Abstract: A media tray includes a cleaning mechanism that is fed into the media feed system of a printer automatically when the media tray is emptied of print media and then retracted when the media tray is accessed.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a tray on which sheets are to be placed, a rope connected to the tray, a pulley which includes a shaft and on which the rope is taken up such that the winds thereof are aligned in an axial direction of the shaft, and a motor for moving the tray upward by rotating the pulley about the shaft in a direction to take up the rope to locate the uppermost sheet on the tray at a sheet pickup position. A sheet remaining amount detection device applied to this sheet feeder includes a position detector for detecting a present position which is a present take-up position of the rope on the pulley in the axial direction, and a remaining amount detecting section for detecting the remaining amount of the sheets on the tray based on the present position detected by the position detector.

Abstract: Provided is an image forming apparatus, which includes: a pressing lever and a pressing arm for pushing up a sheet stacking plate so that sheets stacked on the sheet stacking plate are brought into pressure contact with a sheet feeding portion; a lifter driving mechanism for driving the pressing lever and the pressing arm; and a setting mechanism disposed between the pressing lever and the pressing arm, and the lifter driving mechanism. The setting mechanism is capable of setting a pressure contact force for bringing the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking plate into pressure contact with the sheet feeding portion, to be appropriate for a size of the sheets to be stacked and an amount of the sheets to be stacked.

Abstract: A sub-assembly of a document processor that routes at least one document from an input hopper, along a document path and to an output bin is disclosed. The document processor includes a flag movably-arranged within the input hopper to/from a closed orientation and an open orientation; a rod fixed to and extending from the flag, wherein the rod includes an outer surface; a cam member including a camming surface, wherein the camming surface is communicatively-coupled to the outer surface of the rod; a driven shaft connected to the cam member, wherein the cam member further includes a one-way clutch, wherein the driven shaft extends through the one-way clutch; and a feed motor connected to the driven shaft. A method for operating the sub-assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Sheets fed out from a sheet feeding portion, which is brought into pressure contact with the sheets by the upward movement of a sheet stacking portion to feed out the sheets, are separated and conveyed one by one while being upwardly curved. During the sheet feeding operation, the sheet stacking portion is sequentially moved up, and when the sheet feeding operation is completed, the sheet stacking portion is moved down. Further, a remaining amount indicating member moved with the upward movement of the sheet stacking portion to indicate the remaining amount of sheets is held at a position before the sheet stacking portion is moved down, by a holding mechanism, when the sheet feeding operation is completed and the sheet stacking portion is moved down.

Abstract: A method for indexing a lift plate in an image forming device according to one exemplary embodiment includes driving a motor in a first direction to drive a pick mechanism for feeding media from a stack of media sheets on a raisable lift plate such that as media is fed the height of the pick mechanism decreases. When the height of the pick mechanism falls below a predetermined level, the motor is driven a predetermined amount of rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction to raise the lift plate in order to raise the pick mechanism to a desired pick height.

Abstract: A packing material for distribution is formed in such a shape that, when the packing material attached in a deck unit fails to be removed, a control unit determines that no sheet is present on a tray based on detection signals from a sheet surface detection sensor and a sheet presence detection sensor. When a user checks the deck unit when the absence of sheets is displayed, the user can notice a failure to remove the packing material, thus preventing damage to a sheet feeding apparatus caused by the failure to remove the packing material for distribution.

Abstract: A remaining amount detector measures beforehand a distance H where there is one sheet. A motor displaces a lifting plate to a paper-feeding position upon storing paper in the feeding unit. The remaining amount detector measures a distance y1 to the lower face of a paper stack. Thereafter, upon transport of paper from the stack, a control unit causes the remaining amount detector to measure a distance y2 for every predetermined number n of fed sheets. A remaining sheet calculation unit calculates a displacement y1?y2=?y to the bottom of the paper stack S, and calculates the thickness of one sheet on the basis of the displacement ?y and the number n of fed sheets (t=?y/n). The remaining sheet calculation unit divides the thickness (H?y2) of the paper stack by the thickness t of one paper sheet, and calculates the number of remaining sheets m as (m=((H?y2)/t)+1).

