Abstract: A sheet storing portion storing a stack of recording sheets and sequentially supplying recording sheets to an image forming portion has a tray pullout frame that can be pulled out to the front side of the apparatus and a sheet tray provided in the tray pullout frame. The sheet tray stores recording sheets, and the tray pullout frame can be pulled out to a lateral side while the frame is mounted in the apparatus. The front part of the tray pullout frame can be open as the frame is mounted to the apparatus main body, so that the recording sheet transport path can be open and the apparatus can be restored upon a paper jam.

Abstract: A paper supply unit including a front cover mounted to a main body of the image forming apparatus to occupy and move between open and closed positions, and, when occupying the opened position, defining a paper receiving space in which printing paper is to be stacked, and a tray cover, disposed to cover the printing paper stacked on the front cover to prevent an inflow of dust or foreign substances, to be inserted into and drawn out of the main body of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: Provided are photosensitive body or bodies 31b carrying toner; transfer roller(s) 31d, rotating and coming in contact with photosensitive body or bodies 31b, for causing toner image(s) formed on photosensitive body or bodies 31b to be electrostatically relocated onto paper 5; and paper transport means disposed upstream in transport direction(s) from transfer roller(s) 31d and comprising drive roller(s) 36d1 and idler roller(s) 36d2 holding lead edge portion(s) 5a of paper 5 in nip(s) formed therebetween and rotating so as to cause transport of same; drive roller(s) 36d1 and idler roller(s) 36d2 being disposed to the side, on which photosensitive body or bodies 31b is or are present, of a plane L more or less tangent to nip(s) formed between photosensitive body or bodies 31b and transfer roller(s) 31d; and direction(s) R of transport of paper from drive roller(s) 36d1 and idler roller(s) 36d2 being disposed so as to be directed toward transfer roller(s) 31d.

Abstract: A printing apparatus having plural printing paper loading devices and a main controller. Each of the printing paper loading devices has a sub-controller to generate a test signal, and an inverting circuit of an open collector type to generate an output signal by performing an inverting operation with respect to an input signal. The printing paper loading devices are consecutively connected so that the output signal of one of the printing paper loading devices becomes the input signal input into another of the printing paper loading devices. The inverting circuit outputs a low level signal regardless of the level of the test signal when the input signal is high level, and outputs a signal of a same level as the test signal when the input signal is of the low level. Each of the sub-controllers sets its own ID based on the level of the output signal of the printing paper loading device corresponding thereto. The main controller receives the IDs set by the sub-controllers through a common bus.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an image-forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, an area of which is wider than that of a standard fixed-form size having a predetermined fixed-form size, based on an original image recorded on a document.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus comprises a transporting roller pair and resist roller pair for transporting sheets supplied from a sheet supplying device positioned relative to the image formation apparatus at a sheet supplying interval, and an image processing controller for receiving, from the sheet supplying device, information relating to the sheet supplying interval. In the event of the image formation apparatus transporting sheets supplied from the sheet supplying device, the transporting roller pair and resist roller pair transport the sheets at the sheet supplying interval, based on the information regarding the sheet supplying interval received by the image processing controller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a recording-media supplying tray for storing a recording medium; a print section for printing an image on the recording medium; a storing section for storing an adjustment value for a printing of the image in the print section related to a type of the recording medium or the recording-media supplying tray for each of two sides of the recording medium; and a control section for controlling the print section so that the printing of the image is adjusted for each of the two sides depending on the adjustment value for each of the two sides, which is stored in the storing section.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus has a medium storage cartridge mounted in the image formation apparatus and a medium size detection device attached to the image formation apparatus. The medium storage cartridge has a medium back end stopper and a protrusion part. In a state in which the medium storage cartridge is mounted in the image formation apparatus, protruding protrusions of the protrusion part press a medium size detector and the medium size detector makes contact with through holes provided in a substrate and a medium size is detected by voltage states of the through holes.

Abstract: A paper feed cassette or a paper transporting unit is selectively inserted into an image forming apparatus body. A manual paper feed unit is coupled to the paper transporting unit. A recording medium is fed out of the manual paper feed unit, passes through the paper transporting unit and reaches a main transporting path in the image forming apparatus body. An image is formed on the recording medium by image forming unit disposed in the main transporting path.

