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(11) | EP 0 559 380 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A paper feed system |
| (57) A paper feed system 5 for connecting together two adjacent sheets of computer paper
having a longitudinally extending array of holes at each opposed longitudinally extending
marginal edge, comprising two laterally spaced sets of longitudinally spaced projections
10 extending from a base 8 and disposed for engagement with the paper holes to hold
transversely extending edges of the two adjacent sheets adjacent to and parallel with
each other along the line 30, and an adhesively secured connector strip 14 having
holes 22, 23, which correspond to the array of projections 10 in the two sets, to
engage with these projections 10 to align the strip 14 to bridge the adjacent transversely
edges of the paper sheets and secure them together. The lateral distance between the
sets of projections 10 may be adjusted for different paper sizes and the distance
between the holes in the connector strip may be adjusted accordingly, while the sets
of projections 10 may also be removable from the base to allow unimpeded paper feed. |
[0001] The present invention relates to a paper feed system and was primarily designed for use with computer paper feed systems in which tractor feeders pull the paper through computer printers, the paper having pre formed holes therein to facilitate this.
[0002] Computer paper used with tractor feed systems is provided as a longitudinally extending sequence of sheets, each sheet being connected to its adjacent sheet or sheets by a line of weakness, such as a perforated seam, and supplied in boxes each containing, typically, 2000 sheets. Furthermore, the sheets of paper have pre formed holes along their opposed longitudinally extending marginal edges with which the tractor feeders engage to pull the sheets through the printers.
[0003] For convenience of handling, the boxes of paper as supplied for paper feed systems do not, generally, contain more than 2000 sheets; this results in the necessity to manually feed paper from successive boxes into the printer as each box is exhausted, and aligning the pre formed holes with the tractor feeders to ensure continuity in the sheet feed. To achieve such continuity in the supply of paper is usually regarded as inconvenient, being time consuming and requiring experience, dexterity and accuracy.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper feed system and apparatus therefore which alleviates the aforementioned inconvenience.
[0005] According to the present invention there is provided a paper feed system for connecting together two adjacent sheets of paper which are to be drawn successively in a longitudinal direction, which comprises a paper alignment and holding means for holding transversely extending edges of the two adjacent sheets adjacent to and parallel with each other, and a paper connector means which co-operates with the paper alignment and holding means to align said connector means with said adjacent transversely extending edges for said connector means to bridge the adjacent transversely extending edges and secure the two adjacent sheets together.
[0006] The connector means will usually comprise an adhesively secured strip of flexible sheet material, preferably an adhesive backed paper strip.
[0007] As previously explained, conventional computer paper has a longitudinally extending array of holes at each marginal edge thereof and with which holes tractor means of a printer engages to drag the paper longitudinally through the printer and preferably the paper alignment and holding means comprises two laterally spaced sets of projections. Each set having two or more longitudinally spaced projections and the projections in each set being longitudinally spaced for engagement in said holes to effect the required alignment of the transversely extending edges of the sheets. Preferably, the aforementioned adhesively secured strip has holes formed therein, usually at or towards laterally opposed ends of the strip, which correspond to the array of the projections in the two sets and can engage therewith to align the strip for securing it to the adjacent sheets which are to be connected thereby.
[0008] The paper feed system may have at least one of the sets of projections moveable laterally (conveniently by sliding displacement) relative to the other set for increasing or decreasing the distance therebetween to accommodate paper sheets of different lateral widths. Preferably, at least one set of projections is moveable laterally to a selected one of two or more predetermined positions at which positions predetermined distances are provided between the sets to correspond with different paper widths and means is provided for retaining the moveable set at the selected predetermined position. At least one set of projections may also comprise a unit which is removable from and attachable to a base to present the projections from the base at a selected one of two or more predetermined positions to accommodate paper sheets of different lateral widths. Preferably the base has at least one longitudinally extending array of holes and the unit is attachable to the base by the projections of the unit being received in and projecting through the array of holes in the base.
[0009] In a preferred form of the invention, the sets of projections may be displaceable, for example by hinged mountings, from an operative position in which they can engage the paper and connector means, to an inoperative position in which they are clear of the paper sheets to permit unimpeded feed of the sheets.
