Patent Publication Number: US-6219507-B1

Title: Image processing apparatus with attachable/detachable functional units

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an image information processing apparatus such as a copier, printer, facsimile machine, scanner and the like as well as relating to a sheet feeder usable in an image information processing apparatus and having a function of feeding sheets, one by one, from a stack of sheets. 
     (2) Description of the Related Art 
     Concerning image information processing apparatuses including: a copier which scans the image of an original and produces a printed output of the scanned image information; a printer which produces a printed output of transferred image information; a facsimile machine which transmits the image information obtained by scanning the image of an original; and a scanner which scans the image of an original to obtain its image information and the like, wasted interior space is attempted to be reduced as much as possible to make the image information processor compact. However, when miniaturizing, simply reducing the space is not effective enough, it is necessary to develop the miniaturization whilst securing necessary space, without any deterioration of the functions and operativities as much as possible. 
     For example, in order to enable maintenance, checks, adjustment, repair etc. of an image processing apparatus, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Application Sho 58 No. 126,460 discloses an image processing apparatus in which its functional units can be detachably attached from two adjoining sides thereof. In this prior art, when the detachable photosensitive member unit is attached or detached from the top of the image processing apparatus, the functional unit, located below the photosensitive member inside the image processing apparatus and having functional parts, are shifted to the side of the image processing apparatus while the developing unit is pulled out of the top, so as to create an open space around the photosensitive member for its attachment and detachment. Thus, the photosensitive member is attached or detached. 
     Concerning this technology, in order to improve the easiness of the attachment and detachment by reducing the number of working steps upon attachment and detachment, it is possible to configure an arrangement in which the photosensitive member can be attached and detached from the top of the image processing apparatus without shifting the functional unit, including the functional part located below the photosensitive member, to the side of the image processing apparatus. Illustratively, the functional parts, including the photosensitive member, located above the photosensitive member are integrated into a single functional unit so that the unit can be attached or detached from the top of the image processing apparatus. In such an image processing apparatus, it is necessary to develop miniaturization without compromising the attachment and detachment performance. 
     However, in the case where the image processing apparatus having detachable functional blocks, disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Application Sho 58 No. 126,460 is miniaturized, in order to effect the function in the functional unit, the parts inevitably residing at their predetermined positions are kept as they are while parts other than the above-mentioned parts are configured to be moved. Further, in order to avoid interference of one functional unit with an adjacent one during attachment and detachment thereof, each functional unit is configured so as not to have any projection which would be an obstacle to the attaching or detaching movement of an adjacent functional unit and hence the functional unit is preferably configured so that the width of the space required for attachment and detachment may be substantially uniform. Therefore, the overall shape of functional units tends to be a rectangular prism. However, if the functional units are limited to this shape, they produce wasted space. In this way, it was not possible to reduce the volume of the space occupied by the functional units, and hence it was not promoted to miniaturize of the image processing apparatus. This problem becomes marked for the functional units having functions relating to the sheets, such as an exposure scanner unit, sheet feeding unit, image forming unit, fixing unit and the like. 
     For miniaturization of the image information processing apparatus, the following two points are of importance: 
     (1) To miniaturize individual parts; and 
     (2) To eliminate the wasted space within the image information processing apparatus as much as possible. However, the first point ‘miniaturization of individual parts’ can be attained only to a limited extent, limited by the fact that each part should present the specified functionality expected by the design requirements. 
     For the purpose of explanation, a feed roller in a sheet feeding device having the function of separating and feeding sheets, one by one, from a stack of sheets will be a typical example. The sheet feeding performance of a feed roller varies widely depending upon the size of the sheets (length, width and thickness), the characteristics of sheets (friction coefficient with respect to the feed roller and the stiffness) or the environment under which sheets are handled by the feeder. Therefore, in order to expect a stable sheet feeding performance for handling a variety of sheet types under various environment conditions, the feed roller needs certain minimum dimensions. For example, to prevent skew during feeding, the feed roller needs to abut the sheet with a predetermined nipping length or greater, which means that the feed roller needs to be longer than a predetermined length. To separate sheets, one by one, the feed roller needs to abut the sheet with a predetermined nipping width or greater, which means that the diameter and the rubber thickness of the feed roller need to be greater than predetermined values. 
     Concerning the sheet stopper means of a sheet feeder for preventing the stack of sheets from reaching the feed roller, this device needs to move and retract from the sheet blocking position when a sheet needs to be delivered. Therefore, the movable distance of the stopper is determined by the height of the stack of sheets to be allowed. As for some examples of the functional parts disposed in the image forming units, such as the photosensitive member, the developing roller in the developing unit, the cleaning blade, the charger, the transfer device, etc., the sizes of these elements are determined by the maximum size of sheets to be handled since image forming needs to be done for the sheets of the acceptable maximum size. 
     In this way, not only the functional parts directly acting on the sheets, such as the feed roller, photosensitive member, charger, transfer device etc., but also the functional parts indirectly acting on the sheets, such as the developing roller, cleaning blade etc., will be determined as to their dimensions by the size of the sheets to be handled. Further, similar to the sheet stopper means, there are functional parts having a predetermined movable range. But the movable range is also determined depending on the sheets. Accordingly, these functional parts relating to the sheets, because they relate to sheets, may be modified as to their dimensions and their positional relationship relative to the sheets, to some permissible extent depending upon their relationship with the sheets, but still cannot be said to have a large flexibility in their design. 
     On the other hand, parts other than the functional parts relating to the sheets, such as, the drive transmitting parts for transmitting driving force to the functional parts relating to the sheets, support parts and casings for accommodating functional parts relating to the sheets, drive sources, parts for electrical connections and the like, are rather flexible in design with regard to miniaturization and their layout, compared to the functional parts relating to the sheets. 
     Next, the second point, ‘elimination of the wasted space within the image information processing apparatus as much as possible’ will be discussed. 
     In the interior of an image information processing apparatus, there are many functional units which each can be attached and pulled out integrally and still have both the functional parts relating to the sheets and the other parts. Each functional unit having these functional parts relating to the sheets tends to have unused spaces, but these spaces are scattered. Therefore, the volume of unused spaces unnecessarily has made the image information processing apparatus bulky. 
     Further, due to the possibility of malfunction from the increase of the number of working steps and complexity of working procedures at attachment and detachment of a functional unit, the simplest handling during attachment and detachment of the functional unit is the main matter of interest during design. As a result of this, if a functional unit has a projected portion in the mid part thereof with respect to the direction of the sheet width, around other adjacent components in the image information processing apparatus, the functional unit is disposed apart from other adjacent components so that the projected portion will not interfere when it is attached and detached. Accordingly, wasted space arises between adjacent functional units; this has also made the image information processing apparatus bulky. 
     The above described problem will now be described taking a specific example of a sheet feeder comprising a pickup feeding means, a separation feeding means and a sheet stopper means, all being the functional parts directly acting on sheets. 
     A sheet feeder for separating and feeding sheets, one by one, from a stack of sheets placed on a sheet stacking means, in the downstream direction with respect to its conveyance, is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Hei 6 No. 71,947. In this sheet feeder, the pickup feeding means is disposed on the upstream side of the separation feeding means for separating sheets, one by one, with respect to the sheet conveying direction, and the pickup feeding means moves from a position away from the top of the sheet stack on the sheet stacking means, to the abutting position on the sheet stack so as to deliver a sheet toward the sheet separation feeding means. The pickup feeding means of this sheet feeder is configured to move up and down as it rotates about a rotary axle. 
     In general, since such a sheet feeder handles sheets of regular sizes, it is not possible to reduce the dimensions with respect to the planer directions of the sheets, to smaller than the maximum size of the sheets to be handled, but a miniaturization (development of a thinner configuration) can be expected with respect to the direction of the sheet thickness. 
     Now, the development of thinning a sheet feeder having an up-and-down moving type pickup feeding means, disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Hei 6 No. 71,947 will be considered. When considering the facts that the dimensions of the separation feeding means and pickup feeding means are considerably smaller than the maximum acceptable sheet size and that the pickup feeding means moves up and down, the sheet feeder tends to have wasted space on both sides of the pickup feeding means with respect to the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction. Since other devices and components also tend to occupy a considerably large space in the central portion with respect to the direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction within the image processor, it is difficult to lay out devices and components other than the sheet feeder, in the spaces on both sides of the pickup feeding means because of the consideration of attaching and detaching performance of the devices and components disposed inside the image processing apparatus. 
     When the up-and-down driver and/or drive source of the pickup feeding means were laid out on both sides of the pickup feeding means, the up and down driver and drive source, in general, were arranged in both sides of the pickup feeding means with respect to the direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction, rather near the center in proximity to the pickup feeding means. Accordingly, this up-and-down driver and drive source were the obstacles to further miniaturization. 
     Further, the pickup feeding means and sheet stopper means disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Hei 6 No. 71,947, are configured so as to move between the active position where they act on the sheets and the inactive position where they are away from the sheets. The pickup feeding means, separation feeding means and sheet stopper means do not extend across the full width of the acceptable maximum sheet size, but are formed with certain dimensions, with respect to the direction of the sheet width, which are shorter than the maximum sheet width. On the other hand, with regards to the direction of the sheet thickness, since the pickup feeding means and sheet stopper means move up and down, the spaces occupied by these components, when considering the space of their movable ranges, are bulky in their mid parts compared to other parts. If another functional unit needs to be disposed adjoining this sheet feeder, the functional unit must be arranged apart therefrom so that the space for movement of this functional unit will not interfere with this bulged portion of the sheet feeder. This produces wasted space. 
     In the sheet feeder disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Hei 6 No. 71,947, the mechanism for shifting the positions of the pickup feeding means (pickup roller) and the sheet stopper means (shutter 12), are arranged close to the pickup feeding means and the sheet stopper means with respect to the direction of the sheet width. Further, the mechanism for transmitting a driving force for moving the stopper means, is constructed so that the driving force from the drive source is transmitted by combination of a rotary transmitting element and a rotary drive transmitting element (in Japanese Patent Publication Hei 6 No. 71,947, the drive transmitting element of the pickup feeding means is a first cam 39 while the drive transmitting element of the sheet stopper means is a second cam 72). Because of these arrangements, the shifting mechanism is comparable to or greater in size than the pickup feeding means and sheet stopper means. 
     Next, another case will be explained in which a rotary drive transmitting element and a solenoid as the drive source are arranged adjacent to a pickup feeding means with respect to the direction of the sheet width. Now, the factors hindering the development of a thinner configuration of the sheet feeder with respect to the direction of the sheet thickness will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a sheet feeder in a conventional copier, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are sectional views of the operating states of this sheet feeder. FIG. 2A shows the case where the pickup feeding device is in its non-pickup state, and FIG. 2B shows the case where the pickup feeding device is in its pickup state. 
     In this manual feeder, a pickup feeding means  152  picks up sheets P from a stack of sheets placed on a sheet stacking means  151  to a separation feeding means  153 , where the sheets are separated and fed, one by one, towards the downstream side with respect to the sheet conveying direction. 
     Pickup feeding means  152  is rotatably supported about a rotary shaft, i.e., drive input shaft  701  by means of support members including the rotary shaft, support arms  700  for supporting the rotary shaft and a coupling plate  705  for coupling the arms. Pickup feeding means  152  is configured so that it can be moved by a solenoid  702 , a return spring  703 , a rotary shift lever  704  and an urging spring  706 , between the active position where the pickup feeding means abuts sheets P stacked on the sheet stacker and the inactive position where it is kept away from sheets P. This configuration is further detailed below. 
     Rotary shift lever  704  can be engaged with part of the supporting means (coupling plate  705  in this case) of pickup feeding means  152 . When solenoid  702  is activated, rotary shift lever  704  rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 2, opposing the elastic force of return spring  703  so as to disengage the supporting means of pickup feeding means  152 . Upon this disengagement, the rotatably supported pickup feeding means  152  comes down due to gravity acting on the support members and pickup feeding means  152  itself and due to elastic force of urging spring  706  so as to press sheets P (at the active position) enabling the feed of the sheets. 
     When solenoid  702  is deactivated, rotary shift lever  704  is turned clockwise in FIG. 2 by the elastic force of return spring  703 , and separates pickup feeding means  152  away from the sheets and returns it to the inactive position, opposing the gravity acting on pickup feeding means  152  itself and the support members and the elastic force of urging spring  706 . 
