Ziyad Incorporated

Ludwig J Kapp

Dominick Fazio

Tadeusz Staniszewski

Richard Hollerith

Mark Crowley

Sheet feeder for printers

There is disclosed a paper feeder apparatus attached to a printer or other device. The paper feeder apparatus employs two trays each of which are capable of accommodating papers of different sizes and an envelope tray for accommodating envelopes. The feeder is controlled by a host computer of the type capable of generating feeder and printer control commands. These commands are transmitted to control logic associated with the paper feeder which control logic is under control of a microprocessor. The microprocessor assumes complete control of the entire paper feed mechanism and communication to the printer. Thus, the microprocessor operates two motors associated with the paper feed path. A first motor is operated so that a sheet of paper can be withdrawn from either of the two trays and then transported along a paper path. A sensor in conjunction with the path determines the exact position of the paper which then causes the microprocessor to actuate a second drive motor to assure that the paper is brought into the vicinity of the printer input slot. The microprocessor, as indicated, performs all control functions as driving motors and operating solenoids to assure that a proper feed operation occurs. The microprocessor also has means for monitoring the temperature of the motors to assure that they are operating in a proper temperature range. The microprocessor also receives inputs from each of the trays to determine whether or not paper is being accommodated by the trays and to receive further inputs indicative of the status of the various sensors which are utilized to monitor the path of the paper or the envelope as it is directed towards the operating input slot of the printer. The microprocessor is also programmed to perform threshold tests whereby the sensors associated with each of the different paths as the paper path and the envelope path are tested in regard to ambient light so that a new threshold level is set for the sensor prior to a paper load or envelope load operation. In this manner, the sensors always exhibit a maximum response and therefore enable the paper feeder to accommodate different quality papers of different colors, different tones and different reflecting surfaces.

Paper sheet and envelope feeder apparatus

There is illustrated and described a printing device having an integrated paper feeding apparatus adapted for supplying individual sheets of paper to the printing device to effect printing thereon. The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus for the present invention is particularly suitable for use in word processing systems where the information to be printed in hard copy is contained in a memory device such as a floppy disk or the like. The apparatus may be directly linked to word processing equipment to receive the text of material to be printed. In addition to having the capability of automatically feeding individual sheets of paper from one or more paper trays to the printing device, the apparatus includes an automatic envelope supply mechanism for supplying individual envelopes to the printing device, as well as a manual paper feed option. After effecting printing on the paper or envelope, an ejector mechanism ejects the printed paper from the apparatus and into a receptacle in collated form. All components of the apparatus are enclosed in a single housing having suitable sound reducing material provided to reduce the operational noise of the apparatus. The housing is provided with openings to receive the paper trays and an envelope tray, as well as a top liftable cover designed to provide easy access to the components of the apparatus within the housing.

Integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus

A paper feeding apparatus capable of feeding both individual sheets of paper, such as stationary, and envelopes to a printing device for printing of matter thereon, the printing device including a print head for printing on a sheet of paper and a paper moving platen for providing relative movement between the sheets of paper and the print head to effect printing on the paper. The paper feeding apparatus includes a first paper storage tray for storing a plurality of sheets of paper, and first paper drive rollers for feeding of a sheet of paper from the paper storage tray along a paper feed path to the platen on the printing device. The paper feed path is at least partially defined by a deflector plate which is arranged opposite from the first paper storage tray and is parallel to one side of the paper feed path so that sheets of paper are deflected by one surface of the deflector plate to be directed toward the paper moving platen as they are fed from the paper storage tray. A plurality of envelopes are adapted to be supported by the opposite, second surface of the deflector plate. A passageway is provided between the second surface of the deflector plate and the paper feed path so that envelopes may be fed therethrough into the paper feed path toward the paper moving platen. A second set of drive rollers are provided for feeding the envelopes through the passageway.

Paper feeding apparatus for printing apparatus

A paper feeding apparatus for feeding of individual sheets of paper to a printing device for the printing of matter thereon, the printing device including a print head for printing on a sheet of paper and a paper moving platen for providing relative movement between sheets of paper and the print head to effect printing on the paper. The paper feeding apparatus includes a paper storage tray for storing a plurality of sheets of paper, and a paper drive and guide apparatus for feeding a sheet of paper from the paper storage tray along a paper feed path to the platen of the printing device. A sensor is provided in the paper feed path for sensing when a sheet of paper is in position for being received by the platen, at which time the platen is then actuated to receive the sheet of paper being fed along the paper feed path and to move the sheet of paper relative to the print head to accurately position the sheet of paper in a printing position for the start of printing thereon by the print head. In the preferred embodiment, a second sensor is provided along a paper exit path from the printing device which is utilized to indicate that the platen has received a sheet of paper and to position the paper properly in a printing position for the start of printing. Further, apparatus are provided for ejecting the paper from the printing device after printing has been completed on the sheet of paper.

Growing community of inventors

Montville, NJ, United States of America

Ludwig J Kapp