[0010] The paper alignment and holding means may have a support means attached to facilitate its mounting on a box of paper or a printer into which the paper is to be fed. The paper alignment and holding means may also be an integral part of a printer into which the paper sheets are fed.
[0011] Further according to the present invention there is provided apparatus for aligning and holding two adjacent and longitudinally disposed paper sheets in effecting the connection of those sheets, which sheets having adjacent laterally extending edges substantially parallel to each other and have longitudinally spaced holes at opposed longitudinally extending marginal edges thereof, and which comprises two laterally spaced sets of projections with at least two longitudinally spaced projections in each set, the two sets being for engagement in the holes in the respective opposed marginal edges of the sheets.
[0012] The said apparatus may have at least one of the sets of projections moveable laterally (conveniently by sliding displacement) relative to the other set for increasing or decreasing the distance therebetween to accommodate paper sheets of different lateral widths. Preferably, at least one set of projections is moveable laterally to a selected one of two or more predetermined positions so that predetermined distances can be provided between the sets to correspond with different paper widths, and wherein means is provided for retaining the moveable set at the selected predetermined position (for example by snap engagement). The apparatus will usually comprise a base from which the projections extend for engagement with the paper and, preferably, the projections of the laterally moveable set comprise a unit which is displaceable along laterally extending slots in the base. At least one set of projections may also comprise a unit which is removable from and attachable to a base to present the projections from the base at a selected one of two or more predetermined positions to accommodate paper sheets of different lateral widths. Preferably, the base will have at least one longitudinally extending array of holes and the unit is attachable to the base by the projections of the unit being received in and projecting through the array of holes.
[0013] Each set of projections may also be formed as a unit pivotally mounted on a base to be displaceable, for example by hinged mounting, from an operative position in which the sets can engage the paper, to an inoperative position in which the sets are clear of the paper sheets to permit unimpeded feed of the sheets.
[0014] Still further according to the present invention, there is provided a connector means for connecting together two adjacent sheets of paper having longitudinally spaced holes at opposed longitudinally extending marginal edges thereof and with adjacent laterally extending edges of the two sheets substantially parallel, which comprises an adhesive backed laterally extending flexible strip of sheet material having first and second arrays of positioning means, the two arrays being at or towards each lateral end of the strip and which positioning means in the strip are to coincide with the holes in the opposed marginal edges of the sheets for aligning the strip to bridge and adhesively secure together the adjacent sheets. The positioning means may preferably comprise holes formed in the strip or rebates formed inwardly from marginal edges of the strip.
[0015] The connector strip may also comprise a third array of longitudinally spaced positioning means laterally between the first and second array, where the third array and one of the first or second arrays of positioning means can coincide with the holes in the opposed marginal edges of the sheets for aligning the strip to bridge and adhesively secure together sheets of widths less than the sheets intended for use with the first and second arrays of positioning means.
[0016] Further, the connector strip may also have on an upper face of the strip, laterally between the first and second array of positioning means, an index mark and at least one length marking laterally spaced from the index mark whereby the lateral distance between the first and second array of positioning means may be reduced by cutting the strip longitudinally on the index mark to divide the strip into a first and second portion whereby the first portion may be overlain on the second portion so that the index mark of the first portion coincides with the or a length marking on the second portion and the first and second portions may be adhesively secured together in the overlying position.
[0017] This invention also provides a method of connecting together two adjacent longitudinally disposed sheets of paper along adjacent and parallel laterally extending edges thereof which comprises engaging holes in longitudinally extending opposed marginal edges of the paper sheets with projections to align said adjacent laterally extending edges, engaging a connector means with said projections for the connector means to bridge said adjacent laterally extending edges and securing the connector means to both said adjacent sheets.
[0018] Several embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which :
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus used in a paper feed system for aligning and holding two adjacent and longitudinally disposed paper sheets;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with paper locators lowered to a disengaged position;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with a modified box mounting clip;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of part of the apparatus of Figure 1 modified to include an integral paper holder;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 4 with paper disposed thereon;
Figure 6a is a perspective view of an adhesive backed connector strip;
Figure 6b is a plan view of the connector strip of Figure 6a;
Figure 6c is a plan view of a modified form of connector strip;
Figure 6d is a plan view of a further modified form of connector strip;
Figure 7 is a plan view of a length adjustable adhesive backed connector strip;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a further modification of the apparatus of Figure 1;
Figure 9 is a side elevation of a set of paper locator projections; and
Figure 10 is a plan view of the set of paper locator projections of Figure 9.
