Abstract: There is provided an apparatus provided with a tray which goes up and down with sheet stack being supported, a pickup roller which feeds the sheet on the tray a first detecting sensor which detects a object placed on the tray other than the sheets to be fed by the pickup roller, as the tray goes up.

Abstract: An image reading device which is capable of enhancing productivity in reading bound originals, such as a book, a magazine, or a document. A sheet-scanner device implementing the image reading device includes a sheet scanner as a reader part for reading an image on an original. The sheet scanner comprises a sheet-like substrate formed thereon with a light-emitting layer that can emit light spontaneously, and a light-receiving layer on which a plurality of reading pixels are arranged. The sheet scanner is mounted in the sheet-scanner device such that the sheet scanner can be drawn out onto and in from the original.

Abstract: A feeding unit is detachably attached to a sheet cassette in which sheets are loaded. The feeding unit includes a sheet tray on which sheets are loaded, and a fan for blowing air against the side surface of a stack of sheets loaded on the sheet tray, the sheet tray and the fan being held in a case.

Abstract: A stress-luminescent material emits luminescence when external mechanical energy is applied thereto. The fine particles of the material have an anisotropic aspect ratio, preferably, from 2 to 1000, more preferably, from 5 to 100. Raw materials are mixed together in an aqueous solvent, and aqueous ammonia is added thereto to change the pH value, thereby controlling the aspect ratio of the stress-luminescent material particles. Also provided are compositions containing the stress-luminescent material, such as a coating material, an ink, and an adhesive.

Abstract: A stress-induced light emitting composite material according to the present invention contains at least stress-induced light emitting inorganic particles, which emit light at application of a mechanical effect thereon and a polymer material. The stress-induced light emitting inorganic particles are not more than a wavelength of visible light in particle diameter and surface-treated. With this arrangement, the stress-induced light emitting composite material becomes transparent in a visible light range. Moreover the surface treatment of the stress-induced light emitting inorganic particles give water resistance to the stress-induced light emitting inorganic particles.