Abstract: A reading apparatus, having a platen glass, a document cover, a conveyer, a reading sensor, a document supporting member, a pressing plate, and a linkage assembly, is provided. The document cover is movable between an open position and a closed position. The document supporting member is movable between a first position, where the document supporting member faces a reading surface of the reading sensor, and a second position, where the document supporting member is separated from the reading surface. The pressing plate is movable between a third position, where the pressing plate is attached to a lower side of the document cover, and a fourth position, where the pressing plate is removed from the lower side. The linkage assembly moves the document supporting member from the first position to the second position in conjunction with the pressing member moving from the third position to the fourth position.

Abstract: A robotic document feeder system may comprise a robotic arm coupled to a Bernoulli cup assembly powered by a vacuum source; a base disposed over an imaging surface of a document scanner, wherein the base comprises a designated scan area through which a document may be imaged by the document scanner; an input bin for storing at least one document to be imaged by the document scanner; and an output bin for storing the at least one document after it has been imaged by the document scanner. The system may further comprise an alignment mechanism in proximity to the designated scan area and configured to align the document substantially over the imaging surface of the document scanner; at least one automated door configured to close the designated scan area after the document has been placed in the designated scan area; and a camera positioned above the designated scan area for imaging a second side of the document.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a document feeding structure including a feeding path; a scanning unit, said scanning unit being arranged on one side of said feeding path to scan documents passing through said feeding path; a transmitting roller, said transmitting roller arranged opposite to said scanning unit and covering the whole feeding path; and a pressing plate, said pressing plate including a fixed end, a free end disposed in said feeding path to contact with said transmitting roller and an extending portion connecting said free end and said fixed end, wherein said pressing plate covering the whole feeding path.

Abstract: In a document reading apparatus including a document reading unit that reads a document, an image generation unit that generates a preview image based on document read information acquired by the document reading unit, and a display unit that can display the preview image, the document reading unit has a function to read a plurality of documents by one time reading operation and acquires first document read information obtained by reading the document in a state where a document pressing member is opened and second document read information obtained by reading the document in a state where the document pressing member is closed for each document, and the image generation unit generates a preview image corresponding to each document based on the first document read information and the second document read information.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for facilitating the imaging of books are presented. A first transparent plate and a second transparent plate may be positioned at approximately a 45 degree angle to the first transparent plate. A dual-sided mirror may be configured to be positioned substantially parallel with the first transparent plate and to be positioned substantially parallel with the second transparent plate. The first side of the dual-sided mirror may be configured to reflect a first image of a first page of a book, the first image being received by the dual-sided mirror through the first transparent plate. The second side of the dual-sided mirror may be configured to reflect a second image of a second page of the book, the second image being received by the dual-sided mirror through the second transparent plate.

Abstract: A sheet feeder is provided that includes a housing, a feed tray having a loading surface, and a swingable opening cover including a sliding contact portion, extending in a direction perpendicular to a width direction of a sheet. The sliding contact portion is configured to slide in contact with a feed tray in a swing motion of the feed tray from a first position where the loading surface is directed downward above the housing to a second position where the loading surface is directed upward at an upstream side relative to the housing in a feeding direction. The sliding contact portion is disposed on at least one end of the opening cover in the width direction, and exposed to an outside of the sheet feeder when the feed tray is in the first position.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a lateral cover, which is an external covering to cover a lateral side of the image forming apparatus, and a connector member having at least one protrusion, by which the lateral cover is connected to the connector member. The lateral cover is formed to have an inwardly-dented handgrip, which has an open end and a closed end, and at least one opening on an upper section of the handgrip. The at least one protrusion protrudes downwardly from a surface of the connector member. The at least one protrusion is inserted in the at least one opening of the lateral cover to penetrate the connector member and to protrude downwardly from the upper section of the handgrip.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.

Abstract: Transparency imaging systems and methods. One embodiment of the transparency imaging system comprises an imaging surface and a cover mounted adjacent the imaging surface. A media adapter is provided as part of the cover, and a chamber is formed in the media adapter. At least one template is receivable within the chamber formed in the media adapter, the at least one template loading the transparency media in the media adapter adjacent the imaging surface for an imaging operation.

Abstract: An attachment assist device includes an engagement member provided in one of a main body and a retractable unit, a catch portion provided in the other of the two, to engage the engagement member when the retractable unit is positioned at a drawing start position, and a drawing unit provided in the main body, to draw the retractable unit to a drawing completion position in the main body against multiple resistive forces acting on the retractable unit. On a projection plane on which the retractable unit is projected in an attachment direction, an engagement position where the engagement member engages the catch portion is disposed inside a rectangular area defined by two opposing corners respectively positioned at points of action of two of the multiple resistive forces acting on the retractable unit while the retractable unit moves from the drawing start position to the drawing completion position.

