An image reading apparatus includes a supply tray which support sheets and includes a movable plate configured to move in correspondence to reduction in a number of the sheets supported on the supply tray, a discharge tray which is located below the supply tray and supports discharged sheets, a conveyance guide which guides a sheet conveyed from the supply tray toward the discharge tray, a reading sensor which reads an image on the sheet conveyed along the conveyance guide, and a discharge unit having a discharge opening for discharging the sheet to the discharge tray and moves from a third position to a fourth position in correspondence to reduction in the number of the sheets supported on the supply tray. A first timing for which the movable plate is to move and a second timing for which the discharge unit is to move are different.

An image reading apparatus includes a supply tray which support sheets and includes a movable plate configured to move in correspondence to reduction in a number of the sheets supported on the supply tray, a discharge tray which is located below the supply tray and supports discharged sheets, a conveyance guide which guides a sheet conveyed from the supply tray toward the discharge tray, a reading sensor which reads an image on the sheet conveyed along the conveyance guide, and a discharge unit having a discharge opening for discharging the sheet to the discharge tray and moves from a third position to a fourth position in correspondence to reduction in the number of the sheets supported on the supply tray. A first timing for which the movable plate is to move and a second timing for which the discharge unit is to move are different.

There is disclosed an article dispensing apparatus (10) comprising: an endless conveyor (18) having a plurality of moveable compartments (24) each defined by a pair of adjacent dividers (22) coupled to the conveyor (18), at least a part of each divider (22) being pivotable between at least a closed position in which it cooperates with an adjacent divider (22) to restrict access to the compartment (24) defined therebetween, and an open position in which it is spaced from the said adjacent divider (22) for dispensing an article received in the said compartment (24); and a guide arrangement (34) capable of causing pivoting movement of each divider (22) between at least the closed position and the open positions.

There is disclosed an article dispensing apparatus (10) comprising: an endless conveyor (18) having a plurality of moveable compartments (24) each defined by a pair of adjacent dividers (22) coupled to the conveyor (18), at least a part of each divider (22) being pivotable between at least a closed position in which it cooperates with an adjacent divider (22) to restrict access to the compartment (24) defined therebetween, and an open position in which it is spaced from the said adjacent divider (22) for dispensing an article received in the said compartment (24); and a guide arrangement (34) capable of causing pivoting movement of each divider (22) between at least the closed position and the open positions.

A discharge unit includes a first discharge guide which guides the sheet conveyed by the conveyance guide, a second discharge guide which includes the discharge opening, and guides the sheet guided by the first discharge guide toward the discharge tray, and a discharge roller and a discharge pinch roller which are provided in the second discharge guide. The first discharge guide is rotatable around a first axis which is parallel with an axial direction of the discharge roller. The second discharge guide is connected to the first discharge guide to be rotatable around a second axis which is parallel with the first axis. An angle at which the second discharge guide is inclined with respect to a sheet supporting surface in the discharge tray is constant while the discharge unit is moving from the third position up to the fourth position.

A discharge unit includes a first discharge guide which guides the sheet conveyed by the conveyance guide, a second discharge guide which includes the discharge opening, and guides the sheet guided by the first discharge guide toward the discharge tray, and a discharge roller and a discharge pinch roller which are provided in the second discharge guide. The first discharge guide is rotatable around a first axis which is parallel with an axial direction of the discharge roller. The second discharge guide is connected to the first discharge guide to be rotatable around a second axis which is parallel with the first axis. An angle at which the second discharge guide is inclined with respect to a sheet supporting surface in the discharge tray is constant while the discharge unit is moving from the third position up to the fourth position.

A paper feed apparatus in accordance with the present invention feeds printing paper stored in a printing paper storage unit. The printing paper storage unit includes: a paper stacking table on which the printing paper is stacked; and an erected member erected along a side of the paper stacking table. The erected member includes a low erected portion formed lower in a height direction than a surrounding portion of the erected member. The paper stacking table has a top face thereof located at a position as high as, or higher than, the low erected portion in the height direction.

