Abstract: To enable placement of a regulating member which regulates a position of an end of a paper sheet at a desired position, and stable sheet feeding. A fixing member for standard size is guided to engage with a fixing hole for standard size and, in a state where the fixing member for standard size positions a trailing end regulator, a fixing member for non-standard size does not engage with a rack gear.

Abstract: A thermal printer comprises a base part, a platen roller and a thermal head oppositely arranged, a pickup roller, and a gear set connecting the platen roller and the pickup roller. The base part is provided with a printing paper accommodating cavity and a pickup roller mounting frame, a plurality of printing paper sheets are disposed in the printing paper accommodating cavity, and a clutch mechanism is further provided. The clutch mechanism comprises a driving portion driven by the gear set and a driven portion for driving the pickup roller to rotate. The driving portion is disposed outside the pickup roller mounting frame, such that the impact force, which is generated by the remaining printing paper sheet that falls down when the printing paper sheet departs from the pickup roller and which is transmitted to the platen roller, can be reduced. The thermal printer is capable of providing smooth printing.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed. For example, the apparatus includes a paper feed to feed print media a single sheet at a time, a plurality of rotating discs, wherein each one of the plurality of rotating discs comprises an elastomer ring to secure a leading edge of the single sheet against a registration wall and initiate a flipping process, a curved baffle positioned above the plurality of rotating discs and the single sheet, an air duct located above the plurality of rotating discs and the single sheet to force an air flow towards the curved baffle, wherein the air flow follows a shape of the curved baffle to create a low pressure zone above the single sheet to keep a trailing edge of the single sheet levitated during completion of the flipping process, and a movable platform to hold a stack of the print media.

Abstract: A housing is formed with a first opening and a sheet conveyance path. A tray is inserted into the housing through the first opening in a first direction and pulled out in a second direction opposite from the first direction. The tray supports a sheet. The tray includes a bottom plate, a front plate, and a cover. The bottom plate supports a sheet. The front plate protrudes upward from an end portion of the bottom plate in the second direction. The cover is configured to move between a first position at which the cover closes a second opening and a second position at which the cover opens the second opening. The second opening is defined by an end of a top plate in the second direction and an upper end of the front plate, the top plate covering an upper side of a space that accommodates a sheet.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a process unit, a first rotator, a second rotator, a driving force transmission mechanism, and a displacement mechanism. The process unit forms an image. The first rotator is rotatable about a shaft in a first direction and a second direction reverse to the first direction. The second rotator is disposed in parallel to the first rotator. The second rotator is detachably connected to the process unit. The driving force transmission mechanism transmits a driving force of the first rotator to the second rotator to rotate the second rotator about a shaft when the first rotator is rotated in the first direction. The displacement mechanism releases the connection between the second rotator and the process unit by displacing the second rotator in a shaft direction when the first rotator is rotated in the second direction.

Abstract: To enable placement of a regulating member which regulates a position of an end of a paper sheet at a desired position, and stable sheet feeding. A fixing member for standard size is guided to engage with a fixing hole for standard size and, in a state where the fixing member for standard size positions a trailing end regulator, a fixing member for non-standard size does not engage with a rack gear.

Abstract: An image forming system has a transmission assembly, standard and auxiliary sheet feeders, standard and auxiliary trays, an image forming device and a controller. The transmission assembly is for switching transmission of a drive force of a motor selectively to the one of the standard and auxiliary sheet feeders. The controller determines whether sheet is absent in the standard tray. The controller, based on determining the sheet is absent in the standard tray and receipt of preceding data, control the transmission assembly to initiate to switch the transmission of the drive force to the auxiliary sheet feeder. Also the controller, based on receipt of control data received after preceding data, control the image forming device to form an image based on the control data.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a sheet feed tray with a first guide, a main body with a second guide, a guide member disposed at the sheet feed tray, and a contact portion located at the main body. The sheet feed tray is movable in a first direction. The guide member is movable between a protruding position and a withdrawn position. The guide member at the protruding position is disposed downstream of the first guide in a sheet conveyance direction and upstream of the second guide in the first direction such that the guide member overlaps the second guide in the first direction. The guide member at the withdrawn position does not overlap the second guide in the first direction. The contact portion is configured to, as the sheet feed tray moves from the main body, contact and move the guide member from the protruding position toward the withdrawn position.