[0019] The paper feed system comprises an apparatus 5 (Figure 1) for aligning and holding two adjacent and longitudinally disposed paper sheets and a connector sheet strip 14 (Figure 6a).
[0020] The apparatus 5 has a rigid plastics moulded base 8 presenting a substantially flat (usually horizontal) upper surface or platform 8a from which projects a downwardly extending wall 9. The wall 9 has a box mounting clip 11 thereon formed by a second downwardly extending wall carried on and overlying the first wall 9. The clip 11 in use is intended to mount the apparatus 5 on a box of paper (not shown).
[0021] Hingedly mounted beneath the platform 8a of the base 8 are two laterally spaced longitudinally extending arms 16, the arms being hinged to the base 8 by a cylindrical pin 15. Each arm 16 is conveniently formed as a plastics moulding and has a set of four paper locator projections 10, which projections 10 in each set are regularly spaced longitudinally. The projections 10 are of uniform height on respective arms 16 and are of generally conical form. Formed in the platform 8a is a longitudinal array of four circular holes 10a and a longitudinal array of four laterally extending slots 20 which are spaced laterally from the holes 10a. The holes 10a and slots 20 are disposed to coincide with and permit the two sets locator projections 10 to pass one each therethrough when the arms 16 are in a raised operative position (Figure 1).
[0022] The hinged arms 16 can be rotated about the hinge 15 (in the direction indicated generally at 12 (Figure 2) to a lower, inoperative position in which the projections 10 do not project through the holes 10a and slots 20 respectively.
[0023] The four parallel and laterally extending slots 20 permit the projections 10 extending therethrough to be displaced (as required) laterally along the surface 8a relative to the fixed projections 10 extending through the holes 10a, such displacement being permitted by sliding the corresponding arm 16 along the hinge pin 15. This provides for a variation in the lateral spacing between the two arms 16 (and therefore between the two sets of projections 10 carried thereby).
[0024] The system comprising the apparatus 5 (Figure 1) and strip 14 (Figure 6a) is used to connect two sheets of computer paper together. The computer paper for use with the system is usually supplied as a longitudinally extending sequence of sheets, each sheet being connected to its adjacent sheet by laterally extending perforated lines of weakness. These sheets have parallel arrays of pre formed circular holes along their opposed longitudinally extending marginal edges. The pre formed holes are used to feed the paper through a computer printer by a tractor feed, typically in which spigots mounted on a rotary wheel engage the pre formed holes to pull the paper through the printer.
[0025] In use, the apparatus 5 shown in Figure 1 is attached by the clip 11 to the side of a box (not shown) containing a new supply of computer paper sheets and with the arms 16 in the raised operative position causing the projections 10 to extend through the base platform 8a. The projections 10 extending through the slots 20 are adjusted laterally so that the distance between the two sets of projections 10 corresponds to the width of the paper (or more precisely to the distance between the pre formed arrays of longitudinally extending holes therein). The last sheet of an exhausted supply of paper and the first sheet from the new box of paper are positioned on the platform 8a so that adjacent transversely extending edges of said last and first sheets of paper are aligned to lie parallel and adjacent to each other in close proximity generally along a reference line 30 (shown in Figure 1) which is conveniently provided on the surface of the platform 8a to extend laterally and intersect the projections 10 in each set. The projections 10 extend one set through each of the two arrays of marginal pre formed holes in the said last and first sheets of paper to effect the aforementioned alignment and further serve to hold, temporarily, the adjacent sheets of paper in this aligned condition. Of the two sets of projections, 10b and 10d (Figure 1) and their respectively adjacent outermost projections 10 engage the last two pre formed holes on both of the longitudinally extending marginal edges of the last sheet in the exhausted supply whilst the projections 10c and 10e and their respectively adjacent outermost projections 10 engage the first two pre formed holes on both of the longitudinally extending marginal edges of the first sheet of the new supply of paper.