Abstract: A paper detecting device to detect paper presence on a paper plate in a paper feeding cassette, and comprising a light-emitting device and a light-receiving sensor. In the paper feeding cassette, an end-fence is movably mounted, and at least one of the light-emitting device and the light-receiving sensor is mounted on a base of the end-fence to be covered by the stacked paper. Accordingly, before developing a new image, the complete consumption of the paper supply can be detected, and therefore, the toner can be saved.

Abstract: An image forming system has a sheet deck assembly, an image forming apparatus, and a feeding buffering apparatus with plural feeding buffer trays for temporarily storing sheets of printing paper fed from plural printing paper decks of the sheet deck assembly. The feeding buffering apparatus feeds the temporarily stored sheets to the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet feeding device includes a cassette in which recording media are configured to be stacked. The cassette includes a rear end regulation member configured to be moved in a direction in which the recording media are fed to regulate rear ends of the recording media and a size detection device configured to swing with movement of the rear end regulation member. The sheet feeding device further includes a size determination device arranged within an area corresponding to a width of the cassette in the direction in which the recording media are fed. The size determination device is configured to determine a size of the recording media stacked in the cassette by detecting a position of the size detection device.

Abstract: A large-capacity paper feeding apparatus includes a main unit which is to be mounted on one side of an image forming apparatus, is movable on a floor and is configured to feed paper sheets to the image forming apparatus, a caster which is provided at a bottom of the main unit and is to contact the floor to allow the main unit to move smoothly on the floor, and a mounting device which is moved to a first position to make the caster contact the floor and to a second position to retract the caster upward from the first position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a media feed cassette 100 that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus and contains medias used for printing therein. The media feed cassette 100 includes a chassis 100a; a cassette-side media stacking portion 101 which is mounted to said chassis 100a and contains medias therein, and is located within said image forming apparatus when it is attached to said image forming apparatus; a tray-side media stacking portion 102 being attached to said chassis 100a such that said tray-side media stacking portion is extendable to outside of said image forming apparatus, medias being put in said tray-side media stacking portion when it is extended outside; and a pickup unit 107 for picking up, sheet by sheet, medias put on said tray-side media stacking portion 102.

Abstract: A sheet feeding apparatus is provided with a sheet stacking device for stacking sheets thereon, a sheet feeding device for feeding the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device, and a heating device for heating the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device. The heating device is designed such that of the heat generating areas of the heating device, the heating value of the heat generating area for the central portion of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking device is greater than the heating values of the other heat generating areas.

Abstract: A manual paper feeding apparatus comprises a tray for manual paper feeding, a paper feed roller to feed the paper fed manually from the tray, a separation roller which is pressed to contact the paper feed roller, rotated at the pressed contact position in the direction reverse to the paper feed roller, and separates the sheets of paper one by one, a power transmission device to transmit power to the paper feed roller and separation roller, and a reversing device which is provided in the power transmission device, and rotates the paper feed roller in the direction reverse to the paper feeding direction, based on that the paper fed between the paper feed roller and separation roller is pulled in the direction reverse to the manual feeding direction.

Abstract: The invention provides a double-faced image formation system that prevents transfer and adhesion of a lubricant to an image retaining conveyer and an intermediate transfer part. The system is provided with, on a return path for reversing and conveying a sheet having toner images fixed on one side thereof, a front face electrifying unit and a rear face electrifying unit. Oil adhered on the rear face of the sheet in a fixation unit by the rear face electrifying unit is electrified to a negative polarity, and the oil adhered on the rear face is made impossible to transfer to an intermediate transfer belt. The oil adhered on the front face of the sheet in the fixation unit by the front face electrifying unit is electrified to a positive polarity, and the oil adhered on the front face is made impossible to transfer to a secondary transfer conveyance belt.

