A paper feeding device of an image forming device includes a flotation air blowing unit and a separation air blowing unit. The flotation air blowing unit floats stacked uppermost paper through air blowing. The separation air blowing unit blows an end of other paper floated together with the floated uppermost paper to separate the other paper from the uppermost paper, the end being on the downstream side in the paper feeding direction. The flotation air blowing unit floats an end of the stacked uppermost paper, the end being on the downstream side in the paper feeding direction. The paper feeding device includes a resistance force applying mechanism which applies resistance force that gives a load against movement along the paper feeding direction to an end of stacked upper paper, the end being on the upstream side in the paper feeding direction.

A sheet feeder device includes: a sheet feed tray configured to store a sheet stack formed with a plurality of paper sheets; an elastic member capable of expanding and contracting; a contact mechanism configured to bring the elastic member into contact with an edge of the sheet stack; an expansion mechanism configured to expand the elastic member in a direction of stacking of the paper sheets; and a control unit configured to cause the expansion mechanism to expand the elastic member while the elastic member is kept in contact with the edge of the sheet stack by the contact mechanism.

An image forming apparatus includes: a roller pair configured to convey paper along a conveyance path; a guide member provided in the conveyance path; a detection unit provided in a downstream side of the roller pair in a first direction of a paper conveyance direction and configured to detect a front edge position of the paper; an abutment mechanism provided in a downstream side of the roller pair and in an opposite side of the detection unit with the conveyance path interposed therebetween, the abutment mechanism having an abutment member movable forward/backward with respect to the conveyance path; and a control unit configured to carry out front-edge correction of aligning an image and a paper front edge based on a front edge position of the paper, wherein the control unit controls operation of the abutment member so that a front edge portion of the paper passes through the detection unit.

A deflectable lifting device can be mounted to a support form, work surface or other member of a material conveyance system. According to embodiments, the deflectable lifting device can have a base that mounts into the support, and a bendable arm arranged in the pathway of a material conveyance system, such as a paper stripping or paper blanking work station. When a sheet or web of material travels over the deflectable lifting device, the bendable arm can bend and deflect downwards, but still contact the sheet or web with a gently humped or arcuate portion, providing a small margin of elevation or lift to the sheet or web. The sheet or web can therefore be elevated above edges, holes, or other obstructions in the pathway that could jam or snag the delivery of the material.

A sheet processing device includes: a folder that forms a plurality of folds on a sheet such that a fold part and a part with no fold of the sheet overlap with each other; a conveyance unit that conveys the sheen on which the folds are formed by the folder; and a pressing part that presses the fold part of the conveyed sheet in which the fold part and the part with no fold overlap with each other, from a side on which the fold part is located.

A medium discharge unit includes a discharge roller pair configured to nip a medium between a first roller and a second roller and discharge the medium to a sheet ejection unit, a first pressing member including a medium pressing portion configured to move below a nipping position at which the discharge roller pair nips the medium and being configured to press the medium by the medium pressing portion, and a lifting member configured to lift up the medium pressing portion from a first position below the nipping position to a second position above the first position. The medium pressing portion is lifted by the lifting member while a downstream leading edge of the medium in a discharge direction passes through the nipping position, and moves from the first position to the second position. While an upstream trailing edge of the medium in the discharge direction passes through the nipping position, the medium pressing portion moves from the second position to the first position.