Abstract: A sheet feed mechanism for feeding sheet media in a printing device. The mechanism comprises a slidably retractable tray accommodating a stack of sheet media, and a pick mechanism including a friction roller for picking individual sheets from the stack of sheet media and advancing the sheets along a media path. The pick mechanism is configured such that in use the friction roller applies a compression force on the stack of sheet media to increase the friction force between the friction roller and the top sheet of the stack. When the stack of media is exhausted, the friction roller applies a compression force directly on the tray floor. In order to prevent the friction roller from being dragged around as the tray is retracted, the tray floor includes a ridged surface in a region where the friction roller applies the compression force. The ridged surface also helps to remove paper fragments attached to the friction roller.

Abstract: A skew feed or damage in the sheet in automatic feeding is avoided. In an image forming apparatus provided with a printer for recording an image, the printer is provided with a feeding port for enabling manual insert sheet feeding and an automatic sheet feeder (ASF) is detachably mounted on the feeding port to enable automatic sheet feeding through the feeding port. As shown in the drawings, the printer is provided with a printer sheet guide for manual insert sheet feeding, while the ASF is provided with an ASF sheet guide for automatic sheet feeding, and the ASF sheet guide is displaced toward the inner side of the sheet by a predetermined amount with respect to the printer sheet guide. Thus, the sheet automatically fed utilizing the ASF sheet guide does not contact the printer sheet guide, whereby the skew feed of the sheet and the damage to the sheet end can be prevented.

Abstract: A sheet dispensing apparatus includes at least one pair of sheet stores, and a transport system for transporting sheets from the stores to a dispense position. The transport system includes, for each pair of sheet stores, a common feed member which, upon relative movement between the common feed member and the stores, can be moved between a pair of feed positions in each of which it engages a sheet in a respective one of the pair of stores so as to enable sheet(s) to be withdrawn from the corresponding store. The common feed member is able to take up also a neutral position in which, even if actuated, no sheets are fed from either store.

Abstract: A method for controlling an intermediate stacking device for flat shipments, in particular in letter sorting facilities, comprising a stacking device (SR) on a movable stacking cart (SW), a bottom transporting belt (UB) on which the shipments are positioned crosswise to the belt movement direction, and a separating device with a withdrawal means (AR), as well as a shipment sensor (FH2), which detects the shipments at the separating device. In order to correct without problems a slanted position of the shipment stack at the separating device, the normal operational control of the intermediate stacking device becomes invalid if a predetermined time interval during which no shipments are detected at the withdrawal means (AR) is exceeded, the supply of shipments to the intermediate stacking device is interrupted, the bottom transporting belt (UB) is stopped, and the stacking cart (SW) is put into motion in the direction of the separating device.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, at least a part of a transporting passage for guiding a recording sheet of paper to an image forming unit is opened from the front side of an apparatus body. According to the image forming apparatus, a paper jam can be easily removed and a space necessary for maintenance/inspection such as removal of the paper jam can be minimized.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus has a tray supported in a vertically movable manner and adapted to support sheets discharged from the main body of the sheet processing apparatus, and an elevate/lower unit for elevating or lowering the tray and having a detector for outputting a detection signal by detecting an uppermost one from among the sheets discharged in succession and stacked on the tray and a controller for controlling the elevate/lower unit so as to lower the tray in response to the detection signal inputted from the detector. The controller, after the input of the detection signal from the detector, if the input of the detection signal is not terminated even after lowering of the tray by a predetermined amount, executes a serial control of lowering the tray until the input of the detection signal is terminated, then elevating the tray until the detection signal is inputted, and lowering the tray until the detection signal is terminated.

Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus includes a sheet supporter for supporting sheets, a supply rotary device for feeding out the sheets supported by the sheet supporter, a separation member for separating sheets fed by the supply rotary device one by one by elastically changing an inclination angle of the separation member when the sheets fed by the supply rotary means abut against and ride over the separation member, and a sheet guide member removably disposed above the sheet supporting means and adapted to guide the sheet in such a manner that the sheet is subjected to resistance of the separation member smaller than resistance from the separation member to the sheet when the sheets are supplied from the sheet supporter.

