Paper feeding device for a printing apparatus providing alternatively different feed paths

摘要

A paper feeding device for a printer having a first paper handling assembly including rollers for feeding sheets of paper of one kind from a first paper stacker along a first inlet path to a printing assembly of the printer, and a second paper handling assembly including a second stacker for receiving the printed sheets from the first stacker, and supported by a support member pivotally between first and second positions. The support member carries at least one paper guide which is pivotable between its first and second positions according to pivotal movements of the support member. In the first position, the paper guide defines a paper exit path opening through which the printed sheets are guided into the second stacker. When the paper guide is pivoted to its second position, it closes the paper exit path opening. The feeding device further comprises a member or members defining a second inlet path adjacent the second paper handling assembly when the support member is in the second position. The second inlet path leads to the printing assembly to load sheets of paper of another kind to the printing assembly when the feeding device is inoperative, and an amount of initial advancement of the paper to the printing assembly is changed when the inoperative position of the feeding device is detected.