     Suppose that solenoid  702  is designed so as to be activated to output a driving force to rotate the rotatable portion rotating integrally with pickup feeding means  152  upperwards and hence separate pickup feeding means  152  from the sheet. In this case, an elastic means such as a spring etc., urging pickup feeding means  152  toward the sheets is needed, so the driving force needs to oppose the urging force from the elastic means urging the pickup feeding means  152  toward the sheets and also oppose gravity acting on the portion integrally rotating with pickup feeding means  152 . Under consideration of this fact and also considering the duty ratio of solenoid  702  or the activation of solenoid  702  when the manual feeder is not used, the solenoid  702  inevitably needs to be made large or high powered. Therefore, to avoid this situation, solenoid  702  is adapted to become active when the manual feeder is used, so that the portion rotating integrally with pickup feeding means  152  is designed to move upwards by means of spring  703  coupled to shift lever  704 . In this case, solenoid  702  only needs to have a driving force for rotating the shift lever, opposing only spring  703 , so a low powered solenoid  702  is adequate for this operation. 
     Depending upon the length of active duration of solenoid  702  and/or the size of solenoid  702 , the following limitations need to be imposed for making solenoid  702  compact. 
     That is, when solenoid  702  is directly coupled with rotary shift lever  704  as stated above, the solenoid needs be active when pickup feeding means  152  moves to the active position (since the time during which the solenoid is in the inactive position is overwhelmingly longer than that in the active position). For this purpose, the plunger which is at the mid point of the height of solenoid  702  must rotate rotary shift lever  704  in the counterclockwise direction so that the plunger is disposed below the rotary shaft of rotary shift lever  704 . 
     As seen from FIG. 2, if the location of the solenoid  702  is set downward, the open space for passing the sheet therethrough becomes narrow. So it is impossible to dispose solenoid  702  and rotary shift lever  704  below the space for stacking sheets. Yet, pickup feeding means  152  needs to be configured so as to move down to sheet stacker  151 . 
     Even if a solenoid  702  of a compact type is used, the size is considerably larger when compared to the size of pickup feeding means  152 . 
     Because of these conditions and requirements, rotary shift lever  704  and solenoid  702  will project upwards above the level of pickup feeding means  152  when it is positioned at its highest position, i.e., the inactive position. Accordingly, the actual height of the sheet feeder, with respect to the direction of the sheet thickness becomes greater by the dimension of the aforementioned projection. 
     In FIG. 1, the driving force for turning separation feeding means  153  and pickup feeding means  152  when feeding sheets is input from the machine body side by means of a clutch etc. 
     Next, the sheet stopper means as a functional part which is disposed in the sheet feeder and moves between the active position and inactive position will be described. 
     When sheets are stacked on the sheet stacking means, the sheets are pushed in to the position of the sheet separation feeding means. The sheet stopper means of the sheet feeder is to prevent erroneous feed such as multifeed and the like when sheet feeding is started. Therefore, the stopper means needs to be positioned on the upstream side, with respect to the sheet conveying direction, of the separation feeding means. On the other hand, the stopper means needs to be laid out on the downstream side, with respect to the sheet conveying direction, of the pickup feeding means, in order to enable the pickup feeding means to feed the topmost sheet from the sheet stacking means when sheet feed is started. Accordingly, the stopper means is arranged between the pickup feeding means and separation feeding means. In the case of a feeder of this mechanism, the pickup feeding means is supported by the support assembly so as to come into and out of contact with the sheets. Therefore, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Hei 6 No. 71,947, the known stopper means is configured to be coupled with the support assembly pivotally provided on the separation feeding means side so as to go from above the sheet stacking means down to between the pickup feeding means and separation feeding means. 
     The use of this mechanism, however, makes the sheet feeder thicker with respect to the direction of the sheet thickness because the support assembly of the stopper means rotates and moves over the separation feeding means. Further, since the sheet stopper means is configured to rotate and move up and down, when a stack of sheets is placed on the sheet stacking means, the stopper means is liable to move upwards when pressed by the sheets, which would cause mal-feeding of sheets. 
     Up to now, negative factors in miniaturizing the sheet feeder which moves between the active and inactive positions were discussed. All the other functional units of the image information processing apparatus have hindering factors against their miniaturization. 
     For solving the above problems concerned with miniaturization of the image information processing apparatus, it is necessary to improve the design flexibility of each functional unit having functional parts relating to the sheets, especially that of the parts other than functional parts relating to the sheets in that unit. More specifically, it is necessary to prevent the parts other than functional parts relating to the sheets from becoming projected into the center with respect to the direction of the sheet width, and hence prevent functional units from becoming bulky. That is, it is necessary to design the layout so that parts other than functional parts relating to the sheets will not produce wasteful space between adjoining functional units. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide a compact image processing apparatus which is reduced in wasted space without lowering the functions and working performances and the like. 
     It is a second object of the present invention to provide a sheet feeder which can be thinned with respect to the direction of the sheet thickness and can be used to promote miniaturization of the image information processing apparatus, keeping its sheet feeding performance and attaching and detaching performance of functional units. 
     In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention is configured as follows: 
     In accordance with the first aspect of the invention, an image processing apparatus, comprises: a plurality of functional units each having a predetermined function for processing an image, disposed in a predetermined position so as to be attachable and detachable with respect to the apparatus body, and is characterized in that each functional unit is disposed and attached in a space excepting a space which is the path of any other unit during movement for attachment and detachment thereof; and a space defined by translating a first functional unit in the attaching direction thereof can accommodate a part of a second functional unit. 
     In accordance with the second aspect of the invention, an image processing apparatus, comprises: a plurality of functional units each having a predetermined function for processing an image, disposed in a predetermined position so as to be attachable and detachable with respect to the apparatus body, and is characterized in that each functional unit is disposed and attached in a space excepting a space which is the path of any other unit during movement for attachment and detachment thereof; and a space defined by crossing of a space defined by translating a first functional unit in the attaching direction thereof and a space defined by translating the first functional unit in the detaching direction of a second functional unit can accommodate a part of the second functional unit. 
     In accordance with the third aspect of the invention, an image processing apparatus comprises: a plurality of functional units each having a predetermined function for processing an image, disposed in a predetermined position so as to be attachable and detachable with respect to the apparatus body, and is characterized in that each functional unit is disposed and attached in a space excepting a space which is the path of any other unit during movement for attachment and detachment thereof; and a space defined by overlapping of a space defined by translating a first functional unit in the attaching direction thereof and a space defined by translating the first functional unit in a direction substantially perpendicular to the attaching direction thereof, excluding a space occupied by the first functional unit, can accommodate a part of the second functional unit. 
     In accordance with the fourth aspect of the invention, the image processing apparatus having the above first through third features is characterized in that one of the multiple functional units has a first functional portion which directly comes in contact with the sheets and directly relates to sheet feeding and a second functional portion which relates to sheet feeding but is kept away the sheets; the first functional unit is arranged for attachment within a space which is defined by translating an area extending in the direction perpendicular to sheet feeding direction and having the full width of the acceptable maximum size sheet, in the direction normal to the sheet feeding surface; and/or the second functional unit is arranged for attachment within a space which is defined by translating an area lying in the direction perpendicular to sheet feeding direction but outside the full width of the acceptable maximum size sheet, in the direction normal to the sheet feeding surface. 
     In accordance with the fifth aspect of the invention, the image processing apparatus having the above first through third features is characterized in that the first functional unit has a coupling means for coupling with the apparatus body or any other functional unit and at least a part of the coupling means disposed in a second functional unit. 
     In accordance with the sixth aspect of the invention, the image processing apparatus having the above fifth feature is characterized in that multiple coupling means are classified and partitioned on the basis of the types of the coupling means. 
     In accordance with the seventh aspect of the invention, the image processing apparatus having the above first through third features is characterized in that the first functional unit is a container which can be modified in volume. 
     In accordance with the above first through seventh features, in the space of the path for movement of a functional unit when it is attached or detached, no part of other functional units are located other than the functional unit which is being attached or detached. Therefore, when the functional unit is attached or detached, no manipulative operation is needed such as moving, attaching and detaching any other functional unit. For example, for attachment or detachment of a functional unit, a simple attachment and detachment of a functional unit can be ensured without needing any increase of steps relating to attachment and detachment, unlike a configuration in which a certain functional unit is attached or detached, other units are needed to be moved once in a certain direction, and then moved in another direction. Wasted space which tends to arise when functional units are configured in substantially rectangular prism forms, can be reduced by changing the arrangement of the parts within each functional unit, thus making it possible to reduce the volume of the space occupied by the functional unit itself. This contributes to miniaturization of the 22 image processing apparatus. 
     In accordance with the eighth aspect of the invention, a sheet feeder comprises: 
     a sheet stacking means for stacking sheets; 
     a sheet-feeding related means which is movable between the active position of the sheet feeding action and the inactive position unrelated to the sheet feeding action; and 
     a transmitting element for transmitting the driving force for moving the sheet-feeding related means between the active position and inactive position, and is characterized in that, when, in a space defined by translating the mid area of the full width of the acceptable maximum size sheet to be set on the sheet stacking means in the direction of the sheet thickness of the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking means, a space of the path of the sheet feeding related means for movement between its active and inactive positions, is arranged between two planes perpendicular to the direction of the sheet thickness, the transmitting element is arranged in the space enclosed by two planes; and the transmitting element is extended to a space which is defined by translating a boundary area of the full width of the acceptable maximum size sheet to be set on the sheet stacking means in the direction of the sheet thickness, or is extended to a space which is defined by translating an area beyond the full width of the acceptable maximum size sheet to be set on the sheet stacking means in the direction of the sheet thickness. 
     In accordance with the ninth aspect of the invention, the sheet feeder having the above eighth feature is characterized in that the sheet stacking means, sheet feeding related means and transmitting element can be attached and detached with respect to the main body; a space overlapped between the space which is defined by translating a boundary area of the full width of the acceptable maximum size sheet to be set on the sheet stacking means, in the direction of the sheet thickness and/or the space which is defined by translating an area beyond the full width of the acceptable maximum size sheet to be set on the sheet stacking means, in the direction of the sheet thickness, and a space which is defined by translating the space of the path of the sheet feeding related means for movement between its active and inactive positions, in the direction of sheet width, is occupied by the transmitting element and a part of the drive source for driving the transmitting element. 
     In accordance with the tenth aspect of the invention, a sheet feeder comprises: 
     a sheet stacking means for stacking sheets; 
     a pickup feeding means which is supported by a supporting portion so as to be movable between a sheet feeding position where it comes in contact with the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking means and a retracted position where it is kept away from the sheet; 
     a first driving system, which provides a driving force to the supporting portion so as to shift the pickup feeding means between the sheet feeding position and the retracted position; 
     a second driving system for providing a driving force to the pickup feeding means; 
     a separation feeding means for separating the sheets which are fed by the pickup means, at the sheet feeding position, driven by the driving force from the second driving system, one by one, and delivering the separated sheet to the downstream side with respect to the sheet feeding direction; 
     a third driving system which provides a driving force to the separation feeding means to cause the separation feeding means to separate sheets, one by one; and 
     a control means for controlling the first, second and third driving systems so that the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking means can be delivered, characterized in that the first driving system comprises: 
     a rotary driving force transmitting element and a parallel movement type driving force transmitting element coupled to the rotary driving force transmitting element, and the rotary driving force transmitting element is disposed closer to the pickup feeding means than the parallel movement type transmitting element. 
     In accordance with the eleventh aspect of the invention, the sheet feeder having the above tenth feature is characterized in that the first driving system further comprises an urging spring urging the parallel movement type driving force transmitting element, in the direction opposing the driving force from the drive source; and the urging spring is provided along the direction in which the parallel movement type transmitting element moves, and is engaged with the parallel movement type transmitting element. 
     In accordance with the twelfth aspect of the invention, the sheet feeder having the above tenth feature is characterized in that the first driving system further comprises a compression spring urging the rotary driving force transmitting element, in the direction opposing to the driving force from the drive source; and the compression spring is engaged between the fixed side and the rotary driving force transmitting element, via a rotatable supporting means. 
