Patent ID: 11886138
Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  G | IPC B  G

Claim 0:
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
a main casing including an image forming unit and a discharge tray; and
an optional device configured to be removably attached to the main casing, the optional device having a first side and a second side that is opposite from the first side, the first side extending in a first direction,
wherein the main casing includes:
a conveying path through which a sheet is conveyed from the image forming unit;
a discharge path through which the sheet is conveyed toward one of the discharge tray in a discharge direction and the optional device, the discharge path diverging from the conveying path; and
a return path including a first path through which a portion of the sheet is conveyed temporarily out of the image forming apparatus and along the first side of the optional device in the first direction via an opening formed in the main-casing, and a second path through which the sheet is conveyed toward the image forming unit, the first path diverging from the conveying path, the second path diverging from the first path, and

wherein when the optional device is removably attached to the main casing, the optional device is disposed downstream to the opening in the discharge direction and includes an optional discharge tray that extends from the second side.