Abstract: A media transfer mechanism applicable to printers, scanners or multi-function printers is disclosed. The mechanism includes a media-feeding path having at least a pickup roller and a feeding roller for transferring the media to be scanned or printed. Particularly, a block member is installed between the pickup roller and the feeding roller and a little below the feeding roller. Therefore, when the pickup roller reverses to withdraw the media to touch the block member, the media enters a turnover path connected with the media-feeding path. After that, the media transferred by the pickup roller and the feeding roller of the media-feeding path is further processed with the second side scanning or printing.

Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus includes an inlet roller to receive a sheet conveyed from an image forming apparatus, a sheet introduction unit to guide the sheet received by the inlet roller to a finishing unit, a sheet ejection unit to guide the sheet performed to a post process by the finishing unit to an ejection port and to eject from the ejection port, a paper storage tray to receive the ejected sheet, a drive unit including a plurality of motors to drive respective devices, and a control unit to control operations of the plurality of motors. In a trial operation of the sheet finishing apparatus, the control unit controls the plurality of motors, and first drives a motor with a sound pressure level less than a previously set reference level.

Abstract: A paper supply device and an image forming apparatus, capable of always maintaining a constant pickup force regardless of the amount of loaded sheets of paper. The paper supply device includes a paper supply cassette, a pickup unit to pick up the paper, a paper supply plate and a press spring to bias the paper toward the pickup unit, a first restraining device to restrain the paper supply plate and to release the restraint of the paper supply plate, a second restraining device to permit the pickup unit to move vertically when the pickup unit picks up the paper and restricts the vertical movement of the pickup unit when the pickup unit does not pick up the paper, and an elastic member to bias the pickup unit toward the paper to provide the pickup unit with a pickup force when the pickup unit picks up the paper.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for the provision of receipt, validation and collection of banknotes or tickets which are input by a user, typically as payment for a service which has or is to be provided. The apparatus allow for the accurate location of the banknote or ticket as it passes through the apparatus and the accurate validation of the same. In one embodiment a printer assembly is provided which a lows the apparatus to print tickets and to pass the same in the reverse direction to input banknotes or tickets, to be provided to the user as, for example a credit which can be cashed subsequently by the user.

Abstract: A paper feed assembly for a printer including a media tray for a stack of sheets of media to be fed, a pick mechanism capable of pivoting including one or more picking devices in contact with said media. The pick mechanism includes a media contact member which is capable of moving the pick mechanism upon contact with advancing media to eliminate contact with the media stack.

Abstract: A bill deposit/withdrawal machine includes a deposit/withdrawal port mounted in a machine casing having a slot for users to deposit bills or for discharging bills, said deposit/withdrawal port delivering the bills deposited by users and discharging bills to users. The deposit/withdrawal port includes at least a delivering mechanism for delivering bills deposited by users, and a push plate operation mechanism for moving a push plate which forms an accepting unit and which supports bills. A bill hopper provided in the deposit/withdrawal port is provided with a movable structure and is disposed in a position suitable for discharging bills in the slot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printer with a gravity-fed print media path. The printer includes a print media supply station for storing print media. A print engine station includes a pair of print engines, and is arranged to receive print media from the print media supply so that duplex printing by the print engines can be effected upon the received print media. A binding assembly station is configured to apply adhesive along an edge of each sheet of printed print media and compile the print media into a bound stack. A receptacle station is configured to receive the bound stack. The printer can be oriented so that the print media sequentially travels between the stations with the force of gravity.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes a casing, a photosensitive drum, a transfer roller, a first guide member, and a second guide member. The first guide member is disposed upstream of the transfer point between the photosensitive drum and the transfer roller in a conveying direction of the recording medium and selectively movable between a first position and a second position. The second guide member is disposed between the first guide member and the transfer point and selectively movable between a third position and a fourth position farther from the photosensitive drum than the third position. The second guide member is movable in association with the movement of the first guide member in such a manner that when the first guide member is disposed in the first position, the second guide member is disposed in the third position for guiding the recording medium received from the first guide member to move toward the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: Example embodiments of a media handling accessory and method are illustrated and described, wherein the accessory includes a media input tray and a duplexing path.

