In accordance with an embodiment, a paper feed apparatus comprises a paper feed section, a separation section, an abutting section and a friction force variable section. The paper feed section feeds an image receiving medium. The separation section is arranged at the downstream side of the paper feed section in a conveyance direction of the image receiving medium. In a case in which a plurality of the image receiving media fed from the paper feed section is overlapped, the separation section separates the plurality of the image receiving media that is overlapped. The abutting section abuts against the image receiving medium fed from the paper feed section. The friction force variable section changes a friction force of the abutting section against the image receiving medium.

In accordance with an embodiment, a paper feed apparatus comprises a paper feed section, a separation section, an abutting section and a friction force variable section. The paper feed section feeds an image receiving medium. The separation section is arranged at the downstream side of the paper feed section in a conveyance direction of the image receiving medium. In a case in which a plurality of the image receiving media fed from the paper feed section is overlapped, the separation section separates the plurality of the image receiving media that is overlapped. The abutting section abuts against the image receiving medium fed from the paper feed section. The friction force variable section changes a friction force of the abutting section against the image receiving medium.

In accordance with an embodiment, a paper feed apparatus comprises a paper feed section, a separation section, an abutting section and a friction force variable section. The paper feed section feeds an image receiving medium. The separation section is arranged at the downstream side of the paper feed section in a conveyance direction of the image receiving medium. In a case in which a plurality of the image receiving media fed from the paper feed section is overlapped, the separation section separates the plurality of the image receiving media that is overlapped. The abutting section abuts against the image receiving medium fed from the paper feed section. The friction force variable section changes a friction force of the abutting section against the image receiving medium.

A sheet feeding apparatus includes a supporting portion and a feeding unit. The supporting portion supports a sheet and is capable of being drawn out from and being attached to an apparatus body. The feeding unit is provided in the apparatus body and includes a feeding portion, a conveyance portion, a separation unit, and a guide member. The feeding portion feeds the sheet supported by the supporting portion. The conveyance portion conveys the sheet. The separation unit forms a separation nip with the conveyance portion and is detachable from the feeding unit. The guide member includes a guide surface and a lower surface. The guide surface guides the sheet to the separation nip. The lower surface is provided below the guide surface and includes an exposing portion exposing at least a part of the separation unit.

A pressing apparatus configured to generate a force in a separating direction in which a first unit and a second unit being connected to each other are separated from each other, the pressing apparatus including: a pressing portion supported by the second unit to be turnable about a turn shaft and configured to press the first unit; and an urging portion configured to urge the pressing portion in a direction intersecting with the separating direction, wherein the pressing portion exerts the force on the first unit in the separating direction by an urging force of the urging portion in the direction intersecting with the separating direction.

The present invention provides a sheet feeding apparatus capable of feeding sheets at a proper position without a regulating member being bent even if a cassette unit is closed in a state in which a large volume of sheets are stacked. A large-volume feeding deck includes a non-reference-side regulating plate, an external casing plate, and positioning members, which are movable relative to the cassette unit.

An image forming apparatus includes a sheet supporting unit, a sheet feeding member, an image forming unit, a sheet conveyance unit, a detection unit, and a control unit. The control unit executes a first processing and a second processing. In the first processing, the control unit controls the image forming unit such that a position at which the image forming unit forms an image on a sheet of which the detection unit detects the position is adjusted. In the second processing, the control unit controls the image forming unit such that a position at which the image forming unit forms an image on a subsequent sheet is adjusted. When a state change operation that changes a feeding state at time of feeding the sheet occurs, the control unit executes the first processing. When the state change operation does not occur, the control unit executes the second processing.

A pressing apparatus configured to generate a force in a separating direction in which a first unit and a second unit being connected to each other are separated from each other, the pressing apparatus including: a pressing portion supported by the second unit to be turnable about a turn shaft and configured to press the first unit; and an urging portion configured to urge the pressing portion in a direction intersecting with the separating direction, wherein the pressing portion exerts the force on the first unit in the separating direction by an urging force of the urging portion in the direction intersecting with the separating direction.

A sheet feeding apparatus includes a supporting portion and a feeding unit. The supporting portion supports a sheet and is capable of being drawn out from and being attached to an apparatus body. The feeding unit is provided in the apparatus body and includes a feeding portion, a conveyance portion, a separation unit, and a guide member. The feeding portion feeds the sheet supported by the supporting portion. The conveyance portion conveys the sheet. The separation unit forms a separation nip with the conveyance portion and is detachable from the feeding unit. The guide member includes a guide surface and a lower surface. The guide surface guides the sheet to the separation nip. The lower surface is provided below the guide surface and includes an exposing portion exposing at least a part of the separation unit.

A paper size detection system includes a paper tray, a width adjuster, a length adjuster, a plurality of sensors, and a signal processor. The paper tray is configured to receive a printing paper and includes a blocking plate. Each of the width adjuster and the length adjuster is movably mounted to the paper tray. The width adjuster, the length adjuster, and the blocking plate cooperatively define a paper placing space with a size substantially equal to a size of the printing paper. The sensors are configured to get a position signal assembly according to positions of the width adjuster and the length adjuster. The signal processor is configured to confirm the size of the paper placing space according the position signal assembly. A paper size detection method is further disclosed.