An image forming apparatus includes a sheet separation device, a first sheet feeder, a second sheet feeder, an image forming device, and circuitry. The sheet separation device is configured to separate a non-bonding portion of a two-ply sheet in which two sheets are overlapped and bonded together at a bonding portion of the two-ply sheet. The first sheet feeder is configured to feed the two-ply sheet. The second sheet feeder is configured to feed an inner sheet to be inserted between the two sheets. The image forming device is configured to form an image on a surface of the inner sheet. The circuitry is configured to cause the first sheet feeder to feed the two-ply sheet, perform a sheet separating operation on the two-ply sheet and cause the second sheet feeder to start feeding the inner sheet before completion of the sheet separating operation on the two-ply sheet.

A sheet supplying apparatus includes an alignment member pivotable to an alignment location for blocking and aligning fore-ends of media contained on a loading table, and a transport-allowing location for allowing a medium picked up by a pickup member to be transported, a cam gear including a gear portion partially including a tooth-omitted portion, and a cam portion for switching the alignment member between the alignment location and the transport-allowing location at first and second rotating locations, a swing arm pivotable about a same axis as a rotation axis of a main gear, and first and second swing gears supported by the swing arm to interlock with the main gear, selectively interlocking with the gear portion according to a rotating direction of the main gear, and rotating the cam gear to the first and second rotating locations.

A manual sheet feeding device includes: a sheet feeding rotary body configured to separate and feed recording media placed on a manual sheet feeding unit one by one; a shielding unit configured to cover an outer side surface of the sheet feeding rotary body, the shielding unit having an aperture for exposing at least a part of the sheet feeding rotary body to an outside; and an opening and closing unit configured to open and close the aperture of the shielding unit.

In order to miniaturize an image forming system, the present invention provides an image forming system which is provided with a sheet feed apparatus including a transport roller pair capable of transporting a sheet in a sheet transport direction S, and an image forming apparatus including an image forming section capable of forming an image on the sheet acquired from the sheet feed apparatus, including a switch member disposed on the downstream side of the transport roller pair in the sheet transport direction to be switched between a first position for guiding the sheet transported by the transport roller pair to the image forming apparatus, and a second position for guiding the sheet transported by the transport roller pair downward, and a storage tray disposed below the switch member predetermined space apart to be able to store the sheet guided to below the switch member positioned in the second position.

A supply device includes: a loading portion where recording media are loaded; a transport unit to transport the media; a contact portion provided on the loading portion, the contact portion being in contact with a side end portion of the media having a first size in a direction intersecting with a transport direction, the contact portion having a blowing portion to blow air to the side end portion; a guide portion detachably attached to the contact portion when media having a second size smaller than the media having the first size are loaded, the guide portion being configured to guide a side end portion of the media having the second size; and a duct provided in the guide portion, the duct including a discharge port to blow the air from the blowing portion to an upper end portion of the media having the second size loaded on the loading portion.

A conductive roller includes a support member, an elastic layer disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the support member, and a surface layer disposed on an outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer. The elastic layer includes a cylindrical elastic foam and a conductive covering layer covering an exposed surface of the elastic foam and has a volume resistance value of 10.sup.5Ω or less at an applied voltage of 10 V. The elastic foam has a conductive particle content of 1% by mass or less based on the total mass of the elastic foam.

In an image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure, when a conveyance unit is closed, a second end is disconnected from a ground contact, and a third end makes an electrical connection with a contact spring. When the conveyance unit is opened, the second end makes an electrical connection with the ground contact, and the third end is disconnected from the contact spring.

An example paper feed device includes a tray to feed printing paper, a magnetic force generation element to generate a magnetic flux, a 3D magnetic sensor to detect changes in the a density of the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic force generation element in each of three axes, and a controller. The tray has a movable element that is movable in relation to the printing paper. Either the magnetic force generation element or the 3D magnetic sensor is attached to the movable element. The controller determines the position of the movable element based on a detection signal received from the 3D magnetic sensor.

An image forming apparatus includes an engine to form an image on an image forming medium, a paper transfer device to pick up a printing paper and transfer the paper to a transfer path, a sensor to sense a printing paper at a predetermined position on the transfer path, and a processor to determine whether a transfer delay occurs, when the printing paper is sensed, and adjust a pickup timing to advance a pickup of a printing paper of a next page.

An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body including a side surface portion in which an opening is formed, a cartridge, an opening/closing member configured to be moved with respect to the apparatus body between a closed position and an opened position, a sheet stacking portion, a feed roller, and a lifting member configured to lift and lower the feed roller. In the state where the opening/closing member is positioned in the closed position, at least part of the lifting member is positioned an inside of a movement locus through which the cartridge passes in a case where the cartridge is attached to and detached from the apparatus body. In a state where the opening/closing member is positioned in the opened position, a whole of the lifting member is positioned an outside of the movement locus.