A method includes guiding the media n a forward simplex direction by a simplex media path of a media transport assembly of the printing apparatus to position a respective side of the media across from a toner applicator to receive toner thereon and a fuser to fuse the toner thereon. The method also includes guiding the media in a forward duplex direction to the simplex media path by the duplex media path of the media transport assembly so that another side of the media is positioned towards the toner applicator to receive the toner thereon. The method also includes selectively moving the media in a reverse duplex direction opposite from the forward duplex direction to direct the media along the duplex media path to an output area outside of the media transport assembly by the control module in response to a media flushing event.

A method includes guiding the media n a forward simplex direction by a simplex media path of a media transport assembly of the printing apparatus to position a respective side of the media across from a toner applicator to receive toner thereon and a fuser to fuse the toner thereon. The method also includes guiding the media in a forward duplex direction to the simplex media path by the duplex media path of the media transport assembly so that another side of the media is positioned towards the toner applicator to receive the toner thereon. The method also includes selectively moving the media in a reverse duplex direction opposite from the forward duplex direction to direct the media along the duplex media path to an output area outside of the media transport assembly by the control module in response to a media flushing event.

A sheet conveying apparatus configured to convey a sheet includes: a rotatable support portion configured to support a rotary portion which is configured to convey a sheet; an urging portion configured to urge the support portion in a direction of a rotary shaft center of the support portion with a support shaft, which is configured to support the support portion in a rotatable manner and is inserted through the urging portion; and a regulating portion configured to regulate a position of the support portion urged by the urging portion.

A sheet conveying apparatus configured to convey a sheet includes: a rotatable support portion configured to support a rotary portion which is configured to convey a sheet; an urging portion configured to urge the support portion in a direction of a rotary shaft center of the support portion with a support shaft, which is configured to support the support portion in a rotatable manner and is inserted through the urging portion; and a regulating portion configured to regulate a position of the support portion urged by the urging portion.

A sheet feeding device includes a stacking unit for stacking a sheet; a feeding member for feeding the sheet stack on the stacking unit; a holding member holding the feeding member; a holder supporting portion, provided above the stacking unit, for detachably supporting the holding member; a raising and lowering unit for raising and lowering the holding member; a detection unit for detecting a topmost surface of the sheet stacked on the stacking unit, by detecting the holding member; a control unit for effecting raising and lowering operation of the holding member using the raising and lowering unit before a feeding operation of the feeding member and detect presence or absence of the holding member on the basis of a signal from the detection unit produced with the raising and lowering operation.

A sheet feeding device includes a stacking unit for stacking a sheet; a feeding member for feeding the sheet stack on the stacking unit; a holding member holding the feeding member; a holder supporting portion, provided above the stacking unit, for detachably supporting the holding member; a raising and lowering unit for raising and lowering the holding member; a detection unit for detecting a topmost surface of the sheet stacked on the stacking unit, by detecting the holding member; a control unit for effecting raising and lowering operation of the holding member using the raising and lowering unit before a feeding operation of the feeding member and detect presence or absence of the holding member on the basis of a signal from the detection unit produced with the raising and lowering operation.

A sheet feeding apparatus includes a first rotary member to feed a sheet supported on a sheet supporter, a second rotary member to feed the sheet with a feeding force weaker than the first rotary member, and a third rotary member in contact with a separation member to separate the sheets fed by the first rotary member one by one. A drive transmission switches between a first drive transmission state in which a driving force from a motor to the first rotary member and the third rotary member is transmitted while the driving force from the motor to a second rotary member is cut off, and a second drive transmission state in which the driving force from the motor to the second rotary member is transmitted while the driving force from the motor to the first rotary member and the third rotary member is cut off.

A sheet feeding apparatus includes a first rotary member to feed a sheet supported on a sheet supporter, a second rotary member to feed the sheet with a feeding force weaker than the first rotary member, and a third rotary member in contact with a separation member to separate the sheets fed by the first rotary member one by one. A drive transmission switches between a first drive transmission state in which a driving force from a motor to the first rotary member and the third rotary member is transmitted while the driving force from the motor to a second rotary member is cut off, and a second drive transmission state in which the driving force from the motor to the second rotary member is transmitted while the driving force from the motor to the first rotary member and the third rotary member is cut off.

A clutch device includes a drive transmitting shaft; a driving-side engaging member; and a driven-side engaging member. A driving force is transmitted from the driving-side engaging member to the driven-side engaging member. The driving-side engaging member has a driving-side clutch tooth, and the driven-side engaging member has a driven-side clutch tooth capable of being engaged with and released from the driving-side clutch tooth. The driving-side clutch tooth and the driven-side clutch tooth have drive transmitting surfaces inclined so as to axially attracting each other in engagement with each other. At least one of the driving-side clutch tooth and the driven-side clutch tooth has a functional surface on a free end side relative to the drive transmitting surface with respect to the engaging direction. The functional surface is inclined so as to axially separating from a surface of the other clutch tooth in engagement therewith.

A rotary arm restricts the rotation of a first sun gear or a second sun gear according to forward/reverse rotation drive of sheet discharge rollers. As a result, a rotating direction of a transmission gear coupled to the sheet discharge rollers is switched. If 1A denotes a pressure angle of gear teeth of a gear portion of the first sun gear and 2A denotes a pressure angle of gear teeth of a first planetary gear, a relationship of 2A+0.51A2A+1.5 is satisfied.