Abstract: To enable placement of a regulating member which regulates a position of an end of a paper sheet at a desired position, and stable sheet feeding. A fixing member for standard size (33) is guided to engage with a fixing hole for standard size (42) and, in a state where the fixing member for standard size (33) positions a trailing end regulator (24), a fixing member for non-standard size (34) does not engage with a rack gear (43).

Abstract: An image recording apparatus is configured such that, in response to receipt a first command designating recordation of an image on a first type sheet, a motor is driven in accordance with a first feeding condition, and in response to the first sensor not detecting the sheet until the motor rotates by a particular rotation amount, the motor is driven in accordance with a second feeding condition. Further, the controller causes the recorder to record an image, based on the first command, on the sheet which is fed as the motor is driven in accordance with the second feed condition, while, in response to the first sensor detecting the sheet before the motor rotates by the particular rotation amount, the controller does not record the image, based on the first command, on the sheet which is fed as the motor is driven in accordance with the first feeding condition.

Abstract: A printing medium holder system is described which has first and second printing medium holders, a connection mechanism to connect the holder system to a printer and a pivot mechanism. The pivot mechanism is connected to each of the first printing medium holder, the second printing medium holder and the connection mechanism. The pivot mechanism is pivotable so that each of the first printing mechanism holder and the second printing mechanism holder move relative to the connection mechanism between a first configuration of the holder system and a second configuration of the holder system. A printing system and a printing device are also described.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a feeding roller configured to feed a printing sheet stacked on a stacking unit, a conveyance roller configured to convey the printing sheet fed by the feeding roller, a printing unit configured to print the printing sheet conveyed by the conveyance roller, a conveyance control unit configured to control conveyance of printing sheets so that the trailing edge of a preceding sheet as a printing sheet precedingly fed from the stacking unit and the leading edge of a succeeding sheet as a printing sheet succeedingly fed from the stacking unit overlap each other, and a determination unit configured to determine whether to convey the succeeding sheet to a position facing the printing unit while keeping an overlap state between the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet.

Abstract: A conveying device includes: a housing having a conveyance path; a first roller disposed on the conveyance path; a second roller which is opposed to the first roller; a guide member whose state is changeable between a first state in which the guide member partly defines the conveyance path and a second state in which the guide member exposes the conveyance path; a roller holder supporting the second roller; an urging force applier configured to apply, to the second roller, an urging force in a first direction directed from the second roller toward the first roller; and an urging force adjuster configured to adjust the urging force to a first value when the guide member is in the first state and adjust the urging force to a second value when the guide member is in the second state, the second value being less than the first value.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet accommodating portion that is attachable to and removable from an apparatus body and that is capable of accommodating a sheet therein; a detecting part that detects the presence/absence of a sheet in the sheet accommodating portion; a fixing part that fixes the status of detection by the detecting part to a sheet absent state when the sheet accommodating portion is not attached to the apparatus body; an informing part that informs a user of the status of the apparatus; and a control part that causes the informing part to inform the user of the possibility of a sheet left in the apparatus when the status of detection by the detecting part changes from a sheet present state to the sheet absent state during standby when printing is not performed.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes: a printing unit having a plurality of printing elements arranged in a conveyance direction of the printing sheet and configured to print the printing sheet; a conveyance control unit configured to control conveyance of printing sheets so that a trailing edge of a preceding sheet as a printing sheet precedingly fed from the stacking unit and a leading edge of a succeeding sheet as a printing sheet fed after the preceding sheet overlap each other; a determination unit configured to determine, under a predetermined condition, whether to convey the succeeding sheet to a position facing the printing unit while keeping an overlap state between the preceding sheet and the succeeding sheet; and a printing control unit configured to control, based on a determination result of the determination unit, printing elements of the printing unit to be used.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a feeding unit configured to feed a printing sheet stacked on a stacking unit, a conveying unit configured to convey the printing sheet fed by the feeding unit, a printing unit configured to print the printing sheet conveyed by the conveying unit, and a control unit configured to control the feeding unit and the conveying unit. When continuously printing on the first surfaces of a plurality of printing sheets, the feeding unit forms an overlap state in which a trailing edge of a preceding sheet and a leading edge of a succeeding sheet overlap each other, and the conveying unit conveys the printing sheets while keeping the overlap state. When performing double-sided printing on the first surface and the second surface of the printing sheet, the feeding unit does not form the overlap state.

