Integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus

Claim 2

An integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus comprising: a housing providing a sound-proofing enclosure for sheets of paper to be moved along a paper path which extends from a paper supply station past a printing station to a paper retrieval station, said paper supply station, said printing station and said paper retrieval station being located interiorly of said housing; said housing including a paper supply opening therein adjacent said paper supply station for providing access to said paper supply station, and a paper retrieval opening provided in said housing adjacent said paper retrieval station for providing access to said paper retrieval station, said paper supply opening and said paper retrieval opening being provided at spaced locations from one another in said housing, and said housing being constructed to provide a substantially closed enclosure, except for said paper supply opening and said paper retrieval opening, for sheets of paper moved along said paper path to thereby minimize sound eminating from within said housing during operation of the integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus; said housing further including an operable paper retrieval cover member adjacent said paper retrieval opening, said paper retrieval cover member being operative to substantially close said paper retrieval opening in said housing, and being openable to provide access to said paper retrieval station for removing sheets of paper therefrom; paper storing means for storing a plurality of individual sheets of paper, said paper storing means being removably insertable through said paper supply opening in said housing for mounting said paper storing means within said housing at said paper supply station so that said individual sheets of paper stored in said paper storing means are completely contained within said housing, said paper storing means including supply opening closing means arranged thereon for closing said paper supply opening of said housing when said paper storing means is inserted through said paper supply opening and mounted within said housing; paper feeding means arranged within said housing at said paper supply station for feeding individual sheets of paper along said paper path from said paper supply means toward said printing station when said paper supply means is inserted through and mounted within said housing; printing means arranged at said printing station within said housing for printing on a sheet of paper; paper advancing means arranged within said housing along said paper path for advancing a sheet of paper fed by said paper feeding means past said printing means to effect printing thereon and for thereafter advancing said sheet of paper after printing has been effected thereon along said paper path toward said paper retrieval station within said housing; paper receptacle means arranged at said paper retrieval station within said housing for receiving and storing sheets of paper advanced by said paper advancing means from said printing means; said housing including a first housing part and second housing part, said first housng part having said paper supply opening therein and having said paper feeding means and said printing means contained interiorly therewithin, and said second housing part having said paper retrieval opening therein and having said paper receptacle means contained therewithin, and said second housing part further being openable with respect to said first housing part to provide access to the interior of said first housing part; and control means for controlling the operation of said paper feeding means, said printing means and said paper advancing means whereby said housing together with said supply opening closing means on said paper storing means and said openable paper retrieval cover member provide a substantially closed enclosure for said paper feeding means, said printing means and said paper advancing means and for said individual sheets of paper before, during and after printing is effected thereon to minimize sound eminating from within said housing during operation of said printing and paper feeding apparatus.

Claim 3

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 1 further including a manual paper feed path for manually feeding individual sheets of paper from a supply external to said housing to said paper advancing means.

Claim 4

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 1 further including an envelope feed path for feeding individual envelopes from a supply of said envelopes within said housing to said paper advancing means.

Claim 5

The integrated printer and paper paper feeding apparatus of claim 1 further including paper gripping mechanism for engaging paper being moved through said apparatus, said paper gripping mechanism including paper gripping means arranged adjacent said paper advancing means and movable between a first position in which a sheet of paper is gripped between said paper gripping means and said paper advancing means and a second position in which said paper gripping means is spaced from said paper advancing means; a first member and a second member positioned along an exit portion of said paper path, said exit portion of said paper path extending between said printing station and said paper retrieval station, and said first member being movable between a first position in which said first member is spaced from said second member and a second position in which a sheet of paper is gripped between said first and second members; paper gripping controlling means for controlling the movement of said paper gripping means and said first member between said respective first and second positions, said paper gripping controlling means being movable in a first direction and a second direction; and connecting means for coupling said paper gripping means and said first member to said paper gripping controlling means so that said paper gripping means moves from said first position toward said second position when said paper gripping controlling means is moved in said first direction, and so that said first member moves from said first position toward said second position when said paper gripping control means is moved in said second direction.

Claim 6

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 4 wherein said paper gripping means pivots from said first position toward said second position while said first member remains in said first position when said paper gripping controlling means is moved in said first direction.

Claim 7

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first member pivots from said first position toward said second position while said paper gripping means remains in said first position when said paper gripping controlling means is moved in said second direction.

Claim 8

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 4 further including rotating means for rotating said paper gripping controlling means alternatively between said first direction and said second direction.

Claim 9

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 4 further including a pulley attached to said paper gripping controlling means for securing said connecting means to said paper gripping controlling means.

Claim 10

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 4 further including sensing means for sensing the movement of said paper gripping controlling means in said second direction wherein said first member moves from said first toward said second position.

Claim 11

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 4 further including spring biasing means for biasing said paper gripping means towards said first position into engagement with said paper advancing means.

Claim 12

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 4 further including spring biasing means for biasing said first member towards said first position spaced adjacent said second member.

Claim 13

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 4 wherein said paper gripping controlling means comprises a sector gear having first and second terminal ends and journaled within said housing.

Claim 14

The integrated printer and pape feeding apparatus of claim 12 wherein said sector gear includes a stop member at said first and second terminal ends.