Abstract: A paper feeder for feeding papers to an image forming apparatus and a paper tray elevation device therefore are disclosed. A first tray is movable up and down with a plurality of papers stacked thereon. A paper feed member feeds the papers from the first tray in a preselected direction of paper feed. A second tray is positioned beside the first tray in substantially the horizontal direction and movable up and down with a plurality of papers stacked thereon. A shifting device shifts the entire paper stack from the second tray to the first tray. A horizontal elevating mechanism elevates the first tray while maintaining it in substantially the horizontal position. An interlocking mechanism at least elevates, when papers of greater in size than the papers to be stacked on the first or second tray are stacked over the first and second trays in a single stack, the second tray in interlocked relation to the elevation of the first tray while maintaining the second tray in substantially the horizontal position.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting sheet materials having a sheet material setting member pivotably supported to a sheet material processing apparatus, an auxiliary member for enhancing a sheet material setting area, and a restricting member for restricting pivotal movement of the auxiliary member in a midway of the movement when the auxiliary member pivotally moves according to pivotal movement of the sheet material setting member. The auxiliary member pivotally moves in a reverse direction according to the pivotal movement of the sheet material setting member when it restricted by the restricting member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which includes a first paper cassette provided in a lower portion of a main body of the image forming apparatus for housing recording papers therein and for feeding the recording papers to the main body through a first paper feeding path, and a second cassette provided below the first paper cassette for housing recording papers therein. At least a part housing the recording papers of the first paper cassette is capable of being pulled out in a pulling out direction which is in a feeding direction of the recording papers from the first cassette, and at least a part housing the recording papers of the second paper cassette is capable of being pulled out in the same pulling out direction of the first paper cassette.

Abstract: An image recording device having a detachable web roll cassette in which a rolled web sheet is accommodated. The device includes a frame body having a web roll cassette insertion port, a web roll cassette accommodating portion, and a web sheet passage extending from the web roll cassette accommodating portion in a sheet feeding direction. The device also includes a sheet feeding unit including a drive roller and a pinch roller for nipping the web sheet therebetween, and a print head for printing the image on the web sheet fed by the sheet feed unit. A pivot mechanism is provided to move the front end discharge portion of the web roll cassette toward an operating position. The pivot mechanism is also provided with the drive roller for moving the drive roller toward the sheet nipping position when the front end discharge portion is moved to the operating position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet supplying apparatus comprising a sheet stacking means for stacking a plurality of sheets, a sheet supply means for feeding out the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking means, a separation means for separating the sheets one by one by abutting the sheets against the separation means to cause elastic angular change in the sheet thereby to ride the sheet over the separation means, and a guide means having a guide surface for guiding the sheet separated by the separation means toward a downstream side, and wherein the sheet stacking means is provided at its downstream end with a projection which protrudes toward downstream sides of the separation means and of the guide surface of the guide means.

Abstract: An image marking device adapted to reduce an exterior envelope thereof. The image marking device comprises a housing having an exterior surface and a slot formed through the exterior surface. An image forming location, such as a print head, is disposed in the housing for printing an image on a recorder medium supplied from a supply tray received in the slot. The tray and the housing define the exterior envelope. The tray is inwardly slidable in the slot from an extended position to an inserted position. A guide ramp is disposed in the housing for guiding the recorder medium from the supply tray to the print head and extends from near the tray to near the print head. The guide ramp has a hinged end portion disposed adjacent the tray in a first position as the tray is extended and inwardly movable to a second position to allow the tray to be fully inserted into the slot.

Abstract: A document transport device provided with a document tray comprising a main tray and a foldable auxiliary tray disposed above a discharge tray. A document transport device provided with a projection and a projection on an auxiliary tray to guide ejected sheets to a discharge tray without buckling or bending at the gap and height differential at the order between a main tray and an auxiliary tray, and to allow both large size document and small size documents to be easily removed from a document tray.