Abstract: This invention improves operability at a final stage of moving a slide unit in one direction. A withdrawal mechanism 14 includes a charge spring 45 charged with energy to interlock withdrawal of a sheet cassette, a lock member 39 locking the charge spring in a state of being charged with the energy, a ratchet mechanism releasing interlocking of the charge spring with the sheet cassette with respect to movement of the sheet cassette in a push-in direction, and an unlock member 70d interlocking the sheet cassette with the charge spring and releasing locking of the charge spring at a final stage of moving the sheet cassette in the push-in direction. The sheet cassette is moved in the push-in direction by the energy charged in the charge spring at the final stage of moving the sheet cassette in the push-in direction.

Abstract: A medium stack tray comprises a stacking member that stacks a sheet medium and is configured to be wound in a roll, a winding mechanism that winds the stacking member, a regulating mechanism that regulates the stacking member being pulled out to be wound by the winding mechanism, and a releasing mechanism that releases regulation for winding the stacking member by the regulating mechanism. In the stacking member being pulled out, at least a portion of a cross section thereof, in a perpendicular direction to a pull-out direction of the stacking member, has a curved shape. Alternatively, the stacking member is configured to have greater minimum area moment of inertia of a cross section when pulled out, than when wound up.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus arranged to press an original document placed on a glass plate by a platen cover and to scan the original document by a line sensor includes a light source used when scanning image information, a first detection sensor arranged to detect as a first timing a state in which the cover is opened at, for example, an angle of 20 degrees, a second detection sensor arranged to detect as a second timing a state, for example, that is immediately before the cover closes the glass plate, and an original document size determining unit arranged to determine the size of the original document based on the differential data, which is calculated from first image information scanned at the first timing and second image information scanned at the second timing.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit an original reading unit and a guide mechanism. The image forming unit includes a sheet supply unit; a transportation roller for transporting a medium from the sheet supply unit; an image drum unit for forming a toner image on a photosensitive drum; a transfer belt unit for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum to the medium; a fixing device for fixing the toner image to the medium; and a stacker for placing the medium. The original reading unit includes an original stage for placing an original; a scanner unit disposed below the original stage; and a transportation unit for transporting the original to the original stage and a sheet discharge unit. The guide mechanism includes a pair of guide walls integrally formed at upper edges of the image forming unit.

Abstract: A document pressing apparatus is provided with a document pressing cover including a first lateral part and a second lateral part facing the first lateral part and openable and closable with respect to a housing fitted with a contact glass, a supporting member for supporting the document pressing cover rotatably with respect to the housing at the side of the first lateral part, a plate member connected with the document pressing cover for pressing a document against the contact glass, a first resilient member arranged at the side of the first lateral part between the plate member and the document pressing cover for exerting a pressing force to the document, and a second resilient member provided at the side of the second lateral part between the plate member and the document pressing cover for exerting a pressing force smaller than that of the first resilient member to the document.

Abstract: An image-capturing device including a body, an optical module and an upper cover is provided. The body has an upper surface and a first inclined plane, wherein the upper surface has an image-capturing area, and the first inclined plane is connected and located adjacent to the upper surface. The optical module is movably disposed in the body and is for capturing an image of a document inside the image-capturing area. The upper cover has a lower surface and a second inclined plane, wherein the second inclined plane is connected and located adjacent to the lower surface. When the upper cover is closed upon the body, the second inclined plane is placed atop the first inclined plane. The included angle between the second inclined plane and the lower surface is at least equal to the included angle between the first inclined plane and the upper surface and less than 180 degrees.

Abstract: An image forming system including: an image reading portion, which reads an image on an original; an image forming portion, which forms an image on a sheet; and a storage device, which stores an original before the image reading portion reads an image thereon and a sheet before the image forming portion forms an image thereon, the storage device being detachably mounted to the image forming system.