Claim 15

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 4 wherein said connecting means comprises a cable having a center portion secured to said paper gripping controlling means.

Claim 16

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 14 wherein said cable includes a retaining member secured at the terminal ends of said cable.

Claim 17

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 15 further including an arm having a portion pivotally mounted within said housing, said arm having said paper gripping means attached at one end thereof and said retaining member slidingly captured within an opening provided within the other end of said arm.

Claim 18

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 15 further including an arm having a portion pivotally mounted within said housing, said arm having said first member attached at one end thereof and said retaining member slidingly captured within an opening provided within the other end of said arm.

Claim 19

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 17 further including a spring contained within said opening through which said cable passes and arranged to be compressed by said retaining member when said paper gripping controlling means is moved in said second direction to pivot said first member from said first to said second position into engagement with said second member.

Claim 20

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 4 wherein said paper gripping controlling means further includes a motor for the simultaneous rotation of said paper gripping means and said second member.

Claim 21

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 1 further including envelope storing means for storing a plurality of individual envelopes in a stack and envelope feeding means for feeding individual envelopes from said stack to said paper advancing means along an envelope feed path, said envelope feeding means arranged along one said of said envelope feed path for engagement with a first envelope within said stack.

Claim 22

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 20 further including an envelope stripper for the individual stripping of envelopes from said envelope storing means, said envelope stripper comprising envelope stripping means arranged along the other side of said envelope within said stack and retaining said second envelope while permitting said first envelope to be fed from said stack to said paper advancing means by operation of said envelope feeding means.

Claim 23

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 21 wherein said envelope storing means comprises an envelope support plate terminating adjacent the leading end of said stack of envelopes to define a strip therebetween and a weight overlying said strip.

Claim 24

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 22 wherein said envelope feeding means is arranged underlying said strip and adjacent said envelope support plate, wherein said leading end of said stack of envelopes is pressed into engagement with said envelope feeding means by said weight.

Claim 25

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 21 wherein said envelope feeding means comprises a roller arranged transversely extending and underlying the leading end of said stack of envelopes within said envelope storing means.

Claim 26

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 21 wherein said envelope stripping means comprises a member transversely extending across the leading end of said envelopes within said stack.

Claim 27

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 25 wherein said member is arranged to include a portion extending into said envelope feed path for engagement with an envelope being fed from said envelope storing means along said envelope feed path.

Claim 28

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 26 wherein the coefficient of friction between said member and an envelope is greater than the coefficient of friction between two overlying envelopes.

Claim 29

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 1 wherein said paper supply opening comprises a first paper supply opening; wherein said paper storing means comprises a first paper tray having a plurality of individual sheets therein; and wherein said paper feeding means comprises first paper feeding means for engagement with said sheets of paper within said first paper tray, said first paper tray being arranged within said housing underlying said first paper feeding means.

Claim 30

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 28 wherein said housing includes a second paper supply opening; and further including a second paper tray having a plurality of individual sheets of paper therein and second paper feeding means for feeding individual sheets of paper from said second paper tray along said paper path, said second paper tray being removably insertable through said second paper supply opening for mounting within said housing spaced from said first paper tray within said housing so that said sheets of paper stored in said second paper tray are completely contained within said housing, and said second paper tray being arranged underlying said second paper feeding means for engagement of said second paper feeding means with said sheets of paper within said second paper tray.

Claim 31

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 29 wherein said first and second paper feeding means comprise guide means for defining the portion of said paper path between said paper storing means and said paper advancing means, and first and second transversely spaced feed rollers for feeding a sheet of paper respectively from said first and second paper trays along said paper path to said paper advancing means.

Claim 32

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 30 wherein said control means comprises a driver gear operatively coupled to said first feed roller through a first clutch, said first clutch operable upon rotation in one direction, and operatively coupled to said second feed roller through an idler gear and a second clutch, said second clutch operable upon rotation in said one direction.

Claim 33

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 31 wherein said control means further includes a motor for rotation of said drive gear in a forward direction to effect rotation of said first clutch in said one direction and in an opposite direction to effect rotation of said second clutch in said one direction, whereby said first and second feed rollers are respectively rotated.

Claim 34

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 1 further including paper sensing means arranged on said printing means for detecting the edges of a sheet of paper being fed along said paper path by said paper advancing means and, wherein said control means includes printer control means responsive to said paper sensing means for positioning said printing means in a desired printing position with respect to the edges of a sheet of paper to effect printing thereon.

Claim 35

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 33 further including printer drive means for driving said printing means transversely across a sheet of paper being fed along said paper feed path by said paper advancing means in response to said sensing means.

Claim 36

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 1 further including paper ejecting means arranged within said housing along an exit portion of said paper path for engaging a sheet of paper being advanced by said paper advancing means and ejecting the engaged sheet of paper into said paper receptacle means.

Claim 37

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 33 wherein said printer control means is responsive to said paper sensing means detecting the leading edge of a sheet of paper being advanced along said paper path for controlling said paper advancing means to position said leading edge of said sheet of paper in a predetermined leading edge position relative to said printing means and responsive to said paper sensing means sensing a side edge of said sheet of paper to position said printing means with respect to said side edge of said sheet of paper in a predetermined side edge position to effect printing on said sheet of paper.

Claim 38

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 36 wherein said paper sensing means comprises a single paper sensor.