Abstract: An input tray mechanism for feeding sheet media to a page printer includes a structural configuration for preventing overfilling of sheet media therein. A support structure includes a receiving area, an enlarged opening thereto, and a shelf formed at a base of the enlarged opening for inhibiting passage of excess media beyond the shelf and further into the support structure. The shelf prevents overfill of the input tray mechanism by abruptly stopping excess media from passing further into the input tray mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the support structure is formed as part of a side adjuster for the input tray, and the support structure is vertically oriented for receiving sheet media in an upright, on-end position.

Abstract: A media feed apparatus for a printer, with a motorized media pick mechanism and a media support plate movable toward and away from the pick element, so that a stack of media on the plate may be brought into contact with the pick mechanism. A lifter assembly is continuously movable between a first position and a second position, and has a cam surface supportably contacting the media support plate. A first cam surface portion contacts the support plate when the lifter assembly is in the first position, and a second cam surface portion contacts the support plate when the lifter assembly is in the second position. The support plate may have a protrusion over which the cam surface slides, and the cam may pivoted to provide a selectable lever arm, depending on the point of contact.

Abstract: A secondary cassette feeder enhances the capacity of an image forming apparatus having a main body provided with a primary cassette feeder for introducing sheets of print media to the apparatus and a first pickup roller, disposed inside the main body and driven by a motor, for feeding the sheets of print media in accordance with a synchronizing signal. The secondary cassette feeder includes: a plurality of idler gears engaged with the first pickup roller; and a second pickup roller, engaged with the idler gears, for feeding auxiliary sheets of print media in accordance with the synchronizing signal. The secondary cassette feeder further includes a set of contiguous gears, engaged with at least one of the idler gears, for driving the second pickup roller. The contiguous gears are ganged together by a swing arm, the swing arm being biased by a spring anchored at an interior point of the secondary cassette feeder.

Abstract: An automatic paper feeding device in a multifunction machine including a recording medium cassette, a document cassette and a paper feeding unit. The document cassette is separated rotatably from the feeding unit. When performing either a printing or a copying function in the multifunctional machine, an automatic document feeding (ADF) rubber of the document cassette is separated from an automatic document feeding (ADF) roller of the paper feeding unit. When performing a fax function in the multifunctional machine, the ADF rubber of the document cassette is contacted to the ADF roller of the paper feeding unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically sorting and feeding flat articles. The method stacks flat articles into cartridges in output compartments of a sorting machine, robotically transfers filled cartridges from the output compartments of a sorting machine to a buffer shelf; and from the buffer shelf to a docking station of a cartridge unloader and automatic feeder to the input of the sorting machine, and for transferring empty cartridges from the docking station to either the buffer or the output compartments of the sorter.

Abstract: A laser beam printer with variable paper feeding capacity includes a body having a cassette mounting portion with a paper feeding device and a cassette mounting rail, at the bottom thereof. This permits the use of a minimum capacity paper cassette and a large capacity paper cassette independently formed with paper holding portions of different capacities. The cassettes may each have a channel along which the cassette mounting rail slides, at both sides thereof, and a plate for supporting paper which receives elasticity from a spring. The printer may make use of a height compensation mechanism installed at the bottom of the body. This mechanism permits the height of the cassette mounting portion of the body to be higher, such as when the large capacity paper cassette is selectively used. Therefore, the printer is efficiently used by selectively employing the minimum capacity paper cassette and large capacity paper cassette, in accordance with usage environment of users.

Abstract: A sheet-feed type scanner including a scanner base defining a scanning plane and having a document feed hole at one end into which document to be scanned is inserted; an image pick-up mechanism fixedly mounted in the scanner base and comprised of a light source, a reflector, a focus lens and an image sensor, and adapted to pick up image of inserted document within the scanning plane and to convert detected image signal into corresponding electrical signal; a document sheathe adapted for holding document for scanning, the document sheathe having a first flat sheet member and a second flat sheet member connected together for holding document in there between in a flat manner for scanning; and a transmission mechanism controlled to move the document sheathe along the scanning plane, for permitting document to be scanned by the image pick-up mechanism; and a document guide adapted for guiding the document sheathe through the scanning plane.