     In accordance with the thirteenth aspect of the invention, a sheet feeder comprises: 
     a sheet stacking means for stacking sheets; 
     a pickup feeding means which is supported by a supporting portion so as to be movable between a sheet feeding position where it comes in contact with the sheet stacked on the sheet stacking means and a retracted position where it is kept away from the sheet; 
     a first driving system, which provides a driving force to the supporting portion so as to shift the pickup feeding means between the sheet feeding position and the retracted position; 
     a second driving system for providing a driving force to the pickup feeding means; 
     a separation feeding means for separating the sheets which are by the pickup means, at the sheet feeding position, driven by the driving force from the second driving system, one by one, and delivering the separated sheet to the downstream side with respect to the sheet feeding direction; 
     a third driving system which provides a driving force to the separation feeding means to cause the separation feeding means to separate sheets, one by one; 
     a stopper means which is movable between the blocking position for stopping the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking means, from moving toward the separation feeding means, and the retracted position for allowing the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking means to be fed; 
     a fourth driving system for driving the stopper means between the blocking position and the retracted position; and 
     a control means for controlling the first, second, third and fourth driving systems so that the sheets stacked on the sheet stacking means can be delivered, and is characterized in that the stopper means is lowered under the sheet stacking surface of the sheet stacking means when it is at the retracted position, and is moved in parallel in the direction crossing the sheet stacking surface when the stopper means moves between the blocking position and the retracted position. 
     In accordance with the fourteenth aspect of the invention, the sheet feeder having the above thirteenth feature is characterized in that the fourth driving system comprises a parallel movement type driving force transmitting element integrally provided on the side opposite to the sheet blocking side of the stopper means, and a rotary driving force transmitting element which abuts the parallel movement type driving force transmitting element to transmit the driving force; and when two planes perpendicular to the direction of the sheet thickness are formed so as to be in contact with a space of the path for movement of the stopper means between the blocking position and the retracted position, the rotary driving force transmitting element is arranged within the space enclosed by the two planes and in the side opposite to the sheet blocking side of the stopper means. 
     In accordance with the above configurations of the above eighth through fourteenth features, if a functional unit having functional parts relating to the sheets is arranged next to the sheet feeder, no wasted space will arise so that it is possible to promote miniaturization of the image information processing apparatus whilst keeping the attachment and detachment of the functional unit and the sheet feeder simple. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a sheet feeder portion of a conventional copier; 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B are side views showing the sheet pickup states of a sheet feeder portion of a conventional copier; 
     FIG. 3 is a main sectional view showing the first embodiment of a copier as an image processing apparatus in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing a circulating type automatic document feeder, a manual document setting device and an optical system; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing an image forming unit, a fixing unit and sheet feeders; 
     FIG. 6 is an overall perspective view showing a manual sheet feeder; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing essential parts of a manual sheet feeder; 
     FIG. 8A is a sectional view showing a pickup feeding means, and FIG. 8B is a sectional view showing a pulley B; 
     FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing essential parts of a manual sheet feeder; 
     FIGS. 10A and 10B are illustrative views showing the operation of a mechanism for shifting up and down a pickup feeding means; 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a mechanism for shifting up and down a pickup feeding means; 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing another mechanism for shifting up and down a pickup feeding means; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a drive mechanism of a sheet stopper; 
     FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of an image processing apparatus during sheet feeding; 
     FIG. 15 is a section view of a copier body with a manual sheet feeder; 
     FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing a developer collecting container; 
     FIGS. 17A and 17B are sectional views showing a developer collecting container and a coupling portion on the main body side; 
     FIGS. 18A,  18 B and  18 C are perspective views showing a manual feeder and a developer collecting container in their attached state; 
     FIGS. 19A,  19 B and  19 C are sectional views showing the states of attaching procedures of a developer collecting container and a manual feeder according to the second embodiment; 
     FIGS. 20A and 20B are perspective views showing a developer collecting container and a manual feeder according to the second embodiment, in their attached state; 
     FIGS. 21A and 21B are sectional views showing the third embodiment of a copier as an image processing apparatus in accordance with the invention; 
     FIGS. 22A and 22B are sectional views showing a developer collecting container of the third embodiment, in its attached state; 
     FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a manual feeder in accordance with the third embodiment, before its attachment; 
     FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a manual feeder in accordance with the third embodiment, in its attached state; 
     FIG. 25 is a sectional view showing a manual feeder and a developer collecting container in accordance with the third embodiment, in their attached state to a copier body; 
     FIGS. 26A and 26B are perspective views showing a manual feeder and a developer collecting container in accordance with the third embodiment, in their attached state; 
     FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a developer collecting container in accordance with the fourth embodiment; and 
     FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a manual feeder and a developer collecting container in their attached state in accordance with the fourth embodiment. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     (The First Embodiment) 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 to  5 , the configuration of a copier and its overall operation will be described hereinbelow. FIG. 3 is a main sectional view showing the first embodiment of a copier as an image processing apparatus in accordance with the invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view showing a circulating type automatic document feeder, a manual document setting device and an optical system. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing an image forming unit, a fixing unit and sheet feeders. 
     Referring first to FIG. 3, the overall configuration of the copier as an image processing apparatus will be described. 
     Provided above a copier body  1  are a circulating type automatic document feeder  20  and a manual original setting device  30  for manual setting of an original. Copier body  1  further includes: in the interior thereof, an optical system  40  in the upper portion thereof; an image forming unit  50  and a fixing unit  60  in the central portion thereof; and a sheet feeding unit  100  in the lower portion thereof. A post-processing unit  70  is arranged on the left side of copier body  1 . The configuration of post-processing unit  70  will be described later. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the basic configuration and overall operation of each unit will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, originals stacked on document stacker  21  of circulating type automatic document feeder  20  are separated, sheet by sheet, by original separation feeding means  22 , and the original document is conveyed by document feed roller  23   a ,  23   b ,  23   c  and  23   d  to a first original exposure portion  24  made up of a transparent element such as contact glass or the like, so that one side of the original may face the first original exposure portion  24 . After passing through the first original exposure portion  24 , the original is turned upside down by means of an original inverting means  25  made up of a switchback mechanism, so that a face opposite to the face facing the first original exposure portion  24  will face a second original exposure portion  26 . After passing through the second original exposure portion  26 , the original is returned to the bottom of the originals stacked on document stacker  21  by means of document collecting means  27   a  and  27   b . In this way, circulating type automatic document feeder  20  successively conveys the originals, passing through the first original exposure portion  24  and the second original exposure portion  26  whilst each original is being exposed and scanned by optical system  40 , which will be detailed later. Thus, in this mode, travelling document type scanning is performed. 
     On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, manual original setting device  30  comprises a contact glass  31  and an original cover  32  provided so as to be openable upward, away from contact glass  31 . For setting an original, the operator opens original cover  32  by hand, places the original at the original setting reference position on contact glass  31  and closes original cover  32 . Thus, the original is pressed down onto contact glass  31  by original cover  32 . In this manual original setting device  30 , the original still set on contact glass  31  is exposed and scanned by optical system  40 , which will be detailed hereinbelow. That is, in this mode document-still scanning is implemented. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, optical system  40  provided in the upper interior of copier body  1  comprises: a scanning unit  43  integrally composed of an exposure lamp  41  and a first mirror  42 ; a movable mirror unit  46  integrally composed of a second mirror  44  and a third mirror  45 ; a zooming lens  47 ; a fourth mirror  48   a , a fifth mirror  48   b  and a sixth mirror  49 . The reflected light from the original when the original is illuminated and scanned by exposure lamp  41  passes through first mirror  42 , second mirror  44 , third mirror  45 , zooming lens  47 , fourth mirror  48   a , fifth mirror  48   b  and sixth mirror  49 , and is lead to the surface of a photosensitive member  51 , on which the original image is focused. This photosensitive member  51  will be explained below. When an original is scanned using circulating type automatic document feeder  20 , while the original surface facing the first original exposure portion  24  is scanned, scanning unit  43  stands still at a standstill position  43 a for the first original exposure portion so as to expose the original to light as it passes through the first original exposure portion  24 . On the other hand, while the original surface facing the second original exposure portion  26  is scanned, scanning unit  43  stands still as another standstill position  43   b  for the second original exposure portion so as to expose the original to light as it passes through the second original exposure portion  26 . When the surface of an original placed on the contact glass is scanned using manual original setting device  30 , scanning unit  43  irradiates the original with light whilst moving from a ready position  43   c  on the left end of the contact glass to the right in the drawing, while movable mirror unit  46  moves in the same direction at half the speed of scanning unit  43 . 
     As shown in FIG. 5, image forming unit  50  provided in the interior central portion of copier body  1  has photosensitive member  51 . Around photosensitive member  51  in the rotational direction of the photosensitive member  51  (in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 5) are arranged sequentially the important members such as a charger  52 , an exposure light path  53 , a developing means  54 , a transfer device  55 , a separation charger  56 , a cleaner  57  and a charge erasing lamp  58  and the like. Charger  52  supplies charge onto the surface of photosensitive member  51  as it rotates so as to uniformly electrify the surface of photosensitive member  51 . As the surface of photosensitive member  51  uniformly charged by charger  52  reaches the exposure aperture, the photosensitive member is exposed to the light, reflected from the original, directed by optical system  40  and passing through exposure light path  53 , so that the uniformly distributed charge on the surface of photosensitive member  51  is discharged whereby a static latent image corresponding to the original image is formed. As the surface of photosensitive member  51  with a static latent image thus formed moves to the station opposing developing means  54 , the developer having a polarity opposite to that of the static latent image is supplied from developing means  54  so that the developer adheres to the static latent image by electrostatic force, thus forming a visualized, developer image. 
     As the surface of photosensitive member  51  with a developer image thereon reaches the station opposing transfer device  55 , the charge having a like polarity as that of the conductive surface of photosensitive member  51  is supplied to the sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding unit  100  to photosensitive member  51 . The potential of the sheet in close contact with photosensitive member  51  becomes higher than surface potential of photosensitive member  51 . Therefore, the developer image on the surface of photosensitive member  51  is attracted to the sheet so that the developer image is transferred from the surface of photosensitive member  51  surface to the sheet. Separation charger  56  disposed next to transfer device  55  supplies the sheet with charge of an opposite polarity to that supplied from transfer device  55  so that the attraction between photosensitive member  51  surface and the sheet becomes weakened, whereby the sheet carrying the developer image is separated from the surface of photosensitive member  51 . 
     When the surface of photosensitive member  51  further moves and reaches the station opposing cleaner  57 , the leftover developer which has not transferred to the sheet during transfer and remains on the surface of photosensitive member  51  is removed from the surface of photosensitive member  51 . When the surface of photosensitive member  51  free from the leftover developer reaches the station opposing charge erasing lamp  58 , charge erasing lamp  58  radiates charge erasing light onto the photosensitive member  51  so as to lower the surface potential of photosensitive member  51  to a substantially uniform, low level. This charge erasing is performed to prevent the surface potential of photosensitive member  51  from becoming too high or uneven when the photosensitive member  51  is next charged by charger  52 . The above steps are sequentially preformed so that the scanned original image is reproduced as a developer image on the sheet. Here, the developer collected by cleaner  57  is conveyed through an unillustrated developer collection conveying passage to a developer collecting container  148 . 
     Next, referring to FIG. 5, the description will be made of sheet feeding unit  100  for feeding sheets to the transfer station in the image forming unit  50 . Sheet feeding unit  100  provided in the interior lower side of copier body  1  comprises a first sheet feeder  110 , a second sheet feeder  120 , a third sheet feeder  130 , a duplex printing feeder  140  and manual feeder  150 . Each sheet feeder includes: a sheet stacking means  111 ,  121 ,  131 ,  141 ,  151 ; and a sheet delivering unit  114 ,  124 ,  134 ,  144 ,  154  of a sheet pickup feeding means  112 ,  122 ,  132 ,  142 ,  152  and a separation feeding means  113 ,  123 ,  133 ,  143 ,  153 . 
     The sheet conveying path for guiding sheets, one by one, from each of sheet feeders  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140  and  150  to photosensitive member  51 , is provided appropriately with conveying rollers, between a synchronization registering means  160  located immediately before photosensitive member  51  and each of sheet feeders  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140  and  150 . 
     A sheet delivered from sheet feeder  110 ,  120 ,  130  and  150 , is conveyed to synchronization registering means  160  by the conveying rollers disposed along the conveying path thereto. At the synchronization registering means  160 , where the leading edge of the sheet is aligned with the axial direction of photosensitive member  51  and the sheet is delivered out toward photosensitive member  51  at a timing synchronized with the position of the developer image formed on the surface of photosensitive member  51 . 
