Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus including a stacking portion for stacking sheets, an alignment reference wall disposed in approximately parallel with a conveying direction of the sheet, an alignment moving wall for performing alignment by making an end portion of the sheet hit with the alignment reference wall, a processing mechanical section for carrying out binding with respect to the sheet bundle thus aligned, and a plurality of rotating pairs disposed in a widthwise direction approximately perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sheet for conveying the sheet bundle in a pinching manner.

Abstract: An aligning device movable to a first position constituting a first sheet stacking portion for supporting a delivered sheet and a second position in which the sheet is not supported is provided downstream of a pair of delivery rollers, and the pair of delivery rollers are designed to be capable of assuming a first state in which they are capable of delivering the sheet, and a second state in which rollers constituting the pair of delivery rollers are spaced apart from each other. When the pair of delivery rollers are in the first state and the aligning device is in the first position, a sheet aligning and stacking portion for making the alignment of the sheet by the aligning device possible is defined by the first stacking portion and the sheet transport path between a reference wall and the pair of delivery rollers.

Abstract: An image reader includes a first image-reader unit, mounted on a body of the image reader, for reading image information of an original document on a first image-reader section, a closing unit which is openably supported on the body of the image reader through a closing device, a second image-reader unit, mounted on the closing unit, for reading image information of an original on a second image-reader section, and a closed-state detector for detecting a closed state of the closing unit. The closed-state detector includes a photoemitter, a photodetector, and a light-blocking unit which blocks a light beam traveling from the photoemitter to the photodetector, by moving in operative association with the opening and closing operation of the closing unit.

Abstract: A cover for forming an outer appearance of a stapler unit for performing a stapling process to a sheet bundle serves also as a part of an outer shell of an apparatus body, and the stapler unit is provided selectively to the apparatus body movably between a position for stapling the sheet bundle and a position for replacing staple cartridges, to thereby make it possible to readily perform a jam process or staple replacement.

Abstract: An image reader includes a first image-reader unit, mounted on a body of the image reader, for reading image information of an original document on a first image-reader section, a closing unit which is openably supported on the body of the image reader through a closing device, a second image-reader unit, mounted on the closing unit, for reading image information of an original on a second image-reader section, and a closed-state detector for detecting a closed state of the closing unit. The closed-state detector includes a photoemitter, a photodetector, and a light-blocking unit which blocks a light beam traveling from the photoemitter to the photodetector, by moving in operative association with the opening and closing operation of the closing unit.

Abstract: Provided are a post-processing device, an image forming apparatus having the post-processing device and an error handling method therefor. A conveyed sheet is temporarily stacked on a pair of slide guides (310, 311), and after post-processing such as stapling is conducted on the sheets, the slide guides (310, 311) are opened to drop down the sheets on a face-down discharge portion (125) on an upper surface of a printer (100). If the number of sheets temporarily stacked on the slide guides (310, 311) exceeds the post-processing possible number of sheets, the slide guides (310, 311) are opened to drop down the sheets on the face-down discharge portion (125). If the size of sheets to be post-processed is unsuitable for the post-processing, a flapper (301) is changed over so that the sheets transported from the printer main body (100) are discharged directly to the face-down discharge portion (125) and stacked thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet processing apparatus comprising an intermediate staking portion for aligning a sheet sent, a reference wall for positioning the sheet, a stapler form performing a binding operation with respect to a sheet bundle aligned by the reference wall, delivery means for delivering the sheet bundle from the intermediate stacking portion, a sheet stacking portion for stacking the sheet bundle and guide means provided above the sheet stacking portion and at an end portion on the stapler side of the end portions in the width direction of the sheet. The guide means supports an end portion on the stapler side of the sheet bundle when the sheet bundle is delivered from the delivery means in a staple mode in which the binding operation is preformed with respect to the sheet bundled.

Abstract: A sheet treating apparatus has a discharging device for discharging a sheet with an image formed thereon to a sheet stacking device, the stacking device having an abutment reference member disposed on the leading end side of the sheet stacking device and an urging member disposed on a sheet trailing end side of the sheet stacking device for urging the sheet discharged from the discharging device toward the abutment reference member.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light transmitting member opposed to an original, a reading device for reading the original image through the light transmitting member, and a standard portion which is read by the reading device to perform shading compensation, wherein the standard portion is provided on the opposite side of the original with respect to the light transmitting member.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus that has first reading device for reading a first surface of an original, and second reading device for reading a second surface opposite to the first surface of the original, the first reading device and the second reading device being provided on the first surface side and the second surface side, respectively, with the original as a boundary, the second reading device including a light source and a reading member for reading image light from the original irradiated by the light source, the reading member being provided separately from a vertical line passing through the light source.