[0026] An adhesive backed laterally extending paper connector strip 14 (Figure 6a and Figure 6b) is then positioned to bridge, longitudinally, the two adjacent transversely extending edges of the said first and last sheets to secure the sheets together. This connector strip 14 has two sets of pre formed pairs of circular holes 22 and 23, one set at or towards each of its laterally opposed ends, through which can be received the central projections 10b, 10c, 10d and 10e of the apparatus 5. The set of holes 23 may be selected from a laterally extending series of such pairs of holes so that any one set of these pairs of holes may be engaged by the projections 10d and 10e when these latter projections are selectively aligned along the slots 20 to an appropriate preset position (which position may correspond to a known width of paper). It will be appreciated that the longitudinal spacing between the projections in each set coincides with the longitudinal spacing between the sets of holes 22 and 23 and also between the marginal holes in the paper sheets.
[0027] The strip 14 is positioned on the apparatus 5, so that its holes 22a and 22b are located on the two central projections 10b and 10c respectively and similarly its holes 23a and 23b are located on the projections 10d and 10e respectively and said strip 14 is aligned with the reference line 30 of Figure 1 to bridge the adjacent transversely extending parallel edges of the said adjacent first and last sheets. The strip 14 is self adhesive on its underside 14c. Before use the adhesive may be exposed by peeling off a protective sheet 14b. The adhesive secures the connector strip to each of the two sheets of paper when pressed into contact therewith so connecting the two adjacent sheets so that they can be fed successively and uninterruptedly into the printer.
[0028] The projections 10 may be displaced from their operative position (Figure 1) in which they engage the said first and last paper sheets and the connector strip 14, by lowering the arms 16 relative to the base 8 (rotating them about the hinge 15 in a direction indicated generally at 12 in Figure 2) so that they do not impede the flow of paper as it is pulled into the printer by the tractor feeders. Similarly, when it is required to connect two further sheets of paper using the system the sets of projections may be moved from their inoperative position to the operative position by appropriate pivotal movement of the arms 16 about the hinge pin 15.
[0029] There are several possible variations to the above embodiment of the present invention. In one such simplified modification, the apparatus 5 may be formed as a single body in which the two sets of projections 10, as previously described, are integrally formed with the base 8 so as to project from the platform 8a. In such an embodiment, not shown, the hinged arms 16 are no longer necessary and the sets of projections are not moveable relative to the base or each other to adjust the lateral width therebetween. Therefore, for different sizes of paper, a different sized apparatus of this kind would be required. The apparatus could then be used to connect longitudinally extending adjacent sheets of paper as previously described with the exception that after connection of the sheets those said sheets would need to be manually removed from the projections.
[0030] A further, alternative embodiment of this invention would involve the apparatus 5, as previously described, being mounted upon, or integrally formed with, a computer printer (not shown).
[0031] Figure 3 shows an apparatus 5 similar to that of Figure 1 but modified to have a reduced laterally extending wall 9a which in turn provides a reduction in the size of the box mounting clip 11a.
[0032] Figures 4 & 5 show a modification of the apparatus 5 to include a paper holder or tray 13 integrally formed with the wall 9. The tray 13 has an upper surface 13a which slopes towards the wall 9 to direct the feed of paper 40 carried thereon (as shown in Figure 5) towards the printer and alleviates the possibility of the paper supply from slipping of the tray.
[0033] It will be appreciated that many variations are possible to the adhesive backed connector strip 14. Figure 6c illustrates a connector strip 114 which has two arrays of pre formed semi-circular rebates 122 and 123 extending from the edges of the strip, one set in each marginal edge of the laterally opposed ends of the strip 14, instead of the holes 22 and 23 discussed with reference to Figure 6a. In a similar manner to that of the strip 14 shown in Figure 6a, these rebates 122 and 123 can be positioned to co-operate with the central projections 10b, 10c, 10d and 10e of the apparatus 5 so as to align the strip 114 with the reference line 30 of Figure 1 to bridge the adjacent transversely extending parallel edges of the aforementioned adjacent first and last sheets of paper. As with the connector strip 14 of Figure 6a, it will be appreciated that the longitudinal spacing between the projections in each set coincides with the longitudinal spacing between the rebates 122 and 123 in each array. Further, strip 114 is waisted, but of adequate width to bridge the sheets which it is intended to connect, while its laterally opposed ends are T-shaped to provide sufficient width to accommodate the required pre formed rebates 122 and 123. Furthermore, the strip 14 in Figure 6c is designed for use solely with one known width of paper (only having one set of holes at each lateral end thereof). Thus a range of such connector strips shown in Figure 6c will be required to correspond with different paper width sizes. It will be appreciated that the connector strips may be of a material other than paper, for example thin plastics sheet.
