Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet original conveying apparatus having an original reverse apparatus and in which originals stacked on a tray are separated one by one by a separation means and a separated original is supplied to a reading portion for reading an image. It comprises a first convey path provided at a downstream side of the separation means in a supplying direction to direct the supplied original to the reading portion, a second convey path branched from the first convey path to direct the supplied original to the reading portion after a travelling direction of the original is reversed in a travel reverse portion, and a switching means disposed at a branched area between the first and second convey paths to switch the first and second convey paths from one to the other.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus has a stacking portion on which sheets are stacked, a separating unit for separating and paying away the sheets tacked on the stacking portion, a feeder for feeding the sheets downstream of the separating unit, a plurality of conveyance paths leading from the separating unit to the feeder, and a switching device for switching the plurality of conveyance paths, the separating unit being effective to feed the sheets at a speed higher than the feeding speed of the feeder.

Abstract: The present invention provides an original conveying apparatus in which originals stacked on an original tray are separated one by one by a separation unit to be conveyed to a reading portion for reading an image, and then the read original is discharged.

Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus has a sheet separator for separating and feeding sheets one by one. The separator is formed of a plurality of separation portions each including a sheet supply roller rotated in a sheet feeding direction and a sheet return roller rotated in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction, each disposed along a width-wise direction of the sheet. A sheet supplying force of a central separation portion disposed substantially at a center of the sheet in the width-wise direction is selected to be greater than that of the other separation portions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an original feeding apparatus comprising first original feeding means for directing an original to an original reading station from one side thereof in an original-stationary scanning mode in which the original is read while fixing the original at the original reading station, and second original feeding means for directing then original to the original reading station from the other side thereof in an original-through scanning mode in which the original is read while shifting the original along the original reading station.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic original supplying apparatus which includes an original stacking plate on which originals can be rested, and an original conveyor for separating and supplying the original, one by one, and for conveying the separated original to a reading position. It operates in a flow reading mode in which a reader is fixed and the original is shifted with respect to the reader, a fix reading scan mode in which the original is fixed at the reading position and the reader is shifted with respect to the fixed original, and a count mode in which the number of originals is counted. The original conveying speed in the fix reading scan mode is faster than the original conveying speed in the flow reading mode, and, in the count mode, the original is conveyed under the flow reading mode.

Abstract: A reading apparatus includes an image reader for reading a sheet original positioned at a reading position and an automatic original conveyor for supplying the sheet original onto the reading position, wherein the sheet original can be read through an image flow reading mode while the sheet original is being conveyed by the automatic original conveyor by fixing the image reader at any position. The apparatus also has a convey path for directing the sheet original to the reading position, and a controller for initiating conveyance of the sheet original waiting at a predetermined position in the convey path in response to a flow reading mode start signal during the image flow reading mode and for initiating the image flow reading mode by outputting an image tip signal when a tip end of the sheet original reaches a flow reading image tip position.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus has a separation device including a rotational feeding member rotatable in the direction of sheet feeding and a counter-rotational member rotatable in the direction counter to the sheet feeding direction, and an elastic member disposed in resilient contact with the rotational feeding member in a region near a nip formed between the rotational feeding member and the counter-rotational member, so as to perform sheet separation in cooperation with the rotational feeding member. The leading ends of the sheets delivered from a sheet tray by a delivery roller are staggered in the nip between the rotational feeding member and the elastic member, and the staggered sheets are separated one-by-one in the nip between the rotational feeding member and the counter-rotational member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet original supply apparatus including a conveyor for conveying a sheet original at a reading portion, and a supply device arranged upstream of the conveyor and adapted to send the sheet original to the conveyor, wherein after the sheet original starts to be conveyed by the conveyor and before the sheet original is read at the reading portion, the restraint of the sheet original by the supply device is released.

Abstract: An original pressing device for use in a reading apparatus. There is a hinge together with a pressing unit supported pivotably by the hinge and pivoting between a closing position where an original on a platen is pressed and an opening position where the original is released. A coil spring is compressed with the closing operation of the pressing unit and is released from the compression along with the opening operation of the pressing unit, and a fluid damper is arranged within a hollow portion of the coil spring to provide a resistance force when the pressing unit performs the closing operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming system having an original-stationary scanning mode and an original-through scanning mode characterized by control means for more shortening a sheet supply distance in the original-through scanning more than that in the original-stationary scanning mode.

Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus has a sheet stacking plate on which sheets are stacked, a drive unit for vibrating the sheet stacking plate upwardly and downwardly, and a sheet supply mechanism for supplying the sheet from the sheet stacking plate. A sheet supplying condition detecting device detects poor supply of a sheet bundle, and the drive unit is operated on the basis of a detection signal of the sheet supplying condition detecting device so that clogging of the sheets, poor sheet separation and poor sheet supply can be prevented.

Abstract: A copying apparatus comprises an original support unit for supporting original sheets, an original transport unit for feeding the originals one by one from the original support unit to an exposure unit, and, after the exposure, discharging the originals to the original support unit, a circulation detecting unit for detecting one circulation of the originals by the original transport unit, a counter for counting the number of originals transported by the original transport unit, a copying unit for effecting exposure in the exposure unit, and copying the image of the exposed original onto a sheet, and a storage unit provided with plural storage devices for storing sheets subjected to the copying by the copying unit.

Abstract: An original feeding apparatus has a first original feeding means for directing an original to an original reading station from one side thereof in an original-stationary scanning mode in which the original is read while fixing the original at the original reading station, and a second original feeding means for directing then original to the original reading station from the other side thereof in an original-through scanning mode in which the original is read while shifting the original along the original reading station.