Abstract: The bottom surface of a paper cassette that supports recording paper is configured of a first bottom surface and a second bottom surface. The second bottom surface is formed of a swing member having a fulcrum at the downstream side in the paper feeding direction and being capable of swinging about the fulcrum with the upstream side in the paper feeding direction serving as a free end, thereby providing a structure in which an angle formed by the second bottom surface and a separation slope increases when the second bottom surface is caused to sink downward by a swing of the swing member.

Abstract: A printing medium supplying unit usable with an image forming apparatus which includes a casing and a feeding unit to feed a printing medium, and the image forming apparatus having the same. The printing medium supplying unit includes a feeding cassette to store and to supply the printing medium; and a guide unit rotatably coupled to the feeding cassette to guide the printing medium to the feeding unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are a printing media holder and an image forming apparatus including the same. The printing media holder includes an printing media alignment unit capable of moving bidirectionally toward and away from the printing media loaded on the printing media holder, and includes a release mechanism that releases the printing media alignment unit, to allow the printing media alignment unit to move its position for aligning of print media of different sizes, in response to a force received thereto in any of the bidirectional directions.

Abstract: There is provided an image recording apparatus including: a first transporting portion with a first transporting path formed to guide a sheet with its recording surface facing upward, a recording portion, a transporting roller, a second transporting portion with a second transporting path, a first flap, a sandwiching member sandwich the sheet between itself and the first flap, and a second flap. The first flap turn between a first position being able to guide the sheet along the first transporting path and a second position spaced downward from the sandwiching member farther than in the first position, and the second flap change between a third position for a third surface to define a guide surface of the second transporting path and a fourth position to open up the second transporting path.

Abstract: A printer apparatus includes a supply unit to supply recording media, a recording unit to record information to the recording media, and a storage unit to store the recording media. A tray is formed in at least one of the supply unit and the storage unit and detachably connected to the apparatus to store a plurality of recording media in a stacked state. The apparatus includes a support surface for supporting a bottom surface of the tray, and at least one wall surface touching or opposing a side surface of the tray. An opening is defined by the bottom surface and the at least one wall surface to allow the tray to be detached from a direction within a predetermined angle of the side surface of the apparatus. A positioning device is disposed in at least one of the support surface and the wall surface for positioning the tray.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a sheet feeder attaching unit, a communication unit, a connection determining unit, an acquiring unit, a storage unit, a compatibility determining unit and a forcible unconnected control unit. The connection determining unit causes the communication unit to communicate with a communication section of a sheet feeder, and determines whether the sheet feeder is connected based on a communication result. The acquiring unit acquires attribute information of the sheet feeder. The storage unit stores attribute information of sheet feeders being compatible, in terms of control, with the image forming apparatus. The compatibility determining unit determines whether the connected sheet feeder is compatible by comparing the acquired attribute information of the connected sheet feeder with the stored attribute information.

Abstract: There are provided a plurality of paper feed units 20 drawing and feeding, one by one, print media stacked on a paper feed table, a printing unit 30 printing a print medium, a secondary paper feed unit 14 feeding a print medium fed from the plurality of the paper feed units 20 to the printing unit 30, a circulating path CR on which a print medium printed by the printing unit 30 is transferred at a transfer speed of the print medium determined for each sheet size, a reversal unit 50 reversing a print medium transferred on the circulating path CR to feed the reversed print medium to the secondary paper feed unit 14, a transfer schedule setting unit 70c setting, when a double-sided printing request of a set of print media of two kinds of sheet sizes is included in a print job, a transfer schedule of the print media of two kinds of sheet sizes so that the waiting time for transfer in the print job is reduced, and an equipment control unit 70d causing the plurality of the paper feed units 20 or the reversal unit 5

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a feed unit that transports a recording medium from a setting position, a record head that performs recording on the recording medium, a first detection unit that detects passage of a rear end of the recording medium at a predetermined position on the downstream side of the feed unit, and a control unit that controls the feed unit such that the recording medium of a next page reaches a predetermined position until a predetermined timing after detection of the rear end of a preceding page by using the first detection unit for performing an advance feed mode in which the recording medium of the next page is transported from a setting position to the predetermined position without waiting for completion of recording on the preceding page, when the rear end of the preceding page is detected by the first detection unit.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus includes: at least one roller pair which has a driving roller and a driven roller facing the driving roller and which rotates while interposing the recording medium therebetween to transport the recording medium in a first direction; a recording section which records an image on the recording medium transported by the roller pair; a position detecting section which detects a position of the recording medium with respect to the roller pair in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction before the recording section starts recording; a determining section which determines a rotation amount of the driving roller before the recording section starts the recording depending on the position in the second direction of the recording medium detected by the position detecting section; and a control unit which controls the driving roller based on the rotation amount determined by the determining section.