Abstract: Equipment for processing banknotes in stack, as an example for a banking deposit, including a transport mechanism for banknotes or similar sheets, and a receiving section the banknotes or sheets are transported at a given transport velocity (Vt) and the receiving section is arranged downstream of a section of the transport mechanism for receiving, in superimposition, the banknotes or sheets. The equipment comprises an interface mechanism with nipping members interposed between the transport mechanism and the receiving section and electronic control circuits which cause the nipping members to slow down the banknotes or sheets of the receiving section at a reduced velocity (Vb), in response to information of transit of the banknotes or sheets, making easy a regular stacking of the banknotes or sheets.

Abstract: A device and method for moving media sheets within an image forming apparatus. The device includes a motor; a pick mechanism operatively connected to the motor, a first gear set having a first ratio and operatively connecting the motor to the pick mechanism, a feed nip operatively connected to the motor to receive the media sheet and forward the media sheet along a media path, and a second gear set having a second gear ratio and operatively connecting the motor to the feed nip. The motor may operate at a constant speed and drive the pick mechanism at a first speed and the feed nip at a second speed. The first and second speeds may be the same, or the speeds may be different.

Abstract: A guide deck for use with a sheet processing device having a paper path. The adjustable paper path guide deck apparatus includes a first roller proximal the input end and a second roller proximal to the output end. These rollers support a flexible sheet of non-permanently deforming material wrapped around them. The surface of the sheet forms a guide deck for the paper path. To adjust for different sized sheets, the guide deck is movable along a paper path direction while moving around the first and second rollers. A locking mechanism is coupled to the adjustable paper path guide deck apparatus for preventing the flexible sheet from moving around the first and second rollers when in a locked position, and allowing movement around the first and second rollers when in an unlocked position.

Abstract: A sheet feed device has a sheet supply tray in which sheets to be fed are stored, a roller mechanism which ejects each printed sheet on to a sheet holding part, and a cover member which is placed between a sheet supply side on which each sheet is fed before printing and a sheet ejection side on which each sheet is fed after printing. In the sheet feed device, each sheet supplied from the sheet supply tray changes its sheet feed direction approximately 180 degrees before being ejected to the sheet holding part. Part of the cover member on the sheet holding part's side is provided with a first projecting part which lets the ejected sheets be held in the sheet holding part while being bent substantially in an S-shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a processing device for processing printed products, in particular for collecting individual printed sheets for manufacturing an assembled printed product. The device includes a drum rotatable about a rotation axis and at least two feed stations arranged distanced from one another in the direction of the rotation axis, for feeding printed products, and at least one lead-away station for leading away processed printed products. The drum includes several guides, in particular saddle-like rests or conveyor compartments which are arranged in succession in the peripheral direction of the drum and are movable along a closed revolving path, as well as advance elements controlled by a control unit, for displacing the printed products in the direction of the rotation axis. For increasing the flexibility, the device is composed of modules.

Abstract: A document feeder reads a document at a reading section while conveying the document. The document feeder has a flexible member which is set in a convey path formed in a document feeding section such that the document is always conveyed along the convey path, and which flexes by a passing force of the document, to allow conveyance of the document. The flexible member is formed of a PET sheet, and is adhered to a reading guide member provided to the document feeding section, to close the convey path.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a housing, and a media support mounted to the housing for supporting at least one sheet of print media. A guide device couples the media support with the housing. The guide device defines a guide path having a proximal end and a distal end. The media support is configured to move along the guide path. The media support is moved in a direction from the proximal end toward the distal end when the media support is moved from a stowed position to an extended position. A pivot mechanism is located near the distal end of the guide path to facilitate a pivoting of the media support so as to be inclined in relation to the guide path when the media support is pivoted from the extended position to an operating position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a platen, a transporting device, and a suction device. The image forming unit forms an image on one surface of a printing medium. The transporting device transports the printing medium in a transportation direction along the platen while the other surface of the printing medium faces a surface of the platen. The suction device sucks air. The platen includes a plurality of rollers, which are rotatable around rotation axes perpendicular to the transportation direction and protrude from the surface of the platen, and a suction opening which is defined on the surface of the platen and communicates with the suction device.

Abstract: A rotating input tray for an automatic document feeder of an imaging apparatus includes a document tray configured to hold the document and to supply the document to the input of the automatic document feeder in a document feed direction, and a pivot device coupling the document tray to the component of the imaging apparatus, the pivot device providing a document tray axis of rotation, wherein the document tray and the pivot device are configured to permit the document tray to rotate about the document tray axis of rotation between a closed position and an open position, the closed position being adjacent to the input for supplying the documents to the automatic document feeder, and the open position being away from and exposing both the input and the exit of the automatic document feeder.

