Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus has an abutment portion attached to a holding portion movably in first and second directions. The abutment portion is configured such that a movable range of the abutment portion is restricted by a second restricting portion from a first movable range in a state in which the move of the holding portion is restricted by the first restricting portion to a second movable range in a state in which the restriction on of the holding portion is released by the releasing portion. The movable range of the second movable range is narrower than a movable range of the first movable range.

Abstract: A sheet stacking apparatus includes an abutment portion attached to a holding portion movably in first and second directions. The abutment portion is configured such that a movable range of the abutment portion is restricted by a second restricting portion from a first movable range in a state in which the move of the holding portion is restricted by the first restricting portion to a second movable range in a state in which the restriction on of the holding portion is released by the releasing portion. The movable range in the second direction of the second movable range is narrower than a movable range in the second direction of the first movable range.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing portion for fixing an image on a recording material while feeding the recording material carrying the image; a guiding member, provided downstream of the fixing portion with respect to a feeding direction of the recording material, for guiding the recording material; and an openable member for opening and closing a main assembly of the image forming apparatus, wherein the guiding member move to narrow a feeding path of the recording material wherein the openable member is opened.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly, a first openable member openably and closably provided in the main assembly, a second openable member openably and closably provided in the main assembly, and a fixing unit for fixing a toner image formed on a recording material in the main assembly, with the fixing unit including a pressure applying mechanism for applying a pressure to a fixing nip of the fixing unit. In addition, a first arm transmits a first operation force, generated when the first openable member is opened by the operator, to the pressure applying mechanism to release the pressure applied to the fixing nip, and a second arm transmits a second operation force, generated when the second openable member is opened by the operator, to the pressure applying mechanism to release the pressure applied to the fixing nip.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly; a first openable member openably and closably provided in the main assembly; a second openable member openably and closably provided in the main assembly; a fixing unit for fixing a toner image formed on a recording material, the fixing unit including a pressure applying mechanism for applying a pressure to a fixing nip of the fixing unit, wherein a operation force by an operator when at least one of the first openable member and the second openable member is opened by the operator applies to the pressure applying mechanism to release the pressure applied to the fixing nip; wherein the fixing unit is detachably mountable relative to the main assembly and includes a pressure switching member, engaged to the pressure applying mechanism, to receive the operation force when the first openable member is opened and to move the pressure applying mechanism, wherein an operation force when the second openable member is opened is also transmitted to the pressure swit

Abstract: The sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet stack tray on which sheets to be fed are stacked, a drive motor for moving up the sheet stack tray, a detection sensor for detecting the position of an uppermost sheet stacked on the sheet stack tray, and a control part for controlling the function of the drive motor, wherein, when the detection sensor detects that the uppermost sheet reaches a predetermined height while the drive motor executes a drive so as to move up the sheet stack tray, the control part tentatively stops or decelerates the drive motor and thereafter drives the drive motor so as to move up the sheet stacked on the sheet stack tray to a feed position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which a sheet containing device containing a sheet is detachably attached to a containing portion provided in an apparatus main body includes an engagement portion provided on the sheet containing device, a drawing device provided in the containing portion to be rotatable using one end thereof as a pivot, and a guide device which, when the drawing device rotates to draw the sheet containing device, guides a movement of the engagement portion in a drawing direction. The guide device is composed of a linear portion parallel to a direction in which the sheet containing device is inserted, and a curved portion provided on a downstream side of the linear portion with respect to a direction in which the sheet containing device is attached, the curved portion being curved not to extend away from the pivot of the drawing device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet feeder in which sheets are fed by a feeding member from a tray on which the sheets have been loaded. When the tray is driven by a drive unit to lift up the tray from a sheet replenishment position to a position at which sheets can be fed, a first sensor senses that the top sheet on the tray is situated at a prescribed position. Response to this sensing of the first sensor the drive unit performs a predetermined intermittent driving for lifting the tray. It is determined based upon outputs from the first and second sensors whether or not a sheet is present on the tray.

Abstract: The sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet stack tray on which sheets to be fed are stacked, a drive motor for moving up the sheet stack tray, a detection sensor for detecting the position of an uppermost sheet stacked on the sheet stack tray, and a control part for controlling the function of the drive motor, wherein, when the detection sensor detects that the uppermost sheet reaches a predetermined height while the drive motor executes a drive so as to move up the sheet stack tray, the control part tentatively stops or decelerates the drive motor and thereafter drives the drive motor so as to move up the sheet stacked on the sheet stack tray to a feed position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus in which sheet containing device containing a sheet is detachably attached to a containing portion provided in an apparatus main body includes: an engagement portion provided on the sheet containing device; drawing device which is provided in the containing portion to be rotatable using one end thereof as a pivot, the drawing device being engaged with the engagement portion and rotating when the sheet containing device is attached to the containing portion and drawing the sheet containing device through the engagement portion by means of a spring when a predetermined rotating position is reached; and a guide device which, when the drawing device rotates to draw the sheet containing device, guides a movement of the engagement portion in a drawing direction, and has such a configuration that the guide device is composed of a linear portion parallel to a direction in which the sheet containing device is inserted; and a curved portion which is provided on

Abstract: Discharge passages for concentrated and separated liquids are separately formed in shafts of a rotary bowl 1 and a screw conveyor 2. In an inlet passage of the radial discharge passage leading from the inside of the rotary bowl 1 to the discharge passage in the shaft, an annular space is divided into sectors by a plurality of deceleration vanes 23, 24 which are mounted on the screw conveyor 2 and extend in a radial direction from the axis of the machine.

Abstract: Discharge passages for concentrated and separated liquids are separately formed in shafts of a rotary bowl 1 and a screw conveyor 2. In an inlet passage of the radial discharge passage leading from the inside of the rotary bowl 1 to the discharge passage in the shaft, an annular space is divided into sectors by a plurality of deceleration vanes 23, 24 which are mounted on the screw conveyor 2 and extend in a radial direction from the axis of the machine.