In an image reading apparatus, in a first process, first and second motor rotate feed and conveyance rollers with circumferential speeds of first and second speeds, respectively. In the first process, the reverse roller has a first separation performance for separating a sheet from another sheet. In a second process, after a detector detects a leading edge of the sheet, the controller stops the first motor, and decelerates the second motor, and the reverse roller has a second separation performance lower than the first separation performance. In a third process, after a trailing edge of the sheet reaches a specific position, the first motor starts rotating the feed roller with the circumferential speed of the first speed. In a fourth process, after the trailing edge of the sheet passes through a reading end position, the controller accelerates the second motor.

In an image reading apparatus, in a first process, first and second motor rotate feed and conveyance rollers with circumferential speeds of first and second speeds, respectively. In the first process, the reverse roller has a first separation performance for separating a sheet from another sheet. In a second process, after a detector detects a leading edge of the sheet, the controller stops the first motor, and decelerates the second motor, and the reverse roller has a second separation performance lower than the first separation performance. In a third process, after a trailing edge of the sheet reaches a specific position, the first motor starts rotating the feed roller with the circumferential speed of the first speed. In a fourth process, after the trailing edge of the sheet passes through a reading end position, the controller accelerates the second motor.

An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a sheet container, an image forming part to form an image, a sheet feeding rotary body to feed the recording medium, a sheet separating rotary body to contact the sheet feeding rotary body and rotate with the sheet feeding rotary body with a sheet separation nip region formed therebetween, a rotation adjusting unit to adjust rotation of the sheet separating rotary body, a sheet containing unit to contain the recording media therein, a sheet separating body storing unit disposed at one end of the sheet containing unit to store the sheet separating body therein, and a load resistance applying mechanism to apply a rotational load resistance different from a contact force generated by contacting of the sheet separating rotary body with the sheet feeding rotary body, to the sheet feeding rotary body with no rotation driving force applied thereto.

An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a sheet container, an image forming part to form an image, a sheet feeding rotary body to feed the recording medium, a sheet separating rotary body to contact the sheet feeding rotary body and rotate with the sheet feeding rotary body with a sheet separation nip region formed therebetween, a rotation adjusting unit to adjust rotation of the sheet separating rotary body, a sheet containing unit to contain the recording media therein, a sheet separating body storing unit disposed at one end of the sheet containing unit to store the sheet separating body therein, and a load resistance applying mechanism to apply a rotational load resistance different from a contact force generated by contacting of the sheet separating rotary body with the sheet feeding rotary body, to the sheet feeding rotary body with no rotation driving force applied thereto.

A device for reducing rotation of an article during singulation of a stack of articles is disclosed. The device may include a torsion element, a rotatable member configured to rotate about an elongated axis of the torsion element between a first position and a second position, and a revolving member coupled to the rotatable member. An outer surface of the revolving member contacts a drive belt in the first position and an article in the second position. The torsion element exerts torque on the rotatable member when it moves from the first position towards the second position. The torque causes the outer surface of the revolving member to apply a frictional force to the article, thereby minimizing rotation of the article. Systems and methods of singulating articles are also disclosed.

In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a cassette for paper feed configured to contain a tray capable of stacking papers stored in a packaging member of which one end portion is opened, together with the packaging member; a paper feed section configured to contain a pickup roller which picks up the papers stored in the packaging member from the opened end portion of the packaging member; a regulating member configured to regulate that the packaging member is conveyed from the tray of the cassette; and a protrusion configured to be formed and protrude from the regulating member to cover the opened end portion of the packaging member.

In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a cassette for paper feed configured to contain a tray capable of stacking papers stored in a packaging member of which one end portion is opened, together with the packaging member; a paper feed section configured to contain a pickup roller which picks up the papers stored in the packaging member from the opened end portion of the packaging member; a regulating member configured to regulate that the packaging member is conveyed from the tray of the cassette; and a protrusion configured to be formed and protrude from the regulating member to cover the opened end portion of the packaging member.

In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a cassette for paper feed configured to contain a tray capable of stacking papers stored in a packaging member of which one end portion is opened, together with the packaging member; a paper feed section configured to contain a pickup roller which picks up the papers stored in the packaging member from the opened end portion of the packaging member; a regulating member configured to regulate that the packaging member is conveyed from the tray of the cassette; and a protrusion configured to be formed and protrude from the regulating member to cover the opened end portion of the packaging member.

In accordance with one embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises a cassette for paper feed configured to contain a tray capable of stacking papers stored in a packaging member of which one end portion is opened, together with the packaging member; a paper feed section configured to contain a pickup roller which picks up the papers stored in the packaging member from the opened end portion of the packaging member; a regulating member configured to regulate that the packaging member is conveyed from the tray of the cassette; and a protrusion configured to be formed and protrude from the regulating member to cover the opened end portion of the packaging member.

A paper feeding apparatus includes: a sheet loading unit for loading a bundle of sheets; a separation unit that separates a topmost sheet of the bundle of sheets loaded on the sheet loading unit, from the bundle of sheets; a conveyance unit that conveys the separated topmost sheet; an end fence that is movable in a sheet conveyance direction, abuts trailing ends in the sheet conveyance direction, and positions the bundle of sheets in the sheet conveyance direction; and a pressing unit that is provided in such a manner as to protrude from the end fence, and is able to press the trailing ends in the sheet conveyance direction of at least an upper part of the bundle of sheets, wherein the pressing unit has different pressing forces at an upper and a lower portion thereof, and has the lower pressing force stronger than the upper pressing force.