Abstract: A hinge device is configured that when a cover is opened, a support-section-side pivot shaft is guided upward by a fixed-section-side guide groove; and a fixed-section-side pivot shaft is guided while being restricted in downward movement by a support-section-side guide groove which tilts in accordance with a pivot operation of the cover. As a result, occurrence of interference between a frontward edge of the cover and an upper face of a document ejection tray can be prevented without causing the frontward edge to move lower than its position in a face-down state. In addition, chattering of the cover during the opening/closing operations can also be prevented.

Abstract: There are provided a cam 23 which can be rotated by a releasing motor M4, a contact/separation lever 24 which is moved according to the rotation of the cam 23, a light shielding plate 25 and a cam position detecting sensor S7 which detect the rotational position of the cam, and a CPU circuit unit for controlling the rotation of the releasing motor based on the detecting operation by the light shielding plate and the cam position detecting sensor. The CPU circuit unit controls the rotation of the releasing motor M4 in such a manner that the cam is rotated reversely when a state detected by the light shielding plate and the cam position detecting sensor is not varied even if the releasing motor M4 is controlled to be rotated.

Abstract: An image-forming device includes: an image-forming unit; a sheet discharge unit; a sheet support unit; a top cover; and a panel. The image-forming unit forms images on a recording sheet. The sheet discharge unit discharges, in a sheet discharging direction, a recording sheet formed with an image by the image-forming unit. The sheet support unit is disposed above the image-forming unit, and supports sheet discharged from the sheet discharge unit. The top cover is disposed above the sheet support unit so as to cover the sheet support unit with a underside surface of the top cover opposing a top surface of the sheet support unit. The top cover has a front side and a rear side in the sheet discharge direction, the front side being on a downstream side of the rear side in the sheet discharge direction. The panel is disposed on the front side of the top cover and includes at least one of a control unit and a display unit on the top thereof.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus which synchronously conveys a conveyed object includes a first conveyance roller disposed at a downstream side of a conveyance path for conveyance of the conveyed object and a second conveyance roller disposed at an upstream side of the conveyance path, a first driving unit and a second driving unit for independently driving the first conveyance roller and the second conveyance roller, respectively, and a control unit for performing feedback control of the first driving unit and the second driving unit on the basis of amounts of rotation of the first conveyance roller and the second conveyance roller, respectively. The control unit defines a setting of driving control for the second conveyance roller different from driving of the first conveyance roller.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a platen which is set at an image reading position, a loading guide portion which is arranged upstream in a convey direction of an original to be adjacent to the platen and guides the original to an upper surface of the platen, a scoop-up guide portion which is arranged downstream in the convey direction of the original to be adjacent to the glass platen and guides a leading edge of the original, which has passed through the platen, by scooping up, a convey guide portion which is arranged to oppose the platen and scoop-up guide portion, to form a convey path between the convey guide portion and both of the platen and the scoop-up guide portion, a support portion which supports the convey guide portion to be slidable parallel to the platen, and a regulating portion which is arranged between the convey guide portion and the scoop-up guide portion to hold a constant gap between the convey guide portion and the scoop-up guide portion.

Abstract: A card processor of the present invention has: an insertion slot, into which a card is inserted; a carriage path, along which the card inserted from the insertion slot is carried; a stock portion, which is installed on a downstream side of the carriage path and capable of housing inserted cards in a stacked state; and a housing drive mechanism, which houses a card into the stock portion, wherein the housing drive mechanism includes an oscillating member having a first projecting/withdrawing portion which is located on the insertion slot side and capable of projecting and withdrawing from the carriage path and a second projecting/withdrawing portion which is located on the stock portion side and capable of projecting and withdrawing from the carriage path, the oscillating member being oscillatably supported via a shaft, and the second projecting/withdrawing portion of the oscillating member presses up the cards housed in the stock portion when the card inserted from the insertion slot presses down the first pr

Abstract: A system and method for personalizing cards and other secure identification documents. The card personalization system and method provide improved data integrity, system reliability, and system performance. Improvements to card handling and processing within the modules, improved card transfer between modules, improvements to control of the modules, and other improvements are set forth, all of which contribute, individually and collectively, to achieving these goals.

