Patent ID: 6572291
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: B41J,B65H,Y10T

Abstract:
A print media handling system for feeding print media into a media inlet of a printer, the printer having a drive source for operating moveable mechanisms of the printer, the print media handling system comprising:a media feeder for feeding print media towards the media inlet, the media feeder including a tractor media feeder, at least one trimming element in close proximity to the media feeder for trimming the print media to a predetermined width prior to the print media entering the media inlet; and a detachable frame which supports the media feeder and the trimming element, whereby attachment of the frame to the printer allows the media feeder and the trimming element to be driven by the drive source of the printer, wherein the tractor media feeder includes a tractor shaft supported by the frame, a gear fixedly attached to the tractor shaft for rotating the tractor shaft, a pair of tractor wheels mounted to the tractor shaft for engaging and feeding tractor media, and at least one support for interacting with the trimming element to trim the fed tractor media, wherein the media support includes a roller mounted on the tractor shaft, and wherein the roller has an annular groove for allowing a blade of the trimming element to ride therein to trim the fed tractor media.