeding printing sheets of different thicknesses including a sheet feeding roller 30 adapted to convey a printing sheet P. A pinch roller having a shaft 40a is provided and adapted to press a printing sheet against sheet feeding roller. A supporting member 41 is provided for rotatably supporting pinch roller 40 through shaft 41. An urging member 45 is provided for applying the pressing force through the supporting member to the pinch roller. A guide member 46, discrete from supporting member 41, is positioned by shaft 40a of pinch roller 30, and adapted to lead the front edge of the printing sheet to the nipping region of sheet feeding roller 30 and pinch roller 40.

Abstract: A sheet is fed to a printing zone of a printhead by a feed roller and a pressure roller. An elastic sheet guide plate is joined to a lever supporting the pressure roller. The guide plate comes into contact with the feed roller upstream from a nip defined by the feed roller and the pressure roller. A nip between the conveying roller and the guide plate allows to register the sheet. The sheet, after having passed through the nip formed between the conveying roller and the guide plate, is directed to the printing zone of the printhead by the guide plate. As the guide plate extends from the printhead side end portion of the lever to a position just before the printhead, the sheet trailing edge is prevented from interfering with the printhead. Ink will not soil the sheet trailing edge, and, it is possible to achieve a high quality printing to a position extremely nearby the sheet trailing edge by using the guide plate.

Abstract: A ribbon mask for use with a impact dot matrix printer is provided. The ribbon mask comprises a head confronting surface and a pair of opposed side plates each positioned on an opposite side of the head confronting surface. An obtuse angle is formed between said head confronting surface each of the opposed side plates. A pair of fitting tabs are also provided. Each fitting tab is positioned on one of the pair of opposed side plates. An acute angle is formed between each of the fitting tabs and a plane parallel to a plane in which the head confronting surface lies. As a result of this construction, when the ribbon mask comes in contact with a sheet of a recording medium, the ribbon mask is deformed so that a portion of the head confronting surface comes into contact with an end of a recording head, which in turn prevents the ribbon mask from interfering with the sheet of the recording medium.

Abstract: A metering roller and feed guide are included in a desktop printer between a first roller and a print zone. During first side printing, a media sheet is fed along the first roller and directed by an upper feed guide over the refeed guide to a second roller. The metering roller feeds the media sheet through the print zone. As the trailing edge approaches a metering pinch line, the metering roller stops. After a drying time, the second roller reverses direction moving the media sheet back toward the refeed guide. The refeed guide blocks the original path and directs the media sheet toward a repick guide and the first roller. The media sheet is fed onto the first roller for second side printing. In one embodiment the media sheet is wrapped around the first roller and unwrapped into the input tray during the refeed process to accommodate long media sheets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermal printer for printing a card. The printer includes a housing having an input/output end configured for both inputting the card into the housing and outputting the card from the housing. A print head is positioned within the housing for printing the card. A card input station and a card output station are located at the input/output end of the housing. A stationary diverter ramp is positioned between the input/output end of the housing and the print head. The diverter ramp has a sloped diverting surface generally facing away from the input/output end of the housing. The printer is also equipped with a mechanism for feeding the card from the input station, past the diverter ramp, to the print head. The printer further includes a mechanism for reversing direction of the card and feeding the card from the print head back towards the diverter ramp such that the card engages the sloped diverting surface of the diverter ramp and is directed toward the output station.

Abstract: A printer device for performing printing by a thermal head using a color ink ribbon cassette 60, in which the device may be reduced in size. A sheet guide plate 2 is mounted on a lid 1 that can be opened and closed. When a printing sheet P is moved back and forth for multi-color printing, the sheet P is moved within the range of the lid 1 below the sheet guide plate 2. During non-use time, the lid 1 is closed, whereby the device becomes smaller in size than the range of movement of the printing sheet P.

Abstract: Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a printer is provided for consistently printing on a sheet of recording media regardless of any curl in the recording media. The printer includes a feed roller for feeding a sheet of recording medium through the printer. At least one pinch roller is provided for pressing the sheet against the feed roller. At least one guide is provided with an end which contacts the feed roller in the vicinity of the contact point so as to guide the sheet toward the contact point. A biasing member is provided for biasing the end of the guide against the feed roller, and at least one control roller is rotatably attached to the guide to control the contact force exerted by the end of the guide against the feed roller.