Abstract: Paper sheets or the like inserted in a bundled state from the outside are conveyed in that state to an advancing section. Then, the paper sheets or the like, advanced on sheet by sheet basis from the advancing section, are conveyed to temporary holding section and received there. The reception of the paper sheets or the like, received in the temporary holding section in a stacked manner, is made by conveying them in a bundled state from the advancing section and advancing them on sheet by sheet basis.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a sheet feed stacker and a transport belt disposed along a platen substantially horizontally; a discharge stacker disposed above the sheet feed stacker; and a light-shielding cover member provided between the platen and the sheet feed stacker for blocking light from the platen. The entire device is arranged above the platen, and it is easy to mount and dismount the device relative to the platen. An original is transported from the sheet feed stacker and to the discharge stacker along the platen with little damage.

Abstract: In a duplex automatic sheet feeder, a first passageway is connected to a sheet input tray for storing sheets. A sheet feeding mechanism feeds the sheets one by one to the first passageway. A second passageway is connected to the first and third passageways and has an image processing region. A fourth passageway is connected to the third passageway and the second passageway. A fifth passageway is connected to the third passageway and a duplex sheet output tray. A guiding mechanism located at a connection portion between the third and fifth passageways selectively guides the sheet from the third passageway to the fifth passageway. A sheet detector located at the third passageway detects the sheet moving through the third passageway. A transporting mechanism transports the sheet from the first passageway to the duplex sheet output tray sequentially through the second, third, fourth, third and fifth passageways.

Abstract: A sheet feed tray is openably/closably (or foldably) attached to the main body of a recording apparatus, and a separator, which separates recorded media to be discharged above the sheet feed tray from unrecorded media loaded on the sheet feed tray, is provided so as to be displaceable relative to the sheet feed tray. When the sheet feed tray is pivoted a predetermined distance or more in the direction indicated by an arrow A, the separator is turned in the direction indicated by an arrow B and enters the inside of the sheet feed tray. With the arrangement, the interference between a separator and the main body of a recording apparatus is avoided, without causing a reduction in the permissible number of unrecorded media to be loaded and an increase of the size of the apparatus.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a housing having a cavity therein, a linkage arm disposed within the cavity, an input media tray movably latched to the housing, and an input media tray latch coupled to the linkage arm and releasably engaged with the input media tray. Moving the linkage arm places the imaging apparatus in an operational mode, and releases the input media tray latch and unlatches the input media tray from the housing.

Abstract: A feeding device to be incorporated in an image reading apparatus, including: (a) a feed-path definer defining a feed path along which an original is fed from a supply portion to an exit portion via a reading position, such that the fed original is brought into contact with an original supporting surface of an image reader in the reading position, whereby the image is read by the image reader; (b) a presser biased toward the original supporting surface and having a contact surface which is to be held in contact with the original or the original supporting surface; (c) a downstream-side feeder disposed on a downstream side of the presser and distant from a plane containing the original supporting surface, so that the original takes an inclined posture while bridging between the presser and the downstream-side feeder; and (d) a presser-displacement preventer disposed between the presser and the downstream-side feeder, for preventing displacement of the presser in a direction away from the original supporting su

Abstract: In one aspect of a sheet conveying device, a sheet member is guided from a sheet feeding port through a reading position to a terminal end positioned above the sheet feeding port on a first path, guided from the terminal end through the reading position to the terminal end again on a second path, and guided from the terminal end through the reading position to a sheet discharging port on a third path. A transfer member rotates a conveying member and halts the rotation of the conveying member respectively according to first and second rotations of a driving source. A first detecting unit is provided downstream of the sheet feeding port on the first path. A control unit switches the driving source from the first rotation to the second rotation on the basis that the first detecting unit detects a trailing end of the sheet member.

Abstract: An accumulator apparatus for accumulating one or more sheets or articles is provided and includes a sheet accumulator portion for accumulating one or more sheets or articles, a ramp disposed upstream of the sheet accumulator portion relative to a flow direction of the sheet or article, an actuator and a pusher plate connected to the actuator. The actuator is configured to move the pusher plate away from the ramp in a direction toward a sheet accumulation portion of the accumulator apparatus.

Abstract: There is described an image forming system that includes an image forming apparatus provided with a first paper sheet outlet to eject the paper sheet outside therefrom; a post processing apparatus that is provided with a second paper sheet inlet; and a relay conveyance apparatus that is installed between the image forming apparatus and the post processing apparatus. The relay conveyance apparatus includes a relay conveyance unit, disposed at an upper space of the relay conveyance apparatus and provided with a first paper sheet inlet and a second paper sheet outlet and a coupling unit, which fixes the image forming apparatus and the post processing apparatus to the relay conveyance apparatus, in such a manner that the first paper sheet outlet and the second paper sheet outlet substantially coincide with the first paper sheet inlet and the second paper sheet inlet, respectively.

