Patent ID: 8162314
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: B65H

Abstract:
1. An image printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit configured to print an image on a printing medium; a supporting member opposing the printing unit and having a supporting surface for supporting the printing medium; a first pair of rollers configured to nip and transport the printing medium therebetween and disposed upstream of the printing unit in a transporting direction of the printing medium, the first pair of rollers including a first upper roller and a first lower roller, a rotation axis of the first upper roller being disposed downstream relative to a rotation axis of the first lower roller in the transporting direction, a height of a nip position of the first pair of rollers being greater than a height of the supporting surface of the supporting member; a second pair of rollers configured to nip and transport the printing medium therebetween and disposed downstream of the printing unit in the transporting direction, a height of a nip position of the second pair of rollers being greater than a height of the supporting surface of the supporting member, the second pair of rollers being configured to contact with and separate from each other; a third pair of rollers configured to nip and transport the printing medium therebetween and disposed downstream of the second pair of rollers in the transporting direction, a height of a nip position of the third pair of rollers is greater than the height of the nip position of the second pair of rollers, the third pair of rollers being configured to contact with and separate from each other; and a guide member disposed between the second pair of rollers and the third pair of rollers and including a guide portion which guides the printing medium transported by the second pair of rollers, the guide member being configured to pivot between (a) a slanting position in which a height of a downstream end of the guide portion is greater than the height of the nip position of the second pair of rollers and is smaller than the height of the nip position of the third pair of rollers and (b) a laying position in which the height of the downstream end of the guide portion is same with the height of the nip position of the second pair of rollers.