Patent ID: 6976800
Filing Date: 2005-12-20
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A printer comprising: a sheet-holding block which can hold a plurality of printing sheets in a stack; a picking-up block for picking up the printing sheets held in the sheet-holding block one at a time; a transporting block for transporting the printing sheets picked up by the picking-up block; a printing block for performing printing on the printing sheets transported by the transporting block; and a sheet-discharging block for discharging the printing sheets that have been subjected to printing at the printing block; wherein the sheet-holding block comprises a sheet-receiving plate, and movable holding means disposed opposing the sheet-receiving plate, such that said printing sheets are disposed between the sheet-receiving plate and the movable holding means, and wherein the movable holding means can be moved towards or away from the sheet-receiving means, such that said printing sheets are held in tension, thereby avoiding or reducing deformation of said sheets; and wherein, when the printing sheets held in the sheet-holding block are picked up by the picking-up block, the moveable holding means is moved in a direction opposite the sheet-receiving plate and wherein, when the printing sheets held in the sheet-holding block are not being picked up by the picking-up block, the moveable holding means is moved toward the sheet-receiving plate and thereby holds the printing sheets in tension; and the sheet-receiving plate has a roller provided thereat, that contacts the printing sheets held by the holding means, wherein the printing sheets are transported from the sheet-holding block to the sheet-discharging block with their surfaces faced horizontally.