Abstract: A conveyance mechanism includes a first conveyed material storage section and a second conveyed material storage section that respectively store a first conveyed material and a second conveyed material. When a position of the first conveyed material storage section is changed to a conveyed position where the first conveyed material is to be conveyed, a discharge destination of a discharge member is switched to a first conveyed material discharge section. When the position of the first conveyed material storage section is changed to an evacuation position evacuated from the conveyed position, the discharge destination of the discharge member is switched to a second conveyed material discharge section.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus, including a sheet-supply tray device which accommodates and holds a plurality of recording sheets and which supplies the recording sheets, one by one, in a sheet-supply direction; and an image recording device which records an image on each of the recording sheets supplied from the sheet-supply tray device.

Abstract: A paper-feeding device and a multi-functional printer are provided. The paper-feeding device includes a base, a driving axle, a position-limiting element and a retaining element. The base has a first assembling portion. The driving axle, the position-limiting and the retaining elements are all in the base. The position-limiting element has a second assembling portion and two position-limiting portions on radial directions of the second assembling portion between the inserting portion and the body. The retaining element includes a swing frame, a paper-separating element and a spring. The body of the swing frame is located between the two position-limiting portions. The first and second pivoting portions coaxial and connect the body are pivoted respectively to the first and second assembling portions. The inserting portion of the paper-separating element is sheathed by the body and the separating element leans against the driving axle.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus realizes two functions using a single actuator to sense the width and presence of a printing medium and a single sensor to sense operation of the actuator, resulting in reduced manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A printer includes a printer body and a paper tray assembly mounted to the printer body. The paper tray assembly includes a first paper tray and a second paper tray mounted to the first paper tray. The first paper tray includes a first bottom panel and two side portions extending from the first bottom panel. The second paper tray includes a mounting tray, an extending panel movably mounted to the mounting tray, and an elastic element resiliently contacting between the extending panel and the mounting tray. The mounting tray moves on the two side portions along a first direction substantially parallel to the first bottom panel to drive the extending panel to move to an unfolded position. The elastic element rebounds to drive the extending panel to move along a second direction to enable the extending panel to be in the same plane with the first bottom panel.

Abstract: A recording apparatus including: a casing provided with a feed roller for feeding a recording medium; a removable member insertable into and removable from the casing by being moved relative to the casing in an axial direction of the feed roller wherein on the removable member is mounted a nip roller via a shaft thereof extending in parallel with the axial direction of the feed roller, the nip roller; a force applying portion which applies a force to the nip roller in a direction in which the nip roller is moved toward the feed roller; and a moving mechanism which moves the nip roller against the force in a mounting and removing operation in a direction in which the nip roller is moved away from the feed roller.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus may include a first tray configured to accommodate one or more recording sheets to be supplied to an image forming unit, a pair of body frames disposed to sandwich therebetween an upper part of the first tray, a pair of expansion members disposed under the pair of body frames to sandwich therebetween a lower part of the first tray, a plurality of first connectors configured to connect the pair of body frames with the pair of expansion members, an under bar bridged between the pair of expansion members, and a second connector configured to connect one of the expansion members with the under bar. The expansion member connected with the second connector may be configured such that a phantom line, which extends through the expansion member in a direction parallel to the attaching-detaching direction of the first tray, is in line with the second connector.

Abstract: An integrated ink-and-paper cassette (1) mountable to a thermal transfer printer (40) includes an ink-sheet supply unit housing (20) between an opening (30) for ejecting the recording sheet (13) and an ink-sheet take-up unit housing (21). Also, an upper case (10) mainly defining a recording sheet housing (22) is welded to a lower case (11) defining ink-sheet housings when assembled with the upper case (10), in the vicinity of a conveyance path of the ink sheet (12) at which a load is likely applied.

