Abstract: A sheet feeding cassette includes a main body, a lift plate, a pair of side cursors, and an auxiliary lift plate. The main body is configured to accommodate a sheet fed out in a predetermined sheet feeding direction. The lift plate is provided in the main body in a liftable manner, and has a sheet placement surface on which the sheet is placed. The pair of side cursors is configured to be moved in a width direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction and to come into contact with side edges of the sheet placed on the lift plate to align the sheet. The auxiliary lift plate is detachably attached to a notch portion which is formed in the lift plate so as to allow a moving of the side cursors.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes a frame, a roller holder, and a holder stopper. The roller holder includes a feed roller for feeding a sheet. The roller holder is detachably attachable to the frame. The holder stopper is configured to move between a restricting position and a non-restricting position. In a case where the holder stopper is located at the restricting position, the holder stopper restricts the roller holder from moving from an attached position at which the roller holder is fixed to the frame. In a case where the holder stopper is located at the non-restricting position, the holder stopper allows the roller holder to move relative to the frame.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus includes a stacking member having a separation unit and an opening portion disposed upstream from the separation unit, a feeding member, and a moving device that includes a slope portion having a slope along which sheets are guided toward the separation unit. The moving device moves the stacking member between a first position where the feeding member and sheets stacked on the stacking member are in contact with each other, and a second position where the feeding member and the sheets are not in contact with each other. When the stacking member is at the first position, the slope portion is disposed at a position lower than the separation unit in a vertical direction. When the stacking member is at the second position, the slope portion is disposed to protrude via the opening portion to be higher than a stacking surface of the stacking member.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a sheet conveying passage, an upper conveying guide provided in the sheet conveying passage and facing the upper surface of a sheet, a lower conveying guide facing the lower surface of the sheet, a conveying member conveying the sheet along the sheet conveying passage, a sheet stack tray arranged above the upper conveying guide. The upper conveying guide is swingable up and down, with one end part of it in the sheet conveying direction or in the sheet width direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction serving as a pivot shaft. The sheet stack tray has a movable part making contact with the upper conveying guide at least when it swings, and the movable part is movable between a sheet receiving position where it forms a sheet stack surface and a retracted position where it has swung upward from the sheet receiving position.

Abstract: A sheet dispensing apparatus for dispensing sheets from a sheet material card having a plurality of sheets. The sheet dispensing apparatus includes a sensor, a motor including a motor shaft, a supply roller operatively connected to the motor, an indicator, and a controller operatively connected to the proximity sensor and to the indicator. The controller includes a processor and a memory configured to store program instructions. The processor is configured to execute the stored program instructions to: detect a first presence of an object with the sensor; move the supply roller into contact with one sheet of the plurality of sheets in response to the detecting the first presence of the object; rotate the motor shaft a first time to move the supply roller a predetermined angle of rotation to dispense the one sheet; and stop the motor shaft when the predetermined angle of rotation has been completed.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes: a feed roller; a transmission mechanism for transmitting a first drive force to the feed roller to rotate the feed roller in a feeding direction; a motor rotatable in a forward direction and in a reverse direction opposite the forward direction to generate a second drive force; a reverse roller rotatable in the feeding direction and in a counter-feeding direction opposite the feeding direction by the second drive force; and a driven part driven by the second drive force. The transmission mechanism transmits the first drive force to the feed roller to rotate the feed roller in the feeding direction in case that the reverse roller is rotated in the feeding direction; and the transmission mechanism transmits the first drive force to the feed roller to rotate the feed roller in the feeding direction in case that the reverse roller is rotated in the counter-feeding direction.

Abstract: To easily replace a retard roller (that is a media separation roller) while minimizing the required installation space, a printer 1 has a first media conveyance path 12 that conveys sheet media; a second media conveyance path 29 that conveys media and can open and close; a media conveyance roller 17 and a retard roller 16 disposed opposite each other with the first media conveyance path 12 therebetween; and a roller installation unit 70 to which the retard roller 16 is installed removably from the second media conveyance path 29 side. The retard roller 16 can be easily replaced from the open second media conveyance path 29. Compared with a configuration having a dedicated opening, a smaller opening and space for replacing the media separation roller are required.

