US 5,335,005 A · Expanded area printing methods and associated apparatus for an image reproduction machine

Abstract

A laser printer is provided with the ability to receive and sequentially print portions of an image substantially larger than the cut paper sheet size or sizes the printer is ordinarily configured to handle. The outsized image to be printed is input to the printer controller and stored in its memory. An oversized cut paper sheet is then folded in half and placed in the printer's manual feed area with the folded side edge of the sheet against an alignment guide and the doubled front edge of the sheet against the edge sensor portion of the printer. The printer's "PRINT" button is then pressed. Via operation of the printer controller microprocessor, a first signal representative of half the stored image is responsively output to the printer's laser generator, thereby imprinting the image half on the underside of the folded sheet. After it exits the printer, the operator flips the folded sheet over, operatively re-inserts it into the manual feed area against the alignment guide, and presses the print button again. This time the printer controller outputs a second signal representative of the balance of the stored image to the laser generator, thereby imprinting the balance of the image on the underside of the sheet as it traverses the printer. In this manner, for example, a printer having only 8.5" printing and paper feed widths may be used to print on an 11.times.17" sheet an image scaled to essentially fill the sheet.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method for use in conjunction with an image reproduction machine operative and dimensionally configured to receive, throughfeed and then discharge a first, nonfolded cut paper sheet having a nominal size and imprint thereon, within boundaries of a side surface thereof, an image transmitted to said machine, said method being useable to imprint on an oversized cut paper sheet having a size substantially larger than said nominal size, an oversized image of a printout size greater than that which could be accommodated by said first sheet, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting said oversized image to said machine;
folding said oversized sheet to form therefrom a folded sheet having a front end edge portion, a rear end portion, a side fold edge portion, and first outer side surface and second outer side surfaces opposite said first outer side surface;
feeding said folded sheet, front end portion first, through said machine and concurrently causing said machine to imprint a first portion of the received oversized image upon said first outer side surface of said folded sheet;
and
refeeding said folded sheet, in a flipped orientation, through said machine and concurrently causing said machine to imprint a second portion of the received oversized image upon said second outer side surface of said folded sheet.

2 more elements

A method for use in conjunction with an image reproduction machine having memory means for receiving and storing an image;

paper feed means, including a paper input area having a paper side edge alignment member, for receiving a cut paper sheet to be imprinted, operatively feeding the received sheet through the machine, and then discharging the sheet from said machine;
and image transfer means operable to imprint the stored image on a side surface of the sheet as the sheet is fed through said machine, said method being useable to imprint on an oversized cut paper sheet larger than a normal sheet size the machine is nominally configured to handle, an oversized image of a printout size greater than that which could be accommodated by said normal sheet size, said method comprising the steps of:
storing said oversized image in said memory means;
folding said oversized sheet to form a folded sheet having a front end edge portion, a rear end portion, a side fold edge portion extending between said front end portion and rear end edge portion, and first outer side surface and second outer side surface opposite said first outer side surface;
positioning said folded sheet, front end edge portion first, in said paper input area with said side fold edge portion against said alignment guide member;
operating said paper feed means to feed said folded sheet through, and then discharge said sheet from, said machine;
operating said image transfer means to imprint a first portion of the stored oversized image upon said first outer side surface of said folded sheet as said folded sheet passed through said machine;
flipping said folded sheet over after said folded sheet is discharged from said machine;
operatively positioning the flipped folded sheet in said paper input area against said alignment guide member;
operating said paper feed means to feed the flipped folded sheet through, and then discharge said sheet from, said machine;
and
operating said image transfer means to imprint a second portion of the stored oversized image upon said second outer side surface of the flipped folded sheet as the flipped folded sheet passes through said machine.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Expanded area printing methods and associated apparatus for an image reproduction machine

Life of this patent

Expanded area printing methods and associated apparatus for an image reproduction machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15