A sheet feeding device includes a sheet loader, a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and a guide. The sheet loader is configured to load a sheet bundle including a sheet with a flap. The first conveyor is configured to convey the sheet with the flap loaded on the sheet loader. The second conveyor is disposed adjacent to the first conveyor. The guide is disposed below the flap of the sheet to be conveyed, between the second conveyor and the sheet loader in a sheet conveying direction of the sheet, and is configured to guide the sheet.

A feeding device includes: a supply unit that supplies air to a space between a plurality of loaded media to float the media; a feeding unit that feeds out the media floated by the supply unit; and a detection unit that detects whether or not a medium bundle is present among the plurality of media in a state of being floated by the supply unit.

Disclosed are printer vacuum tables, and corresponding systems and methods for their use, in which the printer vacuum tables include multiple zones to apply vacuum, to hold a variety of media types and thicknesses within a given flatness range, to allow high definition printing. The vacuum zones run in the print direction, and each can be controlled for vacuum on and off. In an illustrative embodiment, the vacuum zones include one or more vacuum zones that are fixed with respect to a printer vacuum table surface, and one or more variable vacuum zones that are movable with respect to the printer vacuum table surface. One or more of the vacuum zones can be turned off if the print media does not cover the zone, such as to prevent leakage, and to provide more consistent vacuum hold down, regardless of media size or width.

A recording material transporting device includes a transport belt having an endless shape and having an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface having a friction coefficient smaller than a friction coefficient of the inner peripheral surface. The transport belt transports a recording material by using the outer peripheral surface toward a reader that reads an image. The recording material transporting device further includes a driving roller that rotates while being in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the transport belt and that rotatably drives the transport belt.

A sheet suction device includes a sheet carrier, a suction unit, and a rotary body. The sheet carrier has a carrying region. The carrying region includes a plurality of suction openings. The sheet carrier is configured to rotate while holding a sheet. The suction unit is configured to communicate with the plurality of suction openings and suck air via the plurality of suction openings. The rotary body is disposed between the plurality of suction openings and the suction unit. The rotary body is configured to rotate to change a number of suction openings that communicate with the suction unit, among the plurality of suction openings of the sheet carrier.

A media transfer system comprising a media drive component and a vent. The media drive component supports and transfers a media in a drive direction. The vent directs air flow towards the leading edge of the media in the drive direction to exert a separating force on the leading edge of the media, the separating force acting on the media away from the media drive component.

A media transfer system comprising a media drive component and a vent. The media drive component supports and transfers a media in a drive direction. The vent directs air flow towards the leading edge of the media in the drive direction to exert a separating force on the leading edge of the media, the separating force acting on the media away from the media drive component.

The present invention includes a configuration to move a transport body 500 in conjunction with movement of a moving body 200 due to repulsion applied between respective magnetic materials 213 and 523 when the moving body and the transport body are in a close location relation, and, when the moving body separates from a range of the close location relation due to halfway stop of the transport body, the transport body is moved in the opposite direction to stop at a predetermined end portion stop position, subsequently only the moving body is caused to travel in a direction further away from the transport body, and the moving body is returned into the range of the close location relation by causing the moving body to travel toward the transport body at a speed resistible against the repelling force.

A medium conveying apparatus includes a suctioner that suctions a medium of a plurality of media to a feed belt, a driver that moves the feed belt to feed the medium, a first side blower that blows air at a first airflow rate to a first end face of the medium, a second side blower that blows air at a second airflow rate to a second end face of the medium, and a controller that controls the first side blower to blow air to the first end face at a third airflow rate that is greater than the first airflow rate and the second airflow rate when the medium has not been auctioned to a first portion of the feed belt close to the first end face and has been auctioned to a second portion of the feed belt close to the second end face.

A printer includes a transport belt and a suction box. The suction box is in fluid connection with a suction source to apply an underpressure to a print medium on the transport belt. The suction box is provided with a plurality of protrusions having free ends that define a support plane for the transport belt and are provided with inlet openings. The transport belt is air permeable and endless, is provided over the suction box, and is provided with an inner channel structure which connects outer openings on an outer side of the transport belt to inner openings on an inner side of the transport belt. The inner openings are positioned to align with the inlet openings, and the inner channel structure widens from the inner openings to the outer openings.