Abstract: A recording material characteristic detecting device that irradiates a first light and a second light to a recording material carried along a predetermined carrying path and detects a transmitted light generated when the first light transmits the recording material and a reflection light generated when the second light is reflected by the recording material, and detects a characteristic of the recording material, comprises: a reflection light source that irradiates the second light toward the carrying path; a reference plate for reflection light arranged oppositely to the reflection light source across the carrying path to reflect the second light; and a light detector arranged oppositely to the reference plate for reflection light across the carrying path to detect at least a reflection light generated in response to reflection of the second light. The reference plate has a higher reflectivity to the second light than a reflectivity to the first light.

Abstract: A recording material characteristic detecting device that irradiates a first light and a second light to a recording material carried along a predetermined carrying path and detects a transmitted light generated when the first light transmits the recording material and a reflection light generated when the second light is reflected by the recording material, and detects a characteristic of the recording material, comprises: a reflection light source that irradiates the second light toward the carrying path; a reference plate for reflection light arranged oppositely to the reflection light source across the carrying path to reflect the second light; and a light detector arranged oppositely to the reference plate for reflection light across the carrying path to detect at least a reflection light generated in response to reflection of the second light. The reference plate has a higher reflectivity to the second light than a reflectivity to the first light.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light source, a light receiving unit, and an optical system. The light receiving unit includes a plurality of light receiving elements. The optical system includes a plurality of optical components for splitting the light reflected from the object to be read, and guiding the split light to each of the plurality of light receiving elements. The plurality of optical components include a splitting component that splits the light reflected from the object to be read in a direction corresponding to a main direction, and a common component provided with a common portion. The common portion has an optically acting area causing a common effect on the tight split by the splitting component. A cross sectional shape of the optically acting area orthogonal to a direction corresponding to the main direction is the same shape along the direction corresponding to the main direction.

Abstract: A staple remover for removing a staple from a bundle of papers fastened with the staple includes: a deformation assisting part that bends a part of the bundle, where the bundle has been fastened with the staple, with respect to a longitudinal direction of the staple; and a first blade inserted between the bent bundle and the staple, and removing the staple from the bundle, wherein the deformation assisting part includes a support part that supports the bundle, a communicating space is formed in the support part to allow a front surface and a back surface of the support part to communicate with each other in a thickness direction of the bundle, the bundle is disposed with the communicating space located below the staple, and the bundle enters the communicating space to be bent, by being caught between the support part and the first blade.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light source, a light receiving unit, and an optical system. The light receiving unit includes a plurality of light receiving elements. The optical system includes a plurality of optical components for splitting the light reflected from the object to be read, and guiding the split light to each of the plurality of light receiving elements. The plurality of optical components include a splitting component that splits the light reflected from the object to be read in a direction corresponding to a main direction, and a common component provided with a common portion. The common portion has an optically acting area causing a common effect on the tight split by the splitting component. A cross sectional shape of the optically acting area orthogonal to a direction corresponding to the main direction is the same shape along the direction corresponding to the main direction.

Abstract: A prism block is provided at least one notch to propagate in the light flux in air, on an optical path from entrance of a light flux via a first portion of the prism block to exit of the light flux via a second portion of the prism block. The notch is configured such that the light flux exiting from inside of the prism block via a first interface of the notch between the prism block and the air re-enters the prism block via a second interface between the air and the prism block, the second interface facing the first interface.

Abstract: A light guide configured to cause light entering from a point light source to exit as linear light. The light guide has a rod portion extending in a first direction and having a reflecting surface. A plurality of reflecting elements are provided on the reflecting surface to reflect the light entering from the point light source. A part of the reflecting elements located closer to the point light source than a center of the rod with respect to the first direction is arranged so as to sheer away from a strongly illuminated area of the reflecting surface, which is an area illuminated strongly with light entering the rod portion, in a second direction parallel to the reflecting surface and perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A prism block is provided at least one notch to propagate in the light flux in air, on an optical path from entrance of a light flux via a first portion of the prism block to exit of the light flux via a second portion of the prism block. The notch is configured such that the light flux exiting from inside of the prism block via a first interface of the notch between the prism block and the air re-enters the prism block via a second interface between the air and the prism block, the second interface facing the first interface.