Claim 39

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing is defined by a plurality of walls and further includes sound absorbing means arranged along the interior walls thereof for absorbing sound produced by the operation of said apparatus.

Claim 40

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 38, wherein said supply opening closing means of said paper storing means and said paper retrieval cover member include sound absorbing means thereon for engagement with said housing to seal said paper supply opening and said paper retrieval opening when said paper storing means is inserted through said paper supply opening and mounted within said housing and when said paper retrieval cover member closes said paper retrieval opening.

Claim 41

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of the claim 1, wherein said openable retrieval cover member overlies said paper receptacle means.

Claim 42

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first housing part comprises a walled enclosure having an open top end, and wherein said second housing part comprises a top cover movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to said open top end of said first housing part, said top cover including a bottom wall overlying said open top end of said first housing part when said top cover is in said closed position.

Claim 43

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 41 wherein said paper retrieval opening comprises a U-shaped recess in said top cover and said paper retrieval cover member is mounted to said top cover adjacent said U-shaped recess, said paper retrieval cover member being movable between a first position in which said paper retrieval cover closes said U-shaped recess to provide a substantially flush top wall for said housing and a second position in which access is provided to said U-shaped recess, and wherein said paper receptacle means is positioned in said U-shaped recess.

Claim 44

An integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus comprising: a housing providing a sound-proofing enclosure for sheets of paper to be moved along a paper path which extends from a paper supply station past a printing station to a paper retrieval station, said paper supply station, said printing station and said paper retrieval station being located interiorly of said housing; said housing including a paper supply opening therein adjacent said paper supply station for providing access to said paper supply station, and a paper retrieval opening provided in said housing adjacent said paper retrieval station for providing access to said paper retrieval station, said paper supply opening and said paper retrieval opening being provided at spaced locations from one another in said housing, and said housing being constructed to provide a substantially closed enclosure, except for said paper supply opening and said paper retrieval opening, for sheets of paper moved along said paper path to thereby minimize sound eminating from within said housing during operation of the integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus; said housing further including an openable paper retrieval cover member adjacent said paper retrieval opening, said paper retrieval cover member being operative to substantially close said paper retrieval opening in said housing, and being openable to provide access to said paper retrieval station for removing sheets of paper therefrom; paper storing means for storing a plurality of individual sheets of paper, said paper storing means being removably insertable through said paper supply opening in said housing for mounting said paper storing means within said housing at said paper supply station so that said individual sheets of paper stored in said paper storing means are completely contained within said housing, said paper storing means including supply opening closing means arranged thereon for closing said paper supply opening of said housing when said paper storing means is inserted through said paper supply opening and mounted within said housing; paper feeding means arranged within said housing at said paper supply station for feeding individual sheets of paper along said paper supply means along a feed portion of said paper path when said paper supply means is inserted through and mounted within said housing, said feed portion of said paper path extending from said paper supply station toward said printing station; printing means arranged at said printing station within said housing for printing on a sheet of paper; paper advancing means arranged within said housing along said paper path for advancing a sheet of paper fed by said paper feeding means past said printing means to effect printing thereon and for thereafter advancing said sheet of paper after printing has been effected thereon along an exit portion of said paper path toward said paper retrieval station within said housing, said exit portion of said paper path extending from said printing station to said paper retrieval station; paper receptacle means arranged at said paper retrieval station within said housing for receiving and storing sheets of paper advanced by said paper advancing means from said printing means; paper ejecting means arranged within said housing along said exit portion of said path and adjacent said paper receptacle means for engaging a sheet of paper being advanced along said exit portion of said paper path by said paper advancing means and ejecting the engaged sheet of paper into said paper receptacle means; said housing including a first housing part and a second housing part, said first housing part having said paper supply opening therein and having said paper feeding means and said printing means contained interiorly therewithin, and said second housing part having said paper retrieval opening therein and having said paper receptacle means contained therewithin, said second housing part further being openable with respect to said first housing part to provide access to the interior of said first housing part; and control means for controlling the operation of said paper feeding means, said printing means, said paper advancing, and said paper ejecting means, whereby said housing together with said supply opening closing means on said paper storing means and said openable paper retrieval cover member provide a substantially closed enclosure for said paper feeding means, said printing means, said paper advancing means, and said paper ejecting means, and for said individual sheets of paper before, during and after printing is effected thereon to minimize sound eminating from within said housing during operation of said printing and paper feeding apparatus.