Abstract: A printing apparatus and method include a charging device positioned adjacent a photoreceptor that places a latent image charge on the photoreceptor. A donor device is adjacent the photoreceptor, and transfers marking material to regions of the photoreceptor that have received the latent image charge. In addition, a media path that is adjacent the photoreceptor causes at least one sheet of media to be placed on the photoreceptor and the marking material. A transfer assist blade that is also adjacent the photoreceptor, presses the sheet of media against the photoreceptor to cause the marking material to be transferred to the sheet of media. The apparatus also includes a controller that is operatively connected to the transfer assist blade. The controller causes the transfer assist blade to apply more pressure to leading and trailing portions of the sheet of media relative to the middle portion of the sheet of media.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus for transparent documents includes a scanner which includes a host and a lid pivotally coupled with the host, and a transparent document holding module which is located between the host and the lid, and includes a main body and a light guide element which is located on the periphery of the main body. The host has an optical module for scanning. The optical module includes a plurality of lighting units and a first attraction element. The main body aims to hold a transparent document. The light guide element includes a second attraction element attracted to the first attraction element. When the light guide element is moved with the optical module, the direction of light projecting to the transparent document is altered. Thus when the light guide element is moved with the optical module along a track, scanning of images on the transparent documents can also be accomplished.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.

Abstract: When an original document is placed on the lift tray, a timer is reset and starts counting a predetermined time. Whether an alignment device is moved to adjust the original documents loaded on the lift tray in, for example, the widthwise direction transverse to the transportation direction is then determined. If a change in the detected width of the original documents is detected, the timer is reset and started again. If there is no change in the detected width of the original documents, a control waits for the timer to time out. If the timer reaches the predetermined time, the lift tray is driven up by the lift motor and rises until the top limit sensor turns on.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a feeding unit, a conveying unit, a primary stacking unit, a secondary stacking unit, and a path switching unit. The path switching unit switches between a first conveying path including a bend section for normal conveying mode and a second conveying path for reverse conveying mode. In the normal conveying mode, the conveying unit conveys a sheet fed from the feeding unit to the primary stacking unit through the first conveying path. In the reverse conveying mode, the conveying unit conveys a sheet fed from the primary stacking unit to the secondary stacking unit through the second conveying path bypassing the bend section.

Abstract: A door opening and closing unit is provided for an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a main body, and a door rotatably mounted on the main body. The door opening and closing unit includes a door speed control unit coupling the door to the main body that includes a coupling boss; and a guide groove that engages the coupling boss and along which the coupling boss moves as the door rotates relative to the main body; wherein the door speed control unit controls a frictional force between the coupling boss and the guide groove according to a rotating angle of the door relative to the main body to control a rotating speed of the door as the door rotates relative to the main body.

Abstract: A closing auxiliary device includes an automatic sheet feeder, a closing auxiliary handle, and a magnet and a metal portion. The automatic sheet feeder is provided in the apparatus main body while being openable and closable by a hinge unit. The closing auxiliary handle is rotatably provided in one side portion of the automatic sheet feeder. The magnet and the metal portion fix the closing auxiliary handle and the automatic sheet feeder. When the automatic sheet feeder is opened to form a predetermined angle between the automatic sheet feeder and the apparatus main body, the closing auxiliary handle is released from the automatic sheet feeder to which the closing auxiliary handle is fixed by the magnet and the metal portion. A projection portion and a rotation control portion are provided in the closing auxiliary handle.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus capable of easily detecting the width of a document is provided that can reduce the number of component parts. A surface to be detected of a moving section that moves in linkage with the movement of a document guide is detected using an image pickup device, so that the width dimension of the document is detected. This allows the image reading apparatus to detect the width dimension of the document by using the image pickup device.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is provided that includes an image sensor configured to convert image light of a document into an image signal, an optical unit configured to project the image light of the document on the image sensor, a drive unit configured to drive the optical unit in a sub scanning direction, a document size detecting unit configured to detect a size of the document using the image signal, an image signal processing unit configured to digitally convert the image signal of the image sensor into image data, a power circuit configured to output an operating voltage in standby mode and stop the outputting of the operating voltage in sleep mode, and a power saving control unit configured to position the optical unit to a document size detecting position before switching the power circuit from the standby mode to the sleep mode.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a cover member that is capable of being opened and closed, wherein the cover member includes a discharge tray that is capable of holding printed recording medium, and an automatic document reader that is provided above the discharge tray, wherein when the cover member is opened to a predetermined position, the automatic document reader supports the printed recording medium placed on the discharge tray so that the printed recording medium does not fall therefrom when the cover member is open.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus having an improved cover device. The image reading apparatus includes a main body having an upper surface on which a manuscript can be placed, a cover installed at an upper portion of the main body to cover the manuscript when scanning, and a pressing plate movably installed in the direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the cover at an inner portion of the cover so as to press the manuscript. In addition, an elastic member is additionally inserted between the pressing plate and the cover.