Abstract: A discharged sheet stacking apparatus includes a sheet feed-in device for pinching and feeding a sheet onto a sheet stacking portion on which a plurality of sheets are stacked and for causing a tip end of the sheet to abut against a sheet stopper. The sheet feed in device is disposed at a position spaced apart from the sheet stopper by a distance smaller than a length of the sheet. The sheet feed-in device continues the feeding operation while pinching a tail end of the sheet even after the tip end of the sheet abuts against the sheet stopper so that, after a loop is formed in the tail end of the sheet, the sheet is discharged onto the sheet stacking portion.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus capable of suppressing noise and reliably correcting skew feed of a sheet, and an image reading apparatus having the sheet feeding apparatus. A sheet conveyed by a conveying member is pressed against a registration roller pair in a stop state, thereby forming a loop in a loop formation space between the conveying member and the registration roller pair. A lower member which forms the lower surface of the loop formation space has a shape with which the sheet conveyed by the conveying member moves toward the registration roller pair along an upper member which forms the upper surface of the loop formation space in forming the loop. When the lower member is pressed by the sheet conveyed by the registration roller pair while attenuating the loop, the lower member moves downward.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sheet fastening apparatus comprising sheet bundle conveying means for conveying sheet bundles and sheet bundle fastening means for fastening sheet bundles. The sheet bundle fastening means is disposed on either side, of the sheet bundle, extending substantially parallel in a sheet conveyance direction and fastens the sheet bundle at least at a position upon stop of conveyance of the sheet bundle by the sheet bundle conveying means.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus, which is configured in a simple construction and at low cost, includes a first sheet stacking portion for temporarily stacking a sheet discharged thereon, an alignment member for aligning the sheet discharged on the first sheet stacking portion, a sheet processing member for performing a predetermined process on the sheet stacked on the first sheet stacking portion, and a second sheet stacking portion located substantially vertically below the first sheet stacking portion. The alignment member acts to cause the aligned sheet to drop to the second sheet stacking portion.

Abstract: A sheet conveying apparatus including a conveying path changing device, the conveying path changing device having a main conveying path for conveying a sheet, a plurality of branched paths branched from the main conveying path, a plurality of oscillatable flappers for selecting between a changed position where the sheet is guided from the main conveying path to one of the branched paths and a retracted position permitting passage of the sheet, a single solenoid for oscillating the plurality of flappers, a single link for connecting the solenoid and the flappers, and a sensor confirming movements of the flapper by detecting a movement of the link.

Abstract: A sheet stacking device including a stacking tray for stacking and containing sheets, and a lifting and lowering device for moving the staking tray up and down. In this case, the lifting and lowering device includes a driving force converting device for changing the distance of moving the stacking tray as an input and output ratio with respect to a predetermined driving force from a driving source, and changing the elevating speed of the stacking tray according to the input and output ratio. The driving force converting device includes a suspension member for suspending the stacking tray and a winding member having a conical winding portion for winging the suspension member, and lifts and lowers the stacking tray by rotating the winding member, and the elevating speed of the stacking tray is changed according to the winding length of the suspension member, which is changed depending on the diameter difference of the winding portion.

Abstract: A sheet receiving/stacking device, which has a sheet stacking portion for stacking sheets, a sheet conveying portion for conveying sheets to the sheet stacking portion, and a retractable sheet guiding portion for catching the bottom surface of a sheet and then guiding the sheet to the sheet stacking portion. The sheet guiding portion is moveable between a guide position and a retracted position.

Abstract: An image reader includes a first image-reader unit, mounted on a body of the image reader, for reading image information of an original document on a first image-reader section, a closing unit which is openably supported on the body of the image reader through a closing device, a second image-reader unit, mounted on the closing unit, for reading image information of an original on a second image-reader section, and a closed-state detector for detecting a closed state of the closing unit. The closed-state detector includes a photoemitter, a photodetector, and a light-blocking unit which blocks a light beam traveling from the photoemitter to the photodetector, by moving in operative association with the opening and closing operation of the closing unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet material stacking device comprising a sheet material discharging means for discharging a sheet material, a sheet material stacking means on which the sheet materials discharged by the sheet material discharging means are stacked, and an elongation tray extensibly housed within the sheet material stacking means and capable of extending in accordance with a size of the sheet material, and wherein the elongation tray has an inclined surface at an upstream end thereof in a sheet material stacking direction.

Abstract: A sheet passage changing apparatus includes a plurality of swingable changing devices for changing a sheet transporting direction; common drivers for swinging the plurality of changing devices; a controller for actuating the drivers, before a sheet reaches an upstream one of the changing devices, to actuate the upstream one of the changing devices, thus changing the sheet transporting direction and for actuating the drivers, after the sheet passing through the upstream changing device and before the sheet reaches a downstream one of the changing device, to actuate the downstream changing device, thus changing the sheet transporting direction.