Abstract: A pack (12) of thermal-sensitive sheets, which comprises a stack of sheets (77) bearing each a thermal-sensitive layer on one sheet side, a protective foil (79) in contact with the thermal-sensitive layer of the outermost sheet of the stack, and a rupturable strap (78) encircling the stack of sheets and the protective foil, and attached to such foil by means of a rupturable seal (83).

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus, of a printing machine which includes a cassette for receiving paper that is detachably coupled with a body of the printing device, guide members for supporting side portions of the received paper, slidingly installed in the cassette, and a pair of pick-up rollers for drawing the paper out from the cassette. The pick-up rollers are positioned for tight contact with the top of the received papers and are movably installed on a rotating shaft so as to be capable of moving along the shaft. The paper feeding apparatus also includes a moving mechanism, interlocking with the guide member, for moving the pick-up roller along the shaft.

Abstract: An expandable cassette for use with device to support a sheet that is fed into from a communication machinery. The expandable tray may include a first tray and a second tray mounted on the first sheet support so that the second tray can be rotated around a shaft that is attached to tray in the direction that paper is discharged from the image forming device. A third tray may be slidably mounted on the second tray in such a manner that the third tray is moveable back and forth along direction that paper is discharged from the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A media tray for storing a supply of media for use in a printing apparatus is provided. The media tray includes a body having a tray for storing the media, a cover and a handle. The cover includes a front face. The front face is opposed to the body. The cover has an opening. The cover is attached to a first end of the body. The handle is pivotably secured to the cover about a handle pivoting axis. The handle is positioned at least partially adjacent the opening of the cover. The handle is removably connectable with the printing apparatus. The handle pivoting axis is located outside the volume normal to the face whose cross sectional area is defined by the predetermined periphery of the cover at the front face.

Abstract: Height barriers (15a, 15b) on the bottom of the feed arm frame (5) are located a distance above the bottom of paper drawer (1) of a printer (13). the drawer is pulled out to load paper, and then pushed in. If the paper stack (25) is high enough to encounter the barriers, paper which encounters the barrier is pushed off the top of the stack as the drawer moves further. The pushed paper emerges in front of the printer and is removed by the operator. Back restraint (17) is integral to the elevated region (17b) followed by an inclined region (17a). Overloading of paper is prevented and the paper stack not uncompressed during subsequent paper feed.

Abstract: A paper detecting device is provided that may be constructed using a tray-rotatable-cam that can rotate around a shaft through a limited range. The tray-rotatable-cam is rotated into operating position by the insertion of the paper tray into the electrophotographic apparatus. A height-adjusting-beam is positioned substantially perpendicularly to the tray-rotatable-cam and is able to rotate on its own shaft through a limited range to raise the height of the shaft supporting the sensor-activating-blade. The shaft supporting the sensor-activating-blade is at a substantially perpendicular orientation to the height-adjusting-beam. A torsion spring installed on the same shaft as the height-adjusting-beam to provide the force to lift the shaft, and sensor-activating-blade to their operational height. The torsional spring also prevent the shaft and sensor-activating-blade from being caught in the paper tray when the paper tray is inserted or removed from the electrophotographic apparatus.

Abstract: A document transport apparatus has a box-shaped housing, or case, having first and second openings provided in a sidewall of the case, a drawer movable into and out of the case through the first opening and a hopper part accessible through the second opening. A transport mechanism transports a document sheet, in the closed position of the drawer, from the hopper part and past an image reader/printer, for reading data from or printing data onto the transported sheet, to the stacker part.

Abstract: A sheet feed apparatus for an imaging device. The apparatus includes a drive roller, plurality of sheets of photosensitive material, a photographically inert liner having upper and lower surfaces and a container for storing the sheets of photosensitive material. Proper feeding of the sheets of material and a stable location of the liner are ensured by appropriate coefficients of friction between the respective components. The top surface (19b) of the liner (19) to the bottom surface (18B) of the sheets (18) has a first coefficient of friction and the bottom of one sheet (18) to the top of another sheet (18) has a second coefficient of friction, the second coefficient friction being less than the first coefficient of friction, whereby multiple feeds of the sheets are reduced.

