DAVID STROTHER ALLEN
Engineering in Kates Corner, MA

4703329, Oct 27, 1987

May 9, 1986

6/861591

David Allen - Chelmsford MA
Calvin Winey - Chelmsford MA

Advanced Color Technology, Inc. - Cambridge MA

H04N 122, G03G 1500

346 24

An ink jet printer having an imaging drum with a supply of paper within the drum. The paper is transported by rollers mounted on the imaging drum that are controlled by the transverse position of a cutter mechanism that cuts off the imaged paper. The paper passes from the supply spool in the imaging drum through a longitudinal slot in the drum to the outside, around the exterior of the drum, where it is held in place during the imaging process, and then ejected from the drum to the desired length and cut off. While the imaged sheet is being ejected from the drum, the next length of paper is drawn from the drum and around the outside of the drum in position for the next imaging operation. The length of paper that remains projecting from the drum after the imaged paper has been cut off is then withdrawn into the interior of the drum through the longitudinal opening in the drum surface until only a short stub, which will not interfere with the subsequent imaging operation, remains protruding from the drum. After each imaging operation, the cutter mechanism provides mechanical control of the paper handling drive assembly for the ejection, withdrawal and tensioning of the paper.