Abstract: A flexible media integration system (10) includes a multifunction flexible media interface system (12). The interface system includes a plurality of flexible media input areas (22, 24, 26) for receiving flexible media (14), such as sheets of paper, from a plurality of associated input processors (16, 18, 20), such as printers or paper feeders. A plurality of flexible media output areas (32, 34) provide outputs to different associated flexible media output processors (36, 38), such as printers or finishers. The interface system also includes a sheet position sensing system (52) and a sheet transporting system (42). The transporting system provides selectable flexible media translation for selectably transporting flexible media from selected ones of the plurality of flexible media input areas to selected ones of the plurality of flexible media output areas so as to provide selectable flexible media feeding from selected flexible media input processors to selected flexible media output processors.

Abstract: An automatic document transportation device includes a shutter, a stopper and a shutter releasing mechanism. The shutter is provided at upstream of a document feed roller and suspended from a cover under a freely swinging state. The stopper is provided on a pickup arm, stops a swing of the shutter so that the shutter restricts a position of a leading edge of an original document on a document tray when the pickup arm is under a standby state, and releases the stop of the shutter when the pickup arm operates in a direction to make contact with the original document. The shutter releasing mechanism moves the pickup arm under the standby state in the direction to make contact with the original document.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet feeder in which sheets are fed by a feeding member from a tray on which the sheets have been loaded. When the tray is driven by a drive unit to lift up the tray from a sheet replenishment position to a position at which sheets can be fed, a first sensor senses that the top sheet on the tray is situated at a prescribed position. Response to this sensing of the first sensor the drive unit performs a predetermined intermittent driving for lifting the tray. It is determined based upon outputs from the first and second sensors whether or not a sheet is present on the tray.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a main body; an operation panel; a document feeding tray movable between first and second positions and having a placing surface on which a document is placed; a document conveying plate guiding the document; and a reading unit reading an image of the document. The placing surface includes first and second placing portions. In the first position, a first inferior angle formed by the first placing portion and a line is smaller than a second inferior angle formed by the line and the second placing portion. The line is perpendicular to a predetermined plane and passes through a boundary between the first and second placing portions. In the second position, the first placing portion covers at least a part of the operation panel, and the second placing portion is positioned substantially flush with a conveying surface of the document conveying plate.

Abstract: An abnormal sheet delivery detection device includes a convey device, first pile device, noncontact-type detection unit, and first releasing unit. The convey device includes a sheet holding unit for holding a sheet, and conveys the sheet held by the sheet holding unit. The sheet released from the sheet holding unit is piled on the first pile device at a predetermined sheet release position. The noncontact-type detection unit arranged downstream of the sheet release position in a sheet convey direction detects a presence/absence of the sheet. The first releasing unit selectively switches between a first state wherein the sheet held by the sheet holding unit is released and piled on the first pile device, and a second state wherein the sheet held by the sheet holding unit is conveyed downstream in the sheet convey direction by the first convey device without releasing the sheet.

Abstract: A document transport apparatus includes a sheet feeding device for feeding a document from a sheet feeding tray; a transport device for receiving the document from the sheet feeding device and transporting the document to a predetermined position on a platen of an image reading apparatus; a sheet discharging device for discharging the document to a sheet discharging tray; a switch back path for turning the document upside down and reversing a front end and a rear end thereof, and for subsequently guiding the document to the sheet discharging device; and sheet discharging path for turning the document upside down, and subsequently guiding the document to the sheet discharging device. A control device controls such that the document is transported to the switch back path and returned from the switch back path to the platen via the sheet discharging path.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder (ADF) with a feeding roller used to carry a paper sheet to a reading position is provided. The ADF comprises a feeding path, a paper cartridge, an exit roller set, and a first lever. The feeding path is arranged in the ADF for guiding the paper sheet reaching the reading position and leaving the reading position. The paper cartridge has a fixed front edge aligned with an inlet of the feeding path. The exit roller set is located by the feeding path and at a downstream position with respect to the reading position. The exit roller set includes two exit rollers leaning against each other for carrying the paper sheet leaving the ADF. The first lever is connected between the paper cartridge and one of the exit rollers. As the paper sheet is jammed at the exit roller set, the paper cartridge may be raised to drive the first lever to separate the two exit rollers for removing the jammed paper sheet.