Claim 45

An integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus comprising: a housing providing a sound-proofing enclosure for sheets of paper to be moved along a paper path which extends from a paper supply station past a printing station to a paper retrieval station, said paper supply station, said printing station and said paper retrieval station being located interiorly of said housing; said housing including a paper supply opening therein adjacent said paper supply station for providing access to said paper supply station, and a paper retrieval opening provided in said housing adjacent said paper retrieval station for providing access to said paper retrieval station, said paper supply opening and said paper retrieval opening being provided at spaced locations from one another in said housing, and said housing being constructed to provide a substantially closed enclosure, except for said paper supply opening and said paper retrieval opening, for sheets of paper moved along said paper path to thereby minimize sound eminating from within said housing during operation of the integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus; said housing further including an openable paper retrieval cover member adjacent said paper retrieval opening, said paper retrieval cover member being operative to substantially close said paper retrieval opening in said housing, and being openable to provide access to said paper retrieval station for removing sheets of paper therefrom; paper storing means for storing a plurality of individual sheets of paper, said paper storing means being removably insertable through said paper supply opening in said housing for mounting said paper storing means within said housing at said paper supply station so that said individual sheets of paper stored in said paper storing means are completely contained within said housing, said paper storing means including supply opening closing means arranged thereon for closing said paper supply opening of said housing when said paper storing means is inserted through said paper supply opening and mounted within said housing; paper feeding means arranged within said housing at said paper supply station for feeding individual sheets of paper along said paper supply means along a feed portion of said paper path when said paper supply means is inserted through and mounted within said housing, said feed portion of said paper path extending from said paper supply station toward said printing station; printing means arranged at said printing station within said housing for printing on a sheet of paper; paper advancing means arranged within said housing along said paper path for advancing a sheet of paper fed by said paper feeding means past said printing means to effect printing thereon and for thereafter advancing said sheet of paper after printing has been effected thereon along an exit portion of said paper path toward said paper retrieval station within said housing, said exit portion of said paper path extending from said printing station to said paper retrieval station; paper receptacle means arranged at said paper retrieval station within said housing for receiving and storing sheets of paper advanced by said paper advancing means from said printing means; paper ejecting means arranged within said housing along said exit portion of said path and adjacent said paper receptacle means for engaging a sheet of paper being advanced along said exit portion of said paper path by said paper advancing means and ejecting the engaged sheet of paper into said paper receptacle means; said housing including a first housing part and a second housing part, said first housing part having said paper supply opening therein and having said paper feeding means and said printing means contained interiorly therewithin, and said second housing part having said paper retrieval opening therein and having said paper receptacle means contained therewithin, said second housing part further being openable with respect to said first housing part to provide access to the interior of said first housing part; and control means for controlling the operation of said paper feeding means, said printing means, said paper advancing, and said paper ejecting means, whereby said housing together with said supply opening closing means on said paper storing means and said openable paper retrieval cover member provide a substantially closed enclosure for said paper feeding means, said printing means, said paper advancing means, and said paper ejecting means, and for said individual sheets of paper before, during and after printing is effected thereon to minimize sound eminating from within said housing during operation of said printing and paper feeding apparatus.

Claim 46

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 43 further including a manual paper feed path for manually feeding individual sheets of paper from a supply external to said housing to said paper advancing means and an envelope feed path for feeding individual envelopes from a supply within said housing to said paper advancing means.

Claim 47

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 43 wherein said paper ejecting means includes a pair of spaced apart rollers arranged on opposite sides of said exit portion of said paper path, one of said rollers being movable between an open position spaced adjacent the other of said rollers and a closed position in contact with said other of said rollers; and further including a paper gripping mechanism comprising a paper bail movable within said housing between a closed position in contact with said paper advancing means and an open position spaced adjacent said paper advancing means, a sector gear rotatable in opposite directions, connecting means for connecting said paper bail and said one roller to said sector gear, and rotating means for rotating said sector gear in first and second opposite directions, said sector gear moving said paper bail from said closed position to said open position during rotation of said sector gear in said first direction while permitting said one roller to remain in said open position and moving said one roller from said open position to said closed position upon rotation of said sector gear in said second direction while permitting said paper bail to remain in said closed position.

Claim 48

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 45 wherein said connecting means comprises a cable having a center portion secured to said sector gear and a retaining member secured at each of the terminal ends of said cable.

Claim 49

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 46 further including first and second arms having a center portion pivotally mounted to said housing, said first arm having said paper bail attached at one end thereof and said retaining member at one end of said cable slidingly captured within an opening provided within the other end of said first arm, said cable causing pivotal movement of said first arm upon rotation of said sector gear in said first direction, said second arm having said one roller attached at one end thereof and said retaining member at the other end of said cable slidingly captured within an opening provided within the other end of said second arm, said cable causing pivotal movement of said second arm upon rotation of said sector gear in said second direction.

Claim 50

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 47 further including a spring contained within said opening of said second arm through which said cable passes and arranged to be compressed by said retaining member at said other end of said cable when said sector gear is rotated in said second direction to pivot said one roller from said open position to said closed position into engagement with said second member.

Claim 51

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 46 further including sensing means for sensing the rotation of said sector gear in said second direction wherein said one roller moves from said open position to said closed position.

Claim 52

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 46 wherein said rotating means comprises a motor adapted to rotate said sector gear in said first direction to a position wherein said paper bail is spaced from said paper advancing means in said open position, to rotate said sector gear in said second direction to a position wherein said one roller engages said other roller in said closed position, and to rotate said sector gear to a central position wherein said paper bail is in said closed position and said one roller is in said open position.

Claim 53

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 43 further including envelope storing means for storing a plurality of individual envelopes in a stack and envelope feeding means for feeding the lowermost envelope from said stack to said paper advancing means along an envelope feed path, said envelope feeding means arranged along one side of said envelope feed path for engagement with a portion of the lowermost envelope in said stack.