Abstract: A lighting device includes: a point light source; a light guide body which emits light from the point light source in a linear manner; and a connecting member provided on an end on a side of the point light source of the light guide body, wherein the light guide body includes a plurality of rods and a branching unit which branches an entering light beam, the connecting member includes a hole penetrating the connecting member, and the hole becomes wider toward the light guide body and a side surface of the hole inclines with respect to an extending direction of the rods such that a portion in which the light beam reflected by the side surface to enter the light guide body is concentrated on the reflecting surface and a portion in which the light beam is concentrated on the reflecting surface are not overlapped with other.

Abstract: A light guide having: a splitting section configured to split light emitted from a light source into at least two; and at least two light guiding sections arranged side by side in a predetermined width direction and configured to cause the light entering from the splitting section to propagate in a predetermined length direction. Each of the light guiding sections includes: a reflective section provided along the length direction and configured to reflect light incident thereon; an emission surface arranged opposite the reflective section and configured to emit the light reflected by the reflective section as a linear light beam having predetermined light distribution in the length direction; and at least a part of the emission surface is located farther in a direction opposite to the length direction than a forward end of the splitting section in the length direction.

Abstract: A light guide having: a splitting section dividing light derived from a light source into at least two beams of light; and at least two light guiding sections causing the light from the splitting section to propagate in a predetermined length direction, the light guiding sections being arranged side by side in a predetermined width direction with the splitting section disposed therebetween, wherein the light guiding section includes: a reflective section reflecting the light, the reflective section being provided along the length direction; and an emission surface emitting the light reflected by the reflective section as a linear beam of light, the emission surface being positioned opposite to the reflective section, and a cross section of the splitting section perpendicular to the length direction decreases in dimensions both in the width direction and a height direction.

Abstract: A light guide having: a splitting section dividing light derived from a light source into at least two beams of light; and at least two light guiding sections causing the light from the splitting section to propagate in a predetermined length direction, the light guiding sections being arranged side by side in a predetermined width direction with the splitting section disposed therebetween, wherein the light guiding section includes: a reflective section reflecting the light, the reflective section being provided along the length direction; and an emission surface emitting the light reflected by the reflective section as a linear beam of light, the emission surface being positioned opposite to the reflective section, and a cross section of the splitting section perpendicular to the length direction decreases in dimensions both in the width direction and a height direction.

Abstract: A light guide having: a splitting section configured to split light emitted from a light source into at least two; and at least two light guiding sections arranged side by side in a predetermined width direction and configured to cause the light entering from the splitting section to propagate in a predetermined length direction. Each of the light guiding sections includes: a reflective section provided along the length direction and configured to reflect light incident thereon; an emission surface arranged opposite the reflective section and configured to emit the light reflected by the reflective section as a linear light beam having predetermined light distribution in the length direction; and at least a part of the emission surface is located farther in a direction opposite to the length direction than a forward end of the splitting section in the length direction.

Abstract: A light guide configured to cause light entering from a point light source to exit as linear light. The light guide has a rod portion extending in a first direction and having a reflecting surface. A plurality of reflecting elements are provided on the reflecting surface to reflect the light entering from the point light source. A part of the reflecting elements located closer to the point light source than a center of the rod with respect to the first direction is arranged so as to sheer away from a strongly illuminated area of the reflecting surface, which is an area illuminated strongly with light entering the rod portion, in a second direction parallel to the reflecting surface and perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A lighting device includes: a point light source; a light guide body which emits light from the point light source in a linear manner; and a connecting member provided on an end on a side of the point light source of the light guide body, wherein the light guide body includes a plurality of rods and a branching unit which branches an entering light beam, the connecting member includes a hole penetrating the connecting member, and the hole becomes wider toward the light guide body and a side surface of the hole inclines with respect to an extending direction of the rods such that a portion in which the light beam reflected by the side surface to enter the light guide body is concentrated on the reflecting surface and a portion in which the light beam is concentrated on the reflecting surface are not overlapped with other.