A paper feed apparatus in accordance with the present invention feeds printing paper stored in a printing paper storage unit. The printing paper storage unit includes: a paper stacking table on which the printing paper is stacked; and an erected member erected along a side of the paper stacking table. The erected member includes a low erected portion formed lower in a height direction than a surrounding portion of the erected member. The paper stacking table has a top face thereof located at a position as high as, or higher than, the low erected portion in the height direction.

Systems and methods are provided for dispensing sheets of material (e.g. tissues, wipes, towels, etc.) from a container or other suitable receptacle for storing the sheets of material for dispensing therefrom. The dispenser systems are integrated with storage and/or organizer, which are configured to be above, below, behind, or in front of a dispenser without affecting the dispensing function of the system. The dispensers can be used in a vertical position, capable of dispensing a sheet in a downward or upward direction when mounted on a wall, for example, or in a horizontal position, capable of dispensing a sheet sideways and/or popup direction. One of the advantages of these dispensers is that it allows a prior art flat top tissue box for use in a vertical position, i.e., standing up on its end, thereby taking even less horizontal space than the cubic tissue box. The invention frees up the dispensing wall, which contains an opening for sheet dispensing, by disposing onto the dispenser systems a peripheral component adjacent to the dispensing wall, configured to provide aid to both dispensing and non-dispensing uses, such as for storage and organizer, for example as a stand for iPad, visual display, promotional, aromatics releaserall configured next to, over or above the dispensing wall. The invention also provides a dispenser system having a more aesthetic look, for example, a system in which the view of the waiting sheet is masked, removing the cluttering look of the pop-up tissues as seen with the prior art tissue boxes or tissue box covers. The dispenser systems are also made to present as a piece of art suitable for home decoration, including a minimalist dispenser and a sculptural piece of art. The invention also provides a dispenser system which maintains sheets in a condition essentially free of dust by limiting the exposure of the opening and the waiting sheet to the exterior. The dispenser systems make use of novel elements including the use of at least peripheral component, gliders, spacers, masking, and/or pod in providing novel sheet dispensers which are integrated with non-dispensing functions. The dispenser systems of the invention include but are not limited to boxes, for example, tissue box, containers, box covers, for example, tissue box covers.

Systems and methods are provided for dispensing sheets of material (e.g. tissues, wipes, towels, etc.) from a container or other suitable receptacle for storing the sheets of material for dispensing therefrom. The dispenser systems are integrated with storage and/or organizer, which are configured to be above, below, behind, or in front of a dispenser without affecting the dispensing function of the system. The dispensers can be used in a vertical position, capable of dispensing a sheet in a downward or upward direction when mounted on a wall, for example, or in a horizontal position, capable of dispensing a sheet sideways and/or popup direction. One of the advantages of these dispensers is that it allows a prior art flat top tissue box for use in a vertical position, i.e., standing up on its end, thereby taking even less horizontal space than the cubic tissue box. The invention frees up the dispensing wall, which contains an opening for sheet dispensing, by disposing onto the dispenser systems a peripheral component adjacent to the dispensing wall, configured to provide aid to both dispensing and non-dispensing uses, such as for storage and organizer, for example as a stand for iPad, visual display, promotional, aromatics releaserall configured next to, over or above the dispensing wall. The invention also provides a dispenser system having a more aesthetic look, for example, a system in which the view of the waiting sheet is masked, removing the cluttering look of the pop-up tissues as seen with the prior art tissue boxes or tissue box covers. The dispenser systems are also made to present as a piece of art suitable for home decoration, including a minimalist dispenser and a sculptural piece of art. The invention also provides a dispenser system which maintains sheets in a condition essentially free of dust by limiting the exposure of the opening and the waiting sheet to the exterior. The dispenser systems make use of novel elements including the use of at least peripheral component, gliders, spacers, masking, and/or pod in providing novel sheet dispensers which are integrated with non-dispensing functions. The dispenser systems of the invention include but are not limited to boxes, for example, tissue box, containers, box covers, for example, tissue box covers.