Claim 54

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 51 further including an envelope stripper for the individual stripping of envelopes from said stack, said envelope stripper comprising envelope stripping means arranged along the other side of said envelope feed path for engaging an upper envelope adjacent said lowermost envelope, said envelope stripping means having a portion arranged within said envelope feed path for retaining said upper envelope within said stack while permitting said lowermost envelope to be fed from said stack by operation of said envelope feeding means to said paper advancing means.

Claim 55

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 52 wherein said envelope storing means comprises an envelope support plate terminating adjacent the leading end of said stack of envelopes to define an overlapping strip therebetween and a weight overlying said strip and pivotably mounted to said envelope support plate.

Claim 56

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 53 wherein said envelope feeding means is arranged underlying said strip and adjacent said envelope support plate and wherein said leading end of said stack of envelopes is pressed into engagement with said envelope feeding means by said weight.

Claim 57

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 52 wherein said envelope feeding means comprises a roller arranged transversely extending and underlying said leading end of said stack of envelopes within said envelope storing means.

Claim 58

The integrated printer and paper feeding assembly of claim 52 wherein said envelope stripping means comprises a member transversely extending adjacent the leading end of said envelopes within said stack, said member being arranged to include a portion extending into said envelope feed path for engagement with an envelope being fed from said envelope storing means along said envelope feed path.

Claim 59

The envelope stripper mechanism of claim 56 wherein the coefficient of friction between said member and an envelope is greater then the coefficient of friction between two overlying envelopes.

Claim 60

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 43 wherein said paper supply opening comprises a first paper supply opening; wherein said paper storing means comprises a first paper tray having a plurality of individual sheets therein; and wherein said paper feeding means comprises first paper feeding means for engagement with said sheets of paper within said first paper tray, said first paper tray being arranged within said housing underlying said first paper feeding means.

Claim 61

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 58 wherein said housing includes a second paper supply opening; and further including a second paper tray having a plurality of individual sheets of paper therein and second paper feeding means for feeding individual sheets of paper from said second paper tray along said feed portion of said paper path, said second paper tray being removably insertable through said second paper supply opening for mounting within said housing spaced from said first paper tray within said housing so that said sheets of paper stored in said second paper supply tray are completely contained within said housing, and said second paper tray being arranged underlying said second paper feeding means for engagement of said second paper feeding means with said sheets of paper within said second paper tray.

Claim 62

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 59 wherein said first and second paper feeding means comprise guide means for defining said feed portion of said paper path between said paper storing means and said paper advancing means, and first and second transversely spaced drive rollers for driving a sheet of paper respectively from said first and second paper trays along said feed portion of said paper path to said paper advancing means.

Claim 63

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 60 wherein said control means comprises a drive gear operatively coupled to said first drive roller through a first clutch operable upon rotation in one direction and operatively coupled to said second drive roller through an idler gear and a second clutch operable upon rotation in said one direction, and a motor for rotation of said drive gear in a forward direction to effect rotation of said first clutch in said one direction and in an opposite direction to effect rotation of said second clutch in said one direction, whereby said first and second drive rollers are respectively rotated.

Claim 64

The integrated paper feeding apparatus of claim 43 further including feed sensing means arranged within said feed portion of said paper path for detecting the presence of a sheet of paper within said feed portion of said paper path and for generating an error signal in the absence of detecting said sheet of paper within a predetermined time from operation of said control means for said paper feeding means.

Claim 65

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 43 further including an envelope feed path for feeding individual envelopes from a supply of said envelopes within said housing to said paper advancing means and feed sensing means arranged within said envelope feed path for detecting the presence of an envelope within said envelope feed path and for generating an error signal in the absence of detecting said envelope within a predetermined time from feeding of said envelope from said supply along said envelope feed path.

Claim 66

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 63 further including envelope sensing means for detecting the presence of envelopes within said supply thereof and for generating an error signal in the absence of detecting said envelopes within said supply during operation of said apparatus.

Claim 67

The integral printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 43 further including paper sensing means for detecting the presence of paper within said paper storing means and for generating an error signal in the absence of detecting said paper within said paper storing means during operation of said apparatus.

Claim 68

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 62 wherein said printer control means is responsive to said paper sensing means detecting the leading edge of a sheet of paper being advanced along said feed portion of said paper path for controlling said paper advancing means to position said leading edge of said sheet of paper in a predetermined leading edge position relative to said printing means and responsive to said paper sensing means sensing a side edge of said sheet of paper to position said printing means with respect to said side edge of said sheet of paper in a predetermined side edge position to effect printing on said sheet of paper.

Claim 69

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 66 wherein said paper sensing means comprises a single paper sensor.

Claim 70

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 43 wherein said first housing part comprises a walled enclosure having an open top end, and wherein said second housing part comprises a top cover movable between a closed position and an open position with respect to said open top end of said first housing part, said top cover including a bottom wall overlying said open top end of said first housing part when said top cover is in said closed position.

Claim 71

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 68 wherein said paper retrieval opening comprises a U-shaped recess in said top cover and said paper retrieval cover member is mounted to said top cover adjacent said U-shaped recess, said paper retrieval cover member being movable between a first position in which said paper retrieval cover closes said U-shaped recess to provide a substantially flush top wall for said housing and a second position in which access is provided to said U-shaped recess, and wherein said paper receptacle means is positioned in said U-shaped recess.