Abstract: The invention describes a sheet conveying device having a feed tray for storing sheets, a first conveying path for conveying a first sheet in a first direction, a feed roller that feeds the sheets in the feed tray to the first conveying path, a second conveying path that connects the first conveying path and the feed tray, and conveys the first sheet in a direction opposite the first direction, and a multiple feed guide in the second conveying path, which has a guide for guiding the first sheet between the feed roller and the feed tray, and an overlying portion which overlies the feed tray on one side of the feed roller. The feed roller feeds the first sheet that was fed to the first conveying path, and was guided by the multiple feed guide, back to the first conveying path. A duplex printer incorporates this sheet conveying device.

Abstract: An apparatus including a DC motor includes a driven member configured to be driven by the DC motor, and a drive control unit configured to define a plurality of predetermined phases of the DC motor as target stop phases and to cause the DC motor to make at least one rotation to perform preliminary driving that rotates the DC motor to each target stop phase by driving and stopping the DC motor, configured to acquire a difference value between the target stop phase and an actual stop phase for each target stop phase, and configured to drive the DC motor so that the driven member is repeatedly moved and stopped in the operation of the driven member and to perform control so that, based on the difference value acquired by the acquisition unit, electric power is supplied to the DC motor in a phase corresponding to a stop position of the driven member.

Abstract: An ink ribbon cassette is inserted into and removed from a thermal transfer printer in the longitudinal direction of the thermal head. The thermal head is provided with a lifting member, while the ink ribbon cassette is provided with a contact element. The lifting member and the contact element of the ink ribbon cassette are configured to be in contact with each other during insertion and removal of the ink ribbon cassette, and thereby lift the thermal head to widen the space for the ink sheet to pass through.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a method to control the same. The image forming apparatus variably outputs the PWM signal until the printing medium reaches the target position, accelerates the printing medium-feeding motor, and decelerates the printing medium-feeding motor in multi-stages. If the printing medium reaches the target position, the image forming apparatus decreases the PWM signal value to a predetermined value, maintains a current level, and stops the printing medium-feeding motor without rotating the printing medium-feeding motor in the reverse direction, such that the printing medium-feeding motor may instantaneously rotate in a reverse direction. As a result, the image forming apparatus can prevent the printing medium from stopping the feeding operation without reaching the printing medium to the target position due to the instantaneous reverse rotation of the printing medium-feeding motor, such that the printing medium can be maximally/correctly transferred to the target position.

Abstract: A print or logo data generating system and method in which a width dimension of a printable medium is identified and original source data obtained. The processing further involves automatically resizing the source data to a predefined maximum width not greater than the width dimension of the printable medium prior to executing any user-requested changes, and displaying a first image representation of the original source data. Upon receipt of a user-requested change in the size of the original source data and a user-requested change in the number of colors of the original source data, the size change request is executed first.

Abstract: An integrated ink-and-paper cassette (1) mountable to a thermal transfer printer includes a casing (11) defining an ink-sheet supply unit housing (20) and an ink-sheet take-up unit housing (21) with an opening (34) provided therebetween for feeding a recording sheet (13). An engagement unit (35, 36) is provided at a surface of the casing (11) substantially perpendicular to an axis of a first bobbin (12a), for engaging an engagement portion (56, 57) of the printer to prevent deformation of the cassette (1) when the cassette (1) is mounted to the printer.

Abstract: A printing apparatus according to this invention contains a moving unit for moving a feed unit or a recording medium stacked on a stacking unit in a direction to separate them from one another or in a direction to render one in contact with the other based on a result of comparison between information, relating to the recording medium, included in image information and information, relating to the recording medium, input with an information input unit. With such the printing apparatus, a user can replace the recording medium stacked on the stacking unit in a short time without waiting for a feed unit or a recording medium to be moved, even where the information input with the information input unit differs from the information included in the image information.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is swung with a stopper which is swingable simultaneously with a switching member, and which allows rotation of an output gear by being disengaged from the output gear with a swinging movement of the switching member to an ON side, and which stops the rotation of the output gear by being engaged with the output gear with a swinging movement of the switching member to an OFF side. When the switching member is swung to the OFF side, the stopper is engaged with the output gear at the same time as the switching member is disengaged from the triggering member or before the switching member is disengaged from the triggering member. Accordingly, a descent of a pressing plate at the time of stopping the pressing plate is prevented without using a one-way clutch.