Abstract: A paper feeding device and method, wherein a tray including a paper loading unit, a paper feeding device, a paper cutting device is slid out of a main body of an image forming apparatus. When a new rolled transfer paper is loaded in the paper loading unit, the rolled transfer paper is conveyed so that a tip portion thereof is discharged from a rolled transfer paper outlet of the tray. The discharged tip portion of the rolled transfer paper is cut by the paper cutting device.

Abstract: A sheet re-feeding path (32) is disposed substantially horizontally at a location below a fixing unit (14) and an image forming unit. At a location below the sheet re-feeding path (32), sheet decks (3, 4) are disposed horizontally along a sheet conveying direction in the sheet re-feeding path (32). Also, a drawing path (37) for switchbacking the sheet is disposed substantially horizontally between the sheet re-feeding path (32) and the sheet decks (3, 4). A sheet feeding path (7) for feeding the sheet from the sheet deck (3) disposed at an upstream side crosses the drawing path (37) to join to the sheet re-feeding path (32). Accordingly, a space, which is occupied by component parts or devices related to the conveyance of the sheet, can be made compact, whereby sheet capacity can be increased.

Abstract: A tray 1 can be inserted in and pulled out of a main body 10 of an image forming apparatus. A lifting member 23 is provided in the main body 10 so that the lifting member 23 is able to enter into the tray 1 and lift a stack of sheets in the tray 1. The lifting member 23 is driven by a motor 25 provided in the main body 10. A switching member 27 is provided for connecting and disconnecting the transmission of the power of the motor 25 to the lifting member 23. When the tray 1 is fully inserted in the main body 10, the switching member 27 connects the transmission. In contrast, when the tray 1 is to be moved out of the main body 10, the switching member 27 disconnects the transmission, so that the lifting member 23 swings downward out of the tray 1.

Abstract: An image forming unit includes an image forming device that forms an image on a recording medium disposed at a lower portion thereof, a device frame that supports the image forming device at the lower portion, having a first attaching portion to which to attach a first storage frame and a second attaching portion to which to attach a second frame. Either a first storage unit or a second storage unit is attached to the image forming unit. The first storage unit includes a first storage tray having a first storage capacity, a first guide member and the first storage frame. The second storage unit includes a second storage tray having a second storage capacity larger than the first storage capacity, the second guide member and the second storage frame.

Abstract: An automatic pre-printed sheets insertion system integratable into an otherwise conventional printer, without requiring any additional space, yet enabling the feeding of selected pre-printed sheets into the printer output path, bypassing the print engine and fuser, yet integrating collated with the output of regular sheets being regularly fed and printed within the printer. It includes a separate insert sheets feeding system and feeding path for feeding insert sheets from a bi-directional sheet feed tray which can be mounted in the same location as a normal sheet feed tray. The separate path can be through an existing inverter. The special tray can be a dual-mode tray and/or a repositionable tray for feeding blank or other normal sheets in one direction for printing and for feeding insert sheets in the opposite direction to be integrated into the printer output.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging system and method having a media stack component measuring system for identifying media characteristics. The imaging system includes a printer engine. A printer control system is in communication with the printer engine. A media holder is provided for holding a media stack including a plurality of sheets. A media stack component sensing system is provided which provides an output signal having a thickness component representative of sheet thickness of the sheets in the media stack.

Abstract: A printer comprises a paper tray that cannot be slammed in too fast by a user. The speed at which the paper tray can be reinserted is limited in order to stop bunching of the paper stacks up against the front datum walls. Such bunching has been a source of multiple feeds, misfeeds and paper jams. Embodiments of the present invention limit the speed of tray insertion by the user by interposing dampers, or homing motors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided which includes a sheet containing section for containing sheets, a conveying member and a conveying path for conveying the sheets, at least one optical sensor that is arranged in the conveying path and has a light emitting element and a light receiving element for detecting presence or absence of a sheet on the conveying path, a driver for changing an amount of emitted light of the optical sensor, a sheet supply operation detecting section for detecting a supply operation of the sheets contained in the sheet containing section, and a control section for adjusting an amount of emitted light of the optical sensor according to an output of the sheet supply operation detecting section.

