A remaining paper determination apparatus that determines existence/non-existence of remaining paper in a paper conveyance path that conveys paper, includes: a capacitance sensor that detects capacitance of the paper conveyance path; and a remaining paper determination part that determines existence/non-existence of remaining paper on the basis of a detection value of the capacitance sensor, wherein the remaining paper determination part includes a base level setting part that sets a base level on the basis of an output value of the capacitance sensor of when there is no paper in the paper conveyance path, and a threshold setting part that sets a determination threshold by adding a predetermined default value to the base level, and compares the detection value of the capacitance sensor with a latest determination threshold and performs determination according to a magnitude relationship therebetween.

A sheet conveying device includes: a sheet cassette including a first housing, a pressing plate, a raising plate, a first resilient member, and a second resilient member; a second housing; a sheet-cassette accommodating portion; a first electrode; a second electrode; a sheet conveyor; a driver; a first output device that outputs a first signal and a second signal; a second output device that outputs a rotation pulse signal; and a controller that receives the first signal, the second signal, and the rotation pulse signal. The controller counts pulses of the rotation pulse signal received from the second output device, determines the number of pulses of the rotation pulse signal, and determines an amount of upward movement of the pressing plate based on the number of pulses of the rotation pulse signal.

A sheet conveying device includes a sheet cassette including a first housing, a pressing plate, a raising plate, a first resilient member, and a second resilient member. The sheet conveying device further includes a second housing, a sheet-cassette accommodating portion, a first electrode, a second electrode, a sheet conveyor, a driver, a first signal output device, and a second signal output device. When controlling the driver to move the raising plate to move the pressing plate upward, the controller detects a state change in the first signal output device from not outputting a conduction signal to outputting the conduction signal; upon this detection, starts counting the number of pulse signals; and determines an amount of upward movement of the pressing plate based on the counted number.

A kit for dispensing disposable stethoscope covers is provided. The kit may include a cartridge and a dispenser for automatic touch-free dispensing of disposable stethoscope covers. The kit further includes a first spool having a roll of backing member with disposable stethoscope covers disposed thereon and a second spool for receiving the spent backing member after a disposable stethoscope cover has been removed, self-contained within the cartridge. The cartridge is inserted within the dispenser so that a user may insert a stethoscope head through a window of the dispenser to attach to a disposable stethoscope cover. The kit may further include a proximity sensor for detecting a user. Upon detection of the user, the first and second spools rotate to align a disposable stethoscope cover with the window of the dispenser in a ready-to dispense position.

A sheet conveying apparatus capable of conveying a sheet as a conveyance target in a conveyance path includes a detector that detects capacitance in a predetermined detection region in the conveyance path; and a basis weight identifier that identifies a basis weight of the sheet as the conveyance target on the basis of first capacitance detected by the detector while the sheet as the conveyance target does not pass through the detection region and second capacitance detected by the detector while the sheet as the conveyance target passes through the detection region.

The present invention is to provide a sheet aligning apparatus that is capable of detecting misalignment. A control portion of a post-processing apparatus causes a front aligning member and a rear aligning member to be moved to an aligning position to align sheets conveyed to a processing tray, causes the front aligning member to be moved from the aligning position to a detecting position, and determines whether an electrostatic capacitance sensor detects misalignment (sheet shifting from a sheet bundle). When it is determined that the sensor detects misalignment, the front aligning member is moved from the detecting position to the aligning position so that sheets are realigned.

The present invention is to provide a sheet conveying apparatus capable of preventing detection error without causing damage on a sheet. The present post-processing apparatus includes a sheet conveying path to convey a sheet as being formed between an upper guide member and a lower guide member for guiding a sheet, and a detection portion including a second sensor as an electrostatic capacitance sensor to detect a sheet being conveyed on the sheet conveying path with output of the second sensor. The second sensor is fixed on a face of an upper guide member on an opposite side to the conveying path and the second sensor and the sheet conveying path are separated by the upper guide member.

The present invention is to provide a sheet aligning apparatus that is capable of detecting misalignment. A control portion of a post-processing apparatus causes a front aligning member and a rear aligning member to be moved to an aligning position to align sheets conveyed to a processing tray, and determines whether an electrostatic capacitance sensor detects misalignment (sheet shifting from a sheet bundle). After the control portion determines that there is no misalignment, the control portion performs detection strength adjusting for a sensor and initial value setting for detecting misalignment of a next sheet.

The present invention is to provide a sheet aligning apparatus that is capable of detecting misalignment. A control portion of a post-processing apparatus causes a front aligning member and a rear aligning member to be moved to an aligning position to align sheets conveyed to a processing tray, and determines whether an electrostatic capacitance sensor detects misalignment (sheet shifting from a sheet bundle). After the control portion determines that there is no misalignment, the control portion performs detection strength adjusting for a sensor and initial value setting for detecting misalignment of a next sheet.

The present invention is to provide a sheet aligning apparatus that is capable of detecting misalignment. A control portion of a post-processing apparatus causes a front aligning member and a rear aligning member to be moved to an aligning position to align sheets conveyed to a processing tray, causes the front aligning member to be moved from the aligning position to a detecting position, and determines whether an electrostatic capacitance sensor detects misalignment (sheet shifting from a sheet bundle). When it is determined that the senor detects misalignment, the front aligning member is moved from the detecting position to the aligning position so that sheets are realigned.