     The sheet bearing the developer image at transfer device  55  is separated from the photosensitive member by separation charger  56 , and then is conveyed by a conveyer belt  85  to fixing unit  60 . 
     Fixing unit  60  is mainly comprised of: a heat roller  61  made up of a metal pipe of aluminum or the like, coated with a heat resisting resin having a good separation performance; a pressure roller  62  made up of a metallic core covered with a heat resisting elastic layer such as silicone rubber; a heater lamp  63  disposed as a heat source inside heat roller  61  for heating; a temperature sensor  64  such as a thermistor and the like, disposed in contact with the peripheral surface of heat roller  61  for maintaining heater lamp  63  at the predetermined temperature; separation claws  65  disposed in contact with the peripheral surface of heat roller  61  or pressure roller  62  for separating the sheet from heat roller  61  or pressure roller  62 ; and a pressurizing means (not shown) for pressing heat roller  61  and pressure roller  62  to each other. The sheet carrying an unfixed developer image formed by the above image forming unit  50 , but not yet fixed, is conveyed by conveyer belt  85  to reach fixing unit  60 . As the sheet passes through heat roller  61  and pressure roller  62 , the sheet is heated and pressed so that the developer image not yet fixed is fixed to the sheet. Thereafter, the sheet is separated from heat roller  61  or pressure roller  62  by means of separation claws  65  and is discharged from fixing unit  60 . 
     The sheet discharged from fixing unit  60  passes through conveying rollers  86 , and then is either discharged or conveyed further. That is, depending upon the path selection of a switching gate  87 , the sheet is either discharged by discharging rollers  88  to the exterior of copier body  1  or conveyed to a switch-back conveying path  91  by means of conveying rollers  89  and normal/reversal rollers  90 . The sheet fed into switch-back conveying path  91  is guided by the path selection of a switching gate  92  and the reversal rotation of normal/reversal rollers  90  toward duplex printing feeder  140 . The sheets delivered out from switch-back conveying path  91  and having passed through feed rollers  93 , are successively stacked onto duplex printing feeder  140 . The sheets temporarily stacked on duplex printing feeder  140  are separated and fed, one by one, by the function of sheet pickup feeding means  142  and separation feeding means  143 . The sheets stacked on duplex printing feeder  140  are fed again toward the photosensitive member so that the unprinted side faces photosensitive member  51 . 
     When the one-sided printing mode is selected through an unillustrated control panel, the sheet delivered from sheet stacking means  111 ,  121 ,  131  or  151 , is formed with an image on its one side, and after its fixing, the sheet is discharged from copier body  1  to the machine exterior. On the contrary, when the duplex printing mode is selected, the sheet delivered from sheet stacking means  111 ,  121 ,  131  or  151 , is formed with an image on its one side, and after its fixing, the sheet is stacked onto duplex printing feeder  140 , and then the sheet is fed again toward the photosensitive member so that another image is formed on the opposite, unprinted side, thereafter, the sheet is discharged from copier body  1  to the machine exterior, in the same manner as in the one-sided printing mode. 
     The sheet thus discharged from copier body  1  is then conveyed into post-processing unit  70  shown in FIG.  3 . Post-processing unit  70  is mainly composed of a staple tray  74 , a stapler  75 , a pusher  76 , a bound sheet discharge tray  77 , a stack tray  80  and the like. The sheet discharged from copier body  1  is sent to entrance rollers  71 , and then is either delivered via conveying rollers  73  to be stacked on staple tray  74 , or conveyed by convening rollers  78  and discharging rollers  79  to be stacked onto stack tray  80 , depending upon the path selection of a switching gate  72 . Sheets stacked on staple tray  74  are bound by stapler  75  every predetermined number of copies, then the bound sheets are discharged to bound sheet discharge tray  77  by pusher  76 . 
     The description of the configuration and overall operation of the copier has been completed. 
     For making the copier compact, the correlation between the devices laid out inside the copier is important, so this will be described next. 
     Copier body  1  as already described, incorporates a variety of devices having diverse functions. These devices are, for example, optical system  40 , image forming unit  50 , sheet feeding unit  100  and the like, and are provided as functional units each having a single function or a plurality of functions. In practice, like image forming means  50 , for example, which includes developing means  54 , developer collecting container  148 , charger  52 , cleaner  57  or like sheet feeder  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140 ,  150  which includes sheet stacking means  111 ,  121 ,  131 ,  141 ,  151  and sheet delivering unit  114 ,  124 ,  134 ,  144 ,  154  and the like, each functional unit may be divided into sub-units therein. This divided configuration into sub-units, provides easiness for replacement of broken parts and/or supply parts and for releasing jams, and facilitates assembly and disassembly. 
     In general, miniaturization of an apparatus handling the sheets such as a copier is markedly affected by the size of sheet and the type of the sheet material because the handling target is a sheet. For example, as regards the direction of conveying the sheet, it is necessary to consider the stacking performance of sheets (a certain flatness is needed for placement in order to avoid the stacked sheet being skewed etc.) and the conveying performance of sheets (the conveying performance is affected by the sheet path shape such as the smallest radius of curvature in the sheet path, depending upon the stiffness of the sheet), so that miniaturization of the apparatus can be attained only to an extent in which the above conditions are satisfied. Further, as regards the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction, stacking performance of the sheets, conveying performance of sheets, the efficiency of image formation, the quality of formed images need to be considered. Therefore, devices such as the sheet feeder and the image forming unit for forming images onto sheets, will occupy substantially the whole area facing the sheet, across a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction. Further, the functional units are often attached and detached in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction. Accordingly, if functional units or part of functional units need to be laid out in the space or path of a certain functional unit in this direction, multiple functional units must be moved for attachment and detachment of the functional unit, degrading ease of attachment and detachment. 
     However, concerning the direction of the sheet thickness, the thickness with which the sheets can be accommodated and the dimensions of the device relating to the sheets are the factors limiting the miniaturization. Of these factors, the factor which can be dealt with by design is the dimension in the direction of the sheet thickness of a device relating to the sheets. So, each of the above-referred functional units needs to be made thinner. For this purpose, it is necessary to miniaturize the parts in each functional unit and it is also necessary to enhance the flexibility of layout of the parts excepting those which cannot be modified as to the positions and are required to be positioned at the particular sites in the functional unit from design requirements. 
     Next, an embodiment of the invention for making the functional units in a copier thin and compact and hence miniaturizing the copier itself, will be described in detail with an example of a sheet feeder. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3,  5  through  16 , detailed description will be made of a manual feeder  150  as a type of sheet feeders and a developer collecting container  148  to which an embodiment of the invention is applied. 
     As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, manual feeder  150  is disposed on the right side of copier body  1  while developer collecting container  148  is laid out thereabove. Next to developer collecting container  148  is a developing means  54 . 
     Manual feeder  150  and developer collecting container  148  will be described first and then the mutual relationship, in the arrangement of the invention, between manual feeder  150  and developer collecting container  148  in their attached state will be explained next. 
     Referring first to FIGS. 6 and 7, manual feeder  150  will be explained in detail. FIG. 6 is an overall perspective view of manual feeder  150  and FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged perspective view showing elements thereof. 
     As shown in FIG. 6, manual feeder  150  comprises: a sheet stacking means  151  for stacking a sheet, a pickup feeding means  152  for feeding a sheet P placed on sheet stacking means  151  downstream with respect to the feeding direction of manual feeder  150 , a separation feeding means  153  and a sheet stopper  155 . 
     Now a description of sheet stacking means  151  will be made. There are width constraining plates  170  in the central portion of sheet stacking means  151 . These width constraining plates  170  constrain sheets at both side-edges with respect to the direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the sheets placed on sheet stacking means  151 . A rack portion  170   a  is provided under the sheet stacking means  151  and integrally formed via an opening  151   a  with each width constraining plate  170  and is meshed with a pinion gear  171  which is rotatably disposed on the underside of sheet stacking means  151 . These constraining plates are configured so that when one of width constraining plates  170  is moved, the other width constraining plate  170  will move, mutually approaching each other or mutually moving away from each other. By this mechanism, the center of the sheets will not vary with the sheet size, even if the sheets to be constrained by width constraining plates  170  varies in size. Here, sheet stacking means  151  is fixed to a sheet feeder frame  181 . 
     Components designated at  181   a ,  193 ,  200 ,  270 ,  271 ,  272 ,  301  and  303  will be described later. 
     Referring next to FIGS. 7 through 9, description will be made of pickup feeding means  152 , separation feeding means  153  and driving means for these, all disposed downstream of sheet stacking means  151 , with respect to the sheet conveying direction. FIG. 8A is a sectional view showing pickup feeding means  152 , and FIG. 8B is a sectional view of a pulley. FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing essential elements of the manual feeder. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, a drive input shaft  183  is supported rotatably via bearings  182  by feeder frame  181  and has a feed roller  180  (one part of separation feeding means  153 ) and a pulley  184  fixed thereon. Further, support arms  185  and  186  are rotatably supported by the drive input shaft at their one end via bearings  187  and restricted by E-rings (not shown) or the like so that these arms will not move in the thrust direction of drive input shaft  183 . 
     A rotary support shaft  188  is fixed to support arms  185  and  186  at their other end. With holes  190   a  (see FIG. 8A) on the end face of pickup feeding means  152  mated with a projection  189   a  (see FIG. 8B) on the end face of a pulley  189 , pickup feeding means  152  and pulley  189  are integrally supported so as to be rotatable by means of rotary support shaft  188 . Pickup feeding means  152  and pulley  189  are positioned and restricted by E-rings (not shown) or the like so that these elements will not move in the thrust direction of rotary support shaft  188 . Support arms  185  and  186  are coupled with each other by a coupling plate  191  while a belt  192  is wound between a pulleys  184  and  189 . 
     Provided at one end of drive input shaft  183  is a drive coupler  193  from the machine body side to manual feeder  150  (see FIG.  6 ). Drive coupler  193  is composed of a feeder clutch  194  having an input gear  194   a . Driving force from an unillustrated motor disposed on the copier body side is transmitted from a gear  195  rotatably supported by a rear frame  303  (see FIG. 6) on the copier body side to input gear  194   a , and then transmitted to drive input shaft  183  and feed roller  180 , in this order, to rotate feed roller  180 . The drive force thus transmitted to drive input shaft  183  is further transferred to pickup feeding means  152  through pulley  184 , belt  192  and pulley  189  in this order, so as to rotate pickup feeding means  152 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, a separation pad  196  is disposed in the sheet stacking means  151  on the side facing feed roller  180 , and is urged by an elastic element  197  such as a compression spring etc., so as to be abutted against feed roller  180 . Provided fixedly to support arms  185  and  186  between feed roller  180  and pickup feeding means  152 , is a sheet guide  198 . Separation feeding means  153  is configured of feed roller  180  and separation pad  196 . Disposed downstream of separation feeding means  153  with respect to the feeding direction is a conveying means  230 . A sheet detecting sensor S 2  is arranged directly downstream of conveying means  230 . 
     Here, reference numeral  155  designates a sheet stopper, and S 1  designates a sheet set sensor for detecting the sheets set on sheet stacking means  151 . Components designated by reference numerals  151   b ,  198   a ,  210  and  211  in FIG. 9 will be described later. 
     Referring next to FIGS. 7 and 10A and  10 B, the mechanism for shifting pickup feeding means  152  up and down will be described. FIGS. 10A and 10B are illustrative views showing the operation of the mechanism for shifting pickup feeding means  152  up and down. 
     A lever support shaft  201  disposed in feeder frame  181  has a lever  202  rotatably supported thereon. A pickup solenoid  200  as the drive source is fixedly arranged at one end of feeder frame  181 . A lever  203  is provided between solenoid  200  and lever  202 , with its hole at one end thereof receiving a pin from a plunger  200   a  of pickup solenoid  200  and a projection  203   a  at the other end thereof fitted into a slot  202   a  of lever  202 . A return spring  204  is engaged between a projection  203   b  provided in the mid portion of lever  203  and a cut and bent portion  181   a  of feeder frame  181 . 
     Further, a feeder pressing spring  205  of a coil type is fitted on drive input shaft  183  on the outer side of support arm  186 . One end of feeder pressing spring  205  is engaged with an engaging portion  186   a  of support arm  186  while the other end of feeder pressing spring  205  is engaged with the rear side of feeder frame  181  so as to urge support arm  186  toward sheet stacking means  151 . Similarly, another feeder pressing spring  205  is provided on the outer side of support arm  185 , in the same manner as in the case of support arm  186 . Thus, pickup feeding means  152  is urged toward sheet stacking means  151  by the action of the two feeder pressing springs  205 . 
