A printer 1 has a movable member 27 that can move following change in the tension on recording paper 3 between a roll paper compartment 7 and a conveyance mechanism 12 on the paper conveyance path 8. When recording paper 3 of which the end is glued to the core 2a of a paper roll 2 runs out, the tension on the recording paper 3 rises and the movable member 27 goes to a tension-side error determination range E1 in its range of allowable movement E0. When the movable member 27 is in the tension-side error determination range E1, the time the movable member 27 remains in the tension-side error determination range E1 is counted, and if this measured time exceeds an error determination time, an error detection unit 38 detects an error. No-paper errors can therefore be detected without using a dedicated sensor.

An automatic tape dispenser including a controller, a reel for supporting tape roll thereon, and a feed system configured to receive the tape and peel the tape from the tape roll. The system further includes a sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor is operable to detect a characteristic of the tape such that in response to detecting the characteristic, an operation of the feed system is adjusted.

A sheet supply device includes a supporter, a rotation device, a guide, a support shaft, a biasing member, a sensor, a roller, and control circuitry. The sensor is disposed to protrude from the facing portion toward the roll and biased in a direction to contact the outer peripheral surface of the roll. The sensor outputs a detection signal at a level corresponding to an amount at which the sensor protrudes from the facing portion. The roller is supported by the facing portion, to contact the outer peripheral surface of the roll at a position different from a position of the sensor in a circumferential direction of the roll. The control circuitry controls the rotation device based on a signal change rate that is a change amount of the level of the detection signal per unit time. The control circuitry causes the rotation device to rotate the spool in the winding direction, and stops an operation of the rotation device when the signal change rate based on a change in relative positions between the outer peripheral surface and the sensor without passage of a leading end of the sheet through the position of the sensor does not exceed a predetermined reverse set threshold value.

A sheet supply device includes a supporter, a rotation device, a guide, a support shaft, a biasing member, a sensor, a roller, and control circuitry. The sensor is disposed to protrude from the facing portion toward the roll and biased in a direction to contact the outer peripheral surface of the roll. The sensor outputs a detection signal at a level corresponding to an amount at which the sensor protrudes from the facing portion. The roller is supported by the facing portion, to contact the outer peripheral surface of the roll at a position different from a position of the sensor in a circumferential direction of the roll. The control circuitry controls the rotation device based on a signal change rate that is a change amount of the level of the detection signal per unit time. The control circuitry causes the rotation device to rotate the spool in the winding direction, and stops an operation of the rotation device when the signal change rate based on a change in relative positions between the outer peripheral surface and the sensor without passage of a leading end of the sheet through the position of the sensor does not exceed a predetermined reverse set threshold value.

An automatic tape dispenser including a controller, a reel for supporting tape roll thereon, and a feed system configured to receive the tape and peel the tape from the tape roll. The system further includes a sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor is operable to detect a characteristic of the tape such that in response to detecting the characteristic, an operation of the feed system is adjusted.

Described herein is a sheet supply apparatus for continuously supplying sheets while splicing the leading edge of the sheet of a standby roll to the trailing end of a sheet being unwound from a working roll by using an auto splicer, the sheet supply apparatus including: a turret unwinder provided with fixation chucks that each fix both ends of a paper tube, and configured to switch the positions of the standby and working rolls; a detector configured to detect the position of one of both axial ends of the standby roll; a corrector configured to be connected to each of the fixation chucks and to correct the position of the standby roll; and a controller configured to align an end of the standby roll so that the end of the standby roll is aligned with the end of the working roll while correcting the position of the standby roll.

Described herein is a sheet supply apparatus for continuously supplying sheets while splicing the leading edge of the sheet of a standby roll to the trailing end of a sheet being unwound from a working roll by using an auto splicer, the sheet supply apparatus including: a turret unwinder provided with fixation chucks that each fix both ends of a paper tube, and configured to switch the positions of the standby and working rolls; a detector configured to detect the position of one of both axial ends of the standby roll; a corrector configured to be connected to each of the fixation chucks and to correct the position of the standby roll; and a controller configured to align an end of the standby roll so that the end of the standby roll is aligned with the end of the working roll while correcting the position of the standby roll.

In one example, the tension in a print media may be determined in a region between a roller for unwinding the print media and a print zone. In this example, the rotational speed of the roller may be controlled based on the determined tension of the print media.

In one example, the tension in a print media may be determined in a region between a roller for unwinding the print media and a print zone. In this example, the rotational speed of the roller may be controlled based on the determined tension of the print media.