Abstract: A paper feed mechanism includes: a paper storage to store sheets of paper; an air blowing unit disposed on each of both sides of the paper storage in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction corresponding to a paper conveyance direction, in which the air blowing unit blows air to a side end of each of the sheets of paper in the paper storage to float one or some of the sheets of paper in the paper storage; and a paper conveyance unit disposed above the paper storage, in which the paper conveyance unit holds, by suction, an uppermost sheet of paper among the floated sheets of paper, and conveys the uppermost sheet of paper. An air blowing position of the air blowing unit is changeable in the first direction according to information about the sheets of paper.

Abstract: A sheet transporting mechanism transports a sheet from a storage tray to a stacking tray, and includes: a first transporter that moves between initial and first positions to transport the sheet from the initial position toward the stacking tray; a second transporter that transports the transported sheet by the first transporter to the stacking tray; a single motor that drives the first and second transporters; a guide rail that guides movement of the second transporter; a first transmission gear that transmits a driving force of the single motor to move the first transporter between the initial and first positions; a second transmission gear that transmits the driving force of the single motor to move the guide rail in an upward and downward direction; and a third transmission gear that transmits the driving force of the single motor to allow the second transporter to be guided by the guide rail.

Abstract: A sheet transporting mechanism transports a sheet from a storage tray to a stacking tray, and includes: a first transporter that moves between initial and first positions to transport the sheet from the initial position toward the stacking tray; a second transporter that transports the transported sheet by the first transporter to the stacking tray; a single motor that drives the first and second transporters; a guide rail that guides movement of the second transporter; a first transmission gear that transmits a driving force of the single motor to move the first transporter between the initial and first positions; a second transmission gear that transmits the driving force of the single motor to move the guide rail in an upward and downward direction; and a third transmission gear that transmits the driving force of the single motor to allow the second transporter to be guided by the guide rail.

Abstract: The present image formation apparatus includes a sheet output tray and an apparatus body underlying the sheet output tray, a duct being formed inside the apparatus body, a filter member being attached inside the duct, the filter member having a portion exposed outside the apparatus body, the filter member's exposed portion also serving as a portion of the sheet output tray.

Abstract: The present sheet conveying apparatus includes: a resist roller pair that corrects skew of a sheet conveyed from a sheet supplying unit; and a guide portion disposed at an upstream side relative to the resist roller pair in a sheet conveying direction, the guide portion including a first guide and a second guide disposed opposite to the first guide with a sheet conveying path therebetween, the second guide being located at a projection side of a curved portion formed in the sheet when a tip of the sheet is conveyed to a nip portion of the resist roller pair that is stopped, the second guide being divided into a plurality of divided guides in an axial direction of the resist roller pair, a flexible film being disposed to cover at least a portion of a space between the plurality of divided guides.

Abstract: The present image formation apparatus includes a sheet output tray and an apparatus body underlying the sheet output tray, a duct being formed inside the apparatus body, a filter member being attached inside the duct, the filter member having a portion exposed outside the apparatus body, the filter member's exposed portion also serving as a portion of the sheet output tray.