Abstract: An image reader including a main body with a document bed for supporting an original document; and a document cover rotatably supported at one edge with respect to the main body and capable of rotating between a closed position for covering the document bed and an open position for exposing the document bed. The document cover has a main cover body and a document pressing plate formed of a synthetic resin. The pressing plate is supported on the main cover body with vertical clearance (in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the pressing plate) through the engagement of engaging pieces having through-holes. When the document cover is in the closed position, pressing parts press the center part of the pressing plate against the document bed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a dual purpose tray that accommodates a document and a transfer sheet, a document transport mechanism to transport the document from the dual purpose tray to an image reading position, an image reading mechanism disposed beneath the document transport mechanism, an image forming mechanism disposed beneath the image reading mechanism, a transfer sheet transport mechanism to transport the transfer sheet from a bifurcation point through the image reading mechanism, a sheet feeding path that bifurcates into a first transport path through which the document is transported to the image reading position and a second transport path through which the transfer sheet is transported through the image reading mechanism to an image forming position by switching a switching member in accordance with one of a type of a recording medium set on the dual purpose tray and an operation mode of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A mobile paper guide in an automatic document feeder (ADF) is comprised of draft platen, motor, connection rod, and paper guide plate; the rod including a knob inserted onto the rod, an arm extending from the knob for the rod to rotate as driven by platen; the rod and the platen engaging turns against each other when the rod is limited; the plate movably disposed to the arm; ADF having a chute above the paper guide; and the paper guide moves up and down therein to retain and align paper sheet.

Abstract: A sheet tray (1) includes at least one sheet detecting sensor (10) for detecting a sheet set on a sheet setting surface (2). The sheet detecting sensor (10) includes (i) a movable detecting section having a projecting section which projects from the sheet setting surface (2), and (ii) a detecting section for detecting rotation of the movable detecting section, and the projecting section have a ball-like shape. This makes it possible to provide (i) a sheet tray which is able to prevent breakage of sheet and breakage of the projecting section even when setting the sheet on the sheet setting surface from any direction and any angle; (ii) a sheet transporting apparatus including the sheet tray; and (iii) an image forming apparatus including the sheet tray.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for the shifting of a scanning device's focal point is described herein. The method, system, and apparatus comprise a focal point shifter interposed between a scanner surface and a target surface of a medium.

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: In a recording material guiding device, a second guide member 606 is comprised of a hopper swinging surface 23c, an edge guide member 25 including a second side end guide member 25a, and a liftup preventing guide 251. The hopper swinging surface 23c is engaged in an opening provided in a side surface of a reference end guide 24 serving as a first guide member 603. The second guide member 606 can be slid in a main scanning direction with respect to the reference end guide 24 (first guide member 603). During recording a gap d1 can be formed between the second side end guide member 25a and a side end Pa of the recording paper P by sliding the second side end guide member 25a from a first position 604 to a second position 605, so that frictional contact can be prevented at the side end Pa of the recording paper P on the second side end guide member side.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to this invention has an apparatus body containing an image forming part, an opening/closing member attached to be openable/closable about an opening/closing shaft via a hinge with respect to an upper surface of the apparatus body, a detecting part that detects an opening/closing state of the opening/closing member, a scanner part arranged in an upper part of the apparatus body and arranged to be slidable horizontally, and a driving part that slides the scanner part in accordance with the opening/closing state of the opening/closing member from the detecting part.

Abstract: A developing apparatus disclosed includes a spin chuck for spinnably holding a substrate, a developer nozzle having a plurality of exhaust ports arranged in a row for discharging a developer, the developer nozzle causing the developer discharged from the exhaust ports to impinge in separate streams on the substrate, a horizontal movement mechanism for moving the developer nozzle in one direction extending to the center of the substrate in plan view while maintaining a direction of arrangement of the exhaust ports in the one direction, thereby to move the developer nozzle between substantially the center and an edge of the substrate in plan view, and a controller for controlling the spin chuck and horizontal movement mechanism to cause the separate streams of the developer discharged from the exhaust ports to impinge spirally on the substrate, thereby to develop the substrate.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus including an image reading unit, an image forming unit, and a column support portion supports the image reading unit in a cantilever manner so that a space is provided between the image reading unit and an upper surface of the image forming unit, and receives the image reading unit at an upper surface and a side surface thereof. Further, the image reading unit may be provided with a downwardly extending portion extending downward from a lower surface thereof, and the column support portion may receive the lower surface of the image reading unit at the upper surface thereof, and receive the downwardly extending portion of the image reading unit at the side surface thereof.

Abstract: A sheet-supply cassette including a main member which is open upward and which is adapted to store recording sheets that are stacked on each other; an auxiliary member which is open upward and which is adapted to support respective trailing end portions of the recording sheets as seen in a sheet-feed direction in which each of the recording sheets is fed, wherein the auxiliary member is attached to the main member such that the auxiliary member is movable relative to the main member, in each of opposite directions parallel to the sheet-feed direction, so that the auxiliary member is engaged with the main member at an arbitrary one of engagement positions; first engaging portions which are distant from each other in the sheet-feed direction; and an elastically deformable portion including, as an integral portion thereof, a second engaging portion which can engage an arbitrary one of the first engaging portions so as to define a corresponding one of the engagement positions.