Abstract: A cassette with cover is made up of a holding portion that contains sheets and a cover portion that serves as a cosmetic plate at the front of a laser printer and covers an opening of a storing portion for a process cartridge. The holding portion is supported at a bottom of a main body such as to move in a front-to-back direction, and the cover portion is separated from the main body along with the cassette portion. Thus, the opening of the storing portion for the process cartridge is opened or closed with the movement of the cover portion.

Abstract: A manual paper feeding apparatus comprises a tray for manual paper feeding, a paper feed roller to feed the paper fed manually from the tray, a separation roller which is pressed to contact the paper feed roller, rotated at the pressed contact position in the direction reverse to the paper feed roller, and separates the sheets of paper one by one, a power transmission device to transmit power to the paper feed roller and separation roller, and a reversing device which is provided in the power transmission device, and rotates the paper feed roller in the direction reverse to the paper feeding direction, based on that the paper fed between the paper feed roller and separation roller is pulled in the direction reverse to the manual feeding direction.

Abstract: A sheet supplying unit of a sheet transporting device can be attached later to an image forming apparatus body. On a sheet transporting side of the sheet supplying unit, a protrusion is provided, and a second transporting member is disposed at this protrusion. A reception space is provided on the image forming apparatus body, and the protrusion is arranged protrusively in this reception space, whereby the second transporting member protrudes to the image forming apparatus body to shorten a length of a transporting passage between a first transporting member on the image forming apparatus body side and the second transporting member.

Abstract: A sheet storing portion storing a stack of recording sheets and sequentially supplying recording sheets to an image forming portion has a tray pullout frame that can be pulled out to the front side of the apparatus and a sheet tray provided in the tray pullout frame. The sheet tray stores recording sheets, and the tray pullout frame can be pulled out to a lateral side while the frame is mounted in the apparatus. The front part of the tray pullout frame can be open as the frame is mounted to the apparatus main body, so that the recording sheet transport path can be open and the apparatus can be restored upon a paper jam.

Abstract: An imaging media handling system is described in the context of an imaging system adapted and constructed to form images on imaging media of differing sizes and materials. The imaging system includes a magazine adapted and constructed to retain stacks of imaging media for infeeding into an image forming mechanism within the imaging system. A resealable imaging media package is provided to hold a stack of imaging media. An imaging media package retaining mechanism is associated with the magazine of the imaging system. The resealable imaging media package is loaded into, and retained within, the magazine, making the imaging media within the package available for infeeding into the image forming mechanism. A method for loading and containing sheets of imaging media in an image forming mechanism within an imaging system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A paper feeding device and method, wherein a tray including a paper loading unit, a paper feeding device, a paper cutting device is slid out of a main body of an image forming apparatus. When a new rolled transfer paper is loaded in the paper loading unit, the rolled transfer paper is conveyed so that a tip portion thereof is discharged from a rolled transfer paper outlet of the tray. The discharged tip portion of the rolled transfer paper is cut by the paper cutting device.

Abstract: A sheet supplying unit of a sheet transporting device can be attached later to an image forming apparatus body. On a sheet transporting side of the sheet supplying unit, a protrusion is provided, and a second transporting member is disposed at this protrusion. A reception space is provided on the image forming apparatus body, and the protrusion is arranged protrusively in this reception space, whereby the second transporting member protrudes to the image forming apparatus body to shorten a length of a transporting passage between a first transporting member on the image forming apparatus body side and the second transporting member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a media feed cassette 100 that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus and contains medias used for printing therein. The media feed cassette 100 includes a chassis 100a; a cassette-side media stacking portion 101 which is mounted to said chassis 100a and contains medias therein, and is located within said image forming apparatus when it is attached to said image forming apparatus; a tray-side media stacking portion 102 being attached to said chassis 100a such that said tray-side media stacking portion is extendable to outside of said image forming apparatus, medias being put in said tray-side media stacking portion when it is extended outside; and a pickup unit 107 for picking up, sheet by sheet, medias put on said tray-side media stacking portion 102.