Abstract: The present invention relates a sheet feeding apparatus with a lifting and lowering mechanism in a sheet deck 2, which includes abutting portions 101a to 101d which makes wire hanging portions 64a to 64d of a sheet stacking table 52 abut thereon and makes the sheet stacking table 52 lockable with respect to a storing portion 61. The mechanism also includes a pulse motor 27 and a one-way clutch 40. A controller 5 drives the pulse motor 27 to be rotated in a lifting direction of the sheet stacking table 52, further drives the pulse motor 27 to be rotated in the same direction even after the wire hanging portions 64a to 64d abut on the abutting portions 101a to 101d to cause the pulse motor 27 to step out, and renders the pulse motor 27 non-conductive. Thus, the wire hanging portions is locked to abut on the abutting portions.

Abstract: A sheet cassette includes a lock lever that engages a lock projection in an engagement portion of an stacking plate located in a lower position to enable the stacking plate to turn in a locked position in which the stacking plate is locked in a cassette body and an unlocked position in which the lock projection is separated from the engagement portion in lifting the stacking plate. In a state in which the sheet cassette is mounted on the apparatus body, the lifting and lowering device turns the lock lever to the unlocked position in lifting the stacking plate locked in the lower position by the lock lever. Accordingly, by a simple configuration in which an existing configuration can be used, a lock structure can be made so as to be reused in movement of the apparatus such as a move.

Abstract: A link member is rotatably supported by a lifting plate. When the lifting plate moves upward and downward, the movement of the link member is guided by a guide portion provided on a link guide hole. Before sheet feeding starts, the movement of the link member is regulated by a holding portion provided on a lower end of the guide portion so as to hold the lifting plate in a standby position against a biasing force of a feed spring. When the sheet is fed, a feed cam rotating integrally with a feed roller presses the link member to release the link member from being locked by the holding portion of the link guide hole to thereby make the link member movable along the guide portion.

Abstract: A placement plate for placing a recording sheet is provided in a case to be movable upward and downward. A regulating member is supported by the case to be slidable in the width direction of the recording sheet. A locking section is provided on at least one of the placement plate and the regulating member so as to lock the placement plate with respect to the regulating member when the regulating member is located in an area different from an area between the maximum size and the minimum size at the edge of the recording sheet in the width direction.

Abstract: A system for positioning and feeding media in an image forming device according to one embodiment includes a raisable lift plate having a top surface for receiving a stack of media sheets and a pick mechanism for feeding the media sheets into a media feed path. The system further includes a drive transmission having a single input, a first output connected to the pick mechanism for driving the pick mechanism, a second output connected to the lift plate for raising the lift plate, a first clutched gear connected to the first output of the drive transmission, and a second clutched gear connected to the first clutched gear and the second output of the drive transmission. The second clutched gear has an engagement opposite the first clutched gear. A single motor is connected to the input of the drive transmission for raising the lift plate and driving the pick mechanism.

Abstract: A remaining amount detector measures beforehand a distance H where there is one sheet. A motor displaces a lifting plate to a paper-feeding position upon storing paper in the feeding unit. The remaining amount detector measures a distance y1 to the lower face of a paper stack. Thereafter, upon transport of paper from the stack, a control unit causes the remaining amount detector to measure a distance y2 for every predetermined number n of fed sheets. A remaining sheet calculation unit calculates a displacement y1?y2=?y to the bottom of the paper stack S, and calculates the thickness of one sheet on the basis of the displacement ?y and the number n of fed sheets (t=?y/n). The remaining sheet calculation unit divides the thickness (H?y2) of the paper stack by the thickness t of one paper sheet, and calculates the number of remaining sheets m as (m=((H?y2)/t)+1).

Abstract: An image processing device comprises a first feeding unit coupled to a second feeding unit via a sheet feeding path and is configured to feed a sheet toward the second feeding unit in a sheet feeding direction via the sheet feeding path. The first feeding unit comprises a first shaft configured to rotate in the sheet feeding direction, and the second feeding unit comprises a second shaft configured to rotate in the feeding direction. The first feeding unit and the second feeding unit are configured to feed and hold the sheet simultaneously. The image processing device further comprises a first supporting member which rotatably supports the first shaft, a second supporting member which rotatably supports the second shaft, and a third supporting member which rotatably supports the first shaft and/or the second shaft at a location different than the first supporting member and/or the second supporting member.

