Importance

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Abstract

The printer utilizes a high-speed data print engine to print documents such as airline tickets. Preferably, the printer is part of a machine which is operated by a credit-card or the like so that the machine serves as a customer-operated ticket issuing terminal. The ticket blanks preferably are in fan-fold form, with perforations between them. An improved separator or 'burster' is provided for separating the ticket blanks from one another. The burster has an arm which is moved rapidly across the path of travel of the ticket blanks at or near the location of the perforation, while a drive roller mechanism holds the blanks against longitudinal slippage during bursting. Preferably, the printed ticket coupons in each batch of tickets are collected in a bin inside the machine until it is determined that the batch is complete. Only then are the tickets delivered outside the machine to the purchaser. If the batch is not complete, the printed tickets forming the incomplete batch are delivered to a safe storage box inside the machine so that the ticket blanks can be accounted for. A device is provided to record-reproduce data on a magnetic strip on each ticket. A drive roller and driven belt combination are used to move the ticket smoothly past a record/reproduce head.

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First Claim