[0034] The use of rebates 122 and 123 provides for easier placement and removal of the strips 114 on the projections 10 and also provides for an improved method of removing the protective strip (shown as 14c in Figure 6a but not shown in Figure 6c). The strip 114 can be produced from adhesive backed paper sheets, each having a protective backing sheet attached, by cutting out the required shape of strip and punching holes therethrough to form a strip similar to that shown in Figure 6c by the dashed line. The strip 114 is then scored along the line 124 (but not through the backing strip), through the centre of each of the holes formed at that end, to provide an end tab 125 separate from the strip 114. This tab 125 is then used to peel the backing strip from the strip 114 and leave the scored line 124 as the lateral edge of the strip and two rebates 123 where the original holes had been punched. A similar procedure is carried out at the opposed lateral end of the strip 114 to form the rebates 122.
[0035] Figure 6d shows a connector strip 114 similar to the connector strip 14 shown in Figure 6b in which the holes 22 and 23 of Figure 6b have been replaced by semi circular rebates 222 and 223. The strip 114 has an array of two pre formed rebates 222 towards one of its laterally opposed ends which are formed to extend from each of the two longitudinally opposed edges. Formed at or towards the other laterally opposed end of the strip 114 is a series of such pairs of rebates 223 one rebate from each pair of rebates being formed to extend from each of the two longitudinally opposed edges. Again it will be appreciated that the longitudinal spacing between the projections in each set coincides with the longitudinal spacing between the pairs of rebates. The strip 114 is used in a similar manner to that described with reference to the strip 14 of Figure 6b, by selecting one pair of rebates 223 (to correspond with the width of the paper sheets to be connected) from the series as required and positioning the rebates 222 and 223 on the projections 10.
[0036] Furthermore, the rebates formed in the connector strips 114 of Figures 6c and 6d may be replaced by slots extending from the marginal edges (not shown).
[0037] Figure 7 shows a particularly advantageous form of connector strip 60 which is similar to that shown in Figure 6a except that it has a single pair of longitudinally spaced holes (62, 64) at each of its laterally opposed ends. The connector 60 is designed to be adjustable so that it can be used with various, known widths of paper. A line 66 is marked longitudinally across the upper face of the connector and indicated by a heavily marked arrow 68. Laterally spaced from the line 66 are length markings 70 indicating different paper widths. In use the connector 60 will correspond in length to the maximum known paper width (or greatest width capability of the apparatus 5). If paper sizes having a smaller width are used the lateral length of the connector 60 can be reduced by cutting it into two sections along the line 66 and displacing the section having the arrow 68 so that it overlies part length of the section having the length markings 70 and so that the apex of the arrow 68 coincides with a particular length mark 70. The length mark 70 that is selected ensures that the lateral length of the adjusted connector is appropriate for a particular paper width. The adhesive on the back of the connector 60, as previously described, holds the two sections of the connector 60 together following its adjustment in length. The connector 60 may then be used as previously described for connector 14. It will also be appreciated that in the connector 60 the holes 62 and 64 may be replaced by rebates in manner similar to that previously described with reference to Figure 6c.
