Seiko Epson Corporation

Yoshikazu Itoh

Naoki Asai

Hiroshi Narita

A recording medium feed mechanism for a printer includes first, second and third transport sections in the printer along a medium pathway wherein the first transport section is disposed at the insertion point of the recording medium into the printer, the second transport section is disposed immediately before the printer section relative to the direction of transport of the recording medium and the third transport section is disposed immediately after the printer section relative to the direction of transport of the recording medium. A single drive source is adapted for driving in common drive rollers at all three transport sections. First, second and third opening/closing mechanisms are incorporated respectively at the first, second and third transport sections to provide closure and medium engagement and its transport when the medium is present at a particular transport section and to provide its opening when the medium is not present or no longer present at a particular transport section. A method of control is provided for determining when a recording medium is present or absent from a particular transport section utilizing a recording medium stop member and detector in the medium pathway from which the location of the leading or trailing edges of the recording medium can be ascertained. Enhancement in accurate control is achieved in medium transport permitting the extension of data printing in medium margins adjacent the leading and trailing edges of the medium.

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Suwa, Japan

Yoshikazu Itoh