Abstract: Provided is a paper sheet processing device having a paper currency receiving section which can be attached to and detached from a frame and can receive a paper currency, the pressing plate which is, in the paper currency receiving section, moved between a pressing position for pressing a paper currency and an initial position for permitting conveyance of the paper currency into the paper currency receiving section, a detection member which can move as the pressing plate moves, a sensor which detects movement of the detection member by detecting movement of the pressing plate to the pressing position, and a movement mechanism which, when the paper currency receiving section is detached from the frame, moves the detection member so that the detection member can be detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A media cassette comprises a housing defining a closeable pick window; an urging plate biased towards the pick window for urging a stack of media items towards the pick window; a detent located distal from the pick window for limiting movement of the urging plate when the pick window is closed; and a detent moving mechanism operable to move the detent when the pick window is opened. The media cassette allows the urging plate to exert less force on the stack of media items by expanding the space available for media items located within the cassette by activating the detent moving mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining level media stack in a media tray used in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include receiving a stack of media sheets on top of a plurality of selectively-controllable inflatable bladders located in the media tray, and maintaining a level media stack by inflating or deflating one or more of the plurality of selectively-controllable inflatable bladders.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus that can prevent changes at the time of mounting a sheet cassette, and deformation and changes of the sheets after the sheet cassette is mounted regardless of a sheet size are provided. A movable side regulating plate provided in a frame, regulates positions of width direction side ends of sheets is provided with sheet pressing portions and that press the side ends of the sheets to press the sheets against a fixed side regulating plate in a biasing manner. An indented configuration against which, when short sheets are pressed by the sheet pressing portion are stacked on a sheet stacking plate, upstream ends of the sheets do not abut is formed upward from a bottom end of the sheet pressing portion to a predetermined dimension at a sheet feeding direction center of the sheet pressing portion.

Abstract: A lifting unit and a process for lifting a stack of sheets having at least a first support (20, 120, 220) and at least a second support (22, 122, 222) are described. The first support defines a first con-toured or flat support surface, and the second support defines a second support surface which has a substantially horizontal, flat main surface. In the lifting unit at least one unit is provided for lifting the first and second supports. During operation the supports are lifted such that at least a highest point of the first support is kept elevationally above the second support, the second support is lifted more quickly than the first support, and the substantially horizontal, flat main surface of the second support is kept in its horizontal alignment. The lifting unit is described, in combination with a sheet feeder.

Abstract: A printing medium supplying apparatus for an image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body, and a printing medium aligning unit which is disposed on the apparatus main body to move between an aligning position at which the printing medium aligning unit aligns a printing medium and a distanced position at which the printing medium aligning unit is distanced from the aligning position.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus includes a pressing plate movable up and down configured to allow recording media to be stacked thereon, a feeding roller configured to feed recording media stacked on the pressing plate, an urging unit configured to urge the pressing plate in a direction to come close to the feeding roller, and a moving-away unit configured to cause the pressing plate to move away from the feeding roller against an urging force from the urging unit. The moving-away unit causes the pressing plate to move so that a distance between the uppermost recording medium being stacked and the feeding roller becomes approximately constant regardless of an amount of recording media stacked on the pressing plate.

Abstract: An envelope feed apparatus comprises a main body having a bottom; top (located opposite the bottom); and sides (located between the bottom and the top). The main body top has a flat surface that supports, for example, a stack of envelopes. The envelope feed apparatus also has a slider that includes sides contacting at least two of the main body sides. The slider sides move in a parallel direction to the main body sides as the slider moves relative to the main body. The slider has at least one roller connected to opposing slider sides. The roller(s) are positioned adjacent the main body top. The roller(s) move in a perpendicular direction to the flat surface of the main body top as the slider moves relative to the main body. The roller(s) contact the stack of envelopes when the stack of envelopes is on the flat surface of the main body top and apply pressure to the stack of envelopes in the perpendicular direction toward the flat surface of the main body top.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device that can be incorporated in an image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeder including a belt unit including an attraction belt facing a sheet stack and first and second tension rollers to keep the attraction belt taut, and a side holder to rotatably support the belt unit about the first tension roller that serves as a pivot of the sheet feeder being disposed upstream from the second tension roller in the sheet conveyance direction, a contact and separation drive unit to swing the sheet feeder to make the attraction belt contact with and separate from the sheet stack, and a swing range adjuster to adjust a range of swing of the belt unit with respect to the side holder between contact and separation of the attraction belt with respect to the sheet stack, according to a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A method for indexing a lift plate in an image forming device according to one exemplary embodiment includes driving a motor in a first direction to drive a pick mechanism for feeding media from a stack of media sheets on a raisable lift plate such that as media is fed the height of the pick mechanism decreases. When the height of the pick mechanism falls below a predetermined level, the motor is driven a predetermined amount of rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction to raise the lift plate in order to raise the pick mechanism to a desired pick height.

