A sheet loading device is provided with a sheet ejection portion, a sheet loading portion, a first detection mechanism, a driving device, a second detection mechanism, and a control portion. The driving device drives the sheet loading portion to ascend/descend between an upper surface detection position and a reference position made to descend by a prescribed distance from the upper surface detection position. The second detection mechanism detects that the sheet loading portion is at the reference position. In a case where sheets of the same type are ejected continuously from the sheet ejection portion, the control portion controls beforehand the sheet loading portion to ascend from the reference position to the upper surface detection position and sets a loadable number of sheets of the sheet loading portion in accordance with an ascending time of the sheet loading portion.

A sheet conveying apparatus capable of continuing conveyance of sheets without causing a jam even when a switching member performs an operation for switching a conveyance path again. A switching member is disposed at a branching point of a conveyance path through which the sheet is conveyed by a conveying unit, and is operated by a drive unit for witching a destination of conveyance of the sheet. A controller causes the drive unit to operate the switching member, and performs a checking operation for checking a state of the drive unit based on an output from a sensor that detects a state of the switching member. The controller controls a sheet conveyance interval between a first sheet conveyed by the conveying unit and a second sheet conveyed following the first sheet, according to a result of the checking operation.

A conveying apparatus has first and second trays arranged on an upstream of a conveyor and configured to support the sheet in contact with the conveyor, a feeder configured to feed the sheet on the first tray toward the conveyor, a first sensor configured to output a first signal in response to the sheet being present on the first tray, a second sensor configured to output a second signal in response to the sheet being present between the first tray and the conveyor and configured to output the second signal in response to the sheet being present between the second tray and the conveyor, and a controller configured to execute a removal notifying process to output a notification indicating removal of the sheet on the first tray in response to output of the second signal before a time period since the first signal was output exceeds a threshold period.

A conveying apparatus has first and second trays arranged on an upstream of a conveyor and configured to support the sheet in contact with the conveyor, a feeder configured to feed the sheet on the first tray toward the conveyor, a first sensor configured to output a first signal in response to the sheet being present on the first tray, a second sensor configured to output a second signal in response to the sheet being present between the first tray and the conveyor and configured to output the second signal in response to the sheet being present between the second tray and the conveyor, and a controller configured to execute a removal notifying process to output a notification indicating removal of the sheet on the first tray in response to output of the second signal before a time period since the first signal was output exceeds a threshold period.

A stack state of a plurality of trays is collectively determined and is notified in steps. A printing apparatus includes an image forming unit configured to form an image on a sheet and create a printed material, a plurality of storage units each configured to store the printed material created by the image forming unit, a sorter unit configured to output the printed material to the plurality of storage units, and a determining unit configured to determine whether the plurality of storage units are in a nearly full state in which printed material is stored in almost all of the plurality of storage units.

An image forming apparatus includes a control unit and an attachment detection unit to detect attachment of a cassette having a stacking portion that may be lifted by a motor. The control unit drives the motor to start lifting the stacking portion when cassette attachment is detected and stops when the stacked uppermost sheet is detected at a sheet feed position, at which time the presence or absence of the stored sheet is determined based on a detection signal output by a sheet presence/absence detection unit. In a case where there is no change in the detection signal output from the sheet presence/absence detection unit when the attachment of the cassette is detected, the control unit determines that a failure of the sheet presence/absence detection flag occurred.

An image forming apparatus includes a control unit and an attachment detection unit to detect attachment of a cassette having a stacking portion that may be lifted by a motor. The control unit drives the motor to start lifting the stacking portion when cassette attachment is detected and stops when the stacked uppermost sheet is detected at a sheet feed position, at which time the presence or absence of the stored sheet is determined based on a detection signal output by a sheet presence/absence detection unit. In a case where there is no change in the detection signal output from the sheet presence/absence detection unit when the attachment of the cassette is detected, the control unit determines that a failure of the sheet presence/absence detection flag occurred.

A sheet accommodating apparatus includes a first cassette provided so as to be drawn out in a draw-out direction, a second cassette disposed adjacent to the first cassette in a vertical direction, one holder member, and a first light emitting member and a second light emitting member that are supported by the holder member. The first cassette includes a first accommodating container and a first cover. The second cassette includes a second accommodating container and a second cover. The first cover has a first hole provided in a position opposing the first light emitting member in the draw-out direction such that the light emitted from the first light emitting member passes therethrough. The second cover has a second hole provided in a position opposing the second light emitting member in the draw-out direction such that the light emitted from the second light emitting member passes therethrough.

A medium processing device includes: a first unit; and a plurality of second units connected to the first unit. Each of the plurality of second units includes: a conveying mechanism that conveys a medium; and a medium detection portion that detects the medium being conveyed by the conveying mechanism and transmits a signal indicating detection of the medium to the first unit. The first unit determines connection order of the plurality of second units with respect to the first unit, based on the signal transmitted from each medium detection portion of the plurality of second units.

The component supply device includes a body, a first carrier tape transporter, a second carrier tape transporter, and a controller. The body includes a tape transport path. The first carrier tape transporter transports a carrier tape to a component pickup position. The second carrier tape transporter transports the carrier tape to the first carrier tape transporter. The controller is configured to communicate with the component installation device and control the first carrier tape transporter and the second carrier tape transporter in one operation mode selected from a plurality of operation modes.