Abstract: A sheet feeder including a sheet container on which sheets are placed, a transfer roller to transfer the sheets to an image forming unit via a transfer path; a friction pad to transfer the sheets together with the transfer roller; and a movable portion provided on the transfer path to alter a direction of the transfer path based on the sheets.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes: a separation sheet feeding mechanism having a paper feeding belt and a separation roller; and an adjustment mechanism that changes contact state of the paper feeding belt to the separation roller by changing relative position of the paper feeding belt and the separation roller, and changes and adjusts separation performance of the separation roller for the subsequent sheet, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a cam follower member changing the relative position of the feeding belt and the separation roller, the cam member includes a first cam face and a second cam face which are formed at each rotation radius position in accordance with the rotation angle position, and are spaced apart in the rotation radius direction, and the cam follower member has a contact unit guided by the first cam face and the second cam face.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus comprising: a storage portion; a feeding portion; and a separation portion, wherein the separation portion includes: a separation member which rotates around a rotation center shaft to separate one by one the sheets; an urging portion which applies a force to the rotation center shaft toward the feeding portion; a torque imparting portion to impart a torque to the separation member in a direction opposite to a direction which the separation member rotates; a first and a second support member which supports one end and other end of the rotation center shaft while regulating rotation of the rotation center shaft; and a deviation restraining portion which restrains deviation of a reaction force of the torque applied to the separation member by the torque imparting portion and acting on the first support member and the second support member.

Abstract: A sheet transport apparatus that transports a sheet to a reading section for reading the sheet, has a reading front roller pair contacting with a front end of the sheet to form a register loop in the sheet; a first transport path extending curvingly toward the reading front roller pair; a second transport path extending curvingly toward the reading front roller pair after joining the first transport path; a first register space in which a register loop is formed in a sheet guided along the first transport path; and a second register space in which a register loop is formed in a sheet guided along the second transport path. The first register space is provided on the upstream side of a junction position in which the first transport path joins the second transport path, and the second register space is provided on the downstream side of the junction position.

Abstract: A sheet feeder, including: a sheet supply roller configured to supply a sheet to a sheet feeding path; a sheet feed roller configured to feed the sheet supplied to the sheet feeding path by the sheet supply roller to a downstream side in a sheet feeding direction in which the sheet is fed; a discharge roller configured to discharge the sheet fed by the feed roller to a downstream side in the sheet feeding direction; a drive motor configured to drive a first shaft for rotating the feed roller; a first transmitting mechanism configured to transmit a rotary motion of the first shaft to a second shaft for rotating the discharge roller; and a second transmitting mechanism configured to transmit a rotary motion of the second shaft to a third shaft for rotating the sheet supply roller.

Abstract: A document feeder includes a reverse transporting mechanism that forms a substantially U-shaped document transporting pathway for carrying a document from a feeding tray located at a lower side to a discharging tray located at an upper side through a reading position, a pulling device, a separating-transporting device and a openable pathway cover. The pulling device and the separating-transporting device are arranged at substantially the same horizontal level within the height that is occupied by the reverse transporting mechanism. The pathway cover is capable of opening and closing to cover on the pulling device, the separating-transporting device and the reverse transporting mechanism.

Abstract: A multi-function peripheral having an automatic document feeding device (ADF) suited for being configured in a body of an apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a first and second power sources to drive the ADF to transmit a paper in or out of the body. The ADF includes a limiting structure, a swinging member and a blocking member. The first and second power sources drive the limiting structure and the swinging member to swing respectively. The blocking member has a first end connected to the swinging member and a second end extending toward the limiting structure. When the limiting structure is at a second position and the swinging member swings toward a third position, the second end is trapped into the limiting space. When the limiting structure moves toward a first position and the swinging member swings toward the third position, the second end escapes from the limiting space.

