US 5,308,175 A · Printer with reverse sheet feed path to sheet inlet

Abstract

In this printer, switching between a single-sheet form feed path and a continuous form feed path occurs by rotating a paper guide when feeding the forms. When the printed single-sheet form is to be discharged onto a table, the tail end of the form is detected by a first single-sheet form sensor. Form feed is stopped for a moment, and the paper guide is rotated toward the continuous form feed path. Reverse feed of the form is resumed and continued until the tail end of the form reaches approximate center of the paper guide. The paper guide is then rotated toward the single-sheet form feed path. The tail end of the form is bent toward the table, and the form is discharged onto the table. As a result, single-sheet forms fed from a manual insertion port or from an automatic paper sheet feeder can be conveyed after finishing printing to the position where the forms are inserted in a stabilized manner without causing the forms to jam on the discharge path.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A printer that prints on single-sheet forms and a continuous form and is capable of discharging the printed single-sheet forms back to an input position, comprising:

a printing area;
a feed path leading to the printing area comprising a single-sheet feed path for feeding single-sheets to the printing area and a continuous sheet feed path for feeding a continuous sheet to the printing area, the continuous sheet feed path joining the single-sheet feed path at a joining area;
a feeding mechanism coupled to the single-sheet feed path and the continuous sheet feed path that selectively feeds single-sheets and a continuous sheet to and from the printing area;
a path switch disposed in the joining area of the feed path and movable between at least a first position and a second position in the feed path;
and
a controller coupled to the feeding mechanism controlling forward and reverse driving of the feeding mechanism and coupled to the path switch controlling movement of the path switch between the first position and the second position, said controller delaying driving of the feeding mechanism and moving the path switch into the first position when a sheet is located adjacent the path switch during discharge.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Printer with reverse sheet feed path to sheet inlet

Life of this patent

Printer with reverse sheet feed path to sheet inlet

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26