Apparatus for producing an information recording card

A card producing apparatus comprising:

• a feeder capable of containing a plurality of stacked cards for recording magnetic data and print data thereon, and allowing a predetermined number of cards to be removed from it;
• data writing means for writing magnetic data onto a card of said plurality of stacked cards;
• said data writing means having first transport means for transporting said card in a predetermined direction therethrough;
• a printer for writing print data on a predetermined portion of said card;
• said printer having a holding stage for said card located on a sliding mechanism, a thermal ribbon feeding and take up mechanism, thermal heads and second transport means for transporting said card;
• a coating device having heating means for forming a cover layer over a printed surface of said card;
• a stacker, having third transport means for said card from said printer into said stacker for storing a predetermined number of said plurality of stacked cards therein;
• first detecting means for detecting whether said card is present within said data writing means and when no said card is present within said data writing means, providing a card transporting command signal to introduce said card to said data writing means;
• second detecting means for detecting whether said card is present within said printer and when no said card is present within said printer, providing a card transporting command signal to introduce said card from said data writing means into said printer;
• and
• third detecting means for detecting a completion of printing by said printer so that said card transported out of said printer is stored in said stacker;
• wherein said second transport means of said printer includes a reciprocating stage between a card inlet position and a card outlet position, said stage having a support surface for receiving, at said card inlet position, said card which slides thereon;
• a catching groove provided at said card inlet end of said stage, said catching groove being arranged to project above said support surface for supporting a trailing edge of an introduced said card after introduction of said card, said catching groove being lowered after said stage has been placed in said card outlet position and said card has been removed;
• a projection member being provided on a portion of said stage where a leading edge of said card is to be located, said projection member being arranged to support said leading edge of said card when said card is brought onto said support surface, said projection member being lowered below said support surface when said stage has been placed in said card outlet position;
• a claw member together with a presser member located above said card inlet position of said stage, said claw member being for causing said trailing edge of said card to slide to a predetermined position on said support surface when said card is brought onto said support surface, said presser member being for pressing said trailing edge of said card on said support surface toward said card outlet position when said stage has been placed in said card outlet position;
• said thermal head for effecting transfer to a predetermined portion of said card via said thermal ribbon being located above said card outlet position of said stage.