Abstract: In a sheet feeder, when rotating force transmitted to a transmission gear is smaller than frictional force generated on a contact surface between a friction sheet and a transmission plate, the transmission plate is rotated together with the transmission gear, so that a drive shaft may rotate together with the transmission plate and the transmission gear. When the rotating force transmitted to the transmission gear is greater than the frictional force generated on the contact surface between the friction sheet and the transmission plate, each of surfaces of the friction sheet contacting the transmission plate and the transmission plate contacting the friction sheet slidably move, so that the transmission gear may rotate freely relative to the drive shaft. Thus, the sheet feeder restricts excessive rotating force being transmitted to a pick-up roller, so that damage or malfunction of the pick-up roller or a drive unit is prevented.

Abstract: In a sheet feeder, when rotating force transmitted to a transmission gear is smaller than frictional force generated on a contact surface between a friction sheet and a transmission plate, the transmission plate is rotated together with the transmission gear, so that a drive shaft may rotate together with the transmission plate and the transmission gear. When the rotating force transmitted to the transmission gear is greater than the frictional force generated on the contact surface between the friction sheet and the transmission plate, each of surfaces of the friction sheet contacting the transmission plate and the transmission plate contacting the friction sheet slidably move, so that the transmission gear may rotate freely relative to the drive shaft. Thus, the sheet feeder restricts excessive rotating force being transmitted to a pick-up roller, so that damage or malfunction of the pick-up roller or a drive unit is prevented.

Abstract: A cutting device includes a moving blade unit rotatable around a rotating shaft and inclined at a predetermined angle against a sheet feeding surface, a receiving blade unit which is movable in a direction towards the moving blade, and an elastic member for biasing a cutting edge of the receiving blade towards a cutting edge of the moving blade. Both cutting edges of the moving blade and the receiving blade are formed with a plastically deformed portion formed by press cutting. By ensuring that each second shear droop region formed in the plastically deformed portion of each cutting edge contacts the other second shear droop region of the other cutting edge, a roll-type paper inserted between the cutting edges can be easily cut.

Abstract: A sheet feed mechanism has an array of suction cups into and out of contact with an uppermost one of stacked sheets in a sheet cassette. After the suction cups are held against the uppermost sheet, a vacuum is developed in the suction cups to enable the suction cups to attract the uppermost sheet. Then, the suction cups are lifted with the uppermost sheet attracted thereto, and a leading end of the attracted and lifted uppermost sheet is nipped, and the sheet is delivered into a sheet feed path. When the suction cups are lifted, they are angularly moved about an axis to cause the leading end of the attracted uppermost sheet to be obliquely separated from other stacked sheets.

Abstract: A photosensitive recording medium is exposed to light through mask members produced from color image information thereby to form a color image. A color image recording apparatus includes an inlet for receiving a monochromatic image recording sheet from a monochromatic image recording apparatus capable of producing the mask members, a discharge path for discharging the monochromatic image recording sheet which has been received through the inlet, a supply path for receiving and supplying the monochromatic image recording sheet to an image generator in the color image recording apparatus, and a path selector for selecting one, at a time, of the discharge path and the supply path.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus of a type which has an exposing device for forming latent images on a photosensitive medium, and a developing device for developing the latent images into a visible images. The photosensitive medium is supplied in the form of a web from a supply roll, along a feed path which extends through the exposing and developing devices. A shearing device is provided between the exposing and developing devices, to cut the web into cut sheets each of which has a predetermined length including an image-wise exposed length. After each cut sheet is parted from the web, the web is fed back until its leading cut end reaches the developing device, so that each portion of the web following the cut sheet can be used.