Hybrid paper supply module and image forming apparatus equipped with such hybrid paper supply module, and also paper supply mechanism and image forming apparatus equipped with such paper supply mechanism

A hybrid paper supply module comprising:

• at least one automatic-feed cassette mechanism unit capable of containing one or more recording media for image formation to be carried out at one or more image forming units of one or more image forming apparatuses;
• at least one manual-feed mechanism unit permitting placement therein or thereon of one or more recording media;
• at least one first path for transporting one or more recording media taken up from said at least one automatic-feed cassette mechanism unit;
• at least one second path transporting one or more recording media taken up from said at least one manual-feed mechanism unit;
• and
• at least one common path at which said at least one first path and said at least one second path are made to mutually intersect with each other and thereafter extend toward said at least one of the image forming unit or units;
• wherein, of the respective paths, said at least one common path is capable of being opened up to the exterior when said at least one manual-feed mechanism unit is manipulated by said opening grip region;
• wherein said at least one automatic-feed cassette mechanism unit and said at least one manual-feed mechanism unit are configured as a single module;
• wherein said at least one manual-feed mechanism unit is equipped with at least one manual-feed tray which is capable of being stored at least one side of the hybrid paper supply module when not in use, said at least one manual-feed mechanism unit installed such that it can be moved so as to permit user access to at least one recording medium transport path within the hybrid paper supply module, when said hybrid paper supply module is opened up to the exterior;
• and
• wherein said at least one manual-feed tray includes at least one deployment grip region, said deployment grip region being located on an outside surface of the image forming apparatus when the manual-feed tray is in a stored state, and said deployment grip region being capable of causing said at least one manual-feed tray to assume at least one deployed state permitting placement therein or thereon of one or more recording media;
• and
• wherein said at least one manual-feed tray further includes at least one opening grip region, said at least one opening grip region being capable of causing said manual-feed mechanism unit to be pulled out, opening up the interior of the hybrid paper supply module to the exterior thereby permitting user access to said at least one recording medium transport path.