Printing assembly with discrete load enhancement apparatus and method
First Claim
1. In a printing assembly having a printer, a single sheet transport mechanism for automatically transporting discrete sheets seriatim from within a removable tray to the printer, and a tray receptacle for releasably mounting the removable tray in operative spatial relationship with the printer and the single sheet transport mechanism, the improvement being a discrete sheet load enhancement apparatus, comprising:
- means for holding a separate supply of printable stock apart from the removably mounted supply tray;
a removable open tray with a feed opening accessible for receipt of discrete sheets of printable stock within the tray fed through the feed opening while releasably mounted within the tray receptacle; and
means for automatically feeding discrete sheets seriatim from the separate supply of printable stock through the feed opening and into the removable tray when the removable tray is releasably mounted within the tray receptacle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A printing assembly (10) having a printer (30) and a single sheet transport mechanism (22) for automatically transporting discrete sheets seriatim from within a tray held in a tray receptacle (32) to the printer and a discrete sheet load enhancement apparatus with a holder (24) of an auxiliary supply of printable stock (18), a removable open tray (20) with a feed opening (40) accessible for receipt of discrete sheets (14) of printable stock fed within the feed opening while releasably mounted within the tray receptacle and a continuous discrete sheet feeder and producer (16) for automatically feeding the sheets (14) seriatim from the separate supply of printable stock (18) through the feed opening (40) into the removable open tray (20).
31 Citations
35 Claims
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1. In a printing assembly having a printer, a single sheet transport mechanism for automatically transporting discrete sheets seriatim from within a removable tray to the printer, and a tray receptacle for releasably mounting the removable tray in operative spatial relationship with the printer and the single sheet transport mechanism, the improvement being a discrete sheet load enhancement apparatus, comprising:
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means for holding a separate supply of printable stock apart from the removably mounted supply tray; a removable open tray with a feed opening accessible for receipt of discrete sheets of printable stock within the tray fed through the feed opening while releasably mounted within the tray receptacle; and means for automatically feeding discrete sheets seriatim from the separate supply of printable stock through the feed opening and into the removable tray when the removable tray is releasably mounted within the tray receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of printing information on discrete sheets of printable stock by means of a printing assembly having a tray receptacle for releasable mating receipt of a closed tray capable of holding a load of a plurality of discrete sheets of printable stock, a printer and a transport mechanism for automatically transporting sheets from the load of suitable stock held within the tray to the printer for printing, comprising the steps of:
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removing the closed tray from releasable mating receipt with the tray receptacle; inserting an open tray with a feed opening for receipt of discrete sheets into the open tray into releasable mating receipt within the tray receptacle in lieu of the closed tray; automatically feeding discrete sheets into the open tray through the feed opening of the open tray; and transporting by means of the single sheet transport mechanism the discrete sheets fed into the open tray to the printer for printing on the discrete sheets. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A paper supply tray releasably receivable within a tray receptacle of a printing apparatus having a printer and a transport mechanism for moving discrete sheets from within the tray to the printer for receipt of printed information, comprising:
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a base with a closed end, and an opposite end with a feed opening for receipt through the open end of discrete sheets; and means for guiding discrete sheets received through the feed opening at an open end to a position adjacent the closed end for removal from the tray receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 35)
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32. In a printer assembly having a tray receptacle for receipt of a removable discrete sheet supply tray, a printer and a single sheet transport mechanism for automatically transporting discrete sheets seriatim from the removable discrete sheet supply tray to the printer for printing, the improvement comprising:
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a removable open tray releasably mountable within the tray receptacle and having a feed opening accessible when the tray is mounted within the tray receptacle for receipt of a discrete sheet from outside of the open tray; and a sheet support mechanism for supporting a free end of a discrete sheet partially inserted within the removable open tray receptacle at a level to enable insertion of the removable open tray beneath the partially inserted discrete sheet when the removable open tray is inserted into the tray receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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Specification