Abstract: A closing auxiliary device includes an automatic sheet feeder, a closing auxiliary handle, and a magnet and a metal portion. The automatic sheet feeder is provided in the apparatus main body while being openable and closable by a hinge unit. The closing auxiliary handle is rotatably provided in one side portion of the automatic sheet feeder. The magnet and the metal portion fix the closing auxiliary handle and the automatic sheet feeder. When the automatic sheet feeder is opened to form a predetermined angle between the automatic sheet feeder and the apparatus main body, the closing auxiliary handle is released from the automatic sheet feeder to which the closing auxiliary handle is fixed by the magnet and the metal portion. A projection portion and a rotation control portion are provided in the closing auxiliary handle.

Abstract: A multi-functional peripheral device is provided including a printing unit which develops images that are read from a document. A scanning unit is installed on the printing unit so as to rotate and read document images of the document. A loading unit loads the printing media and includes a plurality of portions configured to separate from each other when the scanning unit rotates.

Abstract: A closing auxiliary device includes an automatic sheet feeder, a closing auxiliary handle, and a magnet and a metal portion. The automatic sheet feeder is provided in the apparatus main body while being openable and closable by a hinge unit. The closing auxiliary handle is rotatably provided in one side portion of the automatic sheet feeder. The magnet and the metal portion fix the closing auxiliary handle and the automatic sheet feeder. When the automatic sheet feeder is opened to form a predetermined angle between the automatic sheet feeder and the apparatus main body, the closing auxiliary handle is released from the automatic sheet feeder to which the closing auxiliary handle is fixed by the magnet and the metal portion. A projection portion and a rotation control portion are provided in the closing auxiliary handle.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus having driving conditions for plural image forming modes such as color and monochrome, when an original with a blank sheet (inter-sheet) inserted at an arbitrary position therein is to be printed, the image forming mode for the position where the blank sheet is inserted is properly determined and a transfer belt is caused to contact and separate from an image carrier related to image formation, thereby improving printing productivity.

Abstract: When an original document is placed on the lift tray, a timer is reset and starts counting a predetermined time (S12). Whether an alignment device is moved to adjust the original documents loaded on the lift tray in, for example, the widthwise direction transverse to the transportation direction is then determined (S13). If a change in the detected width of the original documents is detected (S13 returns Yes), control returns to S12 and the timer is reset and started again (S12). If there is no change in the detected width of the original documents in S13, control waits for the timer set in S12 to time out (S14). If the timer reaches the predetermined time set in S12 (S15 returns Yes), the lift tray is driven up by the lift motor (S16) and rises until the top limit sensor turns on (S17).

Abstract: A scanner apparatus is provided. The scanner apparatus includes a carrier sheet, which includes a base sheet and a plurality of scan sheets attached to the base sheet and in which each of a plurality of photos is inserted between the base sheet and the scan sheets through a side of each of the scan sheets that is not adhered. A feed roller, which is driven by a power source and moves the carrier sheet at a uniform linear velocity, and a scan unit, which scans images in the photos inserted in the carrier sheet.

Abstract: The present invention holds the source document feeding direction downstream edge of a printed sheet ejected above a source document feed tray by means of a top ejection platform functioning as a printed sheet holding section in an area apart from source document feed rollers functioning as a source document feeding section. As a result, a printed sheet ejected onto top ejection platform is not fed automatically by source document feed rollers. Therefore, a printed sheet that has undergone image formation can be ejected without obstruction above source document feed tray of an automatic document feeder, checking and removal of a printed sheet are facilitated, and convenience is improved.

Abstract: A sheet cassette (1) according to the present invention has a double structure portion (10) including an upper plate (11) and a lower plate (12). The lower plate (12) has a first guide groove (13) elongated widthwise of a sheet to be contained in the cassette and having a plurality of inch-based size engagement recesses (17) and a plurality of centimeter-based size engagement recesses arranged longitudinally thereof. The upper plate (11) is movable along the lower plate (12) widthwise of the sheet to be contained in the cassette. The inch-based size engagement recesses (17) are effectuated by locating the upper plate (11) at a first position, and the centimeter-based size engagement recesses are effectuated by locating the upper plate (11) at a second position. The sheet cassette (1) further has a width limiting plate slidable widthwise of the sheet to be contained in the cassette according to the width of the sheet.