According to an example, to eject print media from an image forming apparatus, a variable page feed velocity of a first page of print media exiting a feed zone is detected. An acceleration value and a deceleration value based on the variable page feed velocity of the first page is calculated. The calculated acceleration is applied to a media movement component in the output zone when the entire first page has cleared a media sensor in the front of the output zone, and the deceleration is applied when the tail end of the first page is in a brake zone. In some examples, a second page of print media and a variable page feed velocity of the second page exiting the feed zone is detected, and the media movement component in the output zone is accelerated to match the variable page feed velocity of the second page.

A document managing method for a printing device is provided. The document managing method includes the following steps. Firstly, a printing mechanism prints a document with plural papers, and transfers the plural papers to a paper collection platform. Then, a management module manages the plural papers from two lateral sides of the plural papers. Then, a paper ejection module ejects a first portion of the plural papers at a first speed, and then ejects a second portion of the plural papers at a second speed. Consequently, the plural papers are exited from the paper collection platform. Then, the management module is separated from the two lateral sides of the plural papers, so that the plural papers fall down to a supporting tray. The first speed is faster than the second speed.

A sheet conveyance apparatus include a first conveyance unit, a second conveyance unit including a cover and configured to be movable between a first position where a sheet conveyed from the first conveyance unit can be conveyed to a sheet conveyance path and a second position separated from the first position, and a retaining portion configured to retain the cover at an open position and to retain the second conveyance unit at the second position through the cover retained at the open position in a case where the cover is positioned at the open position in a condition in which the second conveyance unit is positioned at the second position.

A sheet conveyance apparatus include a first conveyance unit, a second conveyance unit including a cover and configured to be movable between a first position where a sheet conveyed from the first conveyance unit can be conveyed to a sheet conveyance path and a second position separated from the first position, and a retaining portion configured to retain the cover at an open position and to retain the second conveyance unit at the second position through the cover retained at the open position in a case where the cover is positioned at the open position in a condition in which the second conveyance unit is positioned at the second position.

A sheet alignment device includes a driven roller, a drive roller, a displacement driving device, an information acquisition portion, and a displacement control portion. The drive roller is configured to rotate in a first rotation direction and in contact with an upper surface of each of sheets conveyed onto a tilt tray, to feed the sheets toward a base end portion of the tilt tray. The drive roller is configured to rotate in a second rotation direction and in contact with an uppermost surface of the sheets, to discharge the sheets from the tilt tray. The displacement control portion is configured to, when the drive roller rotates in the first rotation direction, control a holding position of the drive roller in accordance with the number of the sheets on the tilt tray and thickness information of each of the sheets acquired by the information acquisition portion.

In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises an image forming section configured to form an image on a sheet; a sheet discharge port through which the sheet is discharged; a sheet conveyance roller configured to convey the sheet to the sheet discharge port; a movable sheet guide, arranged in such a manner that an imaginary line connecting a portion contacting the sheet of the sheet conveyance roller with the sheet discharge port passes through a cross-sectional area, configured to be capable of moving in a direction away from a surface of the sheet; and a guide sensor configured to detect movement of the movable sheet guide.

In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises an image forming section configured to form an image on a sheet; a sheet discharge port through which the sheet is discharged; a sheet conveyance roller configured to convey the sheet to the sheet discharge port; a movable sheet guide, arranged in such a manner that an imaginary line connecting a portion contacting the sheet of the sheet conveyance roller with the sheet discharge port passes through a cross-sectional area, configured to be capable of moving in a direction away from a surface of the sheet; and a guide sensor configured to detect movement of the movable sheet guide.

According to an embodiment, a sheet processing apparatus includes a transport unit and a holding unit. The transport unit transports a first sheet to a first position. The transport unit transports a second sheet, which is transported after the first sheet, to a second position displaced to the upstream side of a sheet transport direction relative to the first position. The transport unit transports a third sheet, which is transported after the second sheet, to a third position displaced to the downstream side of the sheet transport direction relative to the second position. In the case where the second sheet is transported to the second position, the holding unit holds the first sheet at the first position. In the case where the third sheet is transported to the third position, the holding unit holds the second sheet at the second position.

An image forming apparatus comprises a printing module, a transporting mechanism and a sorting module. The printing module prints data on media in order. The transporting mechanism transports the media past the printing module. The sorting module is disposed downstream of the transporting mechanism, and comprises an output mechanism, a rack and a driving pinion. The output mechanism transports the media out in a first direction. The rack is connected to the output mechanism. The driving pinion meshing with the rack drives the rack and the output mechanism to reciprocate in a second direction, different from the first direction, to sort the media into stacks. Thus, the sorting function can be achieved without providing a larger space and moving a discharge tray, and this is advantageous to the miniaturization of the image forming apparatus.

A drive transmission mechanism which transmits a rotational driving force to a roller to be shifted in directions of a rotational axis thereof is equipped with a rotary drive transmission member which is driven to rotate in a predetermined rotational direction, a holder which holds the roller in such a manner that the roller can slide freely in the rotational axis directions while rotating about the rotational axis, and a one-way clutch interposed between the rotary drive transmission member and the holder. The one-way clutch is configured to transmit a rotational driving force from the rotary drive transmission member to the holder, and also to permit the holder to rotate in the predetermined rotational direction relative to the rotary drive transmission member.