Claim 72

An integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus comprising: a housing: paper storing means within said housing for storing a plurality of individual sheets of paper; paper feeding means within said housing for feeding individual sheets of paper from said paper storing means along a paper feed path; printing means within said housing for printing on a sheet of paper; paper advancing means arranged within said housing along said paper feed path for advancing a sheet of paper past said printing means to effect printing thereon; control means for controlling the operation of said paper feeding means, said printing means and said paper advancing means; and a paper gripping mechanism for engaging paper being moved through said apparatus, said paper gripping mechanism including: (a) paper gripping means arranged adjacent said paper advancing means and movable between a first position in which a sheet of paper is gripped between said paper gripping means and said paper advancing means and a second position in which said paper gripping means is spaced from said paper advancing means; (b) a first member and a second member positioned along a paper exit path, said first member being movable between a first position in which said first member is spaced from said second member and a second position in which a sheet of paper is gripped between said first and second member; (c) paper gripping controlling means for controlling the movement of said paper gripping means and said first member between said respective first and second positions, said paper gripping controlling means being movable in a first direction and a second direction; and (d) connection means for coupling said paper gripping means and said first member to said paper gripping controlling means so that said paper gripping means moves from said first position toward said second position when said paper gripping controlling means is moved in said first direction, and so that said first member moves from said first position toward said second position when said paper gripping controlling means is moved in said second direction.

Claim 73

An integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus comprising: a housing: paper storing means within said housing for storing a plurality of individual sheets of paper; paper feeding means within said housing for feeding individual sheets of paper from said paper storing means along a paper feed path; printing means within said housing for printing on a sheet of paper; paper advancing means arranged within said housing along said paper feed path for advancing a sheet of paper past said printing means to effect printing thereon; control means for controlling the operation of said paper feeding means, said printing means and said paper advancing means; and a paper gripping mechanism for engaging paper being moved through said apparatus, said paper gripping mechanism including: (a) paper gripping means arranged adjacent said paper advancing means and movable between a first position in which a sheet of paper is gripped between said paper gripping means and said paper advancing means and a second position in which said paper gripping means is spaced from said paper advancing means; (b) a first member and a second member positioned along a paper exit path, said first member being movable between a first position in which said first member is spaced from said second member and a second position in which a sheet of paper is gripped between said first and second member; (c) paper gripping controlling means for controlling the movement of said paper gripping means and said first member between said respective first and second positions, said paper gripping controlling means being movable in a first direction and a second direction; and (d) connection means for coupling said paper gripping means and said first member to said paper gripping controlling means so that said paper gripping means moves from said first position toward said second position when said paper gripping controlling means is moved in said first direction, and so that said first member moves from said first position toward said second position when said paper gripping controlling means is moved in said second direction.

Claim 74

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 70 wherein said paper gripping means pivots from said first position toward said second position while said first member remains in said first position when said paper gripping controlling means is moved in said first direction.

Claim 75

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 70 wherein said first member pivots from said first position toward said second position while said paper gripping means remains in said first position when said paper gripping controlling means is moved in said second direction.

Claim 76

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 70 further including rotating means for rotating said paper gripping control means alternatively between said first direction and said second direction.

Claim 77

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 70 further including a pulley attached to said paper gripping controlling means for securing said connecting means to said paper gripping controlling means.

Claim 78

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 70 further including sensing means for sensing movement of said paper gripping controlling means in said second direction wherein said first member moves from said first toward said second position.

Claim 79

The integrated and paper feeding apparatus of claim 70 further including spring biasing means for biasing said paper gripping means towards said first position into engagement with said paper advancing means.

Claim 80

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 70 further including spring biasing means for biasing said first member towards said first position spaced adjacent said second member.

Claim 81

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 70 wherein said paper gripping controlling means comprises a sector gear having first and second terminal ends and journaled within said housing.

Claim 82

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 78 wherein said sector gear includes a stop member at said first and second terminal ends.

Claim 83

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 70 wherein said connecting means comprises a cable having a center portion secured to said paper gripping controlling means.

Claim 84

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 80 wherein said cable includes a retaining member secured at the terminal ends of said cable.

Claim 85

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 81 further including an arm having a portion pivotally mounted within said housing, said arm having said paper gripping means attached at one end thereof and said retaining member slidingly captured within an opening provided within the other end of said arm.

Claim 86

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 81 further including an arm having a portion pivotally mounted within said housing, said arm having said first member attached at one end thereof and said retaining member slidingly captured within an opening provided within the other end of said arm.

Claim 87

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 83 further including a spring contained within said opening through which said cable passes and arranged to be compressed by said retaining member when said paper gripping controlling means is moved in said second direction to pivot said first member from said first to said second position into engagement with said second member.

Claim 88

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 70 wherein said paper gripping controlling means further includes a motor for the simultaneous rotation of said paper gripping means and said second member.