Abstract: In an image generating apparatus, a push-up member for pushing up a paper and bringing the same into contact with a paper feed roller includes a first push-up member, a second push-up member and a torsion coil spring, a second engaging portion of the second push-up member is rotatably engaged with a first engaging portion of the first push-up member, a second spring engaging portion of the second push-up member is engaged with a coil portion of the torsion coil spring, and a first spring engaging portion of the first push-up member is engaged with a first arm portion of the torsion coil spring.

Abstract: At a start of sheet feeding operation, a feed cam starts to rotate in association with rotation of a feed shaft and a feed roller starts to rotate from a time when the feed shaft has passed an idle zone, so as to send out each of sheets on a rising and lowering plate. After that, the feed roller is returned to a feed initial position by a return mechanism including a conveyance roller and a feed rotatable member. A cam curve of the feed cam reduces a rising speed as compared to a rising speed of a conventional rising and lowering plate, and reduces generation of noise at the time of collision between the sheets on the rising and lowering plate and the feed rotatable member. Thus, an image forming apparatus having lower noise level can be provided.

Abstract: A sheet feeding tray includes a frame member, and freely upwardly swingable plural bottom plates arranged on the frame member side by side perpendicular to a sheet feeding direction. The bottom plates cooperatively support a stack of envelope recording mediums. A lifting device having plural curvature sections is provided. The plural curvature sections are respectively arranged below the bottom plates to scuff and lift the lower surface of the plural bottom plates at a section downstream of the sheet feeding direction. The plural curvature sections each include a different outline in accordance with a difference of a decreasing amount of a thickness of the stack during sheet feeding. The different outlines enable the topmost surface of the stack to be almost horizontal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the height of a media stack in an image production device is disclosed. The method may include setting the height of the media stack using a default multiplier, determining if printing has started, wherein if it is determined that printing has started, measuring the thickness of media sheets in the media stack, counting the number of media sheets fed to an image production section of the image production device, determining if the media stack height is below a predetermined threshold using the one or more media stack height sensors, wherein the one or more media stack height sensors determine that the media stack height is below the predetermined threshold, calculating a next multiplier using the measured paper thickness and counted number of sheets fed, and setting the next media stack height using the calculated next multiplier.

Abstract: A feeder/delivery board (81) includes a generally planar platform (83) made of a flexible material, and a plurality of legs (84) attached to the platform and extending downwardly for supporting the board on a printing press table (80a). A jack mechanism (88) is mounted in at least one of the legs (84) for selectively raising an area of the platform (83) relative to a remainder of the platform. The jack mechanism (88) includes a rack (89), a pinion (90) engaging the rack and a key (91) or thumbwheel (71) for rotating said pinion. The board (81) can include one of the jack mechanisms (88) mounted in each of the legs (84).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an error detection device including a sensor which detects a state where an object has moved to a predetermined position, a drive device which drives the object to a predetermined position, and an error determination device which reports that a predetermined process is to be performed with respect to the target, if the sensor detects a state where the target does not move to the predetermined position within a predetermined time from if the drive device starts driving.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus can include an apparatus body, a cassette detachably mounted to the apparatus body, the cassette being configured to hold print media, and a sensor unit configured to sense whether the cassette is mounted, whether the print media are loaded, and/or whether the print media is properly positioned in the cassette.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a sheet stacking portion for stacking a sheet, a sheet feeding roller for feeding the sheet stacked on said sheet stacking portion, a supporting member, rotatably supported by a base member, for rotatably supporting said sheet feeding roller, and a spring stretched between the base member and an acting portion of the supporting member. The acting portion of the supporting member is located downward with respect to a rotation center of the supporting member when a sheet stacking amount is small, and the acting portion of the supporting member is located upward with respect to a rotation center of the supporting member when a sheet stacking amount is large.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a sheet housing unit which houses a recording sheet and which includes an opening portion formed on an upper end side thereof; a cover member configured to open and close the opening portion; a feed roller which feeds the recording sheet housed in the sheet housing unit; a push member provided in the sheet housing unit configured to push the recording sheet housed in the sheet housing unit toward the feed roller while moving between a distal position spaced apart from the feed roller and a proximal position closer to the feed roller than the distal position; a force application mechanism which provides a push force to the push member; and a cooperation mechanism which displaces the push member from the proximal position to the distal position cooperatively with the cover member being opened.