Abstract: A multi-function peripheral having an automatic document feeding device (ADF) suited for being configured in a body of an apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a first and second power sources to drive the ADF to transmit a paper in or out of the body. The ADF includes a limiting structure, a swinging member and a blocking member. The first and second power sources drive the limiting structure and the swinging member to swing respectively. The blocking member has a first end connected to the swinging member and a second end extending toward the limiting structure. When the limiting structure is at a second position and the swinging member swings toward a third position, the second end is trapped into the limiting space. When the limiting structure moves toward a first position and the swinging member swings toward the third position, the second end escapes from the limiting space.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device, including: a sheet cassette configured to accommodate sheets; a conveyance path through which each of the sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette is conveyed; a rotation roller provided at one of a start point and a vicinity thereof in the conveyance path; a motor configured to rotatably drive the rotation roller; a pressure body configured to come into pressing contact with the rotation roller via the sheet; and a moving mechanism configured to separate the rotation roller and the pressure body, which are in pressing contact with each other, away from each other in dependence on drive stop of the motor.

Abstract: A sheet feeding unit having a holding section; a separation pad that contacts a sheet and imparts a conveyance resistance to the sheet; a separation roller that imparts a conveyance force to the sheet; a drive source that supplies driving force to the separation roller; a conveyance roller disposed at a position downstream of the separation roller, wherein the conveyance roller rotates at a circumferential speed greater than a circumferential speed of the separation roller, to impart conveyance force to the sheet, and wherein the conveyance roller and the separation roller are disposed so as to simultaneously contact the same sheet; and a drive shutoff unit, which shuts off the driving force supplied to the separation roller when the conveyance roller imparts the conveyance force to the sheet so the separation roller rotates in a following manner with the conveyance of the sheet.

Abstract: A multi-function peripheral having an automatic document feeding device (ADF) suited for being configured in a body of an apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a first and second power sources to drive the ADF to transmit a paper in or out of the body. The ADF includes a limiting structure, a swinging member and a blocking member. The first and second power sources drive the limiting structure and the swinging member to swing respectively. The blocking member has a first end connected to the swinging member and a second end extending toward the limiting structure. When the limiting structure is at a second position and the swinging member swings toward a third position, the second end is trapped into the limiting space. When the limiting structure moves toward a first position and the swinging member swings toward the third position, the second end escapes from the limiting space.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a recording sheet receiving portion configured to receive a recording sheet, an image forming portion configured to form an image on the recording sheet, a particular feed roller configured to feed the recording sheet toward the image forming portion, and a holding frame configured to rotatably support the particular feed roller such that the particular feed roller is exposed toward the recording sheet receiving portion. The holding frame has a roller receiving portion configured to receive the particular feed roller therein and a replacement opening for exposing the particular feed roller toward an opposite side of the holding frame relative to the recording sheet receiving portion. The particular feed roller is configured to be attached to and removed from the holding frame via the replacement opening on the opposite side of the holding frame relative to the recording sheet receiving portion.

Abstract: An auto document feeder includes a lead path, a first reverse path, a second reverse path, and a both surfaces eject path. The lead path guides a document from a left side to a right side of a read position. The first and second reverse paths are connected to the lead path, and reverse the document to guide the document from the right side to the left side of the read position. A both surfaces eject path is connected to the first and second reverse paths and guides the document whose image information of a second surface has been read to eject further to the right side than the read position. A shared curve path shared by the lead path and the both surfaces eject path includes a portion between the read position and a portion in which a lead curve path protrudes the most.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a feeder, a first reading unit, a first memory which stores image data of the surface of the document read by the first reading unit, a second reading unit located at an upstream side of the first reading position, a second memory which stores image data of the document read by the second reading unit and a controller configured to control the feeder, the first reading unit and the second reading unit. The controller controls to execute pre-scanning the document by the second reading unit over a predetermined range shorter than a separation distance between the first reading position and the second reading position in a transporting direction from a leading edge of the document when the document reaches the second reading position. The controller further controls to execute storing obtained pre-scanned image data into the second memory and measuring the size of the document based on the pre-scanned image data stored in the second memory.

Abstract: A recording device that includes a feed roller for feeding a first and a second sheets sequentially, a first and a second conveying devices that convey the sheets in synchronization, a recording device that records image on the sheets, and a controller, that, after image recording on the first sheet is complete, stops the first and second conveying devices when a trailing end of the first sheet reaches a particular position between the first and the second conveying devices. The controller further controls the feed roller to feed the second sheet, such that a leading end of the second sheet contacts a nip of the first conveying device. After the leading end of the second sheet contacts the nip, the controller rotates the first conveying device in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A aspect of the invention is an image scanning apparatus including: a document feeder configured to sequentially feed document sheets stacked in the document feeder; an image scanning unit configured to scan the document sheets fed by the document feeder and to output image data thereof; a memory configured to store therein the image data; a detector configured to detect a failure of feeding the document sheets by the document feeder; a notifier configured to report the feeding failure when the detector detects the feeding failure; and a display unit configured to display the image data stored in the memory, upon detection of the feeding failure.

Abstract: An automatic document feeding device (ADF) suited for being configured in a body of an apparatus is provided. The apparatus has a first and second power sources to drive the ADF to transmit a paper in or out of the body. The ADF includes a limiting structure with a limiting space, a swinging member and a blocking member. The first and second power sources drive the limiting structure and the swinging member to swing respectively. The blocking member has a first end connected to the swinging member and a second end extending toward the limiting structure. When the limiting structure is at a second position and the swinging member swings toward a third position, the second end is trapped into the limiting space. When the limiting structure moves toward a first position and the swinging member swings toward the third position, the second end escapes from the limiting space.

Abstract: A document feeder includes a document placing portion, a pick-up roller, a pair of feed rollers, a pair of registration rollers, a document sensor, a moving mechanism, and a control portion. The pick-up roller can move between a sheet feeding position where the pick-up roller contacts with the upper surface of the document placed on a placement surface and a standby position where the pick-up roller does not contact with the upper surface of the document placed on the placement surface. The document sensor detects a document between the feed rollers and the registration rollers in a document feed direction. The moving mechanism moves the pick-up roller up and down. The control portion moves the pick-up roller up to the standby position at a timing when the leading edge of the card document reaches the document sensor in a card document mode in which card documents are successively fed.

Abstract: A medium transporting apparatus has a first transport path that reverses the sides of the medium when guiding the medium, wherein the first transport path is installed so as to be connected to the middle of a second transport path between a mounting portion and a recording portion; a first mode in which after there has been recording on a first surface of a preceding medium, a second roller installed on the mounting portion transports a succeeding medium to the recording portion side while guiding it to the second transport path.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes a recording unit configured to record an image on a sheet, a tray on which the sheet is placed, a first roller configured to feed the sheet placed on the tray, a first guide member configured to guide the sheet fed from the first roller to the recording unit, a second guide member configured to guide the sheet passed through the recording unit, a second roller configured to feed the sheet guided by the second guide member, a third guide member configured to guide the sheet fed from the second roller to the recording unit, a common roller configured to transmit a rotation force to the first roller and the second roller, and a second-roller arm including the second roller at a distal end thereof and configured to be pivotable about an axis.

Abstract: A method/printer prints images on an “A” side of a first sheet of media and on an “A” side of a second sheet of media in a single full transfer rotation of a drum. The method then prints images on the B side of the first sheet and on an A side of a third sheet in a single full transfer rotation of the drum. Similarly, the method prints images on the B side of the second sheet and on an A side of a fourth sheet in a single full transfer rotation of the drum. This method then prints images on the B side of the third sheet and the B side of the fourth sheet in a single full transfer rotation of the drum.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that includes an image reading part to read an image of an original, an image recording part to record the image read by the image reading part on a sheet, a sheet discharge part to discharge the sheet recorded by the image recording part from front to rear of a main body of the image forming apparatus, a sheet stack part to stack the sheet discharged by the sheet discharge part between the image reading part and the image recording part, first and second supporters provided outside the sheet stack part along a discharge direction of the sheet to form a space between the sheet stack part and the image reading part, and a lock mechanism to lock the image reading part. The image reading part slides relative to the first and second supporters in the discharge direction.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus including: (a) a recording portion for recording image on a top face of a sheet; (b) a supplying roller which is to be in contact with a bottom face of the sheet held in a tray and which is configured to supply the sheet toward a curved conveyance path; (c) a drive roller which is to be in contact with the top face of the sheet and which is configured to convey the sheet supplied from the supplying roller; and (d) a controlling portion which is configured, upon receipt of a command requesting start of conveyance of the sheet, to cause the supplying roller to be rotated without causing the drive roller to be rotated, and is configured, upon judgment that a leading end portion of the sheet has reached a flat surface extending away from the drive roller toward the recording portion, to cause the drive roller to be rotated.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sheet handling apparatus includes a conveying path to convey a sheet, a processing portion to perform a predetermined process on the sheet while conveying the sheet on the conveying path, a separable roller pair that is arranged at a certain distance from the processing portion on an upstream side or a downstream side in conveying direction, the separable roller pair being adapted to hand over the sheet between the conveying path and the processing portion by holding the sheet with a nip and rotating, a separating mechanism to separate the separable roller pair, and a controller that controls the separating mechanism such that the separable roller pair is separated before or after processing is started with the processing portion on a sheet that is conveyed on the conveying path.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus reads an image of a document. An image reading section reads an image of a document. A scanning mechanism causes the image reading section to move relative to the document when the document is at rest. When the image reading section is at rest, a document feeding mechanism causes the document to move relative to the image reading section. A shutter moves to a first position where the shutter opens, allowing the image reading section to read the image of the document when the document moves relative to the image reading section at rest. The shutter moves to a second position where the shutter closes, allowing the image reading section to read the image of the document when the image reading section moves relative to the document at rest.

Abstract: An image processing device, comprising a supplying path; a re-carrying path; and a supply and separation mechanism to carry and separate a sheet-like medium, and wherein the supply and separation mechanism comprises: a sending roller; an independent roller and a retard roller, and the sending roller includes an arc part and a recess formed inside of a trace of an outer circumferential surface of the arc part, the independent roller is able to rotate independently of the sending roller, the retard roller, by stopping or rotating in an inverse direction of a supplying direction, causes a frictional resistance with respect to the sheet-like medium being sent out by the arc part to separate the sheet-like medium one by one, and the image processing device further comprises: a control unit configured to cause the retard roller to rotate in the supplying direction when re-supplying is executed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an upper cover attached to a main body, an image forming part provided in the main body and configured to record an image on a sheet, an image reading part having a document press member, and a lock mechanism. The upper cover is configured to be pivotable on a support axis with respect to the main body. The image reading part is slidably mounted on the upper cover. The document press member is configured to open and close with respect to a housing of the image reading part in a direction similar to a direction in which the upper cover opens and closes. The lock mechanism is configured to prevent the document press member from opening over a slidable range of the image reading part when the upper cover is opened.

Abstract: A sheet medium processing device comprises a housing, a feeding mechanism (1) mounted on the housing, a stacking mechanism (2) and a switching mechanism (3). The stacking mechanism (2), which is located downstream of the feeding mechanism (1), comprises an upper channel (20), a lower channel (21) and a channel driving mechanism (22). The lower channel is fixedly connected with the housing, and the upper channel is hinged with the housing with one end thereof separatable from or contactable with the lower channel. The channel driving mechanism is used to drive the upper and lower channels to move synchronously to transport sheet mediums. The switching mechanism (3) comprises a first cam (30) and a cam driving mechanism (31), wherein the cam is joined with the upper channel to drive the upper channel to rotate.

Abstract: A paper sheet stacking apparatus includes: a feeding unit 26 configured to feed in paper sheets one by one from outside; a rotary body 10 including a holding member 16 for holding the paper sheet fed in by the feeding unit 26, the rotary body 10 being configured to be rotated with the paper sheet being held by the holding member 16, so as to transport the paper sheet along a rotational direction of the rotary body 10; and a stacking unit 32 on which the paper sheets transported by the rotary body 10 are stacked on one another.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device, including: a sheet cassette configured to accommodate sheets; a conveyance path through which each of the sheets accommodated in the sheet cassette is conveyed; a rotation roller provided at one of a start point and a vicinity thereof in the conveyance path; a motor configured to rotatably drive the rotation roller; a pressure body configured to come into pressing contact with the rotation roller via the sheet; and a moving mechanism configured to separate the rotation roller and the pressure body, which are in pressing contact with each other, away from each other in dependence on drive stop of the motor.

Abstract: An auto document feeder includes a lead path, a first reverse path, a second reverse path, and a both surfaces eject path. The lead path guides a document from a left side to a right side of a read position. The first reverse path and the second reverse path are connected to the lead path, and reverse the document to guide the document from the right side to the left side of the read position. A both surfaces eject path is connected to the first reverse path and the second reverse path and guides the document whose image information of a second surface has been read so as to eject further to the right side than the read position. Further, the lead path includes a lead curve path which protrudes to the left side and is arranged more to the left side than the read position. A shared curve path shared by the lead path and the both surfaces eject path includes a portion between the read position and a portion in which the lead curve path protrudes the most.

Abstract: In a paper-sheet post-processing device, a paper-sheet aligning unit has: a main unit; a paper-sheet holding part which holds paper-sheets supported on a paper-sheet supporting unit; a cam mechanism which places the paper-sheet pressing part close to and separate from the paper-sheet supporting unit; and an aligning mechanism which aligns the paper-sheets supported on the paper-sheet supporting unit with a standard position by rotation of the aligning member; and the main unit has a rotation shaft rotatably supported axially by a first support part and a second support part and the cam member and aligning member are arranged to be fixed to the rotation shaft.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a main body for performing an image forming process on a sheet. An internal discharge stores a sheet after the image forming process and a discharge opening discharges a sheet to the internal discharge. A post-processing unit can be attached to the apparatus main body to apply a specified post processing to a received sheet. A junction can be assembled into the internal discharge to convey a sheet from the discharge opening to a receiving opening of the post-processing unit. The junction includes a first guide having a first guide surface for guiding a sheet, a second guide having a second guide surface facing the first guide at a predetermined distance and a support for supporting the second guide by a rotatable supporting portion. The support has a facing surface facing the first guide surface and has the supporting portion arranged on the facing surface.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus that includes an image reading part, an image forming part to form an image on a sheet, a sheet discharge part to discharge the sheet from front to rear of the image forming apparatus, a sheet stack part to stack the sheet between the image reading part and the image forming part, a supporter provided outside the sheet stack part along a discharge direction of the sheet to form a space between the sheet stack part and the image reading part, a connector to electrically connect the image forming part with the image reading part, a bending unit provided between the image reading part and the supporter to bend back the connector in a sliding direction of the image reading part, and a bend limiter provided at a rear position of the image reading part in the sliding direction to limit bending of the connector.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes a sheet input tray, a transfer channel, a sheet pick-up module, a retard roller, a thickness detecting module and a controlling unit. When the sheet pick-up module is driven, the documents placed on the sheet input tray are fed into the transfer channel. The thickness detecting module is used for detecting a thickness of the documents. The controlling unit is used for judging whether a multiple-feeding event occurs. In a case that the multiple-feeding event occurs, the sheet pick-up module is reversely rotated such that the documents are returned to the sheet input tray. When the sheet pick-up module is reversely rotated, the retard roller provides a lower frictional force, so that the documents are allowed to be returned to the sheet input tray.

Abstract: A media transport element comprises: a fixed roller, a first coupling connected an end of the fixed roller for receiving rotational motion therefrom, a second coupling connected to the first coupling for receiving rotational motion therefrom, and being rotatable about a pivot axis; and a pivoting roller mounted in registration with the fixed roller. The fixed roller and the pivoting roller define a media passage therebetween. The media transport element also comprises: a link coupled to the pivoting roller and mounted on a link shaft co-axial with the pivot axis. The fixed roller and the pivoting roller are both continuously driven even when media items pass through the media passage and move the pivoting roller away from the fixed roller.

Abstract: A media processing device can convey checks at a constant speed passed an information reading position without slipping and without increasing the relay capacity of the transportation roller. The check processing device 1 has two transportation rollers 31 and 32 between the scanning position 52A of the contact image scanner 52 and the separation roller 17 and retard roller 18 that produce a transportation load or transportation load variation. The upstream-side transportation roller 31 turns faster than the downstream transportation roller 32 so that the checks 4 are fed with slack between these transportation rollers 31 and 32. Because of this slack in the part 402 of the check 4 between the transportation rollers 31 and 32, the transportation load from the separation mechanism does not act on the downstream transportation roller 32.

Abstract: When a retard roller is rotating in a sheet feeding direction, the rotation is transmitted to a pickup roller and the pickup roller rotates in a direction for conveying the sheet. When the retard roller is rotating in a direction opposite to the sheet feeding direction or is stationary, the pickup roller does not feed the sheet. Therefore, in a successive feeding operation, the sheet to be fed next is always conveyed such that the leading end thereof reaches a nip position between a feed roller and the retard roller. Therefore, the intervals between the sheets are uniform in the successive feeding operation.

Abstract: A first guide member includes a concave-shaped guide surface. A recording medium such as a sheet fed by register rollers takes a curved position while being fed in a sheet feeding direction such that the leading edge of the sheet slides on the guide surface. A space is defined between the sheet and the guide surface due to the stiffness of the sheet. Thus, the sheet smoothly curves. When a speed of conveying the sheet by the register rollers is faster than a speed of conveying the sheet by a conveying belt, slack in the sheet is allowed in the space defined between the sheet and the guide surface. Therefore, the sheet can be stably conveyed without applying excessive load to the sheet or a sheet conveying device.

Abstract: A paper feeding apparatus capable of preventing noises generated when picking up and transferring paper, and an image forming apparatus having the same. The paper feeding apparatus according to the present invention comprises a pickup unit, which is disposed upstream of a paper cassette relative to the direction in which the uppermost sheet of paper loaded in the paper cassette moves, to pick up the uppermost sheet of paper, and a lifting unit which lifts the sheet of paper vertically to reduce friction between the paper and the paper beneath it when the pickup unit picks up the sheets of paper.

Abstract: A medium transporting apparatus has a first transport path that reverses the sides of the medium when guiding the medium, wherein the first transport path is installed so as to be connected to the middle of a second transport path between a mounting portion and a recording portion; a first mode in which after there has been recording on a first surface of a preceding medium, a second roller installed on the mounting portion transports a succeeding medium to the recording portion side while guiding it to the second transport path.

Abstract: A solenoid valve and an automatic document feeder using the solenoid valve are provided. The solenoid valve includes a valve body, a valve spindle, a spring, a ring-shaped groove and muffling ring. The ring-shaped groove is sheathed around the valve spindle. The muffling ring is disposed within the ring-shaped groove. When the valve body is magnetized to magnetically attract the valve spindle, the valve spindle is moved within the valve body, and the muffling ring collides with the recess inner wall, thereby reducing collision noise.

Abstract: An automatic document conveyance device, include a paper guide which has a slot formed by cutting off a part of a conveyance surface for guiding a document; a conveyance unit which inserts in and detach from the slot; wherein the conveyance unit further comprising: a motor which generates driving force; a motor holding part which holds the motor; a driving roller which conveys a document; a drive transmission mechanism which transmits the driving force generated by the motor to the driving roller via a driving roller shaft; and a fitting part which fits the conveyance unit into the slot so that one surface of the conveyance unit forms the conveyance face.