In a case where feeding of a subsequent sheet by a feed roller is started after the trailing edge of a preceding sheet is detected by a post-registration sensor, a control unit of a sheet feeder controls the feed roller to rotate at a first feeding speed, and in a case where the leading edge of the subsequent sheet has passed through a nip position between the feed roller and a separation roller, the control unit controls the feed roller to rotate at a second feeding speed.

An image forming apparatus includes a stacking portion, a pickup roller, a motor, an image forming unit, and a controller. Upon receiving an instruction for starting a first image forming job, the controller performs an initial operation of supplying current to a motor winding of the motor in a stop state and determining a phase of the rotor based on the flowing current. Based on the determined phase, the controller supplies current to rotate the rotor from its stop state and holds the rotor at a first phase when the first job ends. Upon receiving start instructions for a second image forming job within a period until a predetermined time elapses from when the rotor is held at the first phase, the controller rotates the rotor without performing the initial operation. The controller stops supplying current to the winding if no instructions are not received for starting the second job.

A first conveying unit is allowed to be in contact with a print medium loaded on an uppermost portion of the one or more print media loaded on a print medium loading unit to convey the print medium from the uppermost portion. The first moving unit moves at least one of the one or more print media and the first conveying unit in each of directions in which the uppermost portion and the first conveying unit are close to each other and directions in which the uppermost portion and the first conveying unit are far away from each other.

A fixing device includes: a heating section that heats in a non-contact manner a front surface of a recording medium; a feeding section that feeds the recording medium while causing the front surface to be opposed to the heating section; and a maintaining section that, in order to enable the recording medium to be fed by the feeding section while a rear surface that is opposite to the front surface, and that is in an image region where an unfixed-image is formed on the front surface is in a non-contact state, maintains the non-contact state.

An image forming apparatus includes a first supporting member supporting a long sheet, a feeding unit for feeding the long sheet supported by the first supporting member with respect to a feeding direction and a second supporting member, rotatable about a rotational shaft, for supporting the long sheet with the first supporting member. In a state in which the sheet is bent so that a first portion of the long sheet is supported by the first supporting member and a second portion which is a more rear side than the first portion is positioned above the first portion, the second supporting member is movable between a first position where the second supporting member supports the second portion of the sheet and a second position where the center of gravity of the second supporting member is positioned downstream of a rotational center with respect to the feeding direction and the second supporting member maintains an attitude thereof by its own weight.

A fixing device includes: a heating section that heats in a non-contact manner a front surface of a recording medium; a feeding section that feeds the recording medium while causing the front surface to be opposed to the heating section; and a maintaining section that, in order to enable the recording medium to be fed by the feeding section while a rear surface that is opposite to the front surface, and that is in an image region where an unfixed-image is formed on the front surface is in a non-contact state, maintains the non-contact state.

An image forming apparatus includes a drive roller configured to be rotated by a drive source, a first rotation member configured to be driven to rotate by the drive roller, and a second rotation member configured to be driven to rotate by the drive roller. The drive roller, the first rotation member, and the second rotation member are configured to convey a sheet in a state where the sheet is present at a first nip portion and a second nip portion at the same time.

A sheet feeding apparatus includes a regulator to regulate a position of leading edges of first and second sheets supported on a sheet support. A drive transmission drives a return for returning the second sheet toward the sheet support and the regulator by a driving force, wherein the return includes a first cam follower, a first pivot shaft, and a claw supported pivotably around the first pivot shaft. The drive transmission includes a first cam to drive the return by engaging with the first cam follower and rotating, and the regulator includes a second pivot shaft that is parallel to the first pivot shaft. The regulating member includes the regulating surface and is arranged such that at least a portion of the regulating member is overlapped with the claw in an axial direction of the second pivot shaft.

A sheet feeding device includes a sheet stacking unit, a long sheet stacking unit, a first guide, a first detector, and a closing unit. The sheet stacking unit is movable up and down. Sheets are stacked on the sheet stacking unit. The long sheet stacking unit is detachably mounted on the sheet stacking unit. Long sheets are stacked on the long sheet stacking unit. The first guide is movable along a feeding direction through a groove. The first guide is deformable into a shape that does not interfere with the long sheet stacking unit. The first guide guides a rear end portion of the sheets in the feeding direction. The first detector is provided in the first guide. The first detector detects the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking unit. The closing unit is detachably attached to the groove in the sheet stacking unit. The closing unit closes the groove.

An image forming apparatus includes a processor configured to: receive paper information on a type of paper on which an image is formed; acquire assist information about assistance to supply the paper by supplying gas to the paper and adjustment information about positioning of the paper after assistance to supply the paper is performed, the assist information and the adjustment information corresponding to the received paper information and relating to transport of the paper; and perform control for storing the paper information, the assist information, and the adjustment information in association with one another into a memory.