Abstract: This invention relates to printers for printing on and cutting linerless, adhesive-backed, strip media. Described and claimed are methods and apparatus related to--(1) bridges for bridging a platen roller to minimize its exposed surface to the adhesive, (2) a printing station wherein the printhead moves over stationary media, (3) media having non-activated adhesive and a printer which activates the adhesive only after printing on and cutting the media, and (4) media having the adhesive in strips with non-adhesive gaps between and a cutting or tearing station for separating finished labels at the gaps.

Abstract: A paper discharge section for a printer having a printer body includes first and second support portions mounted on the printer body. At least one of the support portions is slidable towards and away from the other support portion. The first support portion can rotate between at least a first position at which the first support portion supports a first bottom side portion of the sheet of paper and at least a second position in which the first support portion does not support the first bottom side portion of a sheet of paper. A slidable edge guide for guiding a first side edge of a sheet of paper is provided and slidable towards the other edge guide. A linkage mechanism links the slidable edge guide to the first support portion to cause the edge guide and first support portion to slide together.

Abstract: An apparatus for registering substrates while they are partially in a turn baffle assembly. The apparatus includes a registration transport assembly and a turn baffle assembly having a pinch roller assembly. The pinch roller assembly includes a set of pinch rollers which feed the substrate through the turn baffle assembly and into the registration transport assembly. The pinch roller assembly also includes a motion inducing device for selectively moving one pinch roller away from the other and a low friction roller which is somewhat larger than one of the pinch rollers. The low friction roller is located near a pinch roller such that when the pinch rollers are moved apart, the low friction roller biases the substrate way from a pinch roller so as to reduce or eliminate friction between the substrate and that pinch roller.

Abstract: Formed on a base frame of a printer is a guide surface which forms one surface of a portion of a paper passage. A pair of rollers of a transferring device are supported proximate one end. A cover frame and a carriage unit are each formed with a guide member, and an urging device, for example, a movable guide lever, and a roller are supported thereby. By mounting the carriage unit and the cover frame onto the base frame from above there is formed a portion of the paper passage, that is a passage for the feed of the paper, in a space where the guide members are spacedly opposed to the guide surface. At the same time, the movable guide lever and the roller are urged against a roller of the transferring device. After assembly, a paper storage tray of an automatic paper feeder is inserted into the printer in a position behind the paper passage.

Abstract: An impact dot printer designed to reduce noise, including a first cover, a second cover, and an overlap portion therebetween. The first cover is located above a print section, and may include sound wave reflecting plates, sheet guide plates, and a sound absorbing member, each reflecting plate, each sheet guide plate, and the sound absorbing member being arranged close to the print section. The second cover is rotatable relative to the first cover and forms a printed sheet discharge path together with the first cover. The second cover also has sound wave reflecting plates and sheet guide plates. Each sheet guide plate is designed to be projected farther from the associated cover than the corresponding reflecting plate on said cover. The distance between adjacent sheet guide plates is made smaller than the width of the smallest sheet to be used in the printer.

Abstract: Printed paper is peeled off from an ink sheet at a rear sheet guide roller to be initially fed along a tangential line on a platen roller. When the leading edge of the paper reaches a projecting portion on one of two guide plates, the paper is forcibly bent or redirected toward the other guide plate beyond or through the tangential line, the paper being formed in a shape generally resembling the letter S along a clearance between the projecting portion and the other guide plate. The paper carried in this shape has an inherent stiffness and therefore does not generate vibration due to shaking when peeled off from the ink sheet at the rear sheet guide roller. Consequently, the paper does not beat the guide plates and generates no noise.

Abstract: A printer for printing characters and images on recording paper comprising: a paper cassette for storing the recording paper; a platen roller around which the recording paper is wound at the time of the transfer of images for printing; a clamping mechanism for clamping the recorrding paper between the clamping mechanism and the platen roller; a motor for driving the platen roller through a gear unit; a thermal printing head for transfferring images onto the recording paper; a paper feeding rollers for feeding the recording paper from the paper cassette to the clamper; a paper discharging rollers for discharging the recording paper upon the completion of the transfer of images thereto; and an ink cassette storing an ink sheet inside thereof; in which the clamping mechanism comprises a clamper which is mounted on the platen roller in such a manner as to permit the free movement of the clamper, holds the recording paper by pushing the recording paper onto the platen roller in a first position and also releases t