The invention provides a manually operated tape dispenser for dispensing a roll of tape which is wound around a spool. The tape dispenser comprises a base configured to rest atop the outer circumference of the roll of tape such that the base is slidingly displaceable relative to the roll of tape; an elongate slot extending through the base through which a free end of tape protrudes; a locating tab extending from the base and positioned to guide the free end of tape away from the roll of tape; and cutting means for severing a length of tape; wherein a length of tape is guided by the locating tab towards the cutting means and the tape is severed by pressing the cutting means through the tape.

A cable coiling device comprises a cable coiling mechanism adapted to coil a cable to form a cable roll, and a cable clamping mechanism. The cable clamping mechanism clamps and fixes an end segment of the cable during coiling the cable. The end segment has a predetermined length and is adapted to be processed while the cable is coiled.

A sliding device for a material shaft includes a shaft body, sliding units, spacers. An outer periphery of the shaft body has axial accommodating grooves. The sliding units and the spacers are spaced and arranged in the accommodating grooves. A top surface of each roller extends out of the outer periphery of the shaft body. When a material roll is sleeved on the shaft body, the inner wall of the material roll is in contact with the outer periphery of the rollers. When the material roll is to be mounted on or dismounted from the shaft body, the material roll is pushed in a direction so that the inner wall of the material roll rubs against the rollers, thereby rotating the rollers. The friction between the material roll and the shaft body is reduced for the material roll to be mounted on or dismounted from the shaft body effortlessly.

An image forming apparatus includes a sheet supporting portion, a regulating portion, a feeding portion, an image forming unit, a sheet detection unit, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to execute, in a state where an image forming job in which an image is formed by the image forming unit is interrupted, a drive processing of the feeding portion such that (a) the feeding portion is driven at a first timing if the regulating portion is not set to a moved state within a predetermined period of time from when the sheet detection unit has detected the sheet, and (b) the feed portion is driven at a second timing later than the first timing if the regulating portion is set to the moved state within the predetermined period of time from when the sheet detection unit has detected the sheet.

An image forming apparatus includes a sheet supporting portion, a regulating portion, a feeding portion, an image forming unit, a sheet detection unit, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to execute, in a state where an image forming job in which an image is formed by the image forming unit is interrupted, a drive processing of the feeding portion such that (a) the feeding portion is driven at a first timing if the regulating portion is not set to a moved state within a predetermined period of time from when the sheet detection unit has detected the sheet, and (b) the feed portion is driven at a second timing later than the first timing if the regulating portion is set to the moved state within the predetermined period of time from when the sheet detection unit has detected the sheet.

A stack of folded web material for hygiene products, such as paper or nonwoven products, said stack including: at least two webs, the webs including: a first web divided into individual sheets by means of lines of weakness; and a second web divided into individual sheets by means of lines of weakness; said first and second webs being interfolded with one another so as to form said stack; and wherein the first web and the second web are arranged in said stack such that the lines of weakness of the first web and the lines of weakness of the second web are offset with respect to one another along the webs; each line of weakness having a separation strength, being the force required to separate an individual sheet from the web along said line of weakness.

A paper transfer device includes a first paper transfer path that transfers a paper from a first paper feeder, a second paper transfer path that transfers a paper from a second paper feeder, a first paper guide plate fixed on the first paper transfer path, a rotatable second paper guide plate provided so as to faces the first paper guide plate with the first paper transfer path interposed therebetween when closed, a third paper guide plate fixed on the second paper transfer path, a rotatable fourth paper guide plate provided so as to face the third paper guide plate with the second paper transfer path interposed therebetween when closed, a cooperative mechanism that opens the fourth paper guide plate synchronously with opening of the second paper guide plate, and closes the fourth paper guide plate synchronously with closing of the second paper guide plate.