Claim 89

An integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus comprising: a housing; paper storing means within said housing for storing a plurality of individual sheets of paper; paper feeding means within said housing arranged overlying said paper storing means for feeding individual sheets of paper from said paper storing means along a paper feed path; paper printing means within said housing for printing on a sheet of paper; paper advancing means arranged within said housing along said paper feed path for advancing a sheet of paper past said printing means to effect printing thereon; paper ejecting means arranged within said housing along a paper exit path for engaging a sheet of paper from within said paper advancing means and ejecting the engaged sheet of paper from said apparatus, said paper ejecting means including a pair of spaced apart rollers arranged on opposite sides of said paper exit path, one of said rollers being movable between an open position spaced adjacent the other of said rollers and a closed position in contact with the other of said rollers; control means for controlling the operation of said paper feeding means, said paper printing means, said paper advancing means, and said paper ejecting means; and a paper gripping mechanism for engaging paper being moved through said apparatus by said paper advancing means, said paper gripping mechanism comprising: (a) a paper ball movable within said housing between a closed position in contact with said paper advancing means and an open position spaced adjacent said paper advancing means; (b) a sector gear rotatable in opposite directions; (c) connecting means for connecting said paper bail and said one roller of said paper ejecting means to said sector gear; and (d) rotating means for rotating said sector gear in first and second opposite directions, said sector gear moving said paper bail from said closed position to said open position during rotation of said sector gear in said first direction while permitting said one roller to reamin in said open position and moving said one roller from said open position to said closed position upon rotation of said sector gear in said second direction while permitting said paper bail to remain in said closed position.

Claim 90

An integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus comprising: a housing; paper storing means within said housing for storing a plurality of individual sheets of paper; paper feeding means within said housing arranged overlying said paper storing means for feeding individual sheets of paper from said paper storing means along a paper feed path; paper printing means within said housing for printing on a sheet of paper; paper advancing means arranged within said housing along said paper feed path for advancing a sheet of paper past said printing means to effect printing thereon; paper ejecting means arranged within said housing along a paper exit path for engaging a sheet of paper from within said paper advancing means and ejecting the engaged sheet of paper from said apparatus, said paper ejecting means including a pair of spaced apart rollers arranged on opposite sides of said paper exit path, one of said rollers being movable between an open position spaced adjacent the other of said rollers and a closed position in contact with the other of said rollers; control means for controlling the operation of said paper feeding means, said paper printing means, said paper advancing means, and said paper ejecting means; and a paper gripping mechanism for engaging paper being moved through said apparatus by said paper advancing means, said paper gripping mechanism comprising: (a) a paper ball movable within said housing between a closed position in contact with said paper advancing means and an open position spaced adjacent said paper advancing means; (b) a sector gear rotatable in opposite directions; (c) connecting means for connecting said paper bail and said one roller of said paper ejecting means to said sector gear; and (d) rotating means for rotating said sector gear in first and second opposite directions, said sector gear moving said paper bail from said closed position to said open position during rotation of said sector gear in said first direction while permitting said one roller to reamin in said open position and moving said one roller from said open position to said closed position upon rotation of said sector gear in said second direction while permitting said paper bail to remain in said closed position.

Claim 91

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 86 wherein said connecting means comprises a cable having a center portion secured to said sector gear and a retaining member secured at each of the terminal ends of said cable.

Claim 92

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 87 further including first and second arms having a center portion pivotally mounted to said housing, said first arm having said paper bail attached at one end thereof and said retaining member at one end of said cable slidingly captured within an opening provided within the other end of said first arm, said cable causing pivotal movement of said first arm upon rotation of said sector gear in said first direction, said second arm having said one roller attached at one end thereof and said retaining member at the other end of said cable slidingly captured within an opening provided within the other end of said second arm, said cable causing pivotal movement of said second arm upon rotation of said sector gear in said second direction.

Claim 93

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 88 further including a spring contained within said opening of said second arm through which said cable passes and arranged to be compressed by said retaining member at said other end of said cable when said sector gear is rotated in said second direction to pivot said one roller from said open position to said closed position into engagement with said second member.

Claim 94

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 87 further including sensing means for sensing the rotation of said sector gear in said second direction wherein said one roller moves from said open position to said closed position.

Claim 95

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 87 wherein said rotating means comprises a motor adapted to rotate said sector gear in said first direction to a position wherein said paper bail is spaced from said paper advancing means in said open position, to rotate said sector gear in said second direction to a position wherein said one roller engages said other roller in said closed position, and to rotate said sector gear to a central position wherein said paper bail is in said closed position and said one roller is in sid open position.

Claim 96

An integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus comprising: a housing; paper storing means within said housing for storing a plurality of individual sheets of paper; paper feeding means within said housing for feeding individual sheets of paper from said paper storing means along a paper feed path; printing means within said housing for printing on a sheet of paper; paper advancing means arranged within said housing along said paper feed path for advancing a sheet of paper past said printing means to effect printing thereon; control means for controlling the operation of said paper feeding means, said printing means and said paper advancing means; said paper storing means comprising a first paper tray having a plurality of individual sheets of paper therein and a second paper tray having a plurality of individual sheets of paper therein, said first and second paper trays being spaced from one another within said housing; said paper feeding means comprising a first paper feeding device for engagement with said sheets of paper within said first paper tray and a second paper feeding device for engagement with said sheets of paper within said second paper tray, said first and second paper feeding devices comprising guide means for defining said paper feed path between said first and second paper trays respectively and said paper advancing means, and first and second transversely spaced feed rollers for feeding a sheet of paper respectively from said first and second paper trays along said paper feed path to said paper advancing means; and wherein said control means includes a drive gear operatively coupled to said first feed roller through a first clutch and operatively coupled to said second feed roller through an idler gear and a second clutch, said first clutch being operable upon rotation in one direction and said second clutch being operable upon rotation in said one direction.