Abstract: A paper-sheet handling apparatus includes a cassette that stores a paper sheet; a cassette compartment that stores a plurality of the cassettes; a feeding mechanism that feeds out the paper sheet stored in the cassette; a conveying mechanism that conveys the paper sheet fed out; a sheet discharging port through which the paper sheet is discharged out; a sheet discharging mechanism that discharges the paper sheet through the sheet discharging port; and a feeding control mechanism that controls feeding out of the paper sheet stored in the cassette. The feeding control mechanism has a function of selectively feeding out the paper sheet from the cassette, and the function is realized by a single drive source.

Abstract: A small or special media guide-in tray including a media tray, an aperture disposed in the media tray, first and second opposed guide arms extending through the aperture and biased to a first position. The first and second opposed guide arms are pivotally mounted and are synchronously movable when small media is inserted. The opposed guide arms and biasing are used to automatically center the small media as it is inserted between the guide arms. The guide-in tray may be utilized with media handling devices having an L-path media feed wherein the guide-in media tray is incorporated in an input tray or in a C-path media feed wherein the guide-in media tray is incorporated in an exit tray.

Abstract: A paper tray mechanism that is applicable to machines with paper trays, such as printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines, all-in-one multifunction center and the like, comprises an input paper tray, an output paper tray, where both trays are movable and attached to the machine at sides, and an interconnecting mechanism therein between the two trays. When one paper tray is moved by the user, due to the interconnecting mechanism therein between, another paper tray will automatically move simultaneously. Therefore, this invention provides a paper mechanism that only needs one simple and easy step to have both paper trays unfolded/folded and unstashed/stashed so that some spaces are saved for other usage and machine is compact enough to be repacked into the original box.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus having an auto document feeder includes a simplex path for simplex reading, a duplex path which is distinguishable from the simplex path and conveys a plurality of sheets of paper at different positions in a duplex reading mode, a path selecting element, and a flipping element which allows a second side of paper to be read first. Accordingly, in the duplex reading mode, a separation distance between sheets of paper is reduced, a returning path is reduced, the second side of paper is first read, and the paper is collated and then discharged after both sides of paper are read, thereby significantly improving duplex reading efficiency.

Abstract: A printing method and apparatus, the method and apparatus including inputting a print job, printing the print job, selecting an output mode in which sheets of the print job are either reversed or not reversed before being output to a stacking unit. When printing is performed based on a second print job subsequent to printing performed based on a first print job, the second print job is output in the same output mode as that of the first print job.

Abstract: A sheet tray device including: (a) a first tray accommodating a first size sheet to be moved toward an image processor portion and (b) a second tray accommodating a second size sheet to be moved toward the image processor portion. The second tray is disposed above the first tray, and receives the first or second size sheet having been moved back from the image processor portion. The second tray has (b-i) a rear guide to be in contact with a rear end of the accommodated second size sheet and (ii) a pair of side guides to be in contact with respective side ends of the accommodated second size sheet. The side guides have respective upper ends at which the first or second size sheet having been moved back from the image processor portion is received. At least one of the side guides has a height that is not smaller than a height of the rear guide. Also disclosed is an image forming apparatus including the sheet tray device.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus for conveying a flexible sheet along a sheet-convey path including a curved portion. The conveying apparatus includes an outer guide which defines an outer portion of the curved portion of the sheet-convey path. The outer guide includes a guide base including a recessed portion; at least one guide roller including a roller body and a pair of shaft portions that are formed integrally with the roller body; and a curved plate having a first curved guide surface which guides the flexible sheet, and including at least one bearing portion which bears the at least one guide roller such that a portion of the roller body projects inward from the first curved guide surface and the roller body is rotatable about an s of the shaft portions. The recessed portion of the guide base holds the curved plate such that the shaft portions of the at least one guide roller extend in a widthwise direction of the sheet-convey path.

Abstract: The illustrated input and output trays are pivotally attached to the hardcopy device and are movable between a processing position and a storage position.

Abstract: A document image scanning device includes two scanning units provided along a document transportation path for scanning both sides of an original document. A plurality of transportation systems are classified into a first transportation system upstream of a first scanning unit and a second transportation system located front and back of first and second scanning units. The first and the second transportation systems are driven by first and second drive transmitting units, respectively. The first and the second drive transmitting units are distributed from an output shaft of one motor to transmit a driving force.