Abstract: An option-identifying system identifies the locations of a plurality of options that are electrically connected in cascade and mounted to a main body such that the options are attachable to and detachable from the main body. The main body outputs a location-assigning signal having a plurality of bits to a first one of the plurality of options. Each option tray has a data-storing section and a location-identifying section. The data-storing section stores the locations of the plurality of options and corresponding location data that describes the locations. The location-identifying section receives the location-assigning signal and compares the received location-assigning signal with the location data to identify a location of a corresponding option. The location-identifying section changes the logic level of at least one bit of the received location-assigning signal or changes the number of bits of the received location-assigning signal, then outputs to a immediately lower option tray.

Abstract: An image forming device feeding one cut sheet consecutively from a feeding unit to a image forming unit where a printed image is formed on the cut sheet. During feeding, a uniform interval between a trailing edge of a preceding sheet and a leading edge of a subsequent sheet is maintained. By setting a nip area between a sheet supply roller and a separating pad as a reference position for separating one sheet from a stack of sheet in the feeding unit. Sheet leading edge sensors including a light projecting element and a light receiving element are positioned downstream from the reference position exactly a distance L0. When the leading edge of a subsequent sheet is detected by the leading edge sensors and found to be less than a prescribed interval from the trailing edge of the preceding sheet, the feed timing for the subsequent sheet is delayed a prescribed amount.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed herein for enabling dual-loading of print media through a printzone of a printing device. Further characteristics and features of the present invention are additionally disclosed herein, as are exemplary alternative embodiments. This abstract is not to be used in the interpretation of any of the claims.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention is generally made up of a sheet storing unit and an image forming unit removably mounted on the top of the sheet storing unit when in use. The sheet storing unit accommodates a sheet tray loaded with sheets and selectively movable into the sheet storing unit to an operative position or out of the same to an inoperative position. A locking mechanism inhibits the sheet tray from being moved to the inoperative position. An unlocking device unlocks the locking mechanism when the image forming unit is mounted to the sheet storing unit. When the image forming unit is removed from the sheet storing unit, the sheet storing unit is prevented from falling down due to a moment ascribable to the pull-out of the sheet tray.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging system and method having a media stack component measuring system for identifying media characteristics. The imaging system includes a printer engine. A printer control system is in communication with the printer engine. A media holder is provided for holding a media stack including a plurality of sheets. A media stack component sensing system is provided which provides an output signal having a thickness component representative of sheet thickness of the sheets in the media stack.

Abstract: A printing mechanism comprises a printhead that defines a printzone, and a tray adapted to support at least one sheet of print media. The tray is adapted to move through the printzone during printing by the printhead on the sheet.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a print media input device. In one embodiment, the input device comprises a housing that defines an interior compartment that includes a storage compartment in which print media can be stored, and at least one lifting tray that is adapted to support print media that are to be fed to another device. In another embodiment, the input device comprises a housing that defines an interior space, a first lifting tray adapted to store print media, and a second lifting tray adapted to feed print media to another device, wherein the first and second lifting trays can be vertically displaced both independently and in unison.

Abstract: The two paper picking rollers of a dual paper picking device independently pull sheets of paper or other print medium from a supply and feed the same to an image printing device. With the two rollers pulling sheets of paper independently, the total amount of paper moved can be doubled without the need to increase the speed of either roller. Increasing the speed of a roller or other paper picking device increases the possibility that the paper will be mishandled and jam the image-printing device.

Abstract: An image-printing device includes a dual paper-picking device that has two independent means of pulling sheets of paper or other print medium from a supply and feeding the same to the image-printing device. With two paper-picking means operating independently, two different paper transport paths can be operated. One path includes a laser print engine and prints monochromatic pages. The other path includes an inkjet print engine and prints color pages. The image-printing device firmware determines whether each page is a color or monochromatic page and formats the page accordingly for the appropriate print path.

