An image-forming apparatus having an internal security paper detection unit and an image-forming method related to the apparatus. The image-forming apparatus controls a paper feed unit so as to feed a single sheet of paper from a paper stack unit when a command for forming an image on RF tag paper is input, controls a paper transfer unit so as to provide the paper fed from a security paper cassette unit to an image-forming unit along a transfer path, and controls the image-forming unit so as to normally form a desired image on the moving RF tag paper when an RF tag detection signal is input from an RF tag, paper detection unit, whereby the image is formed only on the security paper in which an RF tag is inserted and thus illegal leakage of documents may be prevented.

A sheet container, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes a container body, a body side stopper device, a sheet tray, a tray side stopper device, a tray handler, a releasing device, and a tray locking device. The tray side stopper device has a tray side stopper portion to be engaged with the body side stopper device. The releasing device moves the body side stopper device along with movement of the tray handler from the first position to the second position. The releasing device cancels retention of the sheet tray in the container body and the tray locking device prevents the tray handler from canceling the retention of the sheet tray in the container body. The tray locking device regulates movement of the tray handler from the first position to the second position and moves the tray side stopper portion without moving the tray handler.

An image forming apparatus includes a first light-emitting unit, a second light-emitting unit, and a remaining-recording-medium detector. The first light-emitting unit is arranged on an outer surface of a recording medium setting unit on which recording media are set, and emits light while the recording media are being conveyed from the recording medium setting unit. The second light-emitting unit is arranged on or near an operating member that is to be operated when a recording medium jammed in a main body of the image forming apparatus is removed. The remaining-recording-medium detector detects presence or absence of a recording medium remaining in the main body of the image forming apparatus. The second light-emitting unit emits light when the operating member needs to be operated, based on a result of detection by the remaining-recording-medium detector. The first light-emitting unit and the second light-emitting unit emit light in different manners.

A sheet feed device includes a device main body, a sheet feed cassette, a sheet conveyance path, a sheet feed roller, a retard roller, a support unit, and a pair of lock mechanisms. The retard roller is disposed to face the sheet feed roller in the device main body and, together with the sheet feed roller, forms a sheet feed nip portion through which the sheet is passed. The support unit is disposed in the device main body and supports the retard roller. The lock mechanisms are supported by the support unit in the device main body so as to face the wall portion of the sheet feed cassette. The lock mechanisms are disposed on both sides of the retard roller in the sheet width direction and lock the sheet feed cassette attached to the device main body and position the sheet feed cassette in the attachment direction.

A paper feed apparatus in accordance with the present invention feeds printing paper stored in a printing paper storage unit. The printing paper storage unit includes: a paper stacking table on which the printing paper is stacked; and an erected member erected along a side of the paper stacking table. The erected member includes a low erected portion formed lower in a height direction than a surrounding portion of the erected member. The paper stacking table has a top face thereof located at a position as high as, or higher than, the low erected portion in the height direction.

A direction orthogonal to an attachment/detachment direction is defined as a first direction and a direction orthogonal to the attachment/detachment direction and to the first direction is defined as a second direction. A sheet feeding cassette includes a contact portion that comes into contact with a roller separation mechanism unit, the contact portion including a first inclined surface inclined to extend along a straight line including a component in the attachment/detachment direction and a component in the first direction. The roller separation mechanism unit includes a contacted portion that comes into contact with the contact portion, the contacted portion including a second inclined surface inclined to extend along a straight line including a component in the attachment/detachment direction and a component in the second direction.

A feed module for feeding value documents, in particular bank notes, to a value-document processing apparatus, has a receiving device in which one or more value documents to be processed can be inserted. The receiving device includes a first aligning element which the value documents lying in the receiving device are aligned to with a first edge of the value documents when the receiving device is in a first state, and a second aligning element which the value documents lying in the receiving device are aligned to with a second edge of the value documents when the receiving device is in a second state. A positioning device through which the receiving device is brought from the first state to the second state.

An image recording apparatus includes a housing in which a conveyance path is formed, a feed tray insertable into and removable from the housing, configured to accommodate sheet media, and including a first accommodating portion, an image recording portion, a guide member configured to guide one of the sheet media, a stopper movable between a restriction state in which the stopper abuts against a leading end of the sheet medium to prevent the sheet medium from reaching a bank provided and a retraction state in which the stopper is separated from the leading end to allow the sheet medium to reach the guide member, when the feed tray is inserted into the housing, and a flap provided above the sheet media and movable in an up-down direction by pivoting about a given rotation axis.

A document conveying device includes a sheet feeding tray, a sheet feeding mechanism, a sheet feeding tray lifting mechanism, a top plate, a fixed wall part, and a lifting wall part. The top plate is in contact with a lower surface of the document to be fed. The fixed wall part is provided extending downward from an upstream side end portion of the top plate, and fixed in position. The lifting wall part is provided extending upward from a downstream side end portion of the sheet feeding tray, and is lifted and lowered along the fixed wall part together with the sheet feeding tray. The lifting wall part has a slit along an upper-and-lower direction. The fixed wall part has a fin along the upper-and-lower direction. An upper end portion of the slit is opened in the upper-and-lower direction. The fin is arranged inside the slit.

The invention relates to a system for receiving cards for a processing machine, said receiving system including a frame having a bottom above which a receptacle is arranged intended to receive a stack of cards and having an opening which extends over the height of the receptacle, and on either side of said opening, a slender element which is elastic and which has a first end fastened to the frame at a top portion of the opening, and a second end fastened to the frame at a bottom portion of the opening, where each slender element is opposite the opening and intended to be in front of the edges of the cards present in the receptacle.