Abstract: a sheet supplying apparatus, comprising a housing; and a sheet-supply tray which supports a plurality of sheets and which is insertable into the housing. The sheet-supply tray includes at least one first engageable portion. The housing includes at least one second engageable portion which is engaged, in a state in which the sheet-supply tray is inserted in the housing, with the at least one first engageable portion of the sheet-supply tray. The sheet-supply tray further includes a guide portion having an inclined guide surface which guides a movement of each of the sheets supplied from the sheet-supply tray, and at least a portion of the at least one first engageable portion is provided in a rear space located in rear of the guide portion.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device is provided. The sheet feeding device includes a body, a sheet cassette, a lifting plate, which is movable to an uplifted position when the sheet cassette is in the body and to a lowered position when the sheet cassette is outside the body, and uplifts the stack of sheets according to the uplifting movement thereof, a feeder to pick up and feed a topmost sheet, and a restrictive member, which is movable in association with the movement of the lifting plate. The restrictive member is in a restrictive position, in which at least a restricting part of the restrictive member is arranged over the stack of sheets, when the lifting plate is in the lowered position. The restrictive member is in a retracted position, in which the restrictive member is retracted off from the stack of sheets, when the lifting plate is in the uplifted position.

Abstract: A paper feed cassette capable of inhibiting a paper from being warped in a direction substantially perpendicular to a paper feed direction while minimizing increase in the number of component and inhibiting the paper from being plastically deformed into a curved shape is obtained. The paper feed cassette includes a cassette body storing the paper, a first lift member for lifting up the paper so as to bring the paper into contact with a paper feed roller in printing, and a second lift member for lifting up the paper so as to produce bending caused by droop of the rear in the paper feed direction of the paper due to the paper's own weight in printing.

Abstract: A sheet stacking tray assembly may include a tray having a lead surface and an elevate plate. The lead surface may include one or more first geometric protuberances. At least one edge of the elevate plate may include one or more second geometric protuberances that are complimentary to the first geometric protuberances. The lead surface may be configured to interlock with the edge of the elevate plate to form a support area for one or more sheets.

Abstract: A printer has a separating unit, such as a depressing cam and a depressing slider, which presses a middle plate against the biasing force of a spring and separates a sheet on the middle plate from a sheet feeding roller by a predetermined distance, a separation driving unit, such as a DC motor, which moves the separating unit, a measuring unit which measures the driving load applied to the separation driving unit when the separation driving unit drives the separating unit, and a load imparting unit, such as a brake plate, which imparts load to the middle plate, the separating unit, or the like. The brake plate or the like imparts load when a sheet is separated from the sheet feeding roller by the separating unit, and the brake plate or the like changes the load to be imparted, according to the turning angle of the middle plate.

Abstract: The feeding device includes a storage unit, a feeding roller which rotates while contacting the uppermost sheet stored in the storage unit to move the uppermost sheet forward, a separation plate disposed forward in the movement direction of the uppermost sheet and provided with an inclined surface inclined with respect to the movement direction, and a separation auxiliary member is disposed along the inclined surface of the separation plate and operated by a force received when the uppermost sheet comes in contact. The separation auxiliary member includes a rotation shaft parallel with the inclined surface, and a first resistance part rotating about the rotation shaft as the center from an initial position projecting from the inclined surface to an embedded position embedded in the inclined surface as a friction coefficient of the first resistance part is higher than that of the inclined surface and the received force is increased.

Abstract: A push-up member of this image generating apparatus includes a first push-up member integrally having a first assembly engaging portion provided between a first spring clip portion and a first engaging portion and a second push-up member integrally having a second assembly engaging portion rotatably engaging with the first assembly engaging portion, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged with each other in assembling by engaging the first assembly engaging portion and the second assembly engaging portion with each other while mounting first and second ends of a spring member on the first push-up member and the second push-up member respectively and rotating the second push-up member about the engaging position between the first assembly engaging portion and the second assembly engaging portion against urging force of the spring member.