Abstract: A tray for holding a stack of sheets of paper for feeding into a printer includes opposite paper guides one of which is adjustable relative to the other for varying the spacing between the paper guides. The adjustable paper guide is slideable across the tray and includes a releasable lock which engages the tray for locking the paper guide in position. The releasable lock is preferably a spring biased lever which includes a tooth that normally engages a rack in the paper tray until released by operation of the lever for the paper guide to be adjusted. As the paper guide is locked in position it cannot move away from its location during feeding of papers from the tray. The paper guide may also include a spring arm for applying a bias against the edge of the sheets of paper as they are fed from the tray to prevent them from skewing.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus is of upright construction and includes a medium-feeding section, an image-forming section, and stacker. The medium-feeding section accommodates a stack of print medium in an upright origatation. The image-forming section is disposed in vertical alignment with the medium-feeding section, and prints information on a page of the print medium fed from the medium-feeding section. The stacker is disposed in vertical alignment with the image forming section, and receives the printed page of the print medium and accommodates the page of the print medium in an upright orientation. The image-forming section is above the medium feeding section and the stacker is above the image-forming section. The stacker may have a sensor that generates a detection signal of the print medium when the print medium is received therein. The detection signal is used to provide a visible indication, i.e., an alarm that informs the user of the presence and absence of the print medium.

Abstract: A printer and a control method thereof. The printer includes an optical scanner for scanning light to a photosensitive medium according to image information, a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image formed by the optical scanner, a transfer unit for transferring the image of the photosensitive medium to paper, an engine driving unit for driving the optical scanner and the developing unit, a feed unit having a paper feed distance shorter than an image feed distance, and being disposed at a predetermined position of a main body, for stacking paper, a residual amount sensing unit for sensing a residual amount of paper, and a control unit for controlling the engine driving unit to perform a normal printing mode when the residual amount of paper exceeds a predetermined limit value, and to perform a contamination prevention mode when the residual amount of paper is below the predetermined limit value.

Abstract: A space-saving image forming apparatus of high usability includes a reader section for reading an image recorded on an original, an image forming section including a process cartridge for forming an image read by the reader section, a sheet loading cassette for accommodating sheets for forming images provided between the reader section and the image forming section, and a feeding section for feeding the sheets accommodated in the sheet loading cassette to the image forming section.

Abstract: A tray body 2 and a movable plate portion 10 can be folded each other. If there is sufficient space in an apparatus setting area, the movable plate portion 10 is opened, and cut paper is support by both a first mounting surface 3a and a second mounting surface 10a. If the apparatus setting area is limited, the movable plate portion 10 is closed and the occupying area of a feeder tray 1 is reduced. In this case, since an insertion port 16 is formed between the first mounting surface 3a and the second mounting surface 10a, paper feeding can be carried out even when the tray body 2 and the movable plate portion 10 are folded.

Abstract: An imaging subsystem for forming an image on a sheet comprises a tray for holding a supply of sheets, a ramp for directing a sheet from the tray to the imaging subsystem and a drive assembly including a roller for moving a top sheet of the supply of sheets in the tray to the ramp with a reciprocating roller stroke. The drive assembly is configured to maintain a constant roller stroke distance between the roller and the ramp. A sheet feeder comprises a linkage and a roller disposed on the linkage for contacting and driving a sheet from a supply of sheet material by a reciprocal linear movement through a roller stroke distance. The linkage is configured to maintain a constant roller stroke distance between the roller and the ramp. In a method, a roller is moved in a reciprocating stroke to drive a sheet from a supply of sheets to a ramp that directs the sheet to an imaging subsystem. A constant distance is maintained for each stroke as the supply of sheets diminishes.

Abstract: A solenoid stop assembly that prevents actuation of a gear and feed shaft when a tray is not substantially inserted in an apparatus. The solenoid stop assembly includes a mechanism slidably positionable between a first position and a second position to mechanically prevent a member of a solenoid from releasing a protrusion of a gear extension. A tray is adjustably positionable and functionally interacts with the mechanism in a region of the apparatus and, upon contact, causes the mechanism to move and interrupt motion of the member. A resilient member, such as a spring, biases the mechanism to a position which prevents actuation of a gear and feed shaft when the paper tray is not substantially closed.

Abstract: A method for forming an arcuate surface on at least one key feature part of an apparatus defining an arcuate surface extending from one end of the key feature part to another end of the key feature part.