Abstract: A cassette (20) for a currency handling system includes a door (28) that can be opened to expose the entire front surface of the cassette. An end door (30) is operable to be opened to allow currency that is disposed within the interior of the cassette (20) to be urged outward. The cassette (20) has a locking mechanism disposed in an end (72), which locking mechanism prevents the door from opening until the cassette (20) is disposed in a docking station. Once in the docking station, a paddle (56) is urged downward into the cassette (20) to urge the notes outward therefrom. These notes are moved into a buffer region (58) and then the cassette (20) can be removed to allow another cassette (20) to be disposed therein. This allows a continuous feeding operation. The cassette (20) can then be disposed in a second collection docking station to collect the output of the sorter (41). In this docking station, a paddle (68) is reciprocated downward into the cassette (20) with the collected notes.

Abstract: A simultaneous cassette withdrawal restriction mechanism for use with an image forming apparatus provided with a plurality of cassettes includes a projection provided on each cassette; a connecting rod; and an engageable member which is adapted for engaging with the corresponding projection, the connecting rod is integrally formed with the engageable members. The engageable member is selectively changeable with its posture between a first posture to restrict the withdrawal movements of the cassettes other than one which had been already withdrawn out of a main body of the image forming apparatus and a second posture to allow one of the cassettes to be withdrawn once the one having been withdrawn is returned to the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A stack height control assembly utilizing the feedhead as the height sensing member. As a result of incorporating the stack height sensor into the feedhead, several advantages are realized. There is no additional drag imparted to the sheets as the result of a sensing arm or other sensing member. This also reduces the possibility of skewing the sheets with an additional sensing member. The feedhead, due to the normal force required to acquire the sheets also provides an accurate measurement of stack height. The normal force of the feedhead also eliminates and inaccuracies that could be caused by curled sheets in a feed tray. The stack height is also measured "on the fly" as the sheets are being acquired and fed, thus providing an efficient stack height sensing scheme. A floating coupler and sensor flag arrangement can be mounted so that it is engaged with a paper supply drawer as the drawer is moved into an operative position.

Abstract: A sheet holder removably attached to a hopper of a image reading apparatus. The sheet holder has a front bottom wall, a rear top wall, and an intermediate wall connecting the front bottom wall to the rear top wall. The front bottom wall provides a sheet placing area onto which small and thick sheets like business cards are placed and a holding member holds the sheets on the sheet placing area. A pick roller of the image reading apparatus can contact the sheet on the sheet placing area when the sheet holder is attached to the apparatus. The apparatus has a box-shaped a casing having a drawable hopper table providing a hopper for placing normal thin sheets thereon.

Abstract: A paper holder mounting mechanism for mounting a paper holder in an apparatus, the paper holder mounting mechanism includes a vertically-acting paper holder locking mechanism that is put to an interlocked state when the paper holder is inserted into the apparatus; a sliding guide device; and two joints disposed along the inserting direction of the paper holder for connecting the sliding guide device to one of side walls of the paper holder. The joints are set such that a rear portion of the paper holder is swingable up and down about the joint at the front to effect an interlocking action of the paper holder locking mechanism.

Abstract: A container and a method of using the container for storing sheets of material, such as photosensitive materials, enables individual sheets to be transported from the container to an imaging unit by a feed mechanism of the imaging unit. The container fits within the imaging unit to provide a light-tight environment for the photosensitive material. The container includes a clamping component to allow for the removal of a light-tight bag which encloses the photosensitive materials.

Abstract: A device for supplying and receiving to and from a plurality of automatic teller machines installed side by side on an installation surface has a carrier station for transmitting, over a wireless channel, an instruction signal for designating an automatic teller machine for cash receipt and delivery, and a cassette carrier capable of running to the designated automatic teller machine. The cassette carrier has a carrier body equipped with a power source and a running mechanism, and a transport cassette placed on the carrier for holding the cash therein. In accordance with the instruction signal and a result of detection by a position sensor, the cassette carrier runs to a predetermined position facing the designated automatic teller machine and is positioned with respect to the designated automatic teller machine. In this state, cash are transferred between the transport cassette and the designated automatic teller machine by a transfer mechanism provided on the movable carrier.

