Abstract: A stapling unit 5 includes a stapler 10 for stapling an edge part of a stack of sheets of paper P and a carriage 11 on which the stapler 10 is mounted, and the carriage 11 is formed in such a way that it can move along a guide axis 13 that is fitted in a frame 12 in a direction (X-X? direction) perpendicular to the paper transport direction. On the carriage 11, a pair of first stoppers 16a and 16b that abut and thereby align the edge of the stack of sheets of paper P are fixed one at each side of the stapler 10 so as to be capable of shuttling in the directions indicated by arrows X and X? together with the stapler 10. Outward of the first stoppers 16a and 16b, a pair of second stoppers 17a and 17b are further provided.

Abstract: A sheet separating/conveying mechanism 30 has an upper unit 30a in which a paper feed roller 31 and other components are arranged and a lower unit 30b in which a separating roller 32, an arm member 36, and other components are arranged. The arm member 36 is U-shaped as seen in a plan view by being composed of a left and a right movable lever 36a that are mutually parallel and that make contact with both ends of a center shaft 23b and a pivot shaft 36b that supports the movable levers 36a so that they are rotatable in a direction indicated by arrow BB?. The movable levers 36a have locking holes 39 formed at the tip ends thereof, and the lower ends of tension springs 38 are locked in those locking holes 39. The lower unit 30b is fitted with an applied force adjusting member 45 on which locking portions 42a and 42b are formed to protrude therefrom leftward and rightward that permit adjustment of the positions at which the upper ends of the tension springs 38 are locked.

Abstract: A paper punching device is disposed on a paper conveyer passage for punching plural holes in a paper that passes on said paper conveyer passage, and comprises plural punches disposed on the upper side of said paper conveyer passage at right angles with the direction in which the paper is conveyed, plural pushing members mounted on the upper ends of said plural punches, and a punch-operating mechanism for operating said plural pushing mechanisms.

Abstract: A sheet handling unit including a processing station having a stapling mechanism for stapling a plurality of sheets; a plurality of mail trays for receiving sheets transported from the processing station; and a bulk tray for receiving sheets transported from the processing station. The processing station is fixedly provided in a sheet handling unit body. The sheets transported from the processing station are delivered switchably to any of the mail trays or to the bulk tray.

Abstract: A roll paper cutting device is attachable to the main body of an image forming apparatus main body. The roll paper cutting device includes a cutter for cutting the paper of a roll of paper contained therein, as well as an arrangement for feeding the cut sheet to the image forming apparatus. The roll paper cutting device has at least one transport roller for transporting the roll paper, as well as a drive system for driving the transport roller, and a drive change device such as a clutch for selectively bringing the transport roller into idle rotation or into a driven state. A detector detects the travel of the roll paper. A control device such as a CPU controls the rotation of the transport rollers with predetermined timing based on the time when the travel of the roll paper is detected with all the transport rollers in idle rotation in a standby state for paper feeding.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has an image forming apparatus main body with a sheet inlet. The main body is arranged to form an image on a sheet inserted into the sheet inlet. A roll paper cutting device contains roll paper and includes a cutting arrangement for cutting the roll paper and discharging cut sheets. The cutting device is attachable to the main body of the apparatus, and is selectively positionable to a feed position where its outlet is in register with the sheet inlet, or a standby position wherein the outlet thereof is out of register with the sheet inlet. A guide arrangement is provided on the main body for guiding the cutting device for movement in the vertical direction between the feed position and the standby position.

Abstract: The rolled-paper feed unit for an image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises; a movable body for reeling out and feeding rolled paper and for cutting the rolled paper into a cut sheet having a predetermined length; and a stationary frame which holds the movable body vertically moved from an upper position where the rolled paper is fed to a lowered retreat position where the operator is adapted to carry out certain operations. When feeding the rolled paper to the image forming apparatus main body, the movable body is held at the upper position. When resupplying cut paper to a cassette mounted on the image forming apparatus, or executing a jam processing or the like, the movable body is lowered.