     In the above arrangement, when pickup solenoid  200  is turned off, the elastic force from return spring  204  acts on lever  203  in the longitudinal direction thereof so as to move the lever  203  to the left in FIG.  10 A. This causes lever  202  to rotate clockwise about lever support shaft  201  and hence press the rear side of coupling plate  191 . By this pressing, pickup feeding means  152  rotates about drive input shaft  183 , opposing the urging force of feeder pressing spring  205  and gravity acting on the portion integrally rotating with pickup feeding means  152  such as support arms  185  and  186 , etc., thus moving upwards and hence separating from the sheets set on sheet stacking means  151 . In this case, in order to limit lever  203  so that it does not move leftward, in the drawing, beyond a predetermined extent, an unillustrated stopper for stopping lever  203  is provided. In this situation, pickup feeding means  152  is located above the maximum sheet set height Pmax. The distance between the maximum sheet set height Pmax and the level of a sheet guide surface (the bent portion of frame  181  opposing the sheets)  181   d  integrally formed with feeder frame  181  is set appropriately so as not to make it difficult to supply sheets into sheet stacking means  151 . 
     Reference numerals, S 1 ,  189  and  192  designate a sheet set sensor, a pulley and a belt, respectively. 
     When pickup solenoid  200  is activated, lever  203  moves to the right as shown in FIG. 10B, opposing the urging force of return spring  204 . This causes lever  202  to rotate counterclockwise about lever support shaft  201  so as to press an abutting portion  202   b  of lever  202  down. Resultantly, pickup feeding means  152  is lowered to the level of the height Pset of the sheets placed on sheet stacking means  151 , by the urging force of feeder pressing spring  205  and due to gravity acting on the portion integrally rotating with pickup feeding means  152 , thus abutting the sheets. Here, S 1  designates a sheet set sensor. 
     As shown in FIG. 11, lever  203  as the shifting means for shifting pickup feeding means  152  between the active position and inactive position, resides within a space by translating a mid area across the full width of the acceptable maximum size sheet, in the direction of the sheet thickness. That is, the space required for pickup feeding means  152  to move between the active position and the inactive position is arranged so as to be in contact with two planes perpendicular to the direction of the sheet thickness, and lever  203  moves within the range between the two planes. This lever  203  extends to a space defined by translating a boundary area of the full width of the acceptable maximum size sheet, in the direction of the sheet thickness, and is coupled therein with pickup solenoid  200  as the drive source of shifting pickup feeding means  152 . As will be described in another embodiment hereinbelow, this lever  203  may extend to a space defined by translating an area beyond the full width of the acceptable maximum size sheet, in the direction of the sheet thickness. 
     In this other embodiment, lever  203  is extended, in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction, to a space defined by translating a boundary area of the full width of the acceptable maximum size sheet in the direction of the sheet thickness, or is extended, in the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction, to a space defined by translating an area beyond the full width of the acceptable maximum size sheet in the direction of the sheet thickness. This configuration creates open space around the maximum size sheet except on the leading side of the maximum size sheet in the sheet conveying direction. If the sheet stacking means is arranged outside the image information processing apparatus, a large open space can be ensured above the sheets, whereby sheets can be easy to be set onto the sheet stacking means. If the sheet stacking means of the sheet feeder is laid out within the image information processing apparatus, the open space can be used for allotting other parts and/or adjacent functional units, thus promoting the miniaturization of the image information processing apparatus. 
     The lever  203  may be disposed in another way. If that other parts and/or functional units need to be laid out, in the direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction, within a space defined by translating a boundary area of the full width of the maximum size sheet, in the direction of the sheet thickness, or if the other parts and/or functional units need to be laid out, in the direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction, within a space defined by translating an area beyond the full width of the maximum size sheet, in the direction of the sheet thickness. In such a case, lever  203  is arranged in an inclined manner so that the lever may be extended in a direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction to a space (other than the above space) defined by translating a boundary area of the full width of the maximum size sheet, in the direction of the sheet thickness, or the lever  203  may be extended in a direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction to a space (other than the above space) defined by transplanting an area beyond the full width of the maximum size sheet, in the direction of the sheet thickness. 
     Since this lever  203  is adapted to transmit the driving force by movement in the longitudinal direction, this configuration does not need large space for the moving path of lever  203  when the functional part relating to sheet feeding is moved between the active and inactive positions, thus contributing the miniaturization of manual feeder  150 . 
     Reference numerals  151 ,  181 ,  181   a ,  183 ,  185 ,  186 ,  189 ,  191 ,  192 ,  201 ,  202 ,  202   a ,  202   b ,  203   a ,  203   b ,  205  and S 1  designate the same components shown in FIG.  10 . 
     Although it was illustrated that return spring  204  is hooked to lever  203 , a return spring (a compression spring)  204  may be engaged between a spring engaging part  400  which is pivotally supported at the end of the part having a slot  202   a  of lever  202  and a spring support part  401  fixed to a bent portion  181   a  from feeder frame  181 , so as to permit the elastic force of return spring  204  to act on lever  202 , to thereby move pickup feeding means  152  from the active position to the inactive position. In this case, return spring  204  is engaged with the spherical part of spring support part  401 , and both ends of return spring  204  will not bend when lever  202  moves, so that it is possible to avoid buckling. 
     Further, lever  203  of this embodiment is bent in the direction perpendicular to its direction of movement, but as will be described with reference to another example (see FIGS.  22 A and  22 B), the lever can be formed without bending, depending upon the situation of the layout of the drive source. 
     Reference numerals  151 ,  183 ,  185 ,  186 ,  189 ,  191 ,  192 ,  201 ,  202   b ,  203   a ,  205  and S 1  designate the same components shown in FIG.  10 . 
     Next, referring to FIGS. 9 and 13, the drive mechanism of a sheet stopper will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 9, a sheet stopper  155  is disposed on the side of sheet stacking means  151  between pickup feeding means  152  and feed roller  180 . This layout of the stopper is to prevent the sheets set on sheet stacking means  151  from excessively moving up toward separation feeding means  153 , and to register the sheet set on sheet stacking means  151  in cooperation with width constraining plates  170 . Racks  210  are integrally provided on the side, of sheet stopper  155 , opposite to the side where sheets are set. These racks  210  mesh with corresponding pinions  211 . As pinions  211  are driven, sheet stopper  155  moves up and down. That is, sheet stopper  155 , can move down, through an opening  151   b  formed in manual feeder table  151 , into the plugged position in manual feeder table  151  and goes up, through manual feeder table  151  and through and above an opening  198   a  formed in sheet guide  198 , to a position where the stopper can block the sheets. Disposed between sheet stopper  155  and pickup feeding means  152  is a sheet set sensor S 1  for detecting the sheets set on sheet stacking means  151 . 
     Referring to FIG. 13, the drive mechanism of this sheet stopper  155  will be described in further detail. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a drive mechanism of sheet stopper  155 . 
     Arranged on the underside of sheet stacking means  151  is a drive mechanism of a sheet stopper  155 , as shown in FIG.  13 . As has been already described, racks  210  provided in sheet stopper  155  mesh pinions  211 . A rotary shaft  212  having pinions  211  fixed thereon has another pinion  213  at the end thereof. Pinion  213  is engaged with a rack  215  which is integrally formed with a lever  214 . Sheet stacking means  151  has a pair of slide supports  216  and  217  integrally attached thereto, each having a pin  216   a  and  217   a . A pair of slots  214   a  and  214   b  provided in lever  214  and fit on pins  216   a  and  217   a , respectively. Lever  214 , can be slid over slide supports  216  and  217  within the distance limited by slots  214   a  and  214   b  and pins  216   a  and  217   a.    
     Return spring  218  is hooked between an engaging portion  216   b  provided in slide support  216  and an engaging portion  214   c  provided in lever  214 , so as to urge lever  214  in the direction of arrow M in the figure. Lever  214  has a pin  214   d  on its rear side at the end near slide support  217 . This pin  214   d  is inserted into a slot  219   a  of a lever  219  which is rotatable about a pivot  222  provided on pivot support  221 . Formed at the other end of lever  219  opposite slot  219   a  is a slot  219   b , into which a pin  220   b  provided for a plunger  220   a  of a stopper solenoid  220  is fitted. Here, unillustrated E-rings or other stoppers are provided so as to avoid lever  214  slipping off from pins  216   a  and  217   b , and lever  219  from pivot  222 . 
     Because of the configuration described above, when stopper solenoid  220  is off (the state shown in FIG.  10 A), lever  214  moves in the M direction from the elastic force of return spring  218  so as to raise sheet stopper  155  to the sheet blocking position. When stopper solenoid  220  is activated, plunger  220   a  is pulled in opposing the elastic force of return spring  218 , so that lever  214  moves in the N direction and hence pinions  211  rotate in the Q direction, to thereby move down sheet stopper  155  to the sunken position inside manual feeder table  151 . 
     Similarly to the above case described concerning the arrangement of the drive transmitting assembly of pickup feeding means  152 , the space required for sheet stopper  155  to move between the active position and the inactive position is arranged so as to be in contact with two planes perpendicular to the direction of the sheet thickness, and the drive transmitting assembly for sheet stopper  155 , including racks  210 , pinions  211 , rotary shaft  212 , lever  214  and lever  219 , is arranged within this space. Further, stopper solenoid  220  as the drive source and return spring  218  are also arranged in the same space. 
     In this case, differing from the case of the drive transmitting mechanism of pickup feeding means  152 , racks  210  as parallel movement type drive transmission means, are provided integrally with sheet stopper  155 , on the side opposite the sheet blocking side. Further, pinions as rotary type drive transmission means  211  are used to transfer the driving force to these racks  210 . Rotary shaft  212  for pinions  211  extends to a space defined by translating a boundary area of the full width of the maximum size sheet, in the direction of the sheet thickness, or rotary shaft  212  extends to a space defined by translating an area beyond the full width of the maximum size sheet in the direction of the sheet thickness. This rotary shaft is engaged with rack  215  in this area. 
     In this example, stopper solenoid  220  is coupled with lever  214  having a rack  215  via lever  219 , so that the movement of plunger  220   a  of stopper solenoid  220  is enhanced by the principle of leverage, i.e., by lever  219 , and is transferred to lever  214 . If the attraction of stopper solenoid  220  is strong enough and the stroke of the plunger  220   a  can be secured large enough, lever  214  may be directly moved by stopper solenoid  220 . 
     As the mechanisms have been described heretofore, the operation flow of these mechanisms upon sheet feeding will be described with reference to FIGS. 6,  7 ,  10 A and  10 B and  14 . Here, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation during sheet feeding in the image processing apparatus. 
     When sheet set sensor S 1  detects the setting of sheets on sheet stacking means  151  (Step  1 ), operation is waited for until the input of the print start key on the control panel (not shown) (Step  2 ). When the print start key is operated, stopper solenoid  220  is activated so as to move sheet stopper  155  projected from sheet stacking means  151 , down therein (Step  3 ). Then pickup solenoid  200  is turned on so as to abut pickup feeding means  152  against the sheet (Step  4 ). Subsequently, feeder clutch  194  is activated so as to rotate feed roller  180  and pickup feeding means  152 , whereby sheets set on sheet stacking means  151  are separated and fed, one by one (Step  5 ). 
     Operation is waited for until sheet detecting sensor S 2  detects that the sheet is nipped at conveying means  230 , arranged downstream directly of separation feeding roller  180  with respect to sheet feeding direction (Step  6 ). When sheet detecting sensor S 2  detects the sheet, feeder clutch  194  is turned off (Step  7 ). Next, timer T 1  is started (Step  8 ) as soon as sheet detecting sensor S 2  detects the leading edge of the sheet, for the predetermined period of time (t 1  in this case). The operation is waited for until the time on timer T 1  is up (Step  9 ). When the time on timer T 1  is up, it is judges whether sheet set sensor S 1  has detected the non-sheet state (Step  10 ). If the detection result from sheet set sensor S 1  shows the presence of a sheet, the operation returns to Step  5 . In this case, the reason feed roller  180  and pickup feeding means  152  are stopped by turning off feeder clutch  194  until timer T 1  reaches the predetermined time (t 1 ), is to keep the feeding interval between sheets constant. 