Abstract: A multi-use cutter is especially useful for cutting standard size paper and card stock into business card sizes. The preferred model of the multi-use cutter will measure six inches deep by fifteen inches tall by fifteen and a half inches wide and will be powered by standard 115 volt alternating current power source. The paper stock is sequentially fed into the cutter and can be collected in catch trays. The starting feed stock size can be varied by simply changing the size of the paper guide. Where the cutters are set to produce an American standard sized two by three and a half inch business card, the starting feedstock can be of any size.

Abstract: A media pass through configuration for printers in which media is fed from superimposed and removable media holders, such as trays, through a media path to a print engine. A rack disposed in either the frame of the printer or other modular and stackable media option, is dimensioned for receiving at least one media carrying, removable tray disposed beneath the print engine. A door, hinge and latch combination, the hinge connected intermediate the door and either the frame of the printer or the frame of the modular option so that the door opens in a plane swingable substantially about one longitudinally extending edge of the media path to the print engine, and outwardly and away from the front of the tray. The latch is positioned remotely from the hinge for moveably attaching the door to the printer in a position confronting the tray when the door is in a closed or first position, and open for facilitating tray removal when the door is in an open or second position.

Abstract: A paper feed apparatus in an image forming apparatus includes a first paper feed cassette storing first sheets of paper and a first driving device conveying the first sheets of paper one by one from the first paper feed cassette automatically for automatic paper feed. A mount is mounted on the first paper feed cassette and on the mount a second sheet of paper is set for manual paper feed. A second driving device is mounted on the first paper feed cassette and conveys the second sheet of paper set on the mount. The paper feed apparatus achieves a small size and has a low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A tray for a sheet processing apparatus has a receptacle (11), a lifting plate (12) movable between the low and high positions, arranged at the bottom of the receptacle and cooperating with an elastic thrust return member towards the high position, a lid (13) for covering the receptacle, and the tray has an arrangement preventing the passage of sheets between the cover and receptacle, having at least one clearance (44, 44') arranged on the periphery of the receptacle, and at least one plane limitation area (46, 46') arranged on the periphery of the lid and parallel to the bottom (37) of the receptacle, when the lid (13) is closed, the plane area (46, 46') being offset with respect to the internal surface of the lid and arranged on a support structure (48, 48') integral with the lid, this structure being positioned so that, in the closed position of the lid, it enters the said clearance (44, 44'), the plane limitation area (46, 46') then opening onto the inside of the receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for serially feeding envelopes along a longitudinal path of travel and which includes a support table, an envelope feeder mounted to the support table for feeding envelopes individually from the bottom of a vertical stack of envelopes in a lateral direction to an envelope receiving position on the table, and an envelope conveying system for feeding the envelopes from the envelope receiving position along a longitudinal path of travel and through a plurality of processing stations, such as a flap opening station and a product insertion station. The feeder is directly connected to a fixed envelope stop on the table by an adjustable linkage so as to define the envelope receiving position between the stop and the feeder, and so that the lateral position of the feeder may be readily adjusted on the table to change the dimension of the envelope receiving position and thereby accommodate envelopes of varying size.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheet supplying apparatus removably connected to an under side of an image forming apparatus to supply a sheet to the image forming apparatus. The apparatus has a main body connected to the under side of the image forming apparatus, a sheet supporting plate provided within the main body of sheet supplying apparatus to support a sheet, sheet supply rotary member for feeding out the sheet from the sheet supporting plate, a convey unit rotatably supported within the main body of sheet supplying apparatus to supply the sheet fed out by the sheet supply rotary member to a sheet receiving opening provided at a side surface of the image forming apparatus, and a positioning unit for positioning the convey unit in the vicinity of the sheet receiving opening.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, which includes a pair of vertical paper feeding guides of a vertical paper path, one guide being fixed to a main body of the apparatus as a fixed guide and the other guide being held for movement relative to the main body as a movable guide. Both of the movable guide and the large capacity paper feeding unit are able to swing open and close relative to the main body around shafts provided parallel to the direction of vertical paper feeding at one end of each of the guide and the large capacity paper feeding unit. The provision of an improved image forming apparatus realizes capabilities of faster and more secured paper feeding and easier parts replacement.

