A lightweight tube structure capable of high loading is provided. The tube structure comprises an inner tube and an outer tube with an annular space being formed between the outer tube and the inner tube; a first paper ring and a second paper ring fitted at two ends of the annular space respectively. A foamed body may be disposed in the annular space, the foamed body being supported between the outer tube and the inner tube. The structure enables the tube to retain a light weight and can also enhance the loading strength of the tube, thus achieving the substantial effect of preventing deformation.

A thick document conveying device includes a paper pickup mechanism. The paper pickup mechanism has a pick roller base, a pick roller axle, a pick roller, a switching assembly, a first universal coupling, a driving mechanism, a second universal coupling, a bearing and a gear. The pick roller axle and the pick roller are located in the pick roller base. The switching assembly is located under the pick roller base. The first universal coupling is connected to the pick roller axle. The driving mechanism is sleeved on the first universal coupling. The second universal coupling is connected to the driving mechanism. The bearing is connected to the driving mechanism. The gear is connected to the bearing. As described above, both a thick document and a thin document can be adapted.

A lightweight tube structure capable of high loading is provided. The tube structure comprises an inner tube and an outer tube with an annular space being formed between the outer tube and the inner tube; a first paper ring and a second paper ring fitted at two ends of the annular space respectively. A foamed body may be disposed in the annular space, the foamed body being supported between the outer tube and the inner tube. The structure enables the tube to retain a light weight and can also enhance the loading strength of the tube, thus achieving the substantial effect of preventing deformation.

A printing apparatus includes a stacking portion on which a print medium printed by a printing unit configured to perform printing is stacked, a discharge unit configured to discharge the print medium printed by the printing unit to the stacking portion, a passage forming portion arranged facing the stacking portion and configured to form a discharge passage of the print medium together with the stacking portion, and an outlet port located at a downstream end of the stacking portion and a downstream end of the passage forming portion in a conveying direction of the print medium. The passage forming portion includes an opening/closing portion which is displaceable between a closed position for forming the discharge passage and an open position for opening access to the stacking portion.

A printing apparatus includes a stacking portion on which a print medium printed by a printing unit configured to perform printing is stacked, a discharge unit configured to discharge the print medium printed by the printing unit to the stacking portion, a passage forming portion arranged facing the stacking portion and configured to form a discharge passage of the print medium together with the stacking portion, and an outlet port located in a downstream end of the stacking portion and a downstream end of the passage forming portion in a conveying direction of the print medium. The passage forming portion includes an opening/closing portion which is displaceable between a closed position for forming the discharge passage and an open position for opening the stacking portion.

A lightweight paper tube structure capable of high loading is provided. The tube structure comprises an inner tube and an outer tube with an annular space being formed between the outer tube and the inner tube; a first paper ring and a second paper ring fitted at two ends of the annular space respectively, and a foamed body discposed in the annular space, the annular foamed body being supported between the outer tube and the inner tube. The structure enables the paper tube to retain a light weight and can also enhance the loading strength of the paper tube, thus achieving the substantial effect of preventing deformation.

A lightweight paper tube structure capable of high loading is provided. The tube structure comprises an inner tube and an outer tube with an annular space being formed between the outer tube and the inner tube; a first paper ring and a second paper ring fitted at two ends of the annular space respectively, and a foamed body discposed in the annular space, the annular foamed body being supported between the outer tube and the inner tube. The structure enables the paper tube to retain a light weight and can also enhance the loading strength of the paper tube, thus achieving the substantial effect of preventing deformation.

A printing apparatus includes a stacking portion on which a print medium printed by a printing unit configured to perform printing is stacked, a discharge unit configured to discharge the print medium printed by the printing unit to the stacking portion, a passage forming portion arranged facing the stacking portion and configured to form a discharge passage of the print medium together with the stacking portion, and an outlet port located in a downstream end of the stacking portion and a downstream end of the passage forming portion in a conveying direction of the print medium. The passage forming portion includes an opening/closing portion which is displaceable between a closed position for forming the discharge passage and an open position for opening the stacking portion.

A method of dispensing sheet material from two rolls includes dispensing a first sheet of material from a first roll of the material located at a first location, lowering the first roll from the first location as the first sheet of material is being dispensed, lowering a second roll of material onto a second location above the first location when the first roll has been lowered to a location below the first location, and dispensing a second sheet of material from the second roll. A dispenser allowing for dispensing from two rolls includes a first wall having a forward end, a second wall opposite and spaced apart from the first wall and a cam coupled to each wall.

Methods and apparatus for supporting a paper roll in a paper bucket of a printer are provided. The paper bucket may comprise a curved base portion for accepting paper rolls of varying widths, two oppositely disposed side walls movably mounted to the curved base portion, and a two-part spring-loaded spindle assembly extending through each of the side walls and adapted to support a paper roll therebetween. Each spindle assembly may comprise a first spring loaded spindle part and a second spring loaded spindle part movably connected to one another.