Abstract: A cartridge, detachably attached to a recording apparatus, includes a recording sheet container. The recording apparatus includes a sheet turning device. When a recording sheet is conveyed from the cartridge to an image forming section, the sheet turning device turns the recording sheet around an axis parallel to a normal line to the recording surface of the recording sheet. The longitudinal direction of the recording sheets contained in the recording sheet container is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the recording sheet being subjected to recording in the image forming section.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a paper feeding cassette that selectively stores at least first and second kinds of paper sheets having different sizes with respect to a paper feeding direction. Heights of the paper sheets storable in the paper feeding cassette are set in such a manner that the height of the second paper sheets is lower than the height of the first paper sheets. The apparatus also has a paper feeding tray and a structural member that has a mechanism for feeding third paper sheets loaded on the paper feeding tray. The structural member is disposed in a space of the cassette defined by a difference in the heights.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a medium feeding device capable of feeding a recording medium placed on a first tray. The medium conveying device includes: a frame having a first surface and allowing the first tray to be movable along the first surface, the first tray being attached to the medium feeding device at a first position of the first surface; a feeding member configured to feed the recording medium to a first conveying path when the first tray with the recording medium thereon is positioned at the first position, a cleaning member disposed at the first surface of the frame and configured to clean the feeding member when the cleaning member is uncovered by the first tray.

Abstract: A method for commonly using scanning/printing path of a multifunction office machine and a device thereof. The device has a first and a second feeder slots adjacent to each other, whereby documents to be scanned and sheets to be printed can be respectively placed into the first and second feeder slots. A first restricting member is arranged on one side of the output end of the first feeder slot. A second restricting member is arranged on one side of the output end of the second feeder slot. A common pivotal member is disposed between the first and second restricting members. The common pivotal member is able to selectively drivingly abut against the first or the second restricting member. A power source serves to drive the first and second restricting members or the common pivotal member to respectively transfer the documents and the sheets for scanning and printing.

Abstract: A cassette unit includes: a cassette case which covers a printing medium and has a feeding opening for passing the printing medium when the printing medium is fed by a feeding roller of a printing apparatus body; a cassette hopper which receives the printing medium and comes in contact with or separates from the feeding roller in a state in which the cassette hopper is mounted in the printing apparatus body; and s shutter which is switched so as to allow the printing medium to pass through the feeding opening or to prevent the printing medium from passing through the feeding opening, the cassette case, the cassette hopper, and the shutter being formed integrally. The cassette hopper is bent in a direction in which the cassette hopper approaches the feeding roller in a first joint portion jointing with the cassette case to engage with a first engagement portion.

Abstract: A print media cartridge includes a housing assembly that defines a region in which a stack of print media sheets can be stored. A sheet transport mechanism is mounted in the housing assembly to feed the sheets from the housing assembly. An ink storage assembly is mounted on the housing assembly and defines at least one ink chamber in which ink can be received and an ink outlet in fluid communication with the, or each respective, ink chamber.

Abstract: A print media feed system for media of variable thickness having a slanted loading platform with drive wheels to direct print media to a feed zone having a belt system and hanging friction wheels to draw out single print medium of varying thickness and feed the medium to a print zone for a ink jet, laser or other printer wherein the print zone includes a floating deck to maintain a constant clearance distance between the printhead and the print medium.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including an image forming apparatus body, a printing engine installed in the image forming apparatus body and used to print an image on a printing medium supplied to the printing engine, a printing medium supply device having a loading plate to load printing media thereon and a frame to support the loading plate, the printing medium supply device being coupled to the image forming apparatus body to supply the printing media to the printing engine, and a pickup device to pick up the printing media loaded in the printing medium supply device one by one and to convey each picked-up printing medium to the printing engine. The printing medium supply device includes a printing medium aligning unit to push a lateral portion of the printing media when the printing media is loaded on the loading plate, so as to align the loaded printing media. With this configuration, the printing media loaded on the loading plate is automatically aligned by the printing medium aligning unit.

Abstract: A print medium supplying device, includes a frame, a mounting plate to mount a print medium, an elevating unit to move upward and downward the mounting plate within the frame, and an elastic unit which comprises an installation unit disposed to one of the frame and the mounting plate, a coupling unit coupled to an other of the frame and the mounting plate, and a spring unit provided between the installation unit and the coupling unit to elastically weaken a falling motion of the mounting plate.