Patent US4725857A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4725857A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compact printer/feeder having selectable print media modes
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1987-03-02
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Granted: 1988-02-16
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Expires: 2007-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A print media handling system for a compact printer having a cut-sheet supply station formed in the lower portion of the printer housing and a rotatable print platen constructed and located to feed top sheets from the supply station through a print path ingress past a print zone and out a print path egress formed in the upper portion of the housing, includes (a) structure which mounts the supply station for movement to and from a sheet engaging relation with respect to the print platen and (b) a movable selection member that operates such movements of the supply station. The printer includes a supplemental inlet passage to the print path egress and the selection member includes structure for selectively blocking the supplemental inlet passage. The printer also includes a guide that is selectively positionable to alternatively direct egressing print media to either a sheet output zone or a continuous media output zone.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Piatt
- 👤 James T. Theodoras
- 👤 Scott D. Lehman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:40
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J13/00; B41J13/0009; B41J13/0018; B41J11/00; B41J11/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
In a compact printer having a housing, a cut-sheet supply station formed in the lower portion of said housing and a rotatable print platen constructed and located to feed top sheets from said supply station through a print path ingress past a print zone and out a print path egress formed in the upper portion of said housing, a print media handling system comprising: (a) means mounting said supply station for movement to and from a sheet engaging relation with respect to said print platen; and (b) control means for selectively controlling the movement of said supply station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
In a compact printer having a housing, a cut-sheet supply station formed in the lower portion of said housing and a rotatable print platen constructed and located to feed top sheets from said supply station through a print path ingress past a print zone and out a print path egress formed in the upper portion of said housing, a print media handling system comprising: (a) means mounting said supply station for movement to and from a sheet engaging relation with respect to said print platen; and (b) control means for selectively controlling the movement of said supply station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said control means includes spring means for urging said supply station toward its sheet engaging relation with said print platen and cam means for selectively moving said supply station away from said sheet engaging relation against the force of said spring means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said printer includes means forming an inlet passage from a location space from said supply station to said print path egress and wherein said control means includes means for selectively blocking said inlet passage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention defined in claim 3 wherein said control means includes a cam member for moving said supply station and a blocking member, synchronously movable with said cam member, for blocking said inlet passage when said supply station is in sheet engaging relation vis-a-vis said platen and opening said inlet passage when said supply station is away from said sheet engaging relation vis-a-vis said platen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein (i) said control means includes spring means for urging said supply station toward its sheet engaging relation with said print platen and cam means for selectively moving said supply station away from said sheet engaging relation against the force of said spring means and (ii) said printer includes means forming an inlet passage from a location space from said supply station to said print path egress and wherein said control means includes means for selectively blocking said inlet passage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention defined in claim 5 wherein said blocking means and said cam means are portions of an integral selection member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention defined in claim 6 wherein said selection member comprises a lever arm extending through said printer housing for operator access.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention defined in claim 3 wherein said printer includes guide means, selectively positionable proximate said print zone egress, for alternatively directing egressing print media to either a sheet output zone or a continuous media output zone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention defined in claim 8 wherein said guide means is coupled to said control means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention defined in claim 9 wherein said guide means comprises a lid member pivotally mounted over a sheet output zone and wherein pivotal movement of said lid member to uncover said sheet output zone actuates: (i) movement of said supply station to said sheet engaging relation and (ii) movement of said blocking member to said blocking position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-02-15 | 1991-08-17 | 1992-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-15 | 1995-08-17 | 1996-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-15 | 1999-08-17 | 2000-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |