Abstract: An operation unit is provided on a front side of the image forming apparatus. A document feeding portion feeds a document supported by a document supporting portion in a document feeding direction from a front side of the image forming apparatus toward the rear side of the image forming apparatus. A document discharge portion discharges the document in a document discharge direction from the rear side toward the front side. The operation unit is disposed on one side with respect to an apparatus center of the image forming apparatus in a left-right direction orthogonal to a direction from the front side to the rear side. A conveyance center of the document feeding portion in the left-right direction is disposed on the other side with respect to the apparatus center in the left-right direction.

Abstract: A system for separating an article from the outer part of a stack and conveying it along a transfer path includes a stack assembly configured to receive a stack of articles. A mounting assembly including at least one vortex suction unit is disposed so as to face the stack of articles at least one of a leading edge and a trailing edge thereof. The vortex suction unit includes a conveyor configured to transport an article from the stack.

Abstract: Automatic document feeder includes a transport path member having a transport path surface configuring a transport path in a device body, a latching member that is mounted on a rotating shaft provided in the other end side, is urged in a first rotation direction latched to a latched portion, and holds the transport path member in closed transport path, and an operating member that is rotated up to an operating position by own weight thereof or urging force in a second rotation direction when the device body moves to an exposed position of the transport path member, and is mounted with allowance so that the latching member is rotated in the second rotation direction according to a further rotating operation in the second rotation direction from the operating position and the latching member is detached from the latched portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a document separation and feed portion separating and feeding a document, a document discharge roller pair discharging the document, and a sheet discharge roller pair discharging a sheet. The document separation and feed portion or the document discharge roller pair is disposed so as to overlap with the sheet discharge roller pair in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A sheet sensing module and a duplex scanning apparatus having the sheet sensing module are provided. The sheet sensing module includes a first sensing arm, a second sensing arm, and an electronic sensor. The first sensing arm is partially exposed to a sheet feeding channel of the duplex scanning apparatus. The second sensing arm is partially exposed to an inverting channel of the duplex scanning apparatus. When a document is transferred through the sheet feeding channel to trigger said first sensing arm or the document is transferred through the inverting channel to trigger the second sensing arm, the electronic sensor generates a sensing signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a return-sheet conveyer unit to convey a recording sheet carried from the image forming unit along a return-sheet path to return to the image forming unit, an upper frame unit including a pair of side frames to support the image forming unit in a position there-between, and a pair of lower frames arranged to have a predetermined amount of clearance there-between to have the return-sheet conveyer unit in the clearance, and configured to be less rigid than the upper frame unit and to support lower sections of the pair of side frames. A vertical position of the return-sheet conveyer unit with respect to the image forming unit is defined with reference to the upper frame unit by having a part of the return-sheet conveyer unit aligned to be in contact with the upper frame unit.

Abstract: An image reader is provided, which includes a feed tray that has a loading surface and is swingable around a first swing axis parallel to a width direction of a document sheet placed on the feed tray between a first position where the loading surface is directed downward above a housing and a second position where the loading surface is directed upward at an upstream side relative to the housing in the feeding direction, a first opening formed between the housing and the feed tray placed in the second position, the first opening being configured such that an inside of the housing communicates with an outside of the housing therethrough, a second opening formed in a position higher than a power supply unit and lower than the first opening inside the housing, and a communication path through which the first opening communicates with the second opening.

Abstract: A transmission mechanism of an image forming apparatus includes: a first transmitting section transmitting a driving force of a drive mechanism to a first transporting roller; and a second transmitting section transmitting the driving force of the first transmitting section to a second transporting roller. The first transmitting section has a first gear rotatable integrally with the first transporting roller. The second transmitting section has a second gear engaged with the first gear; a shaft extended in a direction intersecting the rotational axes of the first and second transporting rollers, and rotatable integrally with the second gear; a third gear rotatable integrally with the shaft; and a fourth gear engaged with the third gear and rotatable integrally with the second transporting roller. The image forming apparatus is capable of transporting a paper favorably along a re-transporting path.

Abstract: A sheet reversing mechanism for an image forming apparatus including a switchback reverse path for reversing print sheets, including a transfer roller, a drive motor, and a driving force transmission mechanism. The transfer roller transfers a print sheet along the switchback reverse path. The drive motor rotates in a forward direction and in a reverse direction. The driving force transmission mechanism transmits driving force generated by rotation of the drive motor to the transfer roller. The driving force transmission mechanism includes a clutch configured to connect or disconnect transmission of the driving force to the transfer roller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently scanning a duplex document in which a scan unit sequentially scans both sides of a sheet of a duplex document by moving the sheet across a reader, and a reverse output unit to output the sheet after turning over the sheet. Therefore, since the sheet of a document can be fed and scanned while the second side of the previous sheet of the document is scanned, scanning time can be reduced. Particularly, the reduction in scanning time is very useful when multiple sheets of a duplex document need to be scanned.

Abstract: A document feeder includes a bidirectional feed path having both ends connected to predetermined positions of the bidirectional feed path, respectively. A document is fed from a downstream side of the image reading position to an upstream side with leading end and trailing end being reversed. The driving force is not transmitted when the rotation of the rotating member of the driving source is switched from one direction to the other, while the driving force is transmitted when an actuator is operated based on the driving system being rotated in the other direction. The actuator is actuated when the driving system is rotated in the other direction and the document is drawn in the bidirectional feed path. If the rotated amount of the driving source during the actuation of the actuator is less than a predetermined value, the actuator is actuated by a predetermined period.

Abstract: An original transporting device includes: an original placing portion; an original discharging portion; a first transport path that connects the original placing portion and the original discharging portion; a second transport path that is branched from the first transport path and is connected to a switchback transport path; a changeover unit that changes over a transport route along which an original is transported to either one of the first transport path and the second transport path; a first detecting unit that detects the presence or absence of the original; a first determining unit that determines whether or not the original is a final page original based on the detection; and a controlling unit that controls a transporting unit and the changeover unit so as to discharge at least a portion of the final page original to outside the device through the second transport path based on the determination.

Abstract: An auto document feeder which loads and feeds a document to a read position provided on a read surface of a reader, the auto document feeder including a conveying device having an upstream roller placed upstream of the read position and a downstream roller placed downstream of the read position, the conveying device conveying the loaded document through the read position, a stabilizing roller provided upstream of the read position and opposing to the read surface, the stabilizing roller stabilizing movement of the document conveyed by the conveying device, and a guide member provided downstream of the read position and opposing to the read surface, the guide member guiding the document conveyed by the conveying device, wherein the following relationship is established the thickness of the document<a gap between the read surface and the stabilizing roller<a gap between the read surface and the guide member.

Abstract: A document reading device of the present invention includes a glass platen on which a document is to be laid and document reading means including scanning optics for reading the image of the document laid on the glass platen. A document pressing member presses the document against the surface of the document table. The document pressing member is removably mounted to the body of the document reading device by hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a duplex scanning apparatus. The duplex scanning apparatus includes a scanning module, a sheet input tray, a sheet ejecting tray, a transfer channel, a sheet pick-up roller, a friction-enhancing stopper, a transfer roller assembly, a sensor, a first inverting region, a second inverting region, an inverting channel, a sheet ejecting roller assembly, a first inverting roller assembly, a second inverting roller assembly, a first switching element and a second switching element. By providing two inverting regions, the scanning time for performing a duplex scanning operation by the duplex scanning apparatus of the present invention is shortened.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus has an original placing portion on which an original is placed, a feed portion for feeding the original placed on the original placing portion to convey the original from one end side of an original plate onto the original plate, a conveying rotary member for conveying the original on the original plate, a reversing and conveying portion for reversing the front side and back side of the original conveyed to the other end side of the original plate by the conveying rotary member, and conveying the reversed original from the other end side onto the original plate, an image reading unit for reading the image of the original stopped on the original plate while being moved, and a control portion for controlling the driving of the conveying rotary member.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder for duplex scanning includes a scanning module, a pickup roller assembly, a first discharging roller assembly, a second discharging roller assembly, a first path, a second path, a third path, a sheet feeding tray, a first discharging tray and a second discharging tray. The first discharging tray is used as a reverse region. Since only the scanning module inside the automatic document feeder is used for scanning the document without the participation of the flatbed image scanning portion, the operative space for accommodating the scanning module in the flatbed image scanning portion is not required. As a result, the length and the overall volume thereof are reduced.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a body and an auto document feeder. The body includes an exposure glass, a reader for reading an image of an original sheet through the exposure glass, and a guide disposed on the exposure glass and configured to support the original sheet. The auto document feeder is swingably moved between an open position and a closed position relative to the body and feeds the original sheet onto the exposure glass when situated at the closed position. The auto document feeder includes a press and a regulator. The press presses the original sheet onto the exposure glass. The regulator is mounted to the press and contacts the guide when the auto document feeder is situated at the closed position so as to form a slit between the exposure glass and the press. The slit is barely enough to allow the original sheet to pass therethrough.

Abstract: An auto document feeder includes a housing unit, spatially interconnected first and second paths, an inverting path in spatial communication with the first path, a bypass path spatially inter communicating the second path and the inverting path, a feeding roller unit for feeding documents onto the first path, first and second transfer roller units disposed respectively on the first and second paths, an ejecting roller unit aligned with the second path and the inverting path, and two switching gates disposed pivotally on the housing unit for guiding movement of the documents. The bypass path and the switching gates are internal to the ejecting roller unit so as to reduce document transportation travel.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an automatic document conveying apparatus including a table, first and second conveyance paths, a scanning device, and first and second switchback mechanisms. A document of the document bundle set on the table is reversed and conveyed by the first conveyance path through the scanning device with its first surface facing the scanning device, guided to the first switchback mechanism by the second conveyance path, switched back by the first switchback mechanism, reversed and conveyed to the second switchback mechanism by the second conveyance path, and switched back by the second switchback mechanism to detect a size of the document based on information sent from a sensor included in the first conveyance path. Thereafter, the document is reversed and conveyed by the first conveyance path to the scanning device to have its first surface scanned. A method of automatically conveying documents is also described.

Abstract: An auto document feeder which loads and feeds a document to a read position provided on a read surface of a reader, the auto document feeder including a conveying device having an upstream roller placed upstream of the read position and a downstream roller placed downstream of the read position, the conveying device conveying the loaded document through the read position, a stabilizing roller provided upstream of the read position and opposing to the read surface, the stabilizing roller stabilizing movement of the document conveyed by the conveying device, and a guide member provided downstream of the read position and opposing to the read surface, the guide member guiding the document conveyed by the conveying device, wherein the following relationship is established the thickness of the document<a gap between the read surface and the stabilizing roller<a gap between the read surface and the guide member.

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: The ADF 11 is a device for feeding an original document toward an original document scanning position R, comprising an original document loading unit 31, paper feeding roller 51, pressure sensor 33 and lift plate drive unit 35. The original document loading unit 31 comprises a lift plate 41 allowing an original document to be loaded and vertically movable in an original document loading direction. The paper feeding roller 51 is disposed above the lift plate 41 disposed at the lowermost position with an interval therebetween, and is capable of moving upwardly in coordination with a force received from below from the lift plate 41. The pressure sensor 33 is capable of detecting upward pressure on the paper feeding roller 51. The lift plate drive unit 35 causes the lift plate 41 to be lowered upon detection of upward pressure on the paper feeding roller 51.

Abstract: A sheet supplying apparatus includes a sheet feeding stacker for storing the sheet; a sheet discharging stacker arranged in parallel to the sheet feeding stacker in a vertical direction for storing the sheet; a U-shape conveying path disposed between the sheet feeding stacker to the sheet discharging stacker for guiding the sheet from the sheet feeding stacker to the sheet discharging stacker; a processing platen disposed in the conveying path for processing the sheet; a separating device for separating the sheet on the sheet feeding stacker; a register device for temporarily stopping the sheet and conveying the sheet; a sheet feeding device for conveying the sheet; and a sheet conveying device for conveying the sheet. A sheet discharging device discharges the sheet to the sheet discharging stacker, and an idle roller is disposed in the U-shape conveying path for contacting the sheet to rotate.

Abstract: A multifunction terminal is suitable for performing the functions of printing, scanning, copying, fax transmission and reception and/or sorting of documents. It comprises feeding stations (12, 14) for the sheets and the originals, a feeding path (18) with a printer (51) and a data reader (55), and a reception assembly (20) mounted pivotingly on a frame (10) and comprising reception holders (64, 65) and intermediate storing trays (62, 63). The sheets and the originals are fed by feeding members (77) into the storing trays, are retained there and displaced before being fed back into the feeding path where they are turned over for processing, printing, reading of their second face. Accordingly a multifunction terminal is obtained, which is simple to build, compact and reliable, providing a large number of duplex processing functions, all at a very moderate cost price.

Abstract: Images are formed in the S-D and D-D modes and sheets of recording paper after image formation are arranged in accordance with the order of pages. A document of an odd-numbered page placed on a paper feeding tray in a document transport part is fed to an image reading part and an image is read and stored into a RAM. Subsequently, a document of an even-numbered page is fed and an image is read. A sheet of recording paper housed in a paper feeding cassette is transported to an image forming part and the image is formed on one of the surfaces of the sheet of recording paper. Further, the sheet of recording paper is transported to a path, turned upside down, and transported again to the image forming part. The image stored in the RAM is read out and formed on the other surface of the sheet of recording paper. Finally, the sheet of recording paper is transported with the other surface facing downward and ejected to an output tray.

Abstract: An image scanning machine includes a document feeder for feeding sheets into a first paper path from a stack one sheet at a time if a one-side scanning mode is selected. If a both-side scanning mode is selected, a sheet is introduced into a second paper path which is an inverting path that turns a sheet, which is fed from the document feeder, upside down prior to scanning. Rollers located at a downstream end of the inverting path reverse a transportation direction of the sheet and feed the sheet to a scanner through a return path. The transportation direction of the sheet is reversed after the scanner scans one side of the sheet, and the sheet is then fed to the scanner again to scan the other side of the sheet. This transportation direction reversal results in turning the sheet upside down. A guide member is located a bifurcation of the return path and the inverting path for opening one of the return and inverting paths and closing the other of the return and inverting paths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an original document processing apparatus for conveying and delivering mounted original documents to a prescribed position that includes a conveyance section, an original document delivery section and a reverse-delivery section having a reverse path for looping and reversing the original document conveyed from the conveyance section to return the original document to the conveyance section, a first conveyance path route leading from the conveyance section through the reverse path to the conveyance section, a second conveyance path route branching at midway of the first conveyance path route to the original document delivery section, a third conveyance path route leading from the conveyance section to the original document delivery section. The reverse-delivery section has a first deflector for selectively introducing the original document conveyed from the conveyance section to the first conveyance path route and the third conveyance path route.

Abstract: In a printer with a print engine having simplex and duplex sheet printing functions, and simplex and duplex sheet feeding paths, and at least one sheet output path, a plural function module is mounted on top of the print engine. This plural function module provides a document handling unit for feeding original documents to be imaged, and also provides a reversible sheet feeding path operatively communicating with the duplex sheet feeding path of the print engine to provide a space savings printed sheet reversing chute which is outside of the print engine for the duplex printing function. This reversible sheet feeding path in the module is alternately operable unidirectionally to provide an arcuate, inverting, sheet output path to a sheet output stacking tray which may be located on top of the plural function module.

Abstract: An inverter for reversing the orientation of a moving sheet includes a drive roller and an idler roller in circumferential contact in at least two positions, with a nip defined in each position.

Abstract: A document is fed from a document tray to a reading station. When the document after being read is discharged by way of a discharge path, the document is halted by a control roller for discharging, instead of being discharged completely. That is, the document is discharged only when the read image is recorded on a sheet and the sheet after recording is discharged completely. When the sheet is not discharged and hence an anomaly is detected, the document set on standby at the discharge position is conveyed along an inverting path and conveyance path to a document registration roller in order to allow the document to be fed to the reading station with its image face presented on the reading position.

Abstract: A copying apparatus includes an original feed unit for feeding originals stacked on the stacking position to an exposure position one by one, an exposure unit for exposing an image on the original fed to the exposure position, and an image forming unit for forming the image exposed by the exposure unit onto a sheet, the image forming unit being able to operate in a first mode for forming an image on a single original on a single sheet, and a second mode for forming images on a plurality of originals on a single sheet. The original feed unit includes a first feed unit for feeding the originals stacked at the stacking position in turn from the last page, and a second feed unit for feeding the originals stacked at the stacking position in turn from the first page. When the image forming unit operates in the first mode, the first feed unit feeds the originals. When the image forming unit operates in the second mode, the second feed unit feeds the originals.

Abstract: A sheet transport device is provided with a sheet inverting mechanism for performing a switchback operation in which a sheet transported along a main transport route enters a switchback route, and the sheet transport direction is inverted in the switchback route to return the sheet to the main transport route so as to turn the side of the sheet. A registration roller pair is disposed near the junction between the main transport route and the switchback route. The sheet inverting mechanism is operated in such a manner that the sheet transport is temporarily suspended until a skew correctable portion that enables correction of a skew transport state of the sheet is formed at a lead end of the sheet in the exiting direction from the switchback route after the lead end of the sheet comes into contact with the registration roller pair. Thus, the skew transport state of the sheet which is liable to occur during the switchback operation is corrected.

Abstract: A both-face automatic original feeding apparatus wherein a plurality of originals having images on their first and second surfaces are successively supplied from an original stacking portion to a predetermined position for reading an original, and each original is reversely rotated through a switch-back path after the first surface of the original passes through the predetermined position, thereby supplying the original to the predetermined position again to direct the second surface of the original to the predetermined position.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes a paper supply inlet and a first paper ejection outlet disposed above the paper supply inlet, a paper supply path for leading a document supplied from the paper supply inlet to a reading section, and a paper ejection path for leading the document from the reading section to the first paper ejection outlet. The automatic document feeder further includes a circulation path situated between the paper ejection path and the paper supply path for reversing a transfer direction of the document, and a document reversing path connected between the paper ejection path and a second paper ejection outlet different from the first paper ejection outlet for reversing front and rear surfaces of the document. The transfer direction as well as the front and rear surfaces of the document can be changed, as desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus for conveying a sheet in recirculation. The apparatus comprises a feed tray, a feed mechanism, a recirculation conveying mechanism for conveying the sheet fed by the feed mechanism to return it to the feed tray. The recirculation conveying mechanism includes a discharge tray on which the plurality of sheets are temporally discharged and accumulated and a moving mechanism for moving the sheets accumulated on the discharge tray to the feed tray. The apparatus further comprises a feed sensor detecting whether or not any sheets present on the feed tray. The sheets discharged on the discharge tray are moved to the feed tray by the moving mechanism when all sheets on the feed tray are fed and the feed sensor detects none of the sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet conveying apparatus for conveying a sheet in recirculation. The apparatus comprises a feed tray on which a plurality of sheets are set, a discharge tray on which the plurality of sheets are discharged, a feed mechanism for feeding the plurality of sheets set on the feed tray one by one, a recirculation conveying mechanism for conveying the sheet fed by the feed mechanism to discharge it on the discharge tray and return it to the feed tray, and a plurality of stoppers. The stoppers are disposed at different positions along the sheet conveying direction correspondingly to the sheet size. Each of the plurality of stoppers is moveable between an operation position and a withdrawal position and restricts the front end of the sheet discharged on the discharge tray to align the sheet in the operation position.

Abstract: A recycle document feeder according to the present invention includes a pair of document width regulating guides (9a, 9b) for guiding opposite edges of document originals (D) fed back onto a document placing plate (8) for alignment thereof with respect to the width thereof. With this construction, if the document width regulating guides (9a, 9b) each had a small length (A) as measured along a document transportation direction, the document originals (D) fed back onto the document placing plate (8) could not properly be aligned by the document width regulating guides (9a, 9b) thereby to be randomly stacked on the skew with respect to the document transportation direction.

Abstract: A document setting tray of the ADF is disposed above a platen glass of an image forming apparatus. A duplex document ejecting tray is disposed above a document setting tray. A switch back table, on which the duplex document is switched back after one side thereof has been read by the reading device and fed again toward the image reading device, is disposed between the document setting tray and the duplex document ejecting tray. A switch back return path is disposed between the reading position of the image reading position and the switch back table.

Abstract: A recycle document feeder according to the present invention includes a cover (251) covering a document discharge portion (30). The cover (251) is openably supported by a pivot shaft (256) between a pair of frames (255). A feed-back path (32) for guiding a document original onto a document placing plate is defined by a pair of guide members (257, 258) provided in an opposed relation. The upper guide member (258) is attached to the interior face of the cover (251). A switch claw (253) for switching the document traveling direction is attached to the pivot shaft (256) which supports the cover (251). Thus, there is no need for additionally providing a shaft for supporting the switch claw (253), thereby simplifying the construction of the document discharge portion (30).

Abstract: This invention relates to a document transport device for use in an image forming apparatus. The document transport device has a first belt roller disposed above a document positioning member. A second belt roller is disposed away from the first belt roller in the document transport direction. An endless belt is wound around the first and second belt rollers. Plural presser rollers are arranged on a specified position between the first and second belt rollers to press the belt against a contact glass. The document transport device has a tension roller between the first belt roller and the presser roller closest thereto to apply a tension force to the belt so as to set the belt at the lowermost position of the tension roller below a common tangential line to the circumferences of the first belt roller and the presser roller and apart from the contact glass.

Abstract: A recycle document feeder includes a partitioning unit (17) and action plates (19, 20). The partitioning unit (17) includes a partitioning bar (18). When the partitioning bar (18) is lowered, the leading edges of discharged document originals are stopped by the partitioning bar (18). The action plates (19, 20) guide the discharged document originals toward an upper side of the trailing edges of document originals yet to be fed, and push the trailing edges of the discharged document originals to transport the document originals for re-feeding thereof. The partitioning unit (17) and the action plates (19, 20) are driven by a common motor (47). Further, a partitioning unit driving mechanism (110) and an action plate driving mechanism (111) are provided for driving the partitioning unit (17) and the action plates (19, 20), respectively.

Abstract: A document feeder is formed of a reading section for reading an original document while the original document is being transferred; a transfer roller having a transfer path therearound with an inlet located near the reading section and an exit so that the original document is transferred from the inlet to the exit through the reading section; and first and second rollers pressed against the transfer roller. The first and second rollers are located respectively in upstream and down stream sides of the transfer path relative to the reading section. A guide member is overlapped with the transfer roller at one end so that the original document from the second roller is guided from the one end to the other end.

Abstract: According to a document feeder for an image-forming apparatus of the present invention, when a double-sided document fed from a feed paper stacker, the document with the front surface thereof having been read out by a document reader unit is inverted in a switch-back path provided between the document reader unit and a discharged paper stacker on which documents after having been read out will be stacked, and is conveyed again to the paper reader unit so that the back surface is read out. The document after its both surfaces have been read out is again inverted in the switch-back path and then discharged onto the discharged paper stacker. With such a construction, the documents after having been read out can be stacked in the order of sequence of pages of the documents. Furthermore, the size of the device can be decreased, contributing to shortening the time required for reading the double-sided document and to increasing the efficiency for forming images.

Abstract: A document feeder of the invention is formed of a platen for reading and scanning original documents, a document tray for placing the original documents to be processed situated above the platen, and an ejection tray for receiving the original documents after being processed situated between the platen and the document tray spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction. A transfer path is formed for transferring the original documents from the document tray to the ejection tray through a reading position on the platen. An exit of the document tray, an entrance of the ejection tray and the reading position on the platen are arranged laterally in this order above the platen with a predetermined distance spaced apart from each other. A separating portion for separating the original documents one by one is situated between the exit of the document tray and the entrance of the ejection tray to be laterally spaced apart from each other. The document feeder is made compact in size.

Abstract: A document feeder having a main document setting plate for holding thereon a stack of document originals to be processed, an auxiliary document setting plate for holding thereon a stack of document originals to be processed after the processing of the document originals set on the main document setting plate, a transfer mechanism for transferring the document originals set on the auxiliary document setting plate to the main document setting plate, and a feeding mechanism for feeding the document originals set on the main document setting plate one by one to a processing position. The document originals are transferred from the auxiliary document setting plate to the main document setting plate in synchronization with the one-by-one document feeding from the main document setting plate to the processing position by the feeding mechanism.

Abstract: A document feeder is formed of a reading section for scanning an original document while the original document is being transferred at a predetermined speed; a feeding stacker for supplying the original document to the reading section; a transfer roller having a transfer path therearound for guiding the original document transferred from the feeding stacker to the reading section; and first and second rollers located respectively in upstream and down stream sides of the transfer path for transferring the original document. A sensing device is located in the transfer path between the first and second rollers for detecting a front edge of the original document. A driving device is connected to the transfer roller to control a rotational speed of the transfer roller based on a detecting signal of the sensing device.

Abstract: A document setting tray of the ADF is disposed above a platen glass of an image forming apparatus. A duplex document ejecting tray is disposed above a document setting tray. A switch back table, on which the duplex document is switched back after one side thereof has been read by the reading device and fed again toward the image reading device, is disposed between the document setting tray and the duplex document ejecting tray. A switch back return path is disposed between the reading position of the image reading position and the switch back table.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus equipped with a recirculative document handler, designed in such a manner that when a sensor S2 provided along the document conveyer path is turned on to indicate completion of feeding of a single document, the on/off state of a one-circulation detecting sensor S1, which detects the state of circulating documents, is read in the document-holding section, and the result of addition of "1" to the count of a counter Y which counts fed documents is stored as the maximum document page number when a not-yet-fed document is present in the document-holding section, and thus the one-circulation detecting sensor S1 has not detected one circulation of all the documents, whereas the count of the counter Y is stored as the total document page number when the one-circulation detecting sensor S1 is in the ON state. An additional sheet is fed only when the maximum document page number exceeds the number of fed sheets which have been counted by a counter X.

Abstract: An original reading device is provided with an original cover, an original reading device main body, and a cover attachment portion that attaches the original cover to the original reading device main body in an openable and closeable manner, and the cover attachment portion is constituted by a rod-shaped hinge portion that is attached to the original cover through an open-close mechanism portion, and a hinge guide portion that is provided in the original reading device main body and through which the rod-shaped hinge portion is inserted and supported, and a latch indentation is provided in the hinge guide portion such that a latch protrusion provided at a lower portion of the rod-shaped hinge portion is latched into the latch indentation to maintain a state in which the rod-shaped hinge portion is pulled out a predetermined distance from the hinge guide portion.