Claim 97

An integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus comprising: a housing; paper storing means within said housing for storing a plurality of individual sheets of paper; paper feeding means within said housing for feeding individual sheets of paper from said paper storing means along a paper feed path; printing means within said housing for printing on a sheet of paper; paper advancing means arranged within said housing along said paper feed path for advancing a sheet of paper past said printing means to effect printing thereon; control means for controlling the operation of said paper feeding means, said printing means and said paper advancing means; said paper storing means comprising a first paper tray having a plurality of individual sheets of paper therein and a second paper tray having a plurality of individual sheets of paper therein, said first and second paper trays being spaced from one another within said housing; said paper feeding means comprising a first paper feeding device for engagement with said sheets of paper within said first paper tray and a second paper feeding device for engagement with said sheets of paper within said second paper tray, said first and second paper feeding devices comprising guide means for defining said paper feed path between said first and second paper trays respectively and said paper advancing means, and first and second transversely spaced feed rollers for feeding a sheet of paper respectively from said first and second paper trays along said paper feed path to said paper advancing means; and wherein said control means includes a drive gear operatively coupled to said first feed roller through a first clutch and operatively coupled to said second feed roller through an idler gear and a second clutch, said first clutch being operable upon rotation in one direction and said second clutch being operable upon rotation in said one direction.

Claim 98

The integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus of claim 92 wherein said control means further includes a motor for rotation of said drive gear in a forward direction to effect rotation of said first clutch in said one direction and in an opposite direction to effect rotation of said second clutch in said one direction, whereby said first and second feed rollers are respectively rotated.

Claim 99

An integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus comprising: a housing; paper storing means within said housing for storing a plurality of individual sheets of paper; paper feeding means within said housing arranged overlying said paper storing means for feeding individual sheets of paper from said paper storing means along a paper feed path; paper printing means within said housing for printing on a sheet of paper; paper advancing means arranged within said housing along said paper feed path for advancing a sheet of paper past said printing means to effect printing thereon; paper ejecting means arranged within said housing along a paper exit path for engaging a sheet of paper from within said paper advancing means and ejecting the engaged sheet of paper from said apparatus; control means for controlling the operation of said paper feeding means, said paper printing means, said paper advancing means and said paper ejecting means; said paper storing means comprising a first paper tray having a plurality of individual sheets of paper therein and a second paper tray having a plurality of individual sheets of paper therein, said first and second paper trays being spaced from one another within said housing; said paper feeding means comprising a first paper feeding device for engagement with said sheets of paper within said first paper tray and a second paper feeding device for engagement with said sheets of paper within said second paper tray, said first and second paper feeding devices comprising guide means for defining said paper path between said first and second paper trays respectively and said paper advancing means, and first and second transversely spaced feed rollers for feeding a sheet of paper respectively from said first and second paper trays along said paper feed path to said paper advancing means; and wherein said control means includes a drive gear operatively coupled to said first feed roller through a first clutch and operatively coupled to said second feed roller through an idler gear and a second clutch, said first clutch being operable upon rotation in one direction and said second clutch being operable upon rotation in said one direction, and a motor for rotation of said drive gear in a forward direction to effect rotation of said first clutch in said one direction and in an opposite direction to effect rotation of said second clutch in said one direction, whereby said first and second drive rollers are respectively rotated.

Claim 100

An integrated printer and paper feeding apparatus comprising: a housing; paper storing means within said housing for storing a plurality of individual sheets of paper; paper feeding means within said housing arranged overlying said paper storing means for feeding individual sheets of paper from said paper storing means along a paper feed path; paper printing means within said housing for printing on a sheet of paper; paper advancing means arranged within said housing along said paper feed path for advancing a sheet of paper past said printing means to effect printing thereon; paper ejecting means arranged within said housing along a paper exit path for engaging a sheet of paper from within said paper advancing means and ejecting the engaged sheet of paper from said apparatus; control means for controlling the operation of said paper feeding means, said paper printing means, said paper advancing means and said paper ejecting means; said paper storing means comprising a first paper tray having a plurality of individual sheets of paper therein and a second paper tray having a plurality of individual sheets of paper therein, said first and second paper trays being spaced from one another within said housing; said paper feeding means comprising a first paper feeding device for engagement with said sheets of paper within said first paper tray and a second paper feeding device for engagement with said sheets of paper within said second paper tray, said first and second paper feeding devices comprising guide means for defining said paper path between said first and second paper trays respectively and said paper advancing means, and first and second transversely spaced feed rollers for feeding a sheet of paper respectively from said first and second paper trays along said paper feed path to said paper advancing means; and wherein said control means includes a drive gear operatively coupled to said first feed roller through a first clutch and operatively coupled to said second feed roller through an idler gear and a second clutch, said first clutch being operable upon rotation in one direction and said second clutch being operable upon rotation in said one direction, and a motor for rotation of said drive gear in a forward direction to effect rotation of said first clutch in said one direction and in an opposite direction to effect rotation of said second clutch in said one direction, whereby said first and second drive rollers are respectively rotated.