An image forming apparatus includes a first frame member and a second frame member which are aligned in a direction of a rotation axis of an image bearing member and faces each other across an image forming unit and a stacking unit. The first frame member includes a first portion including a first side surface facing the image forming unit and a second portion, which is fixed to the first portion, including a second side surface facing the stacking unit. The second frame member includes a third side surface facing the image forming unit and the stacking unit, and at least a part of the second side surface is provided in a position different from a position of the first side surface in the direction of the rotation axis of the image bearing member.

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a roll-drop curtain assembly having enhanced stability for supporting curtains of a variety of materials while maintaining structural integrity, shape, and form of the overall assembly itself. The invention utilizes a series of one or more tension cables operatively coupled to the distal end plates of a roll-drop assembly and traversing the length of an inner portion of the roll-drop assembly in a specific manner. The design effectively applies a high degree of tension force to the inner walls of the roll-drop assembly, resulting in increased structural rigidity of the roll-drop assembly overall.

An image forming apparatus includes a first frame member and a second frame member which are aligned in a direction of a rotation axis of an image bearing member and faces each other across an image forming unit and a stacking unit. The first frame member includes a first portion including a first side surface facing the image forming unit and a second portion, which is fixed to the first portion, including a second side surface facing the stacking unit. The second frame member includes a third side surface facing the image forming unit and the stacking unit, and at least a part of the second side surface is provided in a position different from a position of the first side surface in the direction of the rotation axis of the image bearing member.

A sheet conveying apparatus includes: a casing provided with a first conveying path and a second conveying path; a first feeding tray provided in the casing and having a first supporting surface that supports a sheet; a supporting member that supports the first feeding tray from below in the casing; a first feeding section provided above the first supporting surface; a first guide member having a first guide surface to guide the sheet fed from the first feeding tray; a second feeding tray provided below the supporting member in the casing and having a second supporting surface that supports a different sheet; a second feeding section provided above the second supporting surface; a second guide member having a second guide surface to guide the different sheet fed from the second feeding tray; and a frame made of metal and being installed on a lower surface of the supporting member.

A feeder device for feeding a stack of value documents to a singler device, and is configured to withdraw individual value documents from the stack. The feeder device includes a stop element having front and back sides; two lateral guide elements provided at the front side of the stop element and configured to guide the stack at two lateral sides of the stack towards the singler device; two support elements, on which the lateral guide elements are mounted; and two or more bearing elements by which the support elements are movably mounted on the stop element to allow the respective positions of the lateral guide elements and/or the distance of the lateral guide elements relative to each other to be changed. The invention further relates to an according method, a singler device, a singler module and a system for processing value documents.

A splicing device includes a first detection section which detects whether or not the component storage section protrudes downward from the conveyance reference surface; a second detection section which detects the component storage section of the paper tape; a discrimination section which determines whether a tape inserted into the splicing device is the embossed tape or the paper tape based on a detection signal of the first detection section; a first calculating section which calculates a pitch of the component storage section of the embossed tape by using the first detection section in a case where the embossed tape is determined; and a second calculating section which calculates a pitch of the component storage section of the paper tape by using the second detection section in a case where the paper tape is determined.

A conveying apparatus includes: a casing formed with a first sheet-conveyance passage and a second sheet-conveyance passage positioned inwardly as compared with the first sheet-conveyance passage; a cover member including a first resin member having a first guide surface for defining the first sheet-conveyance passage, a second resin member attached to the first resin member and located on an inner side of the casing than the first guide surface and defining the first sheet-conveyance passage, and a third resin member attached to the second resin member at a position opposite to the first resin member with respect to the second resin member and having a third guide surface for defining the second sheet-conveyance passage; and a metal frame attached to the second resin member at a position between the second resin member and the third resin member.

Disclosed is a tubular core on which sheets of metal or other material can be wound and supported, for shipment, handling and dispersal, and a method for forming the core. The core comprises a metal sheet or strip which has a rectangular-ribbed cross-sectional profile comprising rectangular, flat ribs, and which is wound spirally into a tubular configuration. The core is formed by passing the strip through a plurality of roll-forming stands, to progressively form sections of the ribs and progressively define the sections into the rectangular ribbed profile in which the flat ribs collectively form a support surface for the sheets which are to be wound on the core.

A printing system includes an endless metal transport belt for transporting sheets in a transport direction, wherein the metal transport belt comprises multiple through holes through which an underpressure or overpressure may be applied on the sheets, a sheet separation system for separating the sheets from the metal transport belt by applying a local overpressure, and a sheet separation guide which guides the separated sheets away from the metal transport belt. The sheet separation system includes a stationary sliding surface, wherein the metal transport belt slides over the stationary sliding surface, wherein the stationary sliding surface includes a number of blow holes which define the overpressure zone, and wherein the blow holes are configured to apply a local overpressure in the overpressure zone through the metal transport belt onto the underside of the sheets. The overpressure zone is formed in the curved part of the stationary sliding surface, wherein the overpressure zone has an upstream end and a downstream end, which are defined by the location of the blow holes, and wherein the sheet separation guide directly adjoins the overpressure zone at the downstream end thereof.

There is provided a roller including: a roller body part; and a rubber part attached to the roller body part, the rubber part including: a rubber body part provided on an outer circumference of the roller body part; and a side extending part extending on a side face of the roller body part from a side face of the rubber body part, wherein the roller body part has a recess portion formed on the side face of the roller body part, and into which the side extending part is fitted.