Abstract: A feeding device which feeds paper sheets accommodated in a paper supply tray detachable from a body of an image forming apparatus. Paper sheets stacked in the paper supply tray is induced to make pressure contact with a feed roller in conjunction with attachment of the paper supply tray to the body of the apparatus, and release the pressure contact between paper sheets and the feed roller in conjunction with detachment of the paper supply tray from the body of the apparatus. The feed roller has on an exterior surface at least one portion having a friction coefficient lower than the rest portion of the exterior surface, and is stopped its rotation in a state that the lower friction coefficient portion contacts with an uppermost paper sheet when paper feeding is completed, so as to prevent paper jams caused by shifting or deformation of the uppermost paper sheet during attachment or detachment of the paper supply tray to the body of the apparatus.

Abstract: A continuous feed mobile unit which feeds sheets of paper one at a time, from the bottom of a stack onto endless moving belts, which transport the sheets to folder apparatus. Paper can be added to the top of the stack at any time, which does not interfere with feeding the sheets of paper from the bottom of the stack.

Abstract: A paperboard sheet has a longitudinal scoreline defining a narrow flap portion on one side thereof and a body potion on the other side. The sheet is packaged flat together with a set of tabbed dividers thereby protecting the dividers. With the sheet and dividers removed from the packaging, the flap portion is folded up ninety degrees on the scoreline to define a guide tray. The guide tray is inserted into a printer feed tray and the set of tabbed dividers is placed on the body portion with the tabs thereof abutting the upturned flap portion, and the feed tray guides adjusted. The flap guides the dividers as they are fed into the printer, preventing skewing thereof. Guide tray instructions are conveniently printed on the paperboard sheet. The guide tray can be used for guiding sheets, other than tabbed dividers, which have irregular longitudinal edges.

Abstract: A sheet media handling system is provided for use in a sheet processor having support structure which is configured to accommodate reliable sheet pick-up and to minimize the sheet processor's size, while still offering suitable access to the media sheets. The handling system includes upper and lower support structure, the lower support structure supporting sheets for delivery to an input port, and the upper support structure supporting sheets which are expelled from an output port. The lower support structure includes a drawer configured for translation between a fully-dosed drawer position and a fully-open drawer position. Correspondingly, the upper support structure includes a door configured to pivot between a fully-closed door position and a fully-open door position. An overcenter mechanism is employed to bias the drawer either into a fully-closed drawer position or toward a fully-open drawer orientation.

Abstract: A sensing device for sensing a stored amount of paper sheets and displaying the sensed amount of paper sheets. The sensing device comprises: a variable resistor including a rotating unit and a first assembly unit for assembling an actuator in the rotating unit; the actuator including a second assembly unit assembled to the first assembly unit and a paper contacting unit contacted with the paper; and an elastic unit supplying an elastic force to the actuator so as to contact the paper contacting unit with the paper.

Abstract: A sheet supply device supplying sheets from a magazine thereof to an image forming apparatus and a mechanism for setting the magazine to a body of the image forming apparatus. The magazine storing stacked sheets is provided with reinforcing members which are disposed at side walls of the magazine to form convex portions relative thereto so as to reinforce the side walls and regulate the position of the stacked sheets in a sheet width direction. A projecting portion having an inclined surface is provided in either the magazine or a receiving portion in the image forming apparatus body to which the magazine is set. When the magazine is slid on an upper surface of the receiving portion for being set to the image forming apparatus body, a leading end of the magazine in a magazine setting direction is lifted by use of the inclined surface of the projecting portion so as to be accurately and smoothly set to the body.

Abstract: A container and a method of using the container for storing sheets of material, such as photosensitive materials, enables individual sheets to be transported from the container to an imaging unit by a feed mechanism of the imaging unit. The container fits within the imaging unit to provide a light-tight environment for the photosensitive material. The container includes shiftable walls, including a front ramp which can have a serrated surface to separate sheets. The container also includes a clamping components to allow for the removal of a light-tight bag which encloses the sheets.