Printing apparatus comprising plural printing units

A printing unit for use in a printing apparatus comprising plural printing units, a common control means in common with the plural printing units for receiving data sent from a host device, and a first main housing for housing the plural printing units and the common control means, and wherein said printing unit comprises:

• a recording medium transportation means for transporting a recording medium, a printing means for printing on said recording medium, and a platen opposing said printing means with said recording medium disposed therebetween;
• a second housing for housing at least the recording medium transportation means, printing means, and platen;
• means for enabling complete removal of said second housing from said first main housing;
• and
• a connecting means for connecting to the common control means for the input of print data from the common control means.

A printing unit for use as one of plural printing units in printing apparatus comprising a common control circuit in common with the plural printing units for receiving data sent from a host device, and a first main housing for housing the plural printing units and the common control circuit, and wherein the printing unit comprises:

• a printing mechanism;
• a second housing for housing at least the printing mechanism;
• a connector detachably connected to the common control circuit for inputting print data therefrom to the printing mechanism;
• wherein the printing mechanism is positioned at a front edge of the second housing.

A printing unit for use as one of plural printing units in a printing apparatus comprising a common control circuit in common with the plural printing units for receiving data sent from a host device, and a first main housing for housing the plural printing units and the common control circuit, and wherein the printing unit comprises:

• a printing mechanism;
• a second housing for housing at least the printing mechanism;
• a connector detachably connected to the common control circuit for inputting print data therefrom to the printing mechanism;
• a first recording medium housing which stores a recording medium before printing;
• a second recording medium housing which stores the recording medium after printing;
• and
• a cover, disposed to enable opening and closing of the second housing, for covering at least the second recording medium housing.

A printing unit for use as one of plural printing units in a printing apparatus comprising a common control circuit in common with the plural printing units for receiving data sent from a host device, wherein the common control circuit controls the operation of each of the plural printing units, and a first main housing for housing the plural printing units and the common control circuit, and wherein the printing unit comprises:

• a printing mechanism;
• a second housing for housing at least the printing mechanism;
• and
• a connector detachably connected to the common control circuit for inputting print data therefrom to the printing mechanism;
• wherein the printing mechanism is positioned at a front end of the second housing.

A printing unit for use as one of plural printing units in a printing apparatus comprising a common control circuit in common with the plural printing units for receiving data sent from a host device, and a first main housing for housing the plural printing units and the common control circuit, and wherein the printing unit comprises:

• a printing mechanism;
• a second housing for housing at least the printing mechanism;
• and
• a connector detachably connected to the common control circuit for inputting print data therefrom to the printing mechanism;
• wherein the printing mechanism is positioned at a front end of the second housing;
• and
• wherein the second housing comprises a first recording medium compartment disposed behind the printing mechanism, wherein the first recording medium compartment stores a recording medium to be printed.

A printing unit for use as one of plural printing units in a printing apparatus comprising a common control circuit in common with the plural printing units for receiving data sent from a host device, and a first main housing for housing the plural printing units so that the plural printing units are arranged in line backward and forward with each other and the common control circuit, and wherein the printing unit comprises:

• a printing mechanism;
• a second housing for housing at least the printing mechanism;
• and
• a connector detachably connected to the common control circuit for inputting print data therefrom to the printing mechanism.

A printing unit for use as one of plural printing units in a printing apparatus comprising a common control circuit in common with the plural printing units for receiving data sent from a host device, and a first main housing for housing the plural printing units and the common control circuit, and wherein the printing unit comprises:

• a printing mechanism including a transportation mechanism that transports a recording medium;
• a second housing for housing at least the printing mechanism;
• and
• a connector detachably connected to the common control circuit for inputting print data therefrom to the printing mechanism;
• wherein the printing mechanism is positioned at a front end of the second housing.