Abstract: A rotation measuring mechanism capable of measuring a rotation amount and a displacement amount of a rotary member in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis is provided. An exemplary combination of the rotation measuring mechanism includes a detection target rotating in synchrony with the rotary member and range sensors. Each time the detection target rotates once, each sensor outputs one cycle of a sine wave. The amplitude of the sine wave output from the sensor varies in accordance with the displacement of the detection target together with the rotary member in the direction perpendicular to the axis, thereby obtaining the rotation amount and the displacement amount of the rotary member.

Abstract: A paper sheet processing apparatus that can detect in an inexpensive way that a bill housing part is full with bills. The paper sheet processing apparatus includes: a bill housing part that houses a bill in a stacked manner; a placing plate arranged in the bill housing part and moves as a bill is stacked and housed; a magnetic body magnetized and disposed on the placing plate; a magnetic sensor that detects an amount of magnetism from the magnetic body; and a control part that determines whether the amount of magnetism detected by the magnetic sensor is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a scanner unit which performs an exposure process by irradiating beams to the image carrier, a scanner supporting plate which supports the scanner unit, a pair of sidewall frames which supports both lateral ends of the scanner supporting plate, a beam structure which is disposed between the pair of sidewall frames in at least one of a front side and a rear side of the scanner unit, and a reinforcing plate which is disposed opposite to the scanner supporting plate with interposing the scanner unit therebetween and is disposed between the pair of the sidewall frames in a non-fixed state to the scanner supporting plate and the scanner unit.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides a paper feeding cassette that comprises a cassette body; a front face wall disposed at a front end of the cassette body so as to be elevated from a bottom wall of the cassette body; a medium-stacking member disposed so as to be swingable about a support shaft relative to the cassette body by using the support shaft as a swinging center, the medium-stacking member configured to have a medium thereon stacked inside the cassette body; and a biasing unit configured to bias the medium-stacking member so as to bring the medium into contact with a feeder, wherein the front face wall comprises a face which regulates the medium along a trajectory drawn by a front end of the medium-stacking member in accordance with a swinging movement of the medium-stacking member.

Abstract: A sheet stacking tray assembly may include a tray having a lead surface and an elevate plate. The lead surface may include one or more first geometric protuberances. At least one edge of the elevate plate may include one or more second geometric protuberances that are complimentary to the first geometric protuberances. The lead surface may be configured to interlock with the edge of the elevate plate to form a support area for one or more sheets.

Abstract: There is provided a sheet feeding device in which a sheet is discriminated at preliminary loosening before feeding, and is set to be controlled according to the type of the sheet by a simple configuration without requiring a special configuration. In the sheet feeding device in which air is blown onto a sheet stack, and a sheet floating at the uppermost level by the blowing is absorbed and conveyed, a sheet type is discriminated, based on a moving amount of the tray, at preliminary loosening before sheet feeding after setting the sheet in a tray.

Abstract: A tray assembly for a print production resource may include a tray and a guide assembly. The guide assembly may include a first width guide configured to contact a first side of a media stack at a first location below a top sheet of the media stack such that a first distance exists between the top sheet and the first width guide. The guide assembly may include a second width guide configured to contact a second side of the media stack at a second location below the top sheet of the media stack such that a second distance exists between the top sheet of the media stack and the second width guide. The first side may be opposite the second side, and the tray assembly may be configured to be utilized with a top sheet feeder mechanism.

Abstract: A media handling system includes a platform, a bin supporting the platform below and for undergoing movement toward and away from a sheet feeding position, a first motion transmitting assembly coupled between the platform and bin and tailored to counterbalance the weight of the platform and any stack such that as the weight decreases the platform is lifted toward the sheet feeding position to maintain the stack top below a lower limit position thereof, a control mechanism to sense the position of the stack top relative to a given range between the lower limit position to an upper home position, and a second motion transmitting assembly drivingly coupled to the platform via the first motion transmitting assembly and responsive to the control mechanism sensing to cause the first motion transmitting assembly to further lift the platform to and maintain the stack top position within the given range.

Abstract: Sheets fed out from a sheet feeding portion, which is brought into pressure contact with the sheets by the upward movement of a sheet stacking portion to feed out the sheets, are separated and conveyed one by one while being upwardly curved. During the sheet feeding operation, the sheet stacking portion is sequentially moved up, and when the sheet feeding operation is completed, the sheet stacking portion is moved down. Further, a remaining amount indicating member moved with the upward movement of the sheet stacking portion to indicate the remaining amount of sheets is held at a position before the sheet stacking portion is moved down, by a holding mechanism, when the sheet feeding operation is completed and the sheet stacking portion is moved down.