     At Step  10 , if the detection result of sheet set sensor S 1  shows absence of any sheet, feeder clutch  194  is turned off (Step  11 ), and pickup solenoid  200  is turned off (Step  12 ). Next, the operation is waited for until sheet detecting sensor S 2  detects the end of the passage of the sheet (Step  13 ). That is, since the timing at which the signal from the sheet detecting sensor changes from the state of sheet presence to the state of sheet absence, indicates the rear end of a sheet, the detection of the rear end of the sheet corresponds to the end of the passage of the sheet. When sheet detecting sensor S 2  detects the end of the passage of the sheet, stopper solenoid  220  is deactivated (Step  14 ). 
     Next, the attachment for fixing manual feeder  150  to the copier body and the method of withdrawal for detaching the feeder from the copier body will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 15. FIG. 15 is a side view showing a manual feeder in the copier body. 
     As has been described, manual feeder  150  (enclosed by the chain line) is provided in a unit form which integrally holds various parts and can be attached and detached with respect to copier body  1 , forming a functional unit having the function of feeding sheets which are manually set. Upon attachment of this manual feeder  150  to the copier, this feeder is attached to the predetermined position from the right side toward the left side of copier body  1  (from the front to the rear in the document in FIG.  15 ). 
     First, with manual feeder  150  kept angled with respect to the copier body, driver coupler  193  for transmitting driving force from the machine body to manual feeder  150  is fitted through an opening  303   a  of rear frame  303  into the rear of the rear-side chassis (designated at  301 ). Then manual feeder  150  is moved in the attaching direction until a pair of fixtures  181   a  of feeder frame  181  abut front-side and rear-side chassises  300  and  301 , respectively. In this state, the manual feeder is fixed to the chassises with fixing means such as screws, etc. Then, a connector  271 , on manual feeder  150  side, including the signal line of sheet set sensor S 1 , power lines for pickup solenoid  200  and stopper solenoid  220  (see FIG. 13) and the copier side connector  272  are joined to complete an electric coupling  270 . Thus the attachment of manual feeder  150  to copier body  1  is completed. 
     Withdrawal of manual copier  150  is done in the reverse direction as done in the above attachment procedures. 
     Pickup feeding means  152  and separation feeding means  153  provided in manual feeder  150  need to directly abut the sheets to feed them. Therefore, pickup feeding means  152  is arranged in a position able to come in contact with the sheet, that is, near and above sheet stacker  151 , within the acceptable maximum width H (the width in the direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction) of sheets to be fed. Since there are various sizes of sheets to be handled within the acceptable maximum width H, both means  152  and  153  are necessarily arranged in the mid portion of the acceptable maximum sheet width H so as to feed any size of sheets. Therefore, for the purpose of miniaturization, it is contemplated that the means other than those that are needed to come in contact with the sheets, such as pickup solenoid  200  and the like, may be arranged away from pickup feeding means  152  and separation feeding means  153 . 
     As shown in FIG. 15, pickup solenoid  200  is arranged in the space excepting a space defined by translating the occupied areas of pickup feeding means  152  and separation feeding means  153  (see FIG.  4 ), in the vertical direction upwards over sheet stacker  151 , within space  280  (to be described later). Since pickup feeding means  152  and separation feeding means  153  are located around the center of the full width of the acceptable maximum sheet size H, the space with pickup solenoid  200  arranged therein lies in a space defined by translating the boundary areas of the acceptable maximum sheet width H and outside the full width, in the vertical direction upwards over sheet stacker  151 . In this way, the feeding means directly relating to the sheets, such as pickup feeding means  152 , separation feeding means  153  and the like are laid out in the sheet center with respect to the direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction while the means for supporting the means directly relating to the sheets are arranged in the boundary areas or areas outside the full sheet width, with respect to the direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction. Thus, it is possible to use space efficiently and hence make the apparatus compact by adjusting the layout of the functional units and parts relative to those nearby. Here, reference numerals  155 ,  149  and  302  designate a sheet stopper, a guide plate and a front frame, respectively. 
     The description as to the manual feeder is ended at this point. 
     Next, referring to FIGS. 16 and 17A and  17 B, a developer collecting container  148  will be described in detail. Here, FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of developer collecting container  148 . FIGS. 17A and 17B are sectional views showing developer collecting container  148  and the copier body side coupling portion. 
     As shown in FIG. 17A, provided in the interior-side upper portion with respect to the attaching direction of developer collecting container  148  is a copier body-side coupler for developer conveyance  251  for conveying the developer collected from photosensitive member  51  by cleaner  57  (see FIG. 5) into developer collecting container  148 . A copier body-side drive coupler  252  is arranged in the interior-side lower portion with respect to the attaching direction of developer collecting container  148 , whereby the developer conveyed into developer collecting container  148  is sent to the exterior-side with resect to the attaching direction. As shown in FIG. 15, a coupling portion for developer collecting container  260  for coupling between developer collecting container  148  and copier body  1 , is located between rear frame  303  and developer collecting container  148 , or in a space defined by translating developer collecting container  148 , to the interior side with respect to its attaching direction and in the interior side with respect to the attaching direction of manual feeder  150 . As stated above, pickup solenoid  200  of manual feeder  150  is laid out between rear frame  303  and developer collecting container  148 , or in a space defined by translating developer collecting container  148  to the interior side with respect to its attaching direction and to the exterior side with respect to the attaching direction of manual feeder  150 . 
     Main body-side coupler for developer conveyance  251  comprises: a conveyance pipe element  241  fixed to rear frame  303 , a developer conveying means  240  of a spiral configuration, disposed inside conveyance pipe element  241 , so as to be rotated by the driving force from the copier body side; a shutter  242  which is urged by a shutter spring  243  toward the left side in FIGS. 17A and 17B and is movable between a closed position where an opening  241   a  formed at the end of conveyance pipe element  241  is closed thereby and an open position; and an attachment stopper  244  integrally formed with conveyance pipe element  241 . Copier body-side drive coupler  252  comprises: a conveyance drive shaft  250  supported rotatably by a bearing disposed in rear frame  303  of the copier body; and a coupling  249  fixed thereto. 
     Provided on the front side with respect to the attaching direction of developer collecting container  148  are front frame  302  of the copier body, a securing stopper  245  having a flap  245   a  fitted into an opening  302   b  formed in a bent portion  302   a  of front frame  302  and a spring  253  urging securing stopper  245  downwards. 
     A coupling opening  148   b  is formed on the interior-side wall, of developer collecting container  148 , in the attaching direction thereof. An in-container feeding means  246  is disposed inside developer collecting container  148  and is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings  148   a  provided on the interior walls of developer collecting container  148 . This in-container feeding means  246  is fixed on the interior side to a feed shaft  247 , to which coupling  248  as the drive coupler on the developer collecting container  148  side is fixed. 
     Next, referring FIGS. 16 and 17A and  17 B, attachment and withdrawal of developer collecting container  148  with copier body  1  will be described. 
     As shown in FIG. 16, before attachment of developer collecting container  148  to copier body  1 , cap  148   c  is removed so as to open coupling opening  148   b  for joining developer collecting container  148  to the coupling portion on the copier body side. Next, as shown in FIG. 17A, when developer collecting container  148  is inserted into the copier body through attachment mouth  302   c  formed in front frame  302  of the copier, the top edge of developer collecting container  148  abuts the inclined portion ( 245   c ) of securing stopper  245 . As developer collecting container  148  is inserted, securing stopper  245  moves up opposing the elastic force of spring  253 . So this stopper will not be an obstacle to the attachment of developer collecting container  148 . As developer collecting container  148  is further pressed to the copier body interior (in the B-direction in the figure), the container slides over a guide plate  149  provided between front frame  302  fixed to the front-side chassis  300  of copier body  1  and rear frame  303  fixed to the rear-side chassis  301 , toward rear frame  303 . 
     As developer collecting container  148  is further inserted, shutter  242  residing at the closed position of opening  241   a  for preventing the developer from polluting the interior of the image processing apparatus, is moved to the right side in the figure, by being pressed by the exterior wall of developer collecting container  148  while the end of conveyance pipe element  241  is inserted into developer collecting container  148  through coupling opening  148   b  of developer collecting container  148 . 
     As shown in FIG. 17B, when developer collecting container  148  is inserted to reach the position where a further movement of shutter  242  is stopped by attachment stopper  244 , securing stopper  245  is moved by spring  253  to such a position as to engage the developer collecting container  148  to prevent developer collecting container  148  from being displaced. The end part of conveyance pipe element  241  fitted in developer collecting container  148  has its opening  241   a  exposed thus allowing the conveyance of the developer conveyed by developer conveying means  240  into developer collecting container  148 . In this way, developer collecting container  148  has been attached to the predetermined position, and the coupling relating to the conveyance of the developer between developer collecting container  148  and the copier body side has been completed. 
     As developer collecting container  148  is being completely attached in place, coupling  248  and coupling  249  also fit to each other so that in-container feeding means  246  can rotate, thus the connection relating to the driving force transmission between developer collecting container  148  and copier body  1  also is completed. 
     By the above described mechanism, the developer conveyed by developer conveying means  240  falls into developer collecting container  143  from opening  241   a , then the collected developer is conveyed by in-container feeding means  246  in the detaching direction of developer collecting container  148 . Thus, the developer can be stored approximately uniformly across the bottom of developer collecting container  148 , from the interior side to the exterior side. 
     For detachment of developer collecting container  148  from copier body  1 , securing stopper  245  is lifted by hand, developer collecting container  148  is pushed out in the A-direction in the figure from the elastic force of shutter spring  243 , the coupling relating to the developer conveyance and the coupling relating to the driving force transmission between developer collecting container  148  and copier body  1  (see FIG. 3) are freed. In this condition, developer collecting container  148  can be taken out from copier body  1  by the operator grasping the front end part of developer collecting container  148  and pulling it out. 
     Next, referring to FIGS. 6,  15  and  18 A,  18 B and  18 C, the positional relationship between manual feeder  150  and developer collecting container  148  in their attached state will be described. 
     The depth of developer collecting container  148 , with respect to the direction of attachment (the B-direction), is formed to some degree shorter than the width H of the acceptable maximum sheet P to be set on manual feeder  150 , therefore, the container leaves some space in the interior side, with respect to the attaching direction of developer collecting container  148 , not occupying the space across the full width of the acceptable maximum sheet, or not exceeding the side edge of the maximum sheet. 
     FIGS. 18A,  18 B and  18 C are perspective views showing manual feeder  150  and developer collecting container  148  in their attached state. As shown in FIGS. 18A,  18 B and  18 C, with manual feeder  150  and developer collecting container  148  in their attached state to copier body  1  (see FIG.  3 ), when developer collecting container  148  is translated in parallel in the attaching direction (in the B direction) of developer collecting container  148 , a space of translation  280  is produced between developer collecting container  148  and rear frame  303 . Here, this space of translation  280  does not include the space occupied by developer collecting container  148 . Manual feeder  150  is attached in a manner that a part  150   a  of manual feeder  150  is located within this space  280 . This part  150   a  of manual feeder  150  includes pickup solenoid  200 , connector  271  and the like on the manual feeder  150  side. Arranged also within space  280  is a copier side connector  272 . Here, reference numerals  300 ,  301  and  302  designate components in FIG.  18 . 
     Developer collecting container  148  in its attached state, is arranged outside space  281  which is the path of manual feeder  150  (see FIG. 18B) during movement for the detachment (in the X-direction) and attachment in the Y-direction). Similarly, manual feeder  150  in its attached state, is arranged outside space  282  which is the path of developer collecting container  148  (see FIG. 18C) for movement. Further, parts  241 ,  249 ,  250  and  270  for coupling either manual feeder  150  or developer collecting container  148  to the copier body are arranged in areas so as not to interfere with movement for attachment and detachment of the other unit (FIGS.  18 B and  18 C). 
     In this way, when manual feeder  150  and developer collecting container  148  have been attached to copier body  1 , these two components are arranged in the above described relationship, so that it is not necessary to shift one unit of the two when the other unit needs be attached or detached and hence the number of steps during attachment or detachment does not change. In this embodiment, since both of these two functional units has couplings with the copier body, the couplings on the copier side are arranged in predetermined positions within space  280  which will not interfere with the attachment and detachment of either functional units. However, this example does not mean that the couplings should be disposed necessarily within space  280 . The couplings may be positioned anywhere as long as they will not be an obstacle to the attachment and detachment of other functional units. Also in this case, the volume of the space occupied by the couplings is small compared to that occupied by functional units, so it is possible to achieve efficient use of space. 