[0038] A further modification of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 is shown in Figure 8, whereby the holes 10a in the base 8 are replaced by four parallel, laterally extending slots 45 (similar to the slots 20 as previously discussed). The slots 45 permit the set of projections 10 extend therethrough when said projections are in their raised, operative positions and also to slide laterally in the base 8. In the embodiment of Figure 8 both sets of projections 10 are therefore moveable laterally relative to each other as previously described in relation to Figure 1, to provide an apparatus 5 capable of use with a wide variety of widths of paper. Furthermore, a longitudinally extending row of four circular holes 46 may be provided in the base 8 in its region laterally between the slots 45 and 20. The holes 46 permit one of the sets of projections 10 to pass through the base 8 at a laterally fixed position in the mid section of the base. The other set of projections 10 would still be moveable laterally relative to the set of projections in the fixed position, but the apparatus 5 would now be able to accommodate a reduced minimum width of paper (the minimum width corresponding to the distance between the central holes 46 and the laterally nearest adjacent inner end 45a or 20a of the slots 45 and 20 respectively.
[0039] Instead of using slots 20 and 45 in the base 8, a series of laterally spaced and longitudinally extending rows of circular holes (not shown) may be positioned in the base 8 (similar to those shown at 10a and 46) so that the projections may only pass through the base 8 at selected positions determined by the locations of the rows of holes.
[0040] Another possible modification relates to the size and configuration of the projections 10 in a set. Figures 9 and 10 show an arrangement of a plastics moulded set of four paper locator projections 80 each of which is cylindrical with a convex part spherical or conical free end and extends from an arm 16. The inner two projections 80f of the set are longer than the two outer projections 80g to create a height tapering effect above the arm 16 from the longitudinally opposed ends of the arm to facilitate placement and removal of the paper on the projections 80. The arm 16 in Figures 9 and 10 is shown with longitudinally opposed ribs or studs 100. The arm 16 may be slidably mounted for movement along a laterally extending track beneath the base 8 so that the ribs 100 can snap engage with a selected one of several laterally spaced seatings (not shown) along the track to retain the set of projections at a particular location along the slots 20 and 45.
1. A paper feed system for connecting together two adjacent sheets of paper, which are
to be drawn successively in a longitudinal direction, which comprises a paper alignment
and holding means for holding transversely extending edges of the two adjacent sheets
adjacent to and parallel with each other, and a paper connector means which co-operates
with the paper alignment and holding means to align said connector means with said
adjacent transversely extending edges for said connector means to bridge the adjacent
transversely extending edges and secure the two adjacent sheets together.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the connector means comprises an adhesively
secured strip of flexible sheet material.
3. A system as claimed in claim 2 in which the adhesively secured strip comprises an
adhesive backed paper strip.
4. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims for use with computer paper
having a longitudinally extending array of holes at each marginal edge thereof and
with which holes tractor means of a printer are to engage to pull the paper longitudinally
through the printer, wherein the paper alignment and holding means comprises two laterally
spaced sets of projections, the projections in each set being longitudinally spaced
for engagement in said holes to effect the required alignment of the transversely
extending edges of the sheets.
5. A system as claimed in claim 4 when appendant to either claim 2 or claim 3 in which
the adhesively secured strip has positioning means formed therein which correspond
to the array of the projections in the two sets and can engage therewith to align
the strip for securing it to the adjacent sheets which are to be connected thereby.
6. A system as claimed in claim 5 in which the positioning means in the adhesively secured
strip are located at or towards laterally opposed ends of said strip.
7. A system as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 in which at least one of the sets
of projections is moveable laterally relative to the other set for increasing or decreasing
the distance therebetween to accommodate paper sheets of different lateral widths.
8. A system as claimed in claim 7 in which said at least one set of projections is moveable
laterally to a selected one of two or more predetermined positions at which positions
predetermined distances are provided between the sets to correspond with different
paper widths, and wherein means is provided for retaining the moveable set at the
selected predetermined position.
9. A system as claimed in either claim 7 or in claim 8 in which at least one set of projections
is moveable laterally by sliding displacement.
10. A system as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9 in which at least one set of projections
comprises a unit which is removable from and attachable to a base to present the projections
from the base at a selected one of two or more projection positions to accommodate
paper sheets of different lateral widths.
11. A system as claimed in claim 10 in which the base has at least one longitudinally
extending array of holes and the unit is attachable to the base by the projections
of that unit being received in and projecting through said holes in the base.
12. A system as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 11 in which the sets of projections
are displaceable from an operative position, in which they engage the paper and connector
means, to an inoperative position in which they are clear of the paper sheets to permit
unimpeded feed of the sheets through the system.
13. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the paper alignment
and holding means comprises a support means to facilitate its mounting on a box of
paper or a printer into which the paper is to be fed.
14. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 in which the paper alignment and
holding means is an integral part of a printer.
15. An apparatus for aligning and holding two adjacent and longitudinally disposed paper
sheets in effecting the connection of those sheets and which sheets have adjacent
laterally extending edges substantially parallel to each other and further have longitudinally
spaced holes at or towards opposed longitudinally extending marginal edges thereof,
and which comprises two laterally spaced sets of projections with at least two longitudinally
spaced projections in each set, the two sets being for engagement in the holes in
the respective opposed marginal edges of the sheets.
16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 in which at least one of the sets of projections
is moveable laterally relative to the other set for increasing or decreasing the distance
therebetween to accommodate paper sheets of different lateral widths.
17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 in which said at least one set of projections
is moveable laterally to a selected one of two or more predetermined positions at
which positions predetermined distances are provided between the sets to correspond
with paper widths, and wherein means is provided for retaining the moveable set at
the selected predetermined position.
18. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17 and comprising a base from which
the projections of said sets extend for engagement in the holes of the sheets.
19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 when appendant to claim 16 or claim 17 in which
at least one set of projections is moveable laterally by sliding displacement relative
to the base.
20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 19 in which the projections of the laterally moveable
set comprise a unit which is displaceable along laterally extending slot means in
the base.
21. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20 in which at least one set of
projections comprises a unit which is removable from and attachable to a base to present
the projections from the base at a selected one of two or more predetermined positions
to accommodate paper sheets of different lateral widths.
22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 in which the base has at least one longitudinally
extending array of holes and the unit is attachable to the base by the projections
of that unit being received in and projecting through said holes in the base.
23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 or in any one of claims 18 to 22 when appendant
to claim 17 in which said moveable set of projections is retained at said predetermined
position by snap engagement.
24. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 23 in which each set of projections
is formed as a unit pivotally mounted on the or a base to be displaceable from an
operative position in which the sets are to engage the paper sheets, to an inoperative
position in which the sets are clear of the paper sheets to permit unimpeded feed
of the sheets.
25. A connector means for connecting together two adjacent sheets of paper having longitudinally
spaced holes at opposed longitudinally extending marginal edges thereof and with adjacent
laterally extending edges of the two sheets substantially parallel, which comprises
an adhesive backed laterally extending flexible strip of sheet material having first
and second arrays of longitudinally spaced positioning means being at or towards each
lateral end of the strip and which positioning means in the strip are to coincide
with the holes in the opposed marginal edges of the sheets for aligning the strip
to bridge and adhesively secure together said adjacent sheets.
26. A connector as claimed in claim 25 in which the positioning means comprises holes
in the strip.
27. A connector as claimed in either claim 25 or claim 26 in which the positioning means
comprises rebates or slots extending from at leastone edge of the strip.
28. A connector means as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 27 and comprising a third
array of longitudinally spaced positioning means laterally between said first and
second array whereby said third array and one of said first and second arrays of positioning
means can coincide with the holes in the opposed marginal edges of said sheets for
aligning the strip to bridge and adhesively securing together adjacent sheets of a
width less than the sheets intended for use with the first and second arrays of positioning
means.
29. A connector means as claimed in any one of claims 25 to 28 having on an upper face
of said strip, laterally between said first and second array of positioning means,
an index mark and at least one length marking laterally spaced from the index mark
whereby the lateral distance between said first and second array of positioning means
of said strip may be reduced by cutting the strip longitudinally on the index mark
to divide the strip into a first portion and a second portion whereby said first portion
may be overlain on the second portion so that the index mark of the first portion
coincides with the or a said length marking on the second portion and said first and
second portions may be adhesively secured together in said overlying relationship.
30. A method of connecting together two adjacent longitudinally disposed sheets of paper
along adjacent and parallel laterally extending edges thereof which comprises engaging
holes in longitudinally extending opposed marginal edges of the paper sheets with
projections to align said adjacent laterally extending edges and engaging a connector
means with said projections for the connector means to bridge said adjacent laterally
extending edges and securing the connector means to both said adjacent sheets.