A sheet feeder includes a first rotary member, a separation member that cooperates with the first rotary member in holding the sheet between the separation member and the first rotary member to define a separation nip, a conveyance unit disposed downstream of the separation nip in a conveyance direction of the sheet, a driving unit, and a control unit. The first rotary member feeds a sheet. The conveyance unit conveys the sheet. The driving unit drives the first rotary member. The control unit controls the driving unit to stop driving the first rotary member when a leading edge of the sheet reaches the conveyance unit, and controls the driving unit to restart driving the first rotary member when a trailing edge portion of the sheet comes out of the separation nip.

A dispensing system is provided including a housing having a cavity, a first opening and a second opening, the openings being in communication with the cavity. First and second rollers are positioned within the cavity. A strip extends through the openings. The strip has a first end that is wound about the first roller and a second end that is wound about the second roller. A plurality of instrument covers are removably positioned on the strip. Methods of use and kits are disclosed.

In accordance with an embodiment, an image processing apparatus comprises a sheet feed cassette, an operation lever, a sliding section, a sheet lifting and lowering tray, and a main body rail section. The sheet feed cassette is housed to be capable of being pulled out from an apparatus main body. The operation lever is arranged at the side of the sheet feed cassette and is rotatable around a shaft positioned at the middle in a longitudinal direction. The sliding section is arranged at the rear side of the shaft of the operation lever. The sheet lifting and lowering tray can place a sheet and adjust an inclination thereof in conjunction with the operation lever. The main body rail section is arranged in the apparatus main body and guides running of the sliding section at the time of pulling out the sheet feed cassette.

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to an improvement of string/material winding devices and mechanisms. Accordingly, a device is provided comprising of an axially rotatable spooler with shoulders defining a length between them to engage a roll of string/material, wherein the spooler comprises one end with a bevel gear mechanism defined inside the device's housing. Further, a second bevel gear mechanism is provided in the housing to engage the axially rotatable spooler's bevel gear mechanism. Further in the housing is a one-way spur gear rotatable by a rack actioned by a handle, wherein the rotary motion of the said spur gear is translated to the second bevel gear which causes an axial rotation of the spooler to wind or unwind a string/line. According to one embodiment, the one-way spur gear, rack and handle from a ratchet mechanism.

A winding device includes a winding shaft that rotates and winds a print medium conveyed from a printing device having a conveyance roller that conveys the print medium, a gear, and a motor driving the conveyance roller and the gear. The winding device also includes a power transfer mechanism to connect to the gear and transfer power to the motor, and a lever disposed between the winding shaft and the conveyance roller in a conveyance path in a configuration in which the winding device is connected to the printing device. The lever may be moved between a first position in which the print medium bends and a second position in which the print medium bends at a shallower angle than at the first position.

A driven gear is relatively movable to a first support position and to a second support position on a support member. When a first gear rotates in a first direction, the driven gear rotates at the first support position in conjunction with rotation of the first gear to permit the rotation of the driven gear. When the first gear rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the driven gear moves to the second support position under a force received from the gear in an area where the driven gear meshes with the first gear. Then, at the second support position, the driven gear is locked on a locking member and thus stopped, preventing the first gear from rotating in the second direction.

A sheet processing apparatus includes a first holding unit configured to hold one or more sheets and movable in a sheet transport direction, a first drive unit configured to move the first holding unit in a first direction along the sheet transport direction, a biasing member that biases the first holding unit in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and an energy storage unit that stores energy discharged from the biasing member.

A winding device includes a winding shaft that rotates and winds a print medium conveyed from a printing device having a conveyance roller that conveys the print medium, a gear, and a motor driving the conveyance roller and the gear. The winding device also includes a power transfer mechanism to connect to the gear and transfer power to the motor, and a lever disposed between the winding shaft and the conveyance roller in a conveyance path in a configuration in which the winding device is connected to the printing device. The lever may be moved between a first position in which the print medium bends and a second position in which the print medium bends at a shallower angle than at the first position.

A dispensing system is provided including a housing having a cavity, a first opening and a second opening, the openings being in communication with the cavity. First and second rollers are positioned within the cavity. A strip extends through the openings. The strip has a first end that is wound about the first roller and a second end that is wound about the second roller. A plurality of instrument covers are removably positioned on the strip. Methods of use and kits are disclosed.

In accordance with an embodiment, an image processing apparatus comprises a sheet feed cassette, an operation lever, a sliding section, a sheet lifting and lowering tray, and a main body rail section. The sheet feed cassette is housed to be capable of being pulled out from an apparatus main body. The operation lever is arranged at the side of the sheet feed cassette and is rotatable around a shaft positioned at the middle in a longitudinal direction. The sliding section is arranged at the rear side of the shaft of the operation lever. The sheet lifting and lowering tray can place a sheet and adjust an inclination thereof in conjunction with the operation lever. The main body rail section is arranged in the apparatus main body and guides running of the sliding section at the time of pulling out the sheet feed cassette.