     Up to now, the manual feeder and developer collecting container, applied to the invention, have been described in detail. 
     Concerning the pickup feeder, the sheet stacking means of a fixed type is used in the above embodiment, but the present invention can also be applied to a pickup feeder of a up and down movable type. The separation feeding means of this embodiment uses a feed roller abutted against a separation pad but a variety of modifications can be made such as, for example, use of a feed roller abutted against a reversing roller, or a feed belt in place of a feed roller, etc. Further, as to the pickup feeding means, other modifications can be made such as use of a belt in place of a roller. 
     Further, instead of arranging a container for collecting the developer, it is also possible to arrange a developer supplying container for supplying the developer to developing means  54 . 
     As the present invention has been described with the case of a manual feeder, the functional unit is not limited to the pickup feeder and/or develop collector, the present invention can be applied to other various types of functional units. 
     (The Second Embodiment) 
     Next, the second embodiment in accordance with the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 19A,  19 B,  19 C,  20 A and  20 B. Here, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be allotted with the same reference numerals. 
     The second embodiment is a sheet feeder  100  as a functional unit detachably arranged adjacent to another detachable functional unit of a copier, a developer collecting container  148 . In this embodiment, the drive transmission assembly for transmitting a driving force to the feeding-related means which moves between the active and inactive positions, is disposed in a space defined by translating an area beyond the full width of the acceptable maximum size of the sheets set on the sheet stacking means, in the direction of the thickness of the sheets. FIGS. 19A,  19 B and  19 C are sectional views showing developer collecting container  148  and manual feeder  150  in their attached state. FIG. 20A is a perspective view showing manual feeder  150  and developer collecting container  148  in their attached state. 
     FIG. 19A shows a state where developer collecting container  148  is about to be attached, FIG. 19B shows a state where developer collecting container  148  has been attached in place, and FIG. 19C shows a state around rear frame  303  of the copier body with two functional units, i.e., developer collecting container  148  and manual feeder  150  attached in place. In order to further increase the volume of the developer collecting container  148  shown in FIG. 15 of the first embodiment, the developer collecting container of this embodiment is configured as shown in FIGS. 19A,  19 B and  19 C, so that when it is attached, the rear-side container wall with respect to the attaching direction of developer collecting container  148  is projected out beyond rear frame  303 . In this case, copier body-side coupler for developer conveyance  251  and conveyance drive shaft  250  are supported by another supporter plate  370  fixed to rear frame  303 . 
     The operations concerning the attachment and detachment of developer collecting container  148  are the same as the first embodiment so the description will not be repeated. 
     As shown in FIG. 19C, pickup solenoid  200  as a part of manual feeder  150  is supported by a supporter plate  371  fixed to feeder frame  181  and is arranged in a depressed portion  372  formed in developer collecting container  148 . Pickup solenoid  200  is coupled with lever  203 . 
     In this way, lever  203  as a shifting means for shifting the pickup feeding means  152  between the active and inactive positions, resides in a space which is defined by translating the central area of the full width of the acceptable maximum size sheet, in the direction of the sheet thickness. When the space of the path of pickup feeding means  152  for movement between its active and inactive positions, is arranged so as to be in contact with two planes perpendicular to the direction of the sheet thickness, lever  203  moves within the space between the two planes. Lever  203  extends to a space defined by translating the outside area beyond the edge of the width of the acceptable maximum sheet, in the direction of the sheet thickness. Further, since this lever  203  moves along the longitudinal direction thereof to transmit the driving force, this configuration does not need much space for the movement, thus contributing to miniaturization of manual feeder  150 . 
     Next, the positional relationship between developer collecting container  148  and manual feeder  150  in their attached state, will be described with reference to FIGS. 20A and  20 B. As shown in FIG. 20B, pickup solenoid  200  is arranged in part  150   a  of manual feeder  150 , within the space overlapped by a space  373  which is defined by translating the developer collecting container  148  in the attaching direction thereof and another space  374  which is defined by translating the developer collecting container  148  in the detached direction of manual feeder  150 , and yet within a space  375  which is outside the space occupied by developer collecting container  148 . This arrangement enables both the increase in volume of developer collecting container  148  and the attachment and detachment of manual feeder  150 . 
     In this embodiment, since developer collecting container  148  is attached by being slid in the B-direction in FIG.  20 A and detached by being slid in the A-direction, the attachment and detachment are the same as in the case of the above first embodiment. On the contrary, manual feeder  150  is attached by fitting the portion of feeder clutch  194  and its input gear  194   a , and the portion of pickup solenoid  200  (see FIG. 7) into an opening  303   b  (not shown) formed in rear frame  303 , with manual feeder  150  kept angled with respect to the copier body, and then moving the feeder in the Y-direction. Fixture of manual feeder  150  is the same as in the first embodiment. Thereafter, the couplers for electrical connection are coupled by hand in the same manner as in the first embodiment, to complete the attachment of manual feeder  150 . The detachment of manual feeder  150  is performed in the reverse direction to that above. 
     As the present invention has been described with the case of a manual feeder, the functional unit is not limited to the pickup feeder and develop collector, the present invention can be applied to other various types of functional units. 
     (The Third Embodiment) 
     Next, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 21A,  21 B through  26 A,  26 B. Here, the same components as those in the above embodiments will be allotted with the same reference numerals. 
     FIGS. 21A and 21B are sectional views of a copier body  1  of the third embodiment. FIG. 21A is an overall sectional view and FIG. 21B is an enlarged view showing essential parts. The basic configuration of the third embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, except in that a feeder unit  154  of manual feeder  150  is provided on the side next to developer collecting container  148  and excepting the configuration of developer collecting container  148  and parts relating to its attachment and detachment. Disposed below a guide plate  149  for guiding attachment and detachment of developer collecting container  148 , are the sheet conveying means and sheet conveyance guide. 
     Now, as to developer collecting container  148  and parts for attachment and detachment therefor will be described with reference to FIGS. 22A and 22B. Here, FIGS. 22A and 22B are sectional views showing developer collecting container  148  in its attached state. 
     The top wall of developer collecting container  148  is formed with a plurality of openings  148   c . A conveyance pipe element  380  for conveying the developer to developer collecting container  148 , is fixed to rear frame  303 . Formed on the underside of conveyance pipe element  380  are a plurality of discharge openings  380   a . A shutter  381  is provided around the conveyance pipe element  380 . Shutter  381  also has openings  381   a . Part of conveyance pipe element  380  constitutes a stopper  380   b  for shutter  381 . A spring  383  is provided between shutter  381  and a flange  380   c  of conveyance pipe element  380 . Conveyance pipe element  380  has a hollow in which a developer conveying screw  382  for conveying the developer from cleaner  57  (see FIG.  21 A). 
     Attachment of developer collecting container  148  is described with reference to FIGS. 22A and 22B. 
     When inserted into the copier body through attachment mouth  302   c  formed in front frame  302 , the top edge on the interior side with respect to the attaching direction of developer collecting container  148  abuts the inclined portion ( 245   c ) of securing stopper  245  and raises securing stopper  245  opposing the elastic force of spring  253 . As developer collecting container  148  moves in the B-direction over guide plate  149 , the container wall on the interior side with respect to the attaching direction of developer collecting container  148 , presses shutter  381 , opposing spring  383 . Further, as developer collecting container  148  slides until shutter  381  abuts the slide stopper, i.e., a flange  380   c , securing stopper  245  is pressed down by spring  253 , to thereby prohibit developer collecting container  148  from being pulled out. Thus, the attachment of developer collecting container  148  is completed. When developer collecting container  148  is completely attached, a detachment spring  386  interposed between a separation assist plate  385  and rear frame  303  is compressed. When developer collecting container  148  is completely attached, openings  381   a  of shutter  381 , discharge openings  380   a  of conveyance pipe element  380 , openings  148   c  of developer collector container  148  are all aligned with one another forming paths so that the developer conveyed by developer conveying screw  382  can be discharged therethrough into developer collecting container  148 . 
     For detachment of developer collecting container  148  from copier body  1  (see FIG.  22 B), securing stopper  245  is lifted by a hand, to undo the engagement. Then, developer collecting container  148  is pushed out in the A-direction by detachment assist plate  385  due to the action of the elastic force of spring  383 . As developer collecting container  148  moves in the A-direction, shutter  381  also moves in the same direction and abuts a stopper  380   b  and stops at that point. In this situation, openings  381 a of shutter  381  and discharge openings  380   a  of conveyance pipe element  380  are closed, so no developer will leak. After developer collecting container  148  has been pulled out of the copier, openings  148   c  of developer collecting container  148  are covered with a container lid so as to prevent the developer from leaking from developer collecting container  148 . 
     Next, referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, the configuration of a manual feeder  150  and the attachment and detachment thereof will be described. FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a state before attachment of manual feeder  150 . FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing the attached state of manual feeder  150 . 
     A pickup solenoid  200  for moving a pickup feeding means  152  of manual feeder  150  up and down is fixed to the step where a return spring  204  of feeder frame  181  is disposed. Pickup solenoid  200  is coupled with a lever  203 . The operations of these elements are the same as in the first embodiment. 
     Fixed to a bent portion  181   b  of feeder frame  181  is a manual feeder-side connector  271 . A feeder clutch  194  and pulley  356  are arranged on a drive input shaft  183  rotatably supported by feeder frame  181 . A pulley/gear  351  having a pulley and a gear integrally formed is rotatably supported on feeder frame  181 . The rotary shaft of pulley/gear  351  is supported by a drive coupling plate  353  while an input gear  352  which is meshed with the gear portion of pulley/gear  351  is also supported by drive coupling plate  353 . A spring  355  is hooked between drive coupling plate  353  and a boss  354 . A belt  350  is wound between pulley  356  and the pulley portion of pulley/gear  351 . 
     Drive force transmitted from input gear  352  is transferred from pulley/gear  351  to pulley  356  via belt  350 . When feeder clutch  194  is on, the driving force is transmitted to drive input shaft  183 , whereas when feeder clutch  194  is off, no drive force will be transmitted to drive input shaft  183 . 
     Fixed on rear frame  303  of the copier body side is a connector fixture plate  357  which holds a copier-side connector  272 . An output shaft  358  has a coupling  249  for rotating in-container feed means  246  of developer collecting container  148 , fixed at its distal end, and is provided with a pulley  359 . A pulley/gear  361  is rotatably supported on rear frame  303  while a belt  360  is wound between pulley gear  361  and pulley  359 . Rear frame  303  further has an upright boss  363  thereon and a shielding plate  362  fixed thereto. 
     When manual feeder  150  has been fixed to front chassis  300  (see FIG. 25) and rear chassis  301  to complete the attachment to copier body  1  (see FIG.  3 ), connector  272  on the copier side and connector  271  on the manual feeder side are joined as shown in FIG. 24 to complete the coupling of coupling portion  270  relating to electrical connection of this embodiment. As a result, sheet set sensor S 1  (see FIG. 25) provided for manual feeder  150  and pickup solenoid  200  can operate. 
     During attachment of manual feeder  150 , when drive coupling plate  353  abuts boss  363 , drive coupling plate  353  rotates upward about rotary shaft of pulley/gear  351  (see FIG.  23 ), opposing spring  355 , so input gear  352  also goes up. When manual feeder  150  has been completely attached, input gear  352  meshes the gear portion of pulley/gear  361 , thus the driving force from the copier body side can be transmitted to manual feeder  150 . Conversely, when manual feeder  150  is pulled out, drive coupling plate  353  is pulled by spring  355  so that it goes down together with input gear  352 . Because of this configuration, connector fixture plate  357  will not be an obstacle when manual feeder  150  is attached and detached. 
     When manual feeder  150  and developer collecting container  148  (not shown in FIGS. 25 and 26) are attached, shielding plate  362  and connector fixture plate  357  shield the coupling portions of manual feeder  150  and developer collecting container  148 , specifically, the coupling portion relating to developer conveyance, the coupling portion relating to drive input and coupling portion  270  (see FIG. 24) relating to electrical connection so as to partition each coupling means from the others. 
