Matsushita Graphic Communication Systems, Inc.

Hiraku Yamamoto

Masao Yamada

Yoshihiro Ikeda

Chiaki Ohigashi

Keiji Ueki

Tatsuya Katano

Hitoshi Kato

A color image recording apparatus comprises edge detection device with image sensors for detecting longitudinal edges of electrostatic recording paper, and mark detection device for detecting registration marks formed at an equal pitch along the edges of the recording paper. Both edges are detected at a first pass thereof through the edge detection device, and the detected output is stored in a memory. During each of second and subsequent passes, detected data is compared with the initially stored data to correct for expansion and shrinkage of the recording paper. Oblique motion of the recording paper is detected from the timing difference between registration marks formed on opposite sides of the recording paper, which timing difference is used to change line recording timing. A single correction is periodically repeated and changed until completion of the correcting for oblique motion of the recording paper as well as expansion or shrinkage thereof, hence ensuring an exact positional coincidence of the individual color images.

Apparatus for forming a color image

An improved automatic roll-in take-up roller for winding and unwinding a continuous sheet-like recording medium is disclosed, which comprises a plurality of cams disposed inside a hollow cylindrical body of the take-up roller for releasably holding a leading end of the recording medium inside the take-up roller, and a switching guide unit disposed immediately upstream of take-up roller for guiding the recording medium toward the take-up roller or a cutter. After the leading end of the recording medium is retained on the take-up roller, the guide unit can be displaced to a position spaced far distant from an outer peripheral surface of the take-up roller so that a large number of turns of the recording medium can be wound around the take-up roller. The cams are arranged along a longitudinal axis of the take-up roller at such a distribution that the recording medium is automatically aligned even when the leading end of the recording paper is inserted into the take-up roller in an obliquely displaced condition. An automatic multi-color image recording apparatus incorporating such a take-up roller is also disclosed.

Automatic roll-in take-up reel and multi-color image recording apparatus

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Chigasaki, Japan

Hiraku Yamamoto