     The relationship of the arrangement between manual feeder  150  and developer collecting container  148  will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26A and  26 B. FIG. 25 is a sectional view showing manual feeder  150  and developer collecting container  148  in their attached state to copier body  1  (see FIG.  3 ), viewed from the side where manual feeder  150  is attached or detached with respect to copier body. FIG. 26A is a perspective view showing the attached state of manual feeder  150  and developer collecting container  148 . 
     Developer collecting container  148  has a depressed portion  390 , where the coupler for coupling manual feeder  150  to copier body  1  (see FIG. 3) is laid out. As shown in FIG. 26B, part  150   a  of manual feeder  150  is arranged, within the space overlapped by a space  391  which is defined by translating developer collecting container  148  in its attached position in the attaching direction (the B-direction) and another space  392  which is defined by translating developer collecting container  148  in the direction (the G-direction) substantially perpendicular to the attaching direction (the B-direction), and yet within a space  390  which is outside the space occupied by developer collecting container  148 , as shown in FIG.  26 A. As already described, the coupling portion for coupling manual feeder  150  with copier body  1  is laid out in this part  150   a  of manual feeder  150 . 
     (The Fourth Embodiment) 
     As shown in FIG. 15, the left side portion of pickup feeding means  152  and feed roller  180  of manual feeder  150  is configured in a step-like form, as shown in FIG. 15, and this space is not used. For the purpose of using this wasted space, the volume of developer collecting container  148  is increased to enlarge developing collecting container  148 . 
     FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a developer collecting container  148 . FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a manual feeder and a developer collecting container in their attached state. Since unused space is present on the bottom side of developer collecting container  148 , if the volume to be utilized is simply added to developer collecting container  148 , the stability of developer collecting container  148  when it is placed outside the machine cannot be ensured. To deal with this, all the bottom surface is enlarged by the height of the space to be efficiently used, to thereby produce a good stability when it is placed outside the machine. As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the bottom area of developer collecting container  148  is formed with a depressed portion  395 , which is the space occupied by pickup feeding means  152  and feed roller  180  when they are attached. In the above first to third embodiments, the same components are allotted with the same reference numerals for the purpose of simplifying the description. 
     Since the amount of collection of the developer, that is, the amount of the leftover developer on the photosensitive member, which has not been transferred to the sheet during transfer, is very small compared to the supplied amount of the developer, a small increase in volume is effective to prolong the time of replacement of developer collecting container  148  to some practical extent. 
     As in this case, when a functional unit has a primary function of collecting a fluid matter such as a developer, etc., it is convenient to enhance the function because the container of the fluid matter can be modified as to its shape without affecting the function. 
     In the above, a developer collecting container  148  having the function of holding the collected developer was used as an example of a container of a fluid matter, to explain the present embodiments, because its high efficiency. However, the container of a fluid matter may be a developer supply container for storing the developer for supply, may be an agitating chamber which is provided in the developing means for agitating the developer, or may be a collecting chamber of a cleaner, for temporarily storing the leftover developer removed from the photosensitive member. 
     As the present invention has been described with the case of a manual feeder, the functional unit is not limited to the pickup feeder and develop collector, the present invention can be applied to other various types of functional units. 
     In accordance with the present invention, in the space of the path for movement of a functional unit when it is attached or detached no part of other functional units are located other than the functional unit which is being attached or detached. Therefore, when the functional unit is attached or detached, no manipulative operation is needed such as moving, attaching and detaching any other functional unit. Thus a simple attachment and detachment of a functional unit can be ensured. Further, the layout of the parts within each functional unit can be modified so as to arrange a certain part of the functional unit in an unused space, without losing the operativity of the attachment and detachment of the functional unit and other functional units, thus making it possible to reduce the volume of the space occupied by the functional unit itself. Resultantly, it is possible to miniaturize the image processing apparatus. 
     In accordance with the fourth feature of the invention, one of the multiple functional units has a first functional portion which directly comes in contact with the sheets and directly relates to sheet feeding and a second functional portion which relates to sheet feeding but is kept away of the sheets, and the first functional unit is arranged for attachment within a space which is defined by translating an area extending in the direction perpendicular to sheet feeding direction and having the full width of the acceptable maximum size sheet, in the direction normal to the sheet feeding surface. Accordingly, it is possible to secure an adequate movable range within which the first functional portion moves between the contact and separated positions. Further, since the second functional unit is arranged for attachment within a space which is defined by translating an area lying in the direction perpendicular to sheet feeding direction but outside the full width of the acceptable maximum size sheet, in the direction normal to the sheet feeding surface, the image processing apparatus can be configured to be thinner. 
     In accordance with the fifth feature of the invention, a multiple number of connector means of the functional units adjacently disposed within the image processing apparatus for coupling them to the main apparatus body side, such as connector means for connecting the power lines and signal lines of the functional units with the main apparatus body, drive coupling means for receiving the driving forces for functional units from the main apparatus side, or the coupling portion for the developer conveying means for inputting the developer to, or outputting the developer from, a container, are not arranged diversely but are laid out integrally. Therefore, a greater space can be secured inside the machine body, and hence it is possible to enhance the flexibility of the layout of other functional units and parts to be arranged within the image processing apparatus. Thus, the design for miniaturization of an image processing apparatus can be further promoted. Coupling means on the main apparatus side can be further localized and integrated into units. This also improves the assembly performance as to the main machine side. 
     In accordance with the sixth feature of the invention, since multiple coupling means of the same type of adjacent functional units are laid out close to each other, the coupling means of the same type can be arranged closely also on the main apparatus side. Because each coupling means was disposed away from others in the conventional configuration, separate parts were needed for the coupling means. However, as a result of the above configuration, common parts can be used and hence the number of parts can be reduced, so that coupling means of the same type can be integrated into units and hence can be made compact. Further, for example, when connector means and drive coupling means are arranged closely, the lubricant for the drive coupling means may adhere to the connector means causing trouble with electrical connection. Alternatively, when connector means, drive coupling means and the coupling portion of the developer conveying means are laid out together, the developer may scatter from the coupling portion of the developer conveying means and adhere to the connector means causing trouble with electrical connection, or may adhere to the drive coupling means lowering the wear resistance. The present configuration can eliminate such adverse effects from different types of adjacent coupling means when different types of coupling means are laid out without being themselves separated. 
     In accordance with the seventh feature of the invention, since the functional unit is one which has a geometric flexibility in its volumed part, such as a container for a fluid matter, or in other words, since the functional unit is a container which can be modified in shape and dimensions to some extent, the flexibility of the layout of adjacent functional units within the image processing apparatus can be enhanced, thus increasing the capacity of the container and enhancing the design flexibility for miniaturization of the image processing apparatus. 
     In accordance with the eighth feature of the invention, the transmitting element for shifting the sheet-feeding related means between the active position and the inactive position can be extended to the space which is defined by translating a boundary area of the full width of the maximum size sheet in the direction of the sheet thickness, or can be extended to the space which is defined by translating an area beyond the full width of the maximum in the direction of the sheet thickness, and hence the drive source for driving the transmitting element can also be laid out within the space. As a result, the sheet feeder can be made thinner with respect to the direction of the sheet thickness, around the mid area across the sheet width where the sheet-feeding related means that moves between the active and inactive positions is arranged. Accordingly, when another functional unit having functional parts relating to the sheets is laid out adjacent to the sheet feeder inside the image information processing apparatus, no wasted space will arise between the sheet feeder and the other functional unit. Resultantly, it is possible to promote miniaturization of the image information processing apparatus whilst keeping the ease of attachment and detachment of the sheet feeder and other units. 
     In accordance with the ninth feature of the invention, in addition to the effects of the above eighth feature, since the drive transmitting element for shifting the sheet-feeding related means between the active position and the inactive position, can be extended, in the direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction, to the space which is defined by translating a boundary area of the full width of the maximum size sheet in the direction of the sheet thickness, or can be extended, in the direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction, to the space which is defined by translating an area beyond the full width of the maximum in the direction of the sheet thickness, and hence the drive source for driving the transmitting element can also be laid out within the space. As a result, it is possible to create open space around the sheets except on the leading side thereof with respect to the sheet feeding direction. Accordingly, when the sheet stacking means of a sheet feeder is exposed outside the image information processing apparatus (for example, in the case of a manual feeder or the like), a large open space can be secured over the sheets and hence enabling easy setting of the sheets onto sheet stacking means. On the other hand, the sheet stacking means of a sheet feeder is provided inside the image information processing apparatus (for example in the case of a drawer type sheet feed cassette, etc.), the open space can be used for the arrangement of other parts or adjacent functional units, thus making it possible to promote miniaturization of the image information processing apparatus. 
     In accordance with the tenth feature of the invention, concerning the driving force transmitting elements for transmitting a driving force for shifting the pickup feeding means as a functional part relating to the sheet, between the active and inactive position, the drive transmission path to the pickup feeder means is configured so that the rotary driving force transmitting element is disposed closer to the pickup feeding means than the parallel movement type transmitting element. As a result, the driving force transmitting elements do not project more when compared with the case where the pickup feeding means is shifted by a rotary type drive transmitting element and a drive source coupled therewith. Further, since a drive source comparable to or greater in size than the pickup feeding means, can be arranged freely away from the pickup feeding means, it is also possible to eliminate wasted space or vacant space by adjusting the geometry relative to adjacent functional units, otherwise the drive source bulges out and hence wasted space will be created with other adjacent functional units when the sheet feeder is attached inside the image information processing apparatus. Moreover, even when a driving force transmitting element is reciprocated by providing a means for switching the moving direction of the driving force transmitting element (clutch, etc.), instead of using a solenoid and/or a spring, in a space defined, in the direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction, by translating an area beyond the full width of the maximum in the direction of the sheet thickness, it is possible to easily extend, the driving force transmitting element, if it is of a parallel movement type, to the space generated, in the direction perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction, by translating an area beyond the full width of the maximum in the direction of the sheet thickness. (If a rotary type driving force transmitting element is extended, it needs a much greater space for movement because it moves in a rotational manner.) 
     In accordance with the eleventh feature of the invention, in addition to the effects of the above tenth feature, since a spring as a driving force for moving the pickup feeding means, is provided along the direction in which the parallel movement type transmitting element moves, it is possible to promote a configuration thinner with respect to the direction of the sheet thickness, compared to the configuration where the spring is engaged with a rotary type driving force transmitting element. 
     In accordance with the twelfth feature of the invention, in addition to the effects of the above tenth feature, since, when a spring as a driving force for moving the pickup feeding means is engaged with the rotary type driving force transmitting element, the spring will no longer buckle, the movement of the pickup feeding means can be stabilized. 
     In accordance with the thirteenth feature of the invention, the following effects can be obtained. That is, in the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Hei 6 No. 71,947, the stopper means supported by the supporting portion having a pivot axle on the separation feeding means side, rotationally moves up and down between the retracted position (inactive position) over the sheet stacking means and the blocking position (active position) with its lower end lowered. Compared to this configuration, in this invention, the sheet feeding means can be made thinner by the space which would be required for the path of the supporting portion of the stopper means as it rotates. Further, in this configuration, no erroneous displacement of the stopper means, stemming from the fact that the stopper means rotates about a rotary axle, will occur any longer, to thereby prevent erroneous feed of sheets. 
     Since the stopper means moves in parallel, the space of the path of the movement of the stopper means itself is also relative small, so this also contributes to miniaturizing the sheet feeder. 
     In accordance with the fourteenth feature of the invention, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects from the above thirteen features. That is, the rotary driving force transmitting element is arranged, within the space enclosed by the two planes, which are perpendicular to the direction of the sheet thickness which are formed so as to be in contact with the space of the path for movement of the stopper means between the blocking position and the retracted position, and on the side opposite to the sheet blocking side of the stopper means, and the mechanism of transmitting a driving force to move the stopper means between the blocking position and the retracted position is configured in such a geometry that, within the space enclosed by the aforementioned two planes, the parallel movement type drive transmitting element which is integrally formed on the side opposite to the sheet blocking side of the stopper means for preventing the sheets from reaching the separation feeding means, receives a driving force from the rotary driving force transmitting element. Therefore, it is possible to easily arrange a rotary type transmission element which will not need moving space for drive transmission, in the space between the pickup feeding means and the separation feeding means, which would be difficult to arrange because drive transmission parts of the stopper means. On the other hand, the parallel movement type drive transmission element moves integrally with the sheet stopper means, so not to be an obstacle to